DBD6604's 95 4Runner Build Thread

dbd6604

New member
Hey all. Picked up a '95 4Runner with a 3.0, Manual Trans, and 220k miles on it about two weeks ago. Has coolant in the oil, but the engine sounded good and for the price, I wasn't going to pass on it.

Here are the pics from when I picked it up:

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First thing I did was removed the damage multiplier and mudflaps. First chance we had to work on it, this is where we got:

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Once we got it torn down this far, we noticed it had a seemingly brand new water pump and timing belt, as well as everything that normally comes with them. Pretty happy about that.

A few days later, a little more time to work on it:

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Well, I already knew there was coolant in the oil, but still, yuck.

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Also, found a whollllle nest full of these guys next to the timing belt tensioner. They were all dead, thank goodness.

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Extracting the three bolts we broke trying to get the cam pulley bolts off. We ended up just having one person hold the crank pulley still while the other yanked on the bolt with a breaker bar. Don't know why we didn't think of that sooner, it was easy peasy.

http://i.imgur.com/3tNlf5v.jpg

This is the shape the radiator was in when we pulled it. Those fins were crumbling like paper. Is there something specific that causes that, or is it just a ˟˟˟˟ty radiator?

A couple days later, some more wrenchin' time:

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Heads are finally off. That is just random debris in the cylinders, not chunks of engine. :p

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Passenger side, doesn't look too bad for 220k miles.

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Driver's side. Yep, definitely looks like coolant was washing piston #6 clean. Who would've guessed? :rollseyes:

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Passenger side head.

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Driver's side head.

Well, now that the heads are off and everything is pretty much torn down, I've been looking for a machine shop to pressure test them, as well as mill them and adjust the valves. Talked to my first shop today, they told me to go somewhere else. :eek: Either they just didn't want to do it, or they're extremely busy due to the World Series of Drag Racing, which happens about 20 minutes from here. I would guess lots of local guys are having work done there. Sooooo I will call the second shop tomorrow and see if I can get them done ASAP. I want to drive this thing!

Will most likely update tomorrow. Thanks for looking!

PS - I am VERY new to this vehicle, and 4x4 rigs in general. I've been driving Honda Preludes for the past decade, and they are the only cars I've really worked on. So if you see anything that looks questionable, please don't hesitate to let me know!
 
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Today's update: Finally found a machine shop that is willing to do the work for me. $200 for pressure testing and resurfacing, not too shabby methinks. Think I might have them adjust the valves while they have the heads, just so I don't have to deal with it and I can say it's done.
 
Basically just waiting on the machine shop at this point. Been putting together my parts list, as well as my to-do list. Things I'd like to get done before I start driving it (besides the major stuff, obviously):

-Fuel Filter
-Clean oil cooler and replace seals
-PCV Valve
-New starter contacts
-Big 3 upgrade

If it seems that I'm missing anything, please let me know! :D
 
I'd recommend replacing:

Heater Bypass Hose
Knock Sensor
Knock Sensor Pig Tail

These are easy to do when the top of the engine is torn down. A PITA when it's all back together.

:lookout:
 
Heads are done! Will be picked up tomorrow or Wednesday. Ordering all the parts to put everything back together now. :D
 
Just received word that my radiator is back-ordered for at LEAST 3 weeks. On the plus side though, might be getting new (to me) wheels and tires this weekend!
 
Bought a set of Aisin manual hubs last night, and going to pick up a new set of wheels and tires on Sunday. I should stop spending money soon. :eek:
 
My Aisin manual hubs showed up today, and all my gaskets and everything got delivered over the past few days. Going to be waiting on a radiator for a few more weeks. On the plus side though, I picked up some new wheels on Sunday. Here's the teaser:

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Hopefully I'll have some time to work on it come Thursday. :D
 
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Thanks for looking 2G4M. :)

When we were putting everything back together, noticed that one of the pintle caps was missing from one of the fuel injectors, so I ordered a kit to rebuild them. I'm waiting on those, as well as new belts and new oil cooler seals. Seems like I'm never going to be able to drive this thing. :p
 
Rebuilt the fuel injectors last night, and decided I didn't like the condition of the injector cups, so I went ahead and ordered some new OEM ones. I'll finish this thing eventually. :p

Edit - Also realized that this 3VZE doesn't have an oil cooler. I know some of them came from the factory without one, so it shouldn't be an issue to run without one, right?
 
Edit - Also realized that this 3VZE doesn't have an oil cooler. I know some of them came from the factory without one, so it shouldn't be an issue to run without one, right?[/QUOTE]

Transmission oil cooler or engine oil cooler?
 
Worked on the truck a little bit tonight. Stripped one of the studs that the fuel rail(s) slide onto, so we had to cut new threads on it and all that jazz. Got most of the harness hooked up, but then we had to leave to do some quick work on a 97 Blazer my uncle just got. It's got the 4.3L, auto trans, 4x4, 144k miles on it. He got it for $700 and the only things it need are rear spring shackles and fuel gauge sending unit. I'm honestly kind of jealous, it's kind of a steal at $700.

ANYWAY, all I really have left to do is put the intake plenum on, hook up the rest of the harness, hook up all the vacuum lines, and flush the radiator. After that it should be good to go! Gosh, why has this taken me so long? :D
 
Got everything put back together (finally). The only thing that needs to go in is the new radiator. Turned it over just to make sure it would start and it popped right off after a couple seconds. :D Should have time to button it up tomorrow night.
 

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