Lorraine Baines 86' honeymoon build

[hikinout]

Hey guys,

It's super cold out and with no garage or driveway I can't do much until Spring, so I'm just gonna get started on the wishful thinking.

I have a recently acquired 86' 4Runner 5spd SR5 named "Lorraine Baines." Named her after Marty McFly's mom. I know it's not the same year or model as Marty's truck, but I couldn't help it. Besides a DeLorean flew by us when we were on the way to pick her up.

Plan is to get it ready for a long honeymoon adventure from Chicago to Oaxaca, Mexico where I lived for a while and where we got engaged. Even though it only has 122,000 miles, it just went through a full engine rebuild. I suspect it was because she sat in a garage for about 12 years. Anyway, now that's done, I can move onto some more fun stuff.

I'm not an experienced mechanic, definitely shade tree at best and I can't weld or fab fancy stuff, but I got this car to learn on and these forums are great, so let's see what happens.

Aside from wiring issues and general fixing up (new rear tailgate) here's what I'm hoping to add to get her ready. I should mention the car is my DD but plan on doing as many rough and tumble trips as possible.

1) New set of 32" BFG AT
2) Rear bumper and tire carrier from 4xInnovations
3) Old Man Emu Suspension System
4) Dual battery system
5) Some kind of bedding set up, either raised with storage underneath, or on the sides.
6) Roof Rack

That's what's on my list for now. I'm sure it will grow and feel free to point out anything you may think I need or have wrong. Anyway, here's to warmer weather!

Thanks,
Ian

 

[mistersnowman97]

Looking forward to seeing all the progress. I love watching small build projects.:welcome:

 

[crash813]

Welcome!

Love the hubcaps! :eyebrows:

Definitely looks like you're on the right path.

 

[88yota]

Deffinitely going to love the ome suspension. I have the n98 shocks on the front and omesd33 steering damper. It rides awesome. Money well spent. You might want to look into ball joint spacers on the front with the torsion bars turned down. It will make for a nicer ride

 

[88yota]

 

[ralatkins]

Looks like a fun project! And a really great trip, that's one I've been dreaming of for a while. Through there and on to Belize where my wife and I spent our honeymoon.

 

[KidVermicious]

Looks like a good plan. For what you're doing, a swingout on the rear bumper will give you extra storage for cooler/fuel/etc. And look into an ARB awning or make your own variation, because crawling into the smelly truck every time the weather goes slightly south will get really old really fast.

 

[hikinout]

Looks like a good plan. For what you're doing, a swingout on the rear bumper will give you extra storage for cooler/fuel/etc. And look into an ARB awning or make your own variation, because crawling into the smelly truck every time the weather goes slightly south will get really old really fast.

Definitely. Spoke to Adam at 4xInnovations and seems like he can do whatever you need. Good guy.

For sure on the awning. If I can swing it, it'll be on there.

 

[hikinout]

Okay, so it's been a while. Here's what's happened:

- Replaced the starter
- Installed a new clutch
- New front brakes (pads and rotors)
- E brake fixed.

Funny that a truck with so few miles could have so many problems. That's what happens when it sits in a garage for over 10 years! Let that be a lesson to newbies like me shopping around.

Most recently I returned home to find my rear window smashed in. They didn't take anything. I suspect bored high school students. Sigh. Guess I need a better parking spot.

Anyway, I needed a new tailgate as the old one was really rusted out, so I just went ahead and replaced the whole thing (pic below). It works great, though it makes a knock sound on the way down. I'll have to investigate that soon.

This weekend I'm tackling what I suspect is a TPS problem. Idles pretty smooth, but I'm having some hesitation on acceleration and generally lower power. No engine light, but when I check codes, I get code 11. So, I'm gonna clean the throttle body and check/adjust the TPS. Also gonna check for vacuum leaks and replace the O2 sensor. I'm open to other thoughts.

Well that's all folks! I'll be a better poster now that it's warm, I promise.

 

[papawhellie]

This is the reason I visit this site. Perhaps you will be an inspiration to me to be running and driving this summer. :behindsofa:

 

[hikinout]

It's been a little while. I figured I'd update the thread on the latest.

This summer I...

- Replaced a faulty TPS
- Had injectors rebuilt and cleaned out manifold, throttle body, and EGR.
- Swapped out the tailgate key lock in my new tailgate.
- Removed broken A/C VSV
- Scraped / Grinded off frame rust and sprayed frame up and down with Mar-Hyde
- Got a brand new multi-carrier.

The last one, while maybe not as crucial, was definitely the most fun. We drove up to 4xInnovations in Wisconsin, with a detour to Governor's Dodge State Park, and Adam delivered with this beautiful multi-carrier. Highly recommend those guys. Don't have the tire on it yet, as I've been too lazy to rewire the license plate lighting and move the plate.






Next up...new tires!

 

[fo' runnin']

Nice work! That multi-carrier looks awesome!

 

[hikinout]

Thanks!

Just missing a tire and a jerry can. Think those can wait to go on until I'm not parking daily in Chicago.

For tires I'm going with some 31x10.5 Cooper A/T3s

 

[hikinout]

The sleeping platform is under way!

With so many good designs out there, I had to give myself some guardrails:

- I wanted something with access panels at the front and back.
- Something that could be broken down and removed easily so that the back seats could be put in again later.
- Long enough so that my 6'1 frame could fit inside with the tailgate closed.
- I'm no carpenter, so it needed to be kinda simple.

With a little help from the folks at The Crafty Beaver and a good friend with tools and a slightly warm garage, I ended up coming up with this:

Total cost: $130 (including the pizza and beer I bought my buddy for his help)

Dimensions: 46"x72"

I'm going to add carpet and a few draw hasps to connect the two sections. I'll post a full build when I finish it up and take some more pics.

 

[wallytoo]

nice runner. pics of the bed would be good.

i like the passenger in the very 1st post :flipoff:

 

[mikekfr]

Nice T4R....looking like there won't be a shortage of snow this winter either !!!

 

[fo' runnin']

The sleeping platform is under way!

Platform looks nice! Do the 1st gen rear seats lay flat like the rear seats in a 2nd gen? I've thought about building a sleeping platform in my rig, but don't see the use in it when my rear seats lay perfectly flat, giving me a perfect sleeping area from the factory. I've seen people do platforms in 2nd gens too, so maybe I'm totally missing it, but what is the point is building a platform when there is already a perfect sleeping area there from the factory?!

 

[hikinout]

Platform looks nice! Do the 1st gen rear seats lay flat like the rear seats in a 2nd gen? I've thought about building a sleeping platform in my rig, but don't see the use in it when my rear seats lay perfectly flat, giving me a perfect sleeping area from the factory. I've seen people do platforms in 2nd gens too, so maybe I'm totally missing it, but what is the point is building a platform when there is already a perfect sleeping area there from the factory?!

Thanks! The seats are kind of flat. They rise about an inch. The 1st gen back is also a bit too short for me to lay flat in comfortably. The gap behind the front seat is covered by the platform.

For us, the platform is mainly about storage while we're on the road. This way we can slide our stove, clothing, gear, etc. underneath the platform and sleep on top while still keeping all our stuff safe inside the truck.

That said, there are some awesome options for storage that aren't platforms. Check out Ruined Adventures. I love their set up.

 

[fo' runnin']

Thanks! The seats are kind of flat. They rise about an inch. The 1st gen back is also a bit too short for me to lay flat in comfortably. The gap behind the front seat is covered by the platform.

For us, the platform is mainly about storage while we're on the road. This way we can slide our stove, clothing, gear, etc. underneath the platform and sleep on top while still keeping all our stuff safe inside the truck.

That said, there are some awesome options for storage that aren't platforms. Check out Ruined Adventures. I love their set up.

That makes sense. I did a 3 day overland trip last month and had to set all my stuff outside while I was sleeping inside. Didn't really like all my stuff just being out in the elements.

 

[hikinout]

Okay, leaving in 4 days and the timing is tight!

Went to this garage in Gurnee, IL this week that rents out bays and had a blast changing my tie-rods, pitman, idler and installing my new OME stabilizer. It's amazing the difference a warm garage, access to tools, and a lift can make!

Also blocked off my EGR, since it was leaking. My idle is stable as it's ever been.

But, my joy and sense of accomplishment was pretty short lived. As soon as I got it started up, the mechanic on site brought up 2 things: He didn't like the sound of my engine, said he thought there was a knock and also "where is your transmission block plate?" Doh!

Suffice it to say, it was a pretty dark ride back through the snow and traffic from Gurnee to Chicago.

So, this coming Weds. I go back to install a transmission block plate and look at the valve clearances. Got a plate from Joey at The 4runner House. Not sure if I ever had one, as I don't always know what's normal or not. I've learned a lot about cars during this process, most of it the hard way.

Anyway, the timing chain was redone by PO before I got it, and guides were intact last time I looked. Based on youtube videos of people's broken TC guides, I don't hear that kind of rattle. All fingers are crossed it's not rod related. I had my normal mechanic inspect it a month ago and he didn't notice anything, and a recent second opinion said they thought it might be valves if anything. The only thing I can really hear is a small exhaust leak.

Whatever. I'm gonna do what I can on Weds. and we're going on this trip hell or high water. If something breaks, that'll just have to be part of the adventure.