Pick's 2nd Gen Build Thread

[Pick_T4R]

Moving a lot of this over from my 'New Member' thread but will add to it as I go...

I had been in the market for a 'budget' 4rnr for a while for 2 reasons:
1. So I didn't have to drive my 4 door, long bed dually around town
2. To share with my 15yo boys as they learn to drive

Found what I thought was the PERFECT vehicle only to arrive and find it was 2WD not 4x4. The price was right though so I bought it any way. I subsequently found a 4x4 and the 2WD has made a perfect donor vehicle.

The 4x4 had a CEL with code 24 & 52 so I need to look into those but I started with some interior/exterior swaps

 

[Pick_T4R]

Before:

During:

After:

Swapped both the front & rear bumpers since the donor ones were in much better shape

Also. the factory power antenna still worked on the red runner and the white one was broken, so I swapped them and now I can listen to the radio without static!!

 

[Pick_T4R]

Next, I did some work on the interior... Moved the upholstery off of the donor passenger seat to the 4x4 driver seat:

Before:

After:

 

[Pick_T4R]

Did some 'mix & match' on a few other interior trim pieces as well...

The passenger door panel vinyl (by the window) was ripped on the 4x4 but the arm rest on the 2WD wasn't in good shape so I pulled both panels and put all the good parts on the 4x4:
Bad:

Good:

Did the same with the console lid. The vinyl was ripped on the 4x4 but the hinge was broken on the 2WD. Pulled both console lids and swapped the parts to make one good one:

 

[Pick_T4R]

The fuel door latch was broken so the door was always open. I considered cutting the latch off the donor and epoxying it to the 4x4 door but decided to make my own. Used a small piece of aluminum stock and bent it up to match the latch. Works GREAT!!

Before:

During:

After:

 

[Pick_T4R]

For the last 2 months, I've been waffling (analysis/paralysis) on what to do about the CEL codes. I felt confident I could swap the knock sensor and harness to resolve the CEL 52 but wasn't sure how much more I wanted to do while I had it torn down. Do I just fix what's broken or should I do some preventative work while I'm in there?? And if so, how much...

While I was thinking (and the weather got colder), it developed an intermittent cold start issue. Then...

it left me on the side of the road

 

[Pick_T4R]

The breakdown escalated my decision making and I have decided to:

- Replace the Knock sensor and harness (bought a $13 knock sensor but have subsequently decided to get an OEM). All this work and I DON'T want to have to go back in there again if I can help it

- Replace the timing belt, water pump, tensioner and bearings

Had to open the timing belt cover to determine which timing belt kit to order ( the water pump comes with or without an extra outlet. Red arrow shows I have the extra outlet

- EGR delete

- Haven't decided on the injectors yet. Was considering sending them to Witch Hunter for testing/cleaning but they are at a 2week turn-around now. I'm not in a hurry so I may do it; just didn't want this to drag out forever...

 

[Pick_T4R]

Well, as luck would have it... the 4Runner has to move to the back-burner for a bit. My wife's munchkin-mover started showing signs of possession. Random things would and would not work intermittently. After some research, it appears this is a pretty common problem with Chrysler/Dodge products and the TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module) [the thing under the hood with all the fuses/relays] is to blame. $700 for the part :jaw:

Found a TIPM rebuilder (less than half price of new) and ordered one up. Installed it over the weekend and the van died a few miles from the house. Had planned to pull it back home but the transmission wouldn't shift out of park, couldn't remove the key - nothing worked... it was just dead. So I had to have it towed home. Have another TIPM on the way and hopefully I can get back to the 4Runner

 

[Pick_T4R]

Got the van going and my sons' F-150 transmission went out :juggle:

Anyway, was finally able to get a little bit done:

Got the crankpulley off, PO broke a bolt off so I got it out and cleaned up all the threads...

 

[Pick_T4R]

Almost got everything torn down, just need to get the intake off now...

PARTS!!

 

[Pick_T4R]

Since this isn't a DD, it has been on the back burner... Finally got some time (and break in the weather) so I went to work. Got everything back together but it wouldn't start. I was so bummed; then my son said 'dad, the fuel gauge is on "E"'. I knew it was low but there was fuel in the fuel rail when I re-assembled so I thought it would have at least sputtered. Anyway, ran to the store, got some gas in the can and put a few gallons in. FIRED RIGHT UP!!

...but then, I could see the fuel rail leaking

I re-used the crush washers and paid the price for it. None of the dealers around had any in stock so I ordered this from Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00WW6YNZS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It was a perfect fit! No more leak and even better - NO MORE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT!! :trophy:

The new knock sensor and cable resolved the code 52 and I swapped the VAF from the donor which resolved my code 24. For everyone that says the 3.0 is slow, try driving it with the timing fully retarded and then fix it - it felt like a rocketship. Well, maybe not that fast but a significant improvement.

The muffler has a few rust holes so I've ordered a new cat-back exhaust - delivers tomorrow. I'll get some pics posted after that. Now I can focus more on fun mods rather than all the repairs. ...although, I'm getting the itch for a FJ80

 

[Pick_T4R]

Muffler DONE!! :guitar3:

Here's the old one with the exhaust leak

I got the replacement from Advance Auto; <$100 for the whole cat-back system. Note the significant muffler size difference

 

[Pick_T4R]

Well, I sold my 4Runner... Bittersweet... I had a BLAST learning about the 3VZE but a couple of factors influenced my decision:
1. While I LOVED the maneuverability of the 2nd Gen, the driver seat really needed to go back another inch or more to accommodate all 6' 3" of my. It wasn't horrible, just a tad cramped
2. The 2nd gens and especially the 3VZE just aren't very popular. Parts seem to be a little more expensive and a little less available than the 3rd gen/3.4

So, any mods that I may want to do are really limited in additional value add. Not that I mod just to increase value but if something happened and I needed to get out of it - I would like to try to get *some* of my money back. I have seen an AWESOME 2nd gen on marketplace with a BRAND NEW engine, 4" lift, new wheels/35" tires, ARB bumper w/ winch and tons of other things (very similar to where I want to be) and he can't get $4,500 for it - to me that's a heck of a deal. Maybe I should have bought not built but there is a lot of fulfillment/satisfaction in building a rig just like you want it but that does come at a price.

I'm currently on a FZJ80 search or possibly uzj100 but that's probably cost prohibitive...

 

[Dropzone]

I think you summed up the 2nd gen dilemma pretty good.

After I retired my 81 trekker I was also in the market for a FJ80 before my 94.fell in my lap.

FJ80 - have an auxiliary gas tank..there mileage is dismal even compared to an 3.0 4runner

 

[Pick_T4R]

Thanks Dropzone, I've enjoyed watching your build thread. It's just a 'get around town' vehicle for me; to keep miles/maintenance off my '17 F350 4dr long bed dually... speaking of dismal mpg

I actually did ok on the sale. Bought it for $2,100 (now see that was too much), spent ~$700 in parts (timing belt kit, injectors, knock sensor/harness, gaskets, muffler, etc.) and sold it for a little over $3k. But it was evident that the sale wouldn't ever be much more than that no matter what else I did to it...

I'm excited about a 80/100 LC but I'm sure they have drawbacks as well. They at least seem to hold their value VERY well so I think I could get out of it without losing much if I don't care for it.

 

[4runner_kid]

I sold my 92 after a long build thread on this site, and i regret it everyday. Currently just rocking a 90 extra cab 3vze.

 

[Oregonloved]

Seeing the progress is awesome

 

[Pick_T4R]

Finally found an 80!! Struck out on several (sold before I got there) but was fortunate enough to find this one within a few minutes of it being posted. Met the seller that evening and bought it. It definitely needs some TLC (small oil leaks, driver seat gear, etc.) but should be a good platform to start a build...

 

[stomper4x4]

That LC looks in great shape! Nice find, I hope it works for you. I fit in my 92 4Runner fine, being a bit shorter than you are. And the 22 MPG I get on the highway beats the heck out of the 13 my buddy got in his 80 series LC on the same stretch of highway.

But the LC is incomparable. I'd buy one if I could find a deal and didn't have to drive it much haha.

Enjoy man! Looking forward to seeing what you do with it.

 

[Pick_T4R]

Thanks [MENTION=67585]stomper4x4[/MENTION]

It is a 2nd vehicle so it won't see a ton of use. Putting together my plans for a lift, tires, bumper, winch, roof rack and other cool things but the short term will be resolving the oil leaks and P0402 code for the EGR. I really need to get the driver's seat out and replace the gears as well so the seat will adjust. I turned the two (2) 12mm bolt heads on the front of the seat to manually adjust the seat but it doesn't seem to be all the way back. YouTube

I can live with it there but I'd be a lot more comfortable another inch or two back...