KidV's 1985 4Runner

[KidVermicious]

1985 4Runner SR5

Engine- 1996 Tacoma 3RZ
Transmission- stock W56
T-Case- Single stock case with 4.7 low range, FROR twinstick, belly skid
Front Axle- Stock solid axle housing, TrailGear high steer
Rear Axle- 3rd gen 4Runner rear housing
Brakes- V6 calipers/Landcruiser rotors/braided stainless lines in front
Differentials- 5.29s, rear elocker, front Spartan
Suspension- OME/Dakar light-duty springs and Nitrocharger shocks, 6" shackles
Wheels and Tires- 35x12.5r15 old style MTR
Lights- IPF H4 conversion headlamps, Rigid Dually aux lights
Power- 140 amp 22RE alternator, dual Optima Redtops
Recovery - Engo 10000 w/synthetic line
Comm - Midland 75-822 CB

Near future to-do list:

• sliders
• relocate front axle 1" forward

Not-so-near-future to-do list:

• repair rusty quarterpanels
• build front and rear bumpers
• build a bikini top

When-I-get-around-to-it list:

• dual transfer cases
• custom soft top
• tube fenders/cage/chop top?
• high-clearance fiberglass quarters and fenders
• wider axles
• paint

 

[KidVermicious]

So my new 22RE showed up today. This is the truck it came wrapped in .

1985 SR5, 240,xxx on the odometer and bone stock. The best part? Since the fellow I bought it from got it from the original owner, and then never licensed or titled it, I'm technically the second owner. :reddance:

It needs some help. Leaky rear main, saggy springs, the typical rust here and there, and it runs rough. Over the next few days it'll get new plugs and wires, seafoam, all that stuff to get it running right, and I'll see about moving my sliders and bumpers and other little things off the '86. Then I'm going to mostly leave it alone for at least the winter while I wheel it stock and get to know it. That'll give me time to collect parts and finalize my build plans. Right now I'm planning on OME/Dakar front and rear, 5.29s and my 33inch KM2s, and if I can't find an elocker for the rear it'll have my old Spartan. Dual cases and/or 4.7 transfer case gears, eventually, but that'll come later.

Update 12/25/12: This has been an odyssey. After wrestling with the DMV for over a month to get the title in my name, I discovered the truck wasn't running on all cylinders. After rebuilding the injectors, replacing the head (burnt valve), and repairing a stripped exhaust manifold stud, she's registered and plated and running better. The good news? What I thought was a leaky rear main has turned out to be just a bad seal on the valve cover. Next up - replace the front springs.

Update 3/21/13: Tax refund covered OME/Dakar springs and Nitrocharger shocks front and rear. The steering started getting sloppy - what started out as a tie rod end replacement turned into a full on front axle rebuild, but it's nice and tight with no leaks now. I regeared the front diff at the same time, so now she's got 5.29s pushing 255/85r16 KM2s, with a Spartan in the rear. Got the truck on some dirt finally and discovered that the OMEs flex well enough to shove the tires into the back of the fenders, so some trimming and pounding and maybe an axle relocation is in my near future.

Update 5/16/13: Serviced the timing chain and replaced the oil pump and water pump. Recently trimmed and pounded the front fenders for clearance and it's still not enough, so I need to get to thinking about going to crossover steering and pushing the front axle forward. The 4.7 transfer case is in, and is freaking awesome. Makes a huge difference on the trail.

Update 8/10/13: Not much to report. Threw on a Thorley header that really woke the little 22RE up, so I'm looking forward to installing an RV head and doing some intake mods to see what I can make happen. I got bored one day and rattlecanned the offcolor door and quarterpanel, it looks much better. Need to do the rest of the truck though so it matches properly. Still need to fix the rubbing in front - I was considering a low-crossover setup, but I've changed my mind and think I'll do the normal high steer, and if it doesn't fit because I'm too low I'll make it fit. I've got my old IFS box already so I'm just waiting on funds for the Trailgear high steer and a Marlin frame brace.

Update 9/21: High steer installed.

Update 2/9/14: The 22RE started gobbling coolant, so I yanked it and put another 22RE in. When that one turned out to be bad too, I decided it was time to stop screwing around. Found a good deal on a 3RZ, so the 22RE is coming out for good. Stay tuned!

 

[KidVermicious]

Pics!

The night she came home, October '12:


With 33s and OME lift, March '13:

Rocking the new 4.7 transfer case in April '13:

Summer wheeling, July '13:

Exploring the hills, September '13:

Flopped! No harm done, besides crushing the drivers side mirror:

Posing in front the the Great Salt Lake Mud Flat:

 

[KidVermicious]

reserved4

 

[SV_Dude]

BS!!! You can't just post a thread titled 85 Runner Build and have NO information! You need to post pics or details of your new runner!! :moon:

Ok... maybe I jumped the gun a bit.

I'll shut up now.

 

[GonOvr]

reserved5... just wanted to fit in

SV you ****ing ninja!

 

[SV_Dude]

SV you ****ing ninja!

Don't hate! It takes skill to be me

 

[4Running Daily]

Subd for future awesomeness.

 

[Hyde802]

Awesome man! Sweet score

 

[Gerdo]

Are you replacing your current rig?

 

[KidVermicious]

Yup. I'm keeping a few bits off the '86 and parting out the rest.

 

[USE911]

Yup. I'm keeping a few bits off the '86 and parting out the rest.

Good looking truck! How much did you pay? Looking forward to the build thread

 

[Footofgod]

Looking forward to seeing a rig that can crawl more than an 8" stump.

 

[4runnin83]

Looking forward to seeing a rig that can crawl more than an 8" stump.

9'' ?



What'd you pay for it Kid?

 

[KidVermicious]

You guys don't wanna know what I paid for it. I hate making grown men cry.

 

[SV_Dude]

You guys don't wanna know what I paid for it. I hate making grown men cry.

I have no feelings so you're not going to make me cry. But I don't really care what you paid for it. You're a smart dude on these runners so I'm sure you got a good deal.

Hurry up and build it!!!

 

[KidVermicious]

Before Seafoam (click for video):



After Seafoam, and a half-hour of idling:




There's a detectable difference there, I think, although holy crap that fan is loud. Still a little rough, I'm hoping new plugs and wires will cure that. If not, I'll have to start checking for vacuum leaks or fuel/air trouble. I need to change the fuel filter, and I probably ought to lash the valves, too. That'll be a first for me, I've never done that before. One concern is the oil pressure - it's very low at idle, but creeps up well past halfway when I race the motor. I don't think the 22RE in my '86 did that, should I be concerned with this? Or is this normal and my old motor was the weird one?

Look what I found in the airbox.

It's completely filthy, so I ordered up a cleaning/recharge kit for it. Should I run it through the dishwasher first, or would that hurt it?

 

[4runnin83]

I wouldn't run it through the dishwasher, just clean it and oil it with the kit, you'll be all set


How much smoke poured out?

 

[BucknutBob]

Agreed about not washing the filter--just wait for the cleaning solution in the kit. Your leaking main seal could have a little to do with your oil pressure issue. It would be nice if you had number values for comparison--doesn't the manual give proper pressure readings? Rings, seals, dirty passages could all affect your pressure on an old engine. I guess this is one way to get around your current one's "Stumpy" name and rep--just start over with another one (LOL)! Seriously, though, best of luck with the new beast.

 

[KidVermicious]

Agreed about not washing the filter--just wait for the cleaning solution in the kit. Your leaking main seal could have a little to do with your oil pressure issue. It would be nice if you had number values for comparison--doesn't the manual give proper pressure readings? Rings, seals, dirty passages could all affect your pressure on an old engine. I guess this is one way to get around your current one's "Stumpy" name and rep--just start over with another one (LOL)! Seriously, though, best of luck with the new beast.

You people better be nice to Stumpy, may he rest in peace. That truck went everywhere I asked it to and then some.

Yah, I could do a compression test, and maybe I will. If all goes as planned I won't have this 22RE long so I'm not horribly worried about it, but it does need to get me to and from work for the winter. If this motor blows I'm pretty sure my wife will leave me.