88 4Runner Project! (Lots of Questions)

[rusty904]

So I got myself an 88 4runner 22re 5speed last weekend that came with the name of "Roscoe". I usually don't name cars but the previous owners seemed attached to the name and I like it so Roscoe it is.

Anyway, the truck is in pretty good shape mechanically with much of the major services done recently, new radiator, new front brake rotors and calipers, timing chain, cover, water pump, etc. No leaks, no rattles, or strange noises on startup. It made the 2hr journey home without complaint. It developed a rough idle but some fuel treatment, new plugs, and premium fuel seem to be remedying that. Even though I wouldn't describe it as clean cosmetically the core of the truck seems very good. No real rust anywhere, lifetime South Carolina vehicle. The Courbeau suspension seats were a nice bonus even though they are blue.

This truck will be my 2nd vehicle and I will use it for MTB trips/races, camping, and some light-moderate off roading. Even though the weather sucks right now and most of my work will have to be done off road, I am anxious to get started.

Here's my current to-do list:
Mechanical:
-New plugs (done)

-Repair front wipers (fuse good, motor gets hot but no movement, worked on the test drive)
-Find rear wiper arm assembly

-Fix the horn

-Fix fuel sender that causes the gauge to read empty at around 1/2 a tank. (Suppose this involves dropping out the tank? Ugh)

-Get the cruise control operational, cable is detached now so obviously the previous owner had an issue with it.
-Do a slight suspension lift to make a little more clearance for the 265/75/16's (Tundra Steelies/ATKO's)

Interior:
-Find some sort of carpeting/flooring solution. I'd prefer something that maintains some insulation but is very easy to clean.

-Fix/replace cracked dash pad

-Fix the headliner that's coming off on the drivers side

-Find and install missing interior trim pieces, Driver's arm rest, shifter bezel, dome light lense/switch. Might want or need to go custom/DIY on some of these.

-Install factory roll bar, seats, and seatbelts. I've got everything but the hardware which I suppose I can pick up at lowes? Rear seats are in decent shape but look nasty even after a thorough cleaning.

-Fab some DIY storage panels for the rear.

Exterior:
-Install Hella H4 Conversion (in the mail!)

-Install some sort of rear bumper with a hitch for a rear mounted bike rack.

-Pull two softball size dents behind driver's side door and on passenger side door. Anyone know what is involved in getting to the back side of these panels?

-Re-Install the spare tire (Somewhere?). The spare matches the other tires so I'm not sure if it will fit. Would like to put it underneath in the stock location but need to take some measurements.

-Paint the damn thing! Will stick with the factory color but Roscoe definitely needs some new paint.

Later on down the road I might do some performance/functionality mods like a rear locker, engine upgrades, or various improvements that will make it more usable for car camping.

I've researched most of this stuff here and on Yotatech and TTora. Any input you have on any of this stuff would be greatly appreciated!

 

[rusty904]

Couple more pics

 

[96 ToyRunner]

Very nice first gen.:cheer2:

 

[Howitzer]

That is one clean yota! I bought my 87 4Runner when I was 15, and it was mint. Now, she's angry and decrepit! I love the shag carpet, by the way! All you need is a big fuzzy hat, a cane, a fur overcoat, a nickel plated 1911 pistol and to walk with a limp :flamethrwoer2:

 

[rusty904]

So I'll get started on the dumb questions here, please forgive me.

Spare tire: mine came with the spare plopped in the back of the truck. I want to put it back underneath. Looks like the hoist thing to get it up/down takes a special tool for it to work. I don't think I have this tool unless it is stored somewhere weird underneath the truck. I just have the little green toyota tool roll with the brown jackstand and tire iron.

Is there anything I can use in lieu of the factory crank? Or dod I have to go to the toyota dealership and buy one?

Headliner: It looks like it's in great shape aside from where it's coming off in the pic I posted. Is it game over or can I glue it back? I tried last night but I couldn't stretch it enough to get it tucked back up under the edge.

 

[gamefreakgc]

So I'll get started on the dumb questions here, please forgive me.

Spare tire: mine came with the spare plopped in the back of the truck. I want to put it back underneath. Looks like the hoist thing to get it up/down takes a special tool for it to work. I don't think I have this tool unless it is stored somewhere weird underneath the truck. I just have the little green toyota tool roll with the brown jackstand and tire iron.

Is there anything I can use in lieu of the factory crank? Or dod I have to go to the toyota dealership and buy one?

Headliner: It looks like it's in great shape aside from where it's coming off in the pic I posted. Is it game over or can I glue it back? I tried last night but I couldn't stretch it enough to get it tucked back up under the edge.

You use the tools supplied with the jack (string them together) and you insert it through a hole just above the rear bumper. Seeing that you don't have a bumper (FYI) you'll see the slot it goes into if you look long enough. Then you rotate and crank it down. The previous owner probably removed the bumper and tire for more clearance.

The headliner can be glued, but if it has shrunk due to age or moisture I'm not sure if you can ever get it back. You could try applying some heat and try and stretch it, but that might loosen the entire headliner and make things worse.

 

[rusty904]

Thanks for the info there. I think my tire kit must be missing some pieces or have non-original pieces because none of them fit the slot for the tire crank.

I did notice the lack of bumper! I'm at least that observant! Seems to be tons of factory replacements floating around for cheap but I can't find the plastic bumper extensions anywhere. I forgot to mention this in my original post but I'm thinking about going with some sort of aftermarket bumper with a hitch that I can mount a bike rack on.

Any suggestions?

 

[wallytoo]

Here's my current to-do list:
Mechanical:

-Fix the horn

-Fix fuel sender that causes the gauge to read empty at around 1/2 a tank. (Suppose this involves dropping out the tank? Ugh)

-Get the cruise control operational, cable is detached now so obviously the previous owner had an issue with it.
-Do a slight suspension lift to make a little more clearance for the 265/75/16's (Tundra Steelies/ATKO's)

there are a few good writeups here about repairing the horn. it isn't a difficult project.

the gauge sender does require the tank to be dropped, while the fuel sender/pump can be accessed through a panel under the rear seat.

i wouldn't bother with lifting it. try it as it is, and if there is too much rubbing, sell the tires and get a smaller set. mine fits 31x10.5x15s with no lift, and no rubbing with normal driving or moderate wheeling.

 

[ralatkins]

great looking first gen! welcome to the addiction lol

 

[Link12]

I like it. I need to find me an 85 to build. I'm jealous.

 

[KidVermicious]

The stock piece to lower the tire is a rod with a hook on the end (same hook you use to spin the stock bottle jack). The hook fits into the slot on the lowering mechanism. Pretty easy to fab up something else to shove in there if you can't find a stock piece.

I like it. I need to find me an 85 to build. I'm jealous.

Not worth the premium, IMO. Considering what you're going to do to it, by the time you're done with the front end you'll have replaced the springs and moved the hangars and you might as well have done an SAS anyway.

 

[rusty904]

Spending has begun, just ordered a dash cap and a vinyl carpeting kit from JC whitney. Hella H4's in the mail. Another $325 worth of stuff, ufff. That should be it for pricey parts right now unless I can find a bumper I like.

I'm going to do the vinyl up front in the passenger compartment and roll on bedliner in the back. People seem to have had good luck with herculiner here but are there any other good alternatives? Maybe something a little bit smoother?

Going to take a heat gun to that fake would crap that's stuck on the dash. I also tried to drop in the seats today but realized that I didn't get the center bracket for them (4bolts). I need hardware for them and the cage. What do the tops of the seat backs latch to?

 

[KidVermicious]

I liked Als Liner. I rolled it on in 35 degree temps and it set up fairly textured, but if you wait until it's warm enough and spray it instead of rolling it it'll be a lot flatter. You can also order a vinyl additive that makes it even flatter yet.

 

[Nervo19]

That's the color my '88 DLX bought new was! Lucky you. Have fun with it!

 

[rusty904]

Updates: Either I'm missing a piece for my spare tire crank or I'm the world's biggest idiot. Will have to pick something up that works because I really want the spare back under there. I think there should be one more brown piece to slot into the bits I have.

Wipers- After cleaning the connections and replacing the fuse my wiper motor is clearly working. I can seem the linkage moving through the cowl vents but the connection to the wipers has come loose or is broken.

To remove the cowl it looks like I have to pry off two plastic rivets and undo the screws. Is that right? For some reason the factory service manual someone was kind enough to give me does not include info on the front wipers, only the rear.

I mentioned this on the carpetless thread but I think I am going to try "monstaliner" coating for the cargo area. May or may not coat the passenger area under the vinyl. Have not decided.

Rear Bumper: Really need something minimalistic and clean with an integrated hitch, still looking for ideas here.

Last question for the moment, has anyone used a molded plastic dash cap to cover a cracked dash? Seems nearly impossible to find a replacement pad and I want to cover up that nasty split. Can't stand the carpet ones though.

 

[javendan]

awesome!!!

your runner looks great.

i gotta put some time into mine and get it back on the road.

thanks for the pics.

joel

 

[rusty904]

Just got a quote for "commercial pricing" through maaco to get the two big dents repaired, the top painted black and the truck painted factory blue. I may drop it off with them on Monday.

 

[KidVermicious]

Just got a quote for "commercial pricing" through maaco to get the two big dents repaired, the top painted black and the truck painted factory blue. I may drop it off with them on Monday.

I need to get mine in for paint eventually, what'd they quote you?

 

[rusty904]

I need to get mine in for paint eventually, what'd they quote you?

It was a bit complicated and I don't have the quote in front of me. It was $940 total. That's with two big dents repaired, $150 to paint the top satin black, and stripping the hood and the roof down to bare metal and re-priming. The paint level was the urethane paint with integrated clear and UV protection. I think that's upper-mid level. 5yr warranty I believe.

Paint itself was quite cheap, the damn dent pulls and "reconditioning" of the hood and the roof cost an arm and a leg. To give a little perspective to get the dents PDR'd in house for cost was $425.

 

[wallytoo]

Updates: Either I'm missing a piece for my spare tire crank or I'm the world's biggest idiot. Will have to pick something up that works because I really want the spare back under there. I think there should be one more brown piece to slot into the bits I have.

you are missing the long piece with a "hook" on the end of it. it is also used to operate the bottle jack.

this piece is stored in the driver's side rear compartment, where the rear washer fluid bag is (and the bottle jack is supposed to be).