magnet18's 86 4runner build thread

[magnet18]

build/restore/mod, I'll put it all here-

helloooo :behindsofa:
I've been wanting an 80's hilux/4runner for a couple years now. (ever since that top gear episode on killing a hilux) Finally graduated and got me one!

Shelled out good money for one with no rust, unfortunately a lot more than some of you desert-dwellers can pick a nice one up for, but an almost rust free frame in Indiana is priceless

170k miles, needs a little tlc but it is solid through and through, apparently lived in cali until 2 years ago.


In Process-
•need the windshield seal fixed pretty bad

Done-
•new cylinders in rear drums, needed working brakes
•replaced belts, AC works, but desperately needs recharged
•bolted driveshaft back onto tcase after it started coming off going down the road... hope that was a one time thing
•New Rims!
•Fixed the blower motor resistor

Upcoming Work-
1. fix the windshield seal ASAP... someone ripped off the chrome and it leaks
2. wire brush and POR the frame before the first salt hits the roads. I don't want that frame getting any rust on it ever.
3. fresh paint as soon as I get the money. needs it pretty darn bad...

Eventually-
•swap the instrument cluster for an sr5 with the tach
•new carpet
•new seats
•get around to replacing the timing chain and cover
•rear disc brakes
•get a working ebrake
•new bumpers
•nice sound system, do something with the rear panels, would like to be able to camp in it

Questions Getting Started-
•anyone pull the bodies off these? how hard is it? I want to do the best possible job rust-proofing for the future, this will have to be my daily driver for a couple years at least
•is it possible to put cruise control in one of these? how hard is it?
•anything i need to be concerned about as far as windshield places messing up the gasketing?


Pics-

Attachment is my other project, 1990 mustang GT that was my first car. No longer my daily driver, for obvious reasons

 

[magnet18]

Cross the driveshaft bolts off the list!
Old on top, placeholder on bottom, new in the middle

 

[Reluctanse]

Will answer your body removal question...

We did a full body SWAP on a 2nd gen (basically the same thing). It's not hard really. 2 guys, some power impact wrenches, we removed BOTH bodies (wrekd and donor) and had the donor body on the old frame by early afternoon. There's 10 body mounts and a few dozen little items - gas fillers and body wiring harness and clutch/brakes, throttle cable, etc., and you're good to go. There's more details than that but you get the idea. I wouldn't hesitate to do it again, it was maybe a 2 banana job.

Also not a lot different than doing a body LIFT, minus the pocks, and need somewhere/somehow to leave the body elevated so you can roll the frame out.

 

[Reluctanse]

Cross the driveshaft bolts off the list!
Old on top, placeholder on bottom, new in the middle

If you didn't, I recommend blue loctite on those. Keeps them from coming loose again.

 

[magnet18]

Will answer your body removal question...

We did a full body SWAP on a 2nd gen (basically the same thing). It's not hard really. 2 guys, some power impact wrenches, we removed BOTH bodies (wrekd and donor) and had the donor body on the old frame by early afternoon. There's 10 body mounts and a few dozen little items - gas fillers and body wiring harness and clutch/brakes, throttle cable, etc., and you're good to go. There's more details than that but you get the idea. I wouldn't hesitate to do it again, it was maybe a 2 banana job.

Also not a lot different than doing a body LIFT, minus the pocks, and need somewhere/somehow to leave the body elevated so you can roll the frame out.

thanks for the input!

Good to know it's just a 2 person lift, did you use any jacks or just manpower?

I really want to pull it, but wasn't going to try unless someone said firsthand it's not that bad. Might have to see if I can occupy my father-in-laws barn for a weekend or 2 to tackle that one

 

[Reluctanse]

thanks for the input!

Good to know it's just a 2 person lift, did you use any jacks or just manpower?

I really want to pull it, but wasn't going to try unless someone said firsthand it's not that bad. Might have to see if I can occupy my father-in-laws barn for a weekend or 2 to tackle that one

Well.... we used a forklift for the actual body swap part, I forgot to mention that

 

[magnet18]

Well.... we used a forklift for the actual body swap part, I forgot to mention that

lol, don't have one of those either
man I wish I had a lift

I might look into just jacking it up, I don't need to pull it all the way, just get myself enough room to wire brush and paint the frame

But man would it be nice to get everything nice and clean without cramping my neck for an entire weekend

 

[Joekerr1]

Check the local High Schools in your area that have power mechanics classes.
They might do it for you as a teaching tool if you are willing to leave it for a semester.

 

[magnet18]

good idea, but I can't really part with it for a semester
also, I remember highschool, no way I'm leaving anything I own around there for a semester unsupervised

 

[magnet18]

Changed allllll the oils with synthetic
Perfect way to spend a Saturday

Diffs got amisol synthetic 80w90 gl5
Transmission and tcase got redline synthetic 75w 90 gl4
Engine got mobil1 full synthetic 10w40
Napa gold filter

172000 miles

 

[AZ4Runner11]

Nice looking project. I too, was looking at pulling the body. I have a small John deer with front loader that I will probably use to lift it.

 

[magnet18]

Thanks,

I might use a tractor and some manpower, father in law is thinking about getting a car lift though, fingers crossed

 

[magnet18]

New Rimz

Pretty Sweet

Dang my hubs look terrible now. Need to do something about that.

What is this?? A logo???? Disgusting.uke:

I can fix this

Much better

Best of all, much smoother ride on the highway now!

 

[Chuckles89]

Get some paint on those bad boys!

 

[magnet18]

Those look nice!

That'll be my next free-weekend-day project

any tips?

 

[mholme]

Those look nice!

That'll be my next free-weekend-day project

any tips?

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/classic-t4rs/118960-cobs-87-4runner-turbo-17.html#post1510748

 

[Chuckles89]

Those look nice!

That'll be my next free-weekend-day project

any tips?

Several light coats of paint, then let them dry for a while then sand the tops of the letters. There's a bunch of write-ups for taking them apart.

 

[RAD4Runner]

1. fix the windshield seal ASAP... someone ripped off the chrome and it leaks

...anything i need to be concerned about as far as windshield places messing up the gasketing?

Ditch the chrome. It traps dirt and water, keeps the cap moist and promotes rust.

U.S. 4Runners do not use gasket. Urethane adhesive is used to mount and seal windshield glass. To properly fix the leak, you would need to remove glass, fix rusted spots- yes, with your POR-15, re-install glass.

 

[89FourRunner]

One really cheap and easy restoration job is to take blue painters tape and tape over the 4WD lettering on the rear mud flaps. Then, using a razor trace the letter faces out and peel off the blue tape. Get some white spray paint and paint the letter faces, then remove the surrounding painters tape. The flaps will be like new with bright 4wd lettering, and it will last years. Did mine 4 years ago and they still look brand new. Think I did 3 coats of spray paint before I peeled the tape off.

 

[mholme]

One really cheap and easy restoration job is to take blue painters tape and tape over the 4WD lettering on the rear mud flaps. Then, using a razor trace the letter faces out and peel off the blue tape. Get some white spray paint and paint the letter faces, then remove the surrounding painters tape. The flaps will be like new with bright 4wd lettering, and it will last years. Did mine 4 years ago and they still look brand new. Think I did 3 coats of spray paint before I peeled the tape off.

Did the same thing. Masking wasn't even too hard with the majority of the lettering being straight.