Need advice on 89 V6

[josh.bunch]

I'm looking to purchase a 1989 4Runner V6 Auto 4x4. A buddy and I are looking for a project to go 1/2 in on. It was my grandfathers, then my uncles. That's it. It has been in North Texas its whole life so little to no rust. 275000 miles. I don't think it has a solid front axle. I have not seen the thing in awhile and didn't think to look. From what I've read they went to IFS in 1986.

Here is the rundown on the bad.
-Oil leak somewhere
-Slow Freon Leak
-Rear passengers quarter wrecked
-Slow drain on battery somewhere (if it's driven daily its not a problem, if it sits for a week the battery is dead)

The good:
-4x4 works
-Transmission and engine run well
-Little to no rust since its a TX truck

Here would be my goals.
-Fix the engine leak and freon leaks
-I want this to be a off road machine. Not interested in pretty or a DD
-Want to do upgrades cheap as possible but quality is important too(just because it doesn't have to look pretty doesnt mean I want it to run like crap)

A couple of Questions:
1. What mods do you recommend doing first to meet my goals?

2. I've read on other forums people saying dont lift these if you are serious about doing off roading, but if you insist on it dont go above 2-3 inches because you will end up screwing and stressing other components. Is this true? If not who makes the best, easiest to install, cheapest, but still quality lifts for these?

3. I will probably re-gear sooner rather than later. I have found some used/rebuild 4.88 for front and rear for less that $100 on craigslist. Do you have to re-gear both at the same time?

4. I want to lock the front and rear but don't know who makes the best lockers for the 1st gen (I'm currently a 3rd Gen guy). Does the presence of the front locking hubs lock the differential? I don't think it does. Do locking hubs interfere with locking a differential?

5. I'm currently learning how to weld so I will most likely weld all my own armor (bumpers,sliders,skids).

I realize I'm being a little vague on some things and that is due to lack of knowledge on 1st gens. That's why I have come to the experts. I'm open to any ideas, critisim, and advice.

Only thing is this has to remain street legal bc I don't have a trailer to tote it around in. Besides that, anything goes. This could be the forums 4runner for all I care. I'll just put everything up for voting.

I almost for got to mention price. My uncle basically said look it up, drive it for a week or 2 and make him an offer. I can't imagine offering more than $1000, but I also want to be fair, maybe some advice there would be helpful too.

Enough talking...GO

 

[fourwd1]

1. lift it, lock it, gear it, wheel it. Actually that's a hard one to answer. More detailed info on the type of wheeling you plan on doing would help.

2. Old Man Emu makes the best suspension lift kit in the 2-3" range.

3. Yes if you plan on using 4WD at all.

4. A differential locker and locking hubs are 2 different things. The best locker is the ARB air locker.

5. That's a handy skill to have.

You're going to have plenty of conflicting opinions.

 

[as3goliath]

Done lock ifs front u will blow cv joints if u lift and want more superlift has a 4" but ifs front doesn't give more ground clearance not many 3.0 power options cuz its a **** and known for blowing headgaskets gears are a must if u go taller tires cuz u will lose low end unless in 4 low

 

[Hyde802]

Done lock ifs front u will blow cv joints if u lift and want more superlift has a 4" but ifs front doesn't give more ground clearance not many 3.0 power options cuz its a **** and known for blowing headgaskets gears are a must if u go taller tires cuz u will lose low end unless in 4 low

That was tough to read. :redbrick: Locked IFS is fine for 33s and under. The v6 is great torque-y motor, just need to make sure it tuned up.
He said that he was going to regear soon, so that will address the power.

 

[josh.bunch]

Done lock ifs front u will blow cv joints if u lift and want more superlift has a 4" but ifs front doesn't give more ground clearance not many 3.0 power options cuz its a **** and known for blowing headgaskets gears are a must if u go taller tires cuz u will lose low end unless in 4 low

My head is spinning. I think I'm hypnotized.

 

[josh.bunch]

Who all makes lockers for these rigs? I think ARB is out of the question due to price. I saw Addicted put Spartan lockers on their 1st gen build. Lots of 3rd gen guys like the Aussie locker but I'm not sure they make them for the 1st gen. I would love some real world feedback on reliability, cost, ease of install, advice, regret, etc.

 

[fourwd1]

That was tough to read.

That's putting it mildly.