Help me choose right 4runner!!

[JayRolla]

Hi, I have a few questions I hope some of you guys can help me with.

Currently I own a 3rd gen which I love and was going to build up. At the moment its my family car so I have changed plans to buy an older 4runner to build up for some real rock crawling.

I want to get a 1st gen. Plans are 4" lift, 35's, front rear lockers and some armor.

I do know I want to have a solid axle up front and fuel injection so I'm looking for the rare 1985. But thats hard so here is my actual question.

Should I buy a pre 85 with a carborated motor and solid up front, which I would want to convert to EFI.

or

Should I buy a 86 or newer and do a solid front axle swap. Which would be cheaper and easier.

Im thinking the pre 85 would be easier to swap to EFI than a full SAS. Let me know what you guys think.

 

[4-Ripcord]

I thought they added EFI in 85. So an 85 is the only year of EFI and SFA. I may be wrong, but that is what I remember people saying.

 

[KidVermicious]

85 was the last year for the solid axle, and the first year for the 22re. So you can find 85's that are injected or carbed.

Personally, I would swap the 22re, or even just add the efi to a 22r block, before I would convert IFS to a solid axle. I have no opinion on easier because I haven't done either, I'm just thinking that the engine swap would leave you closer to factory (and thus more reliable) than the axle swap.

But ideally, find yourself an unmolested 85 with the 22re and start from there.

 

[THEREALTOR1]

Don't know where you're located at, but I came across this one last night on CL located near Baltimore, MD

1985 Toyota 4Runner - Not running

 

[Thurlo76]

$3000?!?!?!?! there was a black one around here that sat on CL for 6 months, it was a 85 with a 3 inch lift 22re and 31's it was pretty average looking and if i had the 1500 he was asking for it or the 1000 that he sold it for i would have picked it up. when they go up on CL around Bosie idaho they normally go pretty cheap. i got mine for $900 and drove it for 2 years before i did anything extencive to it. and thats not because i had to... just had the opportunity.

 

[Thurlo76]

o and to the original post.. i would imagine it would be easier to swap out motors... i swapped mine out in my driveway. it was pretty much a plug and play. just make sure you have the comp that goes with the motor and all the wiring

 

[hoe_nah]

doing both is rather easy....it all depends on your plans for the vehicle and your mechanical skills. are you going to do to the labor or pay someone.

I would just get the 22re and sas it...that way you can gear it put lockers move your axel up, rebuild the axle blH blah blah....

Which ever way you decide you will eventually tear into the motor or axles...good luck

 

[Thurlo76]

doing both is rather easy....it all depends on your plans for the vehicle and your mechanical skills. are you going to do to the labor or pay someone.

I would just get the 22re and sas it...that way you can gear it put lockers move your axel up, rebuild the axle blH blah blah....

hes got a pretty good point. you could have it exactly how u want it and not settle

 

[kzink]

Personally I would buy a 86 or newer and go from there. The amount of money you would put in to convert it to efi would be way more then the cost of a straight axle even a built one. When you lift it you will need to buy lift springs, shackles, shock hoops, shocks, high steer and you are going to want the ifs steering box so why spend the money to convert it to efi then spend the same amount to lift it as it would cost to sas. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Thurlo76]

or it could be cheaper to buy a parts truck with an EFI and drive the strait axle one. that way u would have everythihng u need. i just picked up an 86 at the beginning of the summer for $500. "didnt know it at the time but the efi motor was completly rebuilt" some guy had it on his property and wanted it gone. he obviously didnt know what he had!!!

its amazing how stupid some ppl can be... keep an eye out!!!