Please help, Newbie to 4 Runners

[sx4runner87]

I have a 1987 Toyota 4 Runner, DLX, 4 cyl. I just bought it recently and I'm waiting for Spring to work on my new truck. I've always been a fan of toyota, and I want to tune up my 4 Runner. I need more advice about tuning up a 24 yr. old truck. I really want to replace all the suspension and axles, but I don't have a clue on where to start and where do I find the best deals to buy the parts from. So if anyone can give me some tips about tuning and replacing supensions, please reply back. Thanks. I will appreciate any help.

sx4runner87

 

[cometobanks]

Everything you need is in these forms! Welcome and have a look around.

 

[cztheman64]

I have a 1987 Toyota 4 Runner, DLX, 4 cyl. I just bought it recently and I'm waiting for Spring to work on my new truck. I've always been a fan of toyota, and I want to tune up my 4 Runner. I need more advice about tuning up a 24 yr. old truck. I really want to replace all the suspension and axles, but I don't have a clue on where to start and where do I find the best deals to buy the parts from. So if anyone can give me some tips about tuning and replacing supensions, please reply back. Thanks. I will appreciate any help.

sx4runner87

what do you plan on doing with the truck, DD, strictly offroad? what motor is in it, im assuming the 22re?

 

[sx4runner87]

what do you plan on doing with the truck, DD, strictly offroad? what motor is in it, im assuming the 22re?

I just want to do a tune up, like engine tune ups, and replacing old parts. I don't plan on doing off-road. My 87 4 Runner has a great body. I want to replace all the suspensions, and axles if necessary, so the truck runs smooth again. Yeah, I'll do some surfing on this site for deals, but I just feel lost on where to start.

 

[cztheman64]

well i dont know why someone would not want to take a 4x4 offroad... but my advice would be to just start from scratch. start with the engine, take it all apart and clean up the pieces, replace gaskets and that kinda thing. then do the suspension replacements

 

[cometobanks]

If its never going off road, tune the boiler, get some new shocks. and tires and be done! Or is there something wrong with the running gear?

 

[turboSR5]

well i dont know why someone would not want to take a 4x4 offroad... but my advice would be to just start from scratch. start with the engine, take it all apart and clean up the pieces, replace gaskets and that kinda thing. then do the suspension replacements

Sounds like he has it in good shape. Not many of those around. Just becuase it's a 4runner doesn't mean you need to beat the $H*% out of it.

 

[sx4runner87]

If its never going off road, tune the boiler, get some new shocks. and tires and be done! Or is there something wrong with the running gear?

What's a boiler, and how do I tune it? Also, what do you mean by running gear? Is it like a loud idling sound?

I feel that my 4 Runner's engine is still in good shape, because even in the coldest weather, it starts up in seconds. The only thing I know, is that I can't do fast, sharp turns.

 

[cometobanks]

Sorry,

Boiler, slang, = motor.
Running gear, shop talk = differentials, drive shaft, transmission, ect,,,,

I guess for tighter corners you would unload your torsion bars (will lower the front) and put some wide low profile passenger tires on there with some good shocks. Get some urethane bushings for your anti roll bar.

As for speed theres just limits to what a stock 4runner motor will do... K&N filter, lower tires will make it snappier.

You're kind of asking us how to make an apple taste like an orange...

 

[lildoggie]

I don't know if this will be helpful or not. I bought a '91 4Runner a couple of months ago, and here's how I went about it. I fixed what needed to be fixed for safety first. Tires were shot, so replaced them, mounted on the stock rims. Front end had some drift, and the shocks were shot. So...Idler arm, pitman arm, new outer tie rods, new shocks, alignment. Exhaust was shot, so new Magnaflow muffler, pipes, etc. (cat back). Drained and replaced all the fluids on the vehicle, including transmission, differential, transfer case - it ran great but had just been neglected for a long time. New brake rotors on the front, new front brake pads (rear brakes were fine). That pretty much fixed it mechanically. I mean there's still stuff to do, but if you're not going to run it off road much I'd just focus on the mechanical stuff. I may end up doing some serious modifications in the future, but at least this got the 'Yota up and running (safely). And I think you'll discover that even a stock 4runner is remarkably capable off road. Have fun.

 

[sx4runner87]

I don't know if this will be helpful or not. I bought a '91 4Runner a couple of months ago, and here's how I went about it. I fixed what needed to be fixed for safety first. Tires were shot, so replaced them, mounted on the stock rims. Front end had some drift, and the shocks were shot. So...Idler arm, pitman arm, new outer tie rods, new shocks, alignment. Exhaust was shot, so new Magnaflow muffler, pipes, etc. (cat back). Drained and replaced all the fluids on the vehicle, including transmission, differential, transfer case - it ran great but had just been neglected for a long time. New brake rotors on the front, new front brake pads (rear brakes were fine). That pretty much fixed it mechanically. I mean there's still stuff to do, but if you're not going to run it off road much I'd just focus on the mechanical stuff. I may end up doing some serious modifications in the future, but at least this got the 'Yota up and running (safely). And I think you'll discover that even a stock 4runner is remarkably capable off road. Have fun.

Thanks, sorry for the late reply, but what you wrote is exactly what I want to do to my 4 Runner. Safe, is the right word. I'll think about mods later.