just bought an '88 what should i do first?

smokeyrunner

New member
i just bought an '88 4runner and i can't decide what i should do to it first work on the interior or exterior, performance or looks.... any suggestions?
 
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post up some pics and we might be able to help ya out with it.
and what do you plan on doing with it. just a daily driver, weekend wheeler, or trailer queen?

start out with the engine and the drivetrain, get it to a solid running vehicle then worry about performance enhancers!
 
The FIRST thing you should do is get it dirty. Real dirty. That how you make it yours, kinda like peeing on a tree to claim territory except I don't recommend peeing on your truck.

Unless you're into that sort of thing. No judgement here, man.

:worthless
 
The FIRST thing you should do is go through it maintenance wise as mentioned and make sure it's ready to get dirty.
 
Nonsense. Getting the truck you just bought towed off the trail because you didn't check the oil is like a rite of passage.
 
To start, just drive it.

Dont do any upgrades (besides maintenance) for a month. READ ALOT OF FORUMS (build threads are great) and be thinking how you want to build the truck to suit your needs and not "whats cool"

Then, when its time to start "modding" you have a better idea of what you want to do and a little more know how about the truck.
 
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Don't listen to these guys... First you need to slam the truck, put it on some hydro's so you can bounce up and down. Find yourself some gold dayton's and you'll be set!!
















































































































































































:roadkill:
 
I agree with Hyde802, you should just drive it for a while and see what's weak, or needs attention. Don't be surprised that it seems to be perfect now, but a month from now starts needing TLC, it's 23 years old, "old machines new problems". Also look around on the net and see if your 4Runner has any special features that might make it rare. If so I would say just fix it up to like new condition. I got my 86 thinking I was going to lift it and build a crawler, but soon I found out it is a rare model and has an intersesting story that connects it to the area from where I live. I have modified Toyotas and wheeled them, but honestly I think an old Toyota in stock form is the most fun to drive hands down. That's what I think.
 
Start by replacing ALL the fluids - engine, trans, t-case, diffs, coolant, brakes, etc.
Unless you can verify the Timing Chain was replaced recently, seriously consider a new TC. While doing that replace the water and oil pumps, belts and hoses too.
 
I just got my 88 home

I had purchased it about 60 miles away. Was running great in town, once I got it on the highway I lost Horsepower and it started knocking like a *****. But I made it into my driveway. Oil seems good , pressure was low (I didn't think the gauge was reading) temp was good. The guy I bought it from is a mechanic and a nice guy so he's going to come down with his service truck and check it out and is planning on putting an oil pump in it. It's amazing how people will surprise you when you start to lose hope.
I picked up a little beat up topper for it for $100 so it's all there now to start to make a mountain truck. (Ka -ching). Should be fun.
 
To start, just drive it.

Dont do any upgrades (besides maintenance) for a month. READ ALOT OF FORUMS (build threads are great) and be thinking how you want to build the truck to suit your needs and not "whats cool"

Then, when its time to start "modding" you have a better idea of what you want to do and a little more know how about the truck.

What he said
 
I had purchased it about 60 miles away. Was running great in town, once I got it on the highway I lost Horsepower and it started knocking like a *****. But I made it into my driveway. Oil seems good , pressure was low (I didn't think the gauge was reading) temp was good. The guy I bought it from is a mechanic and a nice guy so he's going to come down with his service truck and check it out and is planning on putting an oil pump in it. It's amazing how people will surprise you when you start to lose hope.
I picked up a little beat up topper for it for $100 so it's all there now to start to make a mountain truck. (Ka -ching). Should be fun.

At least you made it home. I went with a friend to trade his car for an 86 1st gen. It made it about five miles out of the guys' house, then the engine quit. 220 miles from home. Had a friend come and tow us home. Taking the engine apart, noticed that the head bolts were not torqued at all. It got a 1 day engine swap. But he ended up buying a fail-mechanic's rig.

Nice to hear that your seller was much nicer of a person! Get all that maintenance done so you don't have to think about it for a while.
 

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