So I convinced myself I needed a 1st gen 4runner (had one when I was younger)...
It was kind of rough but I got excited and bought it on a whim. It's an '85 with sunroof, the SR5 package etc which convinced me to put up with the rough bits. 217k miles, Texas truck.
The first thing I do is go to set the timing. Check the plugs, they look lean as hell so I replace those no worries. Distributor cap and rotor are trashed, no problem. The TPS is bad, so I order a new one $$$. It comes in, I pull the throttle body to install it and strip one of the mounting holes on the intake manifold.
Then it turns out they've given me the wrong TPS and it's the only one they have in their computer (I still haven't figured out the part number conflict, the ones they have in the computer don't allow the throttle to close even when adjusted all the way to one side).
Hoses start tearing and falling apart.
Plastic valves start crumbling.
I find three stripped holes when investigating exhaust manifold leak.
So now, I've got a very questionable vehicle that won't run. The old TPS will let it idle, but now that I've been jacking with it it won't go above idle under load without completely bogging / nothing happening when the pedal is put to the floor (engine doesn't rev). Revs out fine when parked in neutral. I'm guessing that now I have vacuum leaks somewhere in a hose that I can't see or is completely missing.
Set the valves and discover to my relief the timing chain and guides look good.
Then there's the minor electrical stuff inside the car (passenger window switches, rear window can't be opened with the key).
I got this thing thinking I could actually work on it and am finding out that parts are hard to get and expensive and that everything breaks on a 20 year old engine when you start touching it... I guess it's a statement to the durability that it hasn't HAD to be touched up to this point but now basically everything needs to be replaced.
Somebody, anybody tell me this thing is going to come out the other side!! Or at least give me a good story to help explain to the GF why we're taking her car everywhere :bash:
It was kind of rough but I got excited and bought it on a whim. It's an '85 with sunroof, the SR5 package etc which convinced me to put up with the rough bits. 217k miles, Texas truck.
The first thing I do is go to set the timing. Check the plugs, they look lean as hell so I replace those no worries. Distributor cap and rotor are trashed, no problem. The TPS is bad, so I order a new one $$$. It comes in, I pull the throttle body to install it and strip one of the mounting holes on the intake manifold.
Then it turns out they've given me the wrong TPS and it's the only one they have in their computer (I still haven't figured out the part number conflict, the ones they have in the computer don't allow the throttle to close even when adjusted all the way to one side).
Hoses start tearing and falling apart.
Plastic valves start crumbling.
I find three stripped holes when investigating exhaust manifold leak.
So now, I've got a very questionable vehicle that won't run. The old TPS will let it idle, but now that I've been jacking with it it won't go above idle under load without completely bogging / nothing happening when the pedal is put to the floor (engine doesn't rev). Revs out fine when parked in neutral. I'm guessing that now I have vacuum leaks somewhere in a hose that I can't see or is completely missing.
Set the valves and discover to my relief the timing chain and guides look good.
Then there's the minor electrical stuff inside the car (passenger window switches, rear window can't be opened with the key).
I got this thing thinking I could actually work on it and am finding out that parts are hard to get and expensive and that everything breaks on a 20 year old engine when you start touching it... I guess it's a statement to the durability that it hasn't HAD to be touched up to this point but now basically everything needs to be replaced.
Somebody, anybody tell me this thing is going to come out the other side!! Or at least give me a good story to help explain to the GF why we're taking her car everywhere :bash:
