Noob..two questions.

[MixedUp]

Hello, Just bought an 85 4runner with an AUTOMATIC. Very rare I am finding out. I can't find anyone that knows anything about the tranny. It shifts from 2nd to o/d. I can get third by unplugging the ECT computer and shifting manually. I have tried another ECT and no change. Thoughts?

What is the best way to get the rear end level with the front?

Thanks from Wichita Kansas

Scott

 

[Schooler]

I know nothing about transmissions so I cannot help you out there.

Many people have asked about the level problem though. You can get some new shocks that are longer than the stock shocks.

Or you can replace the coil springs

Or if you are really cheap you can get those spring spacers for about 2 bucks at the auto parts store. I think they make the springs squeak though.

Or you can buy some longer U bolts, take the rear axle off, and weld a nice thick chunk of steel to the axle. My bf did this on his Tacoma and it worked real well although he has leaf springs and this would make a difference. I think it is possible though.

 

[yotatilla]

The transmission question is not my forte, so all I can say is that you have a problem As for the sagging rear end, this truck will have leafs, so you can buy an add a leaf kit for it and instal that, which will level you out. You could also buy blocks to lift the spring off the axle. Sam

 

[Tobi-Wan]

as with every one else, all I can say about your tranny, is that it may need a rebuild. How many miles on the 4runner? do you know if the tranny has been replaced? as for the sag in the rear, i just fixed the same problem on my '87, with some new explorer pro comp 4" lift springs, to match my 4" lift. if you don't have a lift, the cheapest and easiest is probably to get an add-a-leaf kit for the rear, or a new set of springs. I DO NOT recommend putting any blocks on the rear axle, that will wear any springs slap out! good luck! and don't get factory replacements either. At the Toyota dealership here in Athens, ga, the run a cool $495 A PIECE!!!

 

[Tobi-Wan]

yo sam, do you have any pics of your t4r w/ the sweet snorkel? i would love to see some.

 

[yotatilla]

Hey Tobi-

I actually don't have any pics of the snorkle, I didn't have it on long enough to take some. It caught a tree the wrong way and snapped in half. I have all the parts to rebuild it at home, however I don't have the time to do it. They are nice for a little while, until they break. If I remember right, the whole thing cost like 30 bucks.

 

[Sidney]

The Toyota 4-Runners & pickups are some of the most reliable vehicles ever made specially the 22R series of Toyota engines as they are simple, tough, reliable and fuel efficient. The 1985 4-Runners/pickups are highly sought because of the SFA=solid front axle which is simple, tough, reliable, better angles of incline when off-roading and easier to body or suspension lift but the weak point on the 4-Runners/pickups are the auto trannies which made the trucks extremely underpowered and a bit more fuel consuming.
The only weak point to the auto trannies is that the # 1 & 2 shift control solenoids in the tranny begin to stick because of lack of routine tranny fluid changes, you replace the solenoids by removing the transmission pan, filter and mount block. They are bolted to the side of the valve body. You can get them for about $50 each at:

http://www.BulkParts.com.

Any Public Library in your area would have the Factory service manual,Haynes,Chiltons,Mitchells,Clymers,Bentley and Toyota repair books.

There is also free AutoZone service manuals at:

http://www1.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?ForwardPage=/az/repair_info/repair_guide/repair_guide.jsp

For scanned pages of factory service manuals for other engines:

http://www.brian894x4.com/Scannedmanual.html
http://home.swiftdsl.com.au/~scorp/surf/1KZ-TE.pdf
http://www.showmesome.info/hilux/info/manuals/1KZ-TE
http://surf.mactherapy.com/1KZ-TE.pdf
http://surf.mactherapy.com/parts/
http://www.spyderchat.com/1zzfe.pdf
http://files.matrixvibe.net/docs/1zzfe.pdf
http://landcruiser.free.fr/mans/
http://surf.mactherapy.com
http://www.turbosupras.com/pages/technical/tsrm.htm
http://www.lieblweb.com/tacoma/Mechanical/96TacomaDiagrams/index.htm
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/adherence.4x4/liens_techniques.htm
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/adherence.4x4/index.htm
http://www.asatraction4x4.cl/html/
http://www.toyotasurf.asn.au/techsite/downloads.htm
http://www.grubinski.com/grubinski/automotive/toyota.manuals/
http://www.carsoft.ru/files/4runner95di.exe
http://www.hotrodder.com/kwkride/tech.html
http://www.autoshop101.com/autoshop15.html
http://www.mtv411.com/sitemap.htm

1985 Toyota 4-Runner/pickup Factory Service manual:

http://www.jasuza.com/1985toyotatruckfsm.pdf

1993 Toyota Pickup Service Manual:

http://personal.utulsa.edu/~nathan-buchanan/93fsm/

2003 (2001-2004) Toyota Tacoma Factory Service Manual:

http://fsm.afraid.org/
http://www.junglecode.com/toyota/tacoma/2003_fsm/
http://65.200.1.6/FSM/

FSM (factory service manual)can be acquired in several ways:

Toyota Material Distribution Center
750 West Victoria St
Rancho Dominguez/Compton,CA 90220-5538
USA
Ph:1-800-622-2033 (outside CA)(M-F: 7-5 PST)
Ph:1-800-443-7656 (inside CA)
Ph:1-310-818-4630 (in or outside CA)
Speak to Beverly or Deloris
http://techinfo.toyota.com/public/main/mdc.html
http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/FSM.shtml

1)buy a used one off e-bay
2)some Toyota dealerships may give you one or sell it for $10-20 (used) as most Toyota dealerships don't repair many old Toyotas and no longer need the service manual
3)some public libraries sell their old books as they are not in demand any longer
4)some free buy & sell classified papers,websites and bulletin boards may have some used ones for sale
5)some junk yards may have one laying around
6)some Toyota specialty garages may have one laying around and no longer use it as the vehicle may be too old and those mechanics probably have so much experience that they could publish their own factory service manual with corrections and "real world repair tips"
7)if someone has the FSM maybe they could scan all of the pages and post it on a site for all of us to download or view.

Sidney

 

[fourwd1]

You have 4 choices for raising your rear

new springs packs (best, but most $)
Add A Leaf (cheap, but gives a harsher ride)
blocks (cheap, won't affect ride (limit to 2" if used))
longer shackles (cheap, won't affect ride)