Just picked up this 87 4Runner

[chbarnha]

Just bought this 87 4Runner off a guy yesterday, used to have an 84 pickup and been driving a 93 pickup for the last three years. Always want a 4Runner so I finally got one. Couple of questions you guys here may be able to help me with...
1. The truck idles rough when you first start it but seems to go away once you get going, doesn't do it all the time but often enough I want to fix it. Any ideas of what to check into first. Like I said it runs fine after that but it idles rough and try's to shut off.
2. Riding home in it last night I went to cut the high beams on. All the lights cut off. I could pull it to me for the temporary high beams and they work fine but when turning them on to run them continuously all the lights go off. What do I need to look at to fix that.
Overall the truck is in great shape. Very minimal rust in the usual spots that won't take much to fix. Just want to get everything mechanically sound before I start doing anything extra to it. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[chbarnha]

 

[wallytoo]

do a search for the headlight problem. common, and caused by a factory wiring flaw.

 

[Cali 4runner]

^ It's actually not a flaw. Just take apart the column and get to the headlight switch assembly. Take it off and use sand paper to clean the contacts and it will work like new.

 

[shawski]

1. The truck idles rough when you first start it but seems to go away once you get going, doesn't do it all the time but often enough I want to fix it. Any ideas of what to check into first. Like I said it runs fine after that but it idles rough and try's to shut off.

You could look at:
1. cold start sensor
2. the TPS
3. the vacuum lines
4. egr system

These items all have something to do with idle and warmed up engine both.

Good luck! Keep us posted!

 

[58rennur4]

Just bought this 87 4Runner off a guy yesterday, used to have an 84 pickup and been driving a 93 pickup for the last three years. Always want a 4Runner so I finally got one. Couple of questions you guys here may be able to help me with...
1. The truck idles rough when you first start it but seems to go away once you get going, doesn't do it all the time but often enough I want to fix it. Any ideas of what to check into first. Like I said it runs fine after that but it idles rough and try's to shut off.
2. Riding home in it last night I went to cut the high beams on. All the lights cut off. I could pull it to me for the temporary high beams and they work fine but when turning them on to run them continuously all the lights go off. What do I need to look at to fix that.
Overall the truck is in great shape. Very minimal rust in the usual spots that won't take much to fix. Just want to get everything mechanically sound before I start doing anything extra to it. Any help would be appreciated.

I'd check vacuum lines first. Make sure they are all correct and just go ahead and replace with new ones. Also Check the Idle Air Control Valve is working correctly. Cold Start Injector and Cold Start Thermo Switch are good things to verify all spec and working correctly. I'd do the plugs, cap, rotor, and wire.

Find the Toyota Service #10 by searching for Toyota Hard Start/Rough Idle on google. Image posted here is IACV check but yours might be different and located on the throttle body instead of where mine is.

Which rear bumper you got? Step bumper or straight with tow hitch?

 

[ChaseR9]

86 front grill?

 

[wallytoo]

^ It's actually not a flaw. Just take apart the column and get to the headlight switch assembly. Take it off and use sand paper to clean the contacts and it will work like new.

it is a flaw. the point of having relays is to avoid putting "full" volume through the switch, yet the factory wiring relays are incorrectly wired to prevent this. taking apart the column and cleaning the contacts will work, but the flaw in the wiring will remain, and the contacts will become pitted again.