Just inherited this first gen. Check it out!

[James1990]

Hey everybody, my name is James and I just inherited a 1989 4runner. It was my brothers but he moved and doesn't have any time or money to fix the truck. I may give it back to him at some point.
The truck is currently not running and a bit dinged, but could be repaired. The last time he drove it the heater core went out, or possibly one of the hoses, and coolant got out on the floor. The truck overheated and broke down. I think this is a sweet truck and I'd like to repair it, so I'm going to spend some time with it and see what I can do. Currently I'm assuming it needs either a new heater core or a new hose somewhere. More than likely it's going to need head work. I took a look at the motor today and I'm going to do a major service on it (with as much as I know). I'm planning to get the dash out this weekend. It also needs a new front left fender so I'm going to search some junkyards and see what I can find. I've got some pics!

Let me know what you guys think!
If anyone has suggestions please tell me about them. I'm hoping to get this baby up and running soon. I plan to use it mainly for work but hoping to get some recreational use out of it as well.
Thanks for looking!

 

[85toy4runner]

nice 1st gen, it should clean up nice

 

[maco33]

Nice truck, do you know what's wrong with the engine.

 

[Hyde802]

Clean truck! :thumb:

Download the factory service manual, the link is at the top of the Classics section. It will be your best tool in getting this truck running again.

 

[Pisa 8687]

That's a sweet 1st gen. Be prepared once you get in you'll never want to drive anything else ever again.

 

[92-SR5]

That's a sweet 1st gen. Be prepared once you get in you'll never want to drive anything else ever again.

This is true.

 

[89FourRunner]

Luckily, thats really easy body work to fix.

The front fender bolts on - so you can pull or purchase a new fender cheap. You can buy a new plastic bumper cap for dirt cheap, and the valiance on the bottom can simply be unscrewed and discarded, and you can turn and tuck the mounting arms up behind the chrome bumper.

Its really a 1-2-3 fix.

 

[James1990]

That's a sweet 1st gen. Be prepared once you get in you'll never want to drive anything else ever again.

I can believe it. lol. That's why I'm gunna repair this baby!!

Luckily, thats really easy body work to fix.

The front fender bolts on - so you can pull or purchase a new fender cheap. You can buy a new plastic bumper cap for dirt cheap, and the valiance on the bottom can simply be unscrewed and discarded, and you can turn and tuck the mounting arms up behind the chrome bumper.

Its really a 1-2-3 fix.

Thanks for the tip! That was sort of my idea when I first looked at it.


I'm going to be working on it this weekend, I'll have more pics up of my progress. Sorry if the pics were too big I had to take them on my iPhone 5 yesterday and wanted to put them up and that was the easiest way.

 

[Kean]

Sounds and looks like a fun project. I inherited my '86 as well from my brother but it originally was my fathers (he owned it since new). I just use it mainly for runs to the home improvement store but might take it out on some trails one of these days.

I won't agree with those who say you'll never want to drive anything else again (at least I don't feel that sort of connection with it), but I still like it for what it is. The funny thing is that I initially didn’t want the truck (I already have 3 vehicles in my stable) but I couldn’t bear seeing it sold to some local and then butchered after all the time my Dad took care of it (still stock). ….I’m glad I changed my mind.

 

[RAD4Runner]

James1990,
You are one lucky guy! Congrats.

That's a sweet 1st gen. Be prepared once you get in you'll never want to drive anything else ever again.

Amen to that... altho, If we had the diesel (2.4d) version here in the U.S., I'd surely prefer that.

 

[thatoneguy]

That's a sweet 1st gen. Be prepared once you get in you'll never want to drive anything else ever again.

Maybe it's my n*****-rigged f***ed up rear suspension, but I kinda want to drive a 4th gen right now.

This one look like an excellent candidate for bodywork fixin' and good-time-havin'!