Here with an 88

[Turdle]

Hello and thanks for having me as a member.
Long story short, we went to Colorado, where we were met by my wife's emplyer-friend for some rides on the "county roads" there and now they are hooked.

Last evening they brought thier beloved 88 4 runner over so we could figure out how to get the steering tightened back up, and, possibly fit some 31" tires to it for some mild to medium trail duty.
Supposedly the engine was overhauled by her brother right before they acquired it, I do see a new head gasket but it was getting dark so we only had a chance to look the steering over-

First, pardon me if the part terminology is incorrect, I am calling them as I see em.
Seems to me the damper is fighting the power steering-its rubber bushings show a lot of slop, and, the pitman arm joint as well as idler arm joints seem to allow some twist of movement indicating wear. I also see the sway bar to frame bushings look a bit weak. The power steering pump sounds like it runs smoothly, the fluid is clean like honey,however it's "performance" leaves a little to be desired. Being unfamiliar with these truks, this may be norml???

The rag joint in the steering shaft seems to allow a lot of "up and down" when tugged, and, the steering shaft seems to rotate a bit off center. Unless I am wrong the rag joint should be replaced.

I am familiar to a degree with IFS 4wd having been thru a 98 mountaineer to the point of doing an sas, forgoing such for a 93 sas explorer which I have added long arms and steering conversion to myself.

I am asking for a bit of guidance, maybe some links in the right direction, other tips tricks to help the truck drive tighter for her. Turn my toward a good vendor for parts? Wish us luck?

I will try to get pictures, soon as they set it in my driveway.

Now of course I understand the effectiveness of an enthusiast forum, however, these particular friends do not "compute" for lack of better terms. So, it is up to you and I. Please help me get my friends truck in order.

Again, thanks, and thanks for reading.

 

[Hyde802]

Idler arms on these trucks are known for wearing. Some are rebuild able with bras bushings made by 4crawler. I think I picked up my last idler arm for about $40 from autozone.

Toyota 1st Gen 4Runner Hi-Lift Jack Mount

Yes, change the rag joint, and any other tie rod that seems to have access play in them.

 

[Turdle]

Well, the truck is finally here. They took it to a shop, where they stuck some shocks on and told them they were good to go.

Since they saw the idler moving for themselves it was brought here. I am by no means a professional, but we will get this done in time.

So, I was looking at the link for the idler arms and will order there I think.

2 more problems arose though.

1) The driver window is whacked, the seal is split causing a bind which pulled the window off the regulator clamp. I can use some double sided tape for the window clamp, however I am having a bit of trouble finding a window seal.

2) rear axle leak at diff housing. The fluid leaking looks like honey, which is good, however, I am thinking the vent got plugged and blew the seal. Hopefully I will be able to get this sealed back up.

by window seal I mean the wrap around guide rubber --weather stripping?
1st thing 1st though. I have to get it weather tight, so a window seal is needed.

So, to sum it up, parts i can find are the idler arm, and steering stabilizer.

Still need help finding a rag joint and driver window seal.

Thanks!!

 

[Turdle]

Ahhh

window channel

Helps if ya know the correct name for the part eh?

Window channel and filler ( part that actually holds the window to the regulator hinge)

window channel part number

6990189108

window filler channel

69971A

Now to find a rag joint.

 

[KidVermicious]

To address your question about tires, 31s were a factory option and will fit, assuming stock rims.

 

[Turdle]

Old parts off,

I went with the 4crawler idler arm kit and bushings


New idler installed

Pitman arm part number

And new arm installed

New KYB steering Stabilzer. I'm a no boot guy myself

Not being able to leave well enough alone, I powdercoated the front skid plate in Titanium metallic with a coat of clear powder coat

The front fascia-spoiler was painted black, and looked pitted showing white through. SO I got out a can of black satin rattle paint and touched it-along with some luvvin to the suspension components. Installed the skid plate and voila!

Ok, on to the rest of the truck. I am still waiting on the rag joint and window channels from the dealership-should have had them by now but hey--

Here are some other issues

under the hood--

anyone know where this plug goes?

And I have to fix this leaking rear axle housing. I am hoping the vent clogged up to cause this

Otherwise, this truck is pretty ool. I want to buy it. Take a look under the skirt--

dent free skid plates

kinda clean looking

 

[Turdle]

I know this is going slow, but I am slow and the dealer mixed up some parts. That's my story and I am sticking to it.

I found 3 of the nuts on the diff housing loose. I tightened em and refilled the diff, 3 days later it is still dry as a bone. I had the rear brakes apart and all looked good.

Now I need to replace the rear leafs and shocks, I was informed it bottoms out easily on bumps so I assume it is just shot back there. Bumpstops look good though--

Man, I really like this thing. Makes me want one of my own every time I work on it.

She is going with 31" tires, so while they are off I will powdercoat the wheels, and bumpers, also redo the grill paint. I think I will match the wheels and bumpers to the skid plate.

Unless someone has better ideas for color on the wheels.

 

[Turdle]

I took a good look at the steering coupler AKA rag joint.

I marked it for dis assembly

actually, it looks ok. Toyota no longer makes this and fitting a doorman replacement looks bad--mmmkay

I shot a little video of the steering rack " play"
click below picture


Is this bad? normal?

moving on---

Out comes the bad -rotted window channel

New part number

ok, here is the window "hinge" , the window is supposed to be in the gap of the rubber and the rubber fills the gap in the metal hinge

new one pictured for comparison, very different

part number

It bolts to the arm like so

then the window is wedged in as tight as you can by hand

Blocks of wood in the window gap to hold it in place while upward force is applied to the hinge, and a few pushes with a prybar pops the channel up into place. This grips the window to pull it down, also pushes it up depending on which way you crank the handle.

wonder if this bumper can be adjusted?

 

[Turdle]

And the love continues.

Before shots of the front bumper--grill.

Took the bumper, grille , fascia and spacer between bumper and grill off,


Pounded on the bumper a bit, and tried my best on the spolier. It was bent up pretty well.

I then used some factory color on the grill ( duplicolor) and powdercoated the bumper in Smoked chrome. The divider and spoiler got wrinkle black

after shots

shade and sun ( to show differences)

SParksafly'n and I also replaced the rear leafs springs last week but got no lift out of it, so tonight I installed some add a leafs ( short version)

Before tire arch

after add a leaf

bumpstop gap after AAL

This gained about 3/4"-7/8"

OK, the ol gal also got a new rear bumper,Rear Rancho rs5000 shocks, and new tires ( new style cooper discoverer 30x9.50x15),

While the tires were being installed I let em keep it overnight to powdercoat the wheels while Cybergasm and CJ sat around and talked with us. Pictures of the wheels later after cleanup --the truck is a bit dirty now.

 

[Turdle]

Ok after a quick trip to the carwash, here are some pictures. The wheels are coated in Argento, I used smoked chrome on the bumpers because it matches the grill better and i have lots of it on hand.

The rear bumper ends were poopy , and they broke when I removed them so I need to get new ones, however the bumper turned out good I think

So, does this color work on the wheels?

 

[Turdle]

I kinda expected at least one comment. ( looks like crap?? Looks kinda good? Been eating lead paint?) --hmmm, oh well.

mods please feel free to move this thread to a more appropriate sub forum.



Anyone know where to find the rear bumper end caps? I need new ones, as the hardware was all rusty and seized up. The retainer has stripped clean out of the plastic on both of them.

 

[Uncle D]

I'll comment. Good work getting it cleaned up although it didn't appear to be too bad, there's always room for improvement. It's all the little stuff that gets me too.

 

[Satchmo]

Lookin good man. You're welcome to come up to Canada and wrench on mine anytime

 

[jirehn]

Nice photos, Welcome most in this forum dude, Glad to have you here.

 

[92-SR5]

I got the same wheels on mine, those look awesome powdercoated! Makes me want to get mine done now haha :cheers:

 

[Turdle]

Thanks for the comments.
I really like this little truck. Anywhooo

It sits here again with another list of needs-

Battery dead--alt charges at 14.5 volts so I think the battery is shot
AC will not switch on, however the clutch will energize when jumped to the battery, and line gets ice cold--
Small coolant leak from rear of engine? I see lots of tubes back there it could be leaking from.
Needs an oil change.

I'm also going to try to build a set of rock slider-side steps for it. Anyone know of a good thread to get me started on this one?