Help Me Drive My '84 to Alaska!! need advice on restoration.

[ddonovan48]

Hey guys! My name's Dave, and this is my 1984 4Runner! I got her in the summer of 2014, and it's been a crazy journey. she was my daily driver for 2 years, up until i sold herfor something more "practical." After 2 years and much sadness without my 4Runner, I tracked her down and bought her back from the guy I solder her to, and I've got big plans for her, but I could use any advice you guys would be willing to slide my way.

I currently live in upstate NY (Rochester), but I'm moving to Alaska next summer, and I fully plan on this being the SUV that gets me there. I originally got the truck at 237,000 miles, and she currently has 249,000. I never did much work on her, except for a new distributor, spark plugs, and an air filter, and the owner I bought her back from did nothing but garage it and buy parts.

after looking the truck over thoroughly and driving it back from Buffalo, I can say that the frame is solid, it still drives and shifts well, and the only rot is in the floor pans/ a bit below the doors. and of course, it does smell like its burning a lot of oil, and always has (piston rings or valve seals?).

so here's what I want to do over the winter:

Weld in new floor pans

Install front knuckle rebuild kit (came with truck)

Install 2" front leaf springs and rear add-a-leaf spring (came with truck)

Completely redo front and rear brakes (they're shot)

Have engine professionally rebuilt with engine rebuild kit.

Upgrade rear gears

Upgrade tires to 33's (or bigger? better highway mileage to AK?)

insulate and install Stock Interiors carpet + newer seats

Alaska

So my question for you guys: is there anything you would recommend that I definitely change/ upgrade, and is there anything you would add to this list? I'm somewhat mechanically adept, but I know a lot of this stuff is over my head, and I'm fairly new to the Toyota community, so a apologize for my lack of knowledge. Any advice on the restoration and maintenance of this vehicle to get me to Alaska safely would mean the world to me. I thank you in advance!

- Dave

 

[128keaton]

Does your heater work? LOL.

Okay. Yeah. Definitely address the rust issues on the body.
I'd wire-wheel any surface rust on the frame and apply fluid film to prevent the rust from getting any worse.

I'd also look at a 22RE since its a good upgrade over the carb setup on the 22R. My friend's 22R provided him with endless trouble in the winter times.

You could cheaply insulate the cabin with some FrostKing adhesive duct wrapping. Made a large difference in sound/temp in my 2nd gen. Plan to do this on my 3rd gen at some point.

I'd keep the tires at 275/75s MAX. The 22r/e is not a hefty engine and for highway long traveling comfort, you'll appreciate the power/MPG, even with a regear.

I'd look at better headlights for night time driving, probably some fog lights .

Anything else is up to what your standard of livability is. I.e. door seals (wind tunnel drone), exhaust (exhaust drone on that rusted muffler has to be bad), etc).

Does your speedometer work?

 

[SomeDay]

You have Toyota Fiberglass in your way to Alaska, you can buy all the body panels you need to replace there (B.C. Canada). It'll be a long and interesting road trip.

 

[warrpath4x4]

you mentioned upgrade the "rear gears", if your talking re-gearing, your gonna need to do the front too.

 

[ev13wt]

That is a lot of work. Have fun!

For the trip I would stick with original gearing and more so, tire size. 30s max!

Change all fluids in trans, etc

But first, rust! It will be a while until we here from you again

 

[Dropzone]

well Western New York explains the extensive rust (lived outside of Buffalo for 3 years and stationed at Drum for 3)

Adjust your valves just because it sounds like it has been lacking for awhile for some reason.
it looks like your truck has an earlier 22R based on the sloped valve cover

instead of an add leaf consider new rear springs.. after 30+ years of toyotas have found them to be just a band aid

 

[Chuckles89]

Ditto on the new rear leaves^^

Some 33x10.50r15 BFG KO2s would look great on that truck!

Make sure to take a hammer to the frame to make sure it's good and solid along with sanding all the rust off and painting it well.

 

[Eugene13]

Main things you're gonna want on a long road trip is comfort. Make sure all your creature comforts work (heater, A/C, radio, speakers) And I also agree on the new leafs. As for tires, 30s or 31s MAX, any big than that and you'll have to rehear if you want to drive your truck normally, and this will kill your gas mileage.Comfy seats, at least for me were a must, my back would hurt after about an hour in my stock seats. A cheap way is to get some seat covers and put some thick foam under them. Made a world of a difference for me.

 

[SomeDay]

A cup holder and liters of coffee.

 

[barongan]

That is a lot of work. spirited

 

[broad.named.maude]

That sounds like a great idea for seats, I think I'll do that with seat heaters.