T4rghost's '86 4Runner build

[t4rghost]

Just picked up an 1986 4Runner a few weeks ago. The outside is in really good shape for its age. Interior is going to need some work. It does run and drive, but doesn't stop well. Engine needs work, it doesn't idle smooth and motor mounts are shot. It has an aftermarket camshaft. I don't know what brand but I'll take a look when I pull the valve cover soon. It also has aftermarket header, but doesn't have muffler so it's super loud.

Here's a couple pics next to my 4th gen

Here is where it will sit for the next few months

Best part about this truck, is it came with an 84-85 front axle and a lot of sas parts. I've already started buying the rest of the parts I need for the axle swap. Rear has 3" lift blocks now so it will get a true suspension lift when I do the sas. The truck came with 3" springs from trail gear.

I already started tearing down the axle for rebuild tonight. I'll finish tomorrow and then gonna take the diffs to ECGS to get regeared to 4.88s and a spartan locker up front. I'll drive on the street some so don't want an autolocker in the rear and I just can't afford an arb right now, maybe down the road.

Plans are:
Front: Sas w/ 3" trail gear springs, LROR front spring hanger. Ifs hubs to match rear ifs axle width. 96 Tacoma rotors and calipers using Front Range's caliper brackets. 5.29 w/ Spartan locker
Rear: LROR upper shock mount, trail gear 3" springs, 5.29 Detroit TrueTrac
Engine: egr delete, cold air intake. Very distant future might be a 3rz swap
Drivetrain: dual cases since I already have a spare t-case
Interior: celica front seats (already have these), new carpet, dash mat
Exterior: sliders, softopper, paint
Wheels/Tires: 35" BFGoodrich MTs or Goodyear Wrangler MTRs, D-window steel wheels

 

[Red Tintop]

Nice!
Reminds me of mine when I picked it up, except yours looks better.

The SAS adds a bunch of lift naturally because of the way the frame is, 3 inch lift springs will make it really tall.

Mine has 4.5 inch shackles with a modified RUF pak and it was about even with the rear using the 3 inch lift blocks. It would clear the 38's with that setup.

Keep us up with your build, this is going to be fun to watch!

 

[Tinman1985]

Looks like a nice list of parts!

Where are you located in NC? I'm assuming around Raleigh if you're gonna go to ECGS.

I have just about all the same things done to mine, and I personally don't like how tall it sits in the front with the 3" TG springs. If I were to do it again i'd find a set of 3rd gen RUF. They'd still leave you with plenty of clearance for the 35's and you won't be a mile in the air.

Let me know if you have any questions, I happen to be in Raleigh.

 

[Red Tintop]

Tinman, as an 85 wasn't yours a straight axle from the factory?

I think the frame changed from 85-to-86 so that a SAS causes even more clearance/lift than on the earlier models.
I know it did on the trucks, not positive on the 4runners. But it stands to reason.

At the risk of hijacking the thread with pics om my runner, here are a couple showing the clearance with fairly flat RUF's and 35 AT's.

Got to love January in Florida!

 

[Tinman1985]

Yes the IFS frames are flatter, and therefore add more lift if you put leafs under it. I was just trying to imply that I'd never use the trail gear leafs again, and do RUF/63's because they not only work better but its significantly cheaper. But then again he got the trail gear ones for no cost, so he might as well use them.

Here's my 85 next to my brothers old 86. With his sagging springs and my brand new springs we were the same height both on 35's.

 

[t4rghost]

Thanks for the replies guys! I appreciate the input. [MENTION=84811]Tinman1985[/MENTION] I live in Charlotte right now until I finish school in May.

I definitely don't want it to be sky high, but like Tinman said, the springs were free so I'll most likely us them. They are in fairly rough shape but should be able to clean them up with a wire wheel and some paint. I did get a low profile front spring hanger. Most hangers add about 2 inches of lift but this one keeps the springs close to the frame so hopefully it won't be too high.

I did finish taking the front axle apart and got the rear diff out too. It was a lot easier not having the front axle under the truck, the rear diff gave me a little trouble. And unfortunately I didn't win the lottery and have arb lockers in them. Both stock carriers and 4.10s

How about them rear springs too! I think they've seen better days

 

[t4rghost]

A lot has changed the past few weeks, but progress is slow since I can only work on the weekends. Received my 3rds from ECGS. Went with 5.29s, Spartan locker up front and Detroit TrueTrac in the rear. ECGS is great, you get assembled 3rds for a little more than it would cost to buy the parts to do it yourself, and you get a 5 year warranty!

I worked on the rear suspension this weekend.

At first I moved the shackle hangers 3" back like TG suggests and my shackle angle was nearly vertical.

If these were new springs I would let them settle but since they're used I didn't want them to be this vertical. So I moved them forward, started with moving 1" forward which did nothing so I moved them 2" more forward to stock location and now the angle is a little too flat especially with there being no weight in the rear. Top is off, rear bumper is off and I'll have a spare eventually.
This is the angle now but next weekend I'm gonna move it back some.

 

[t4rghost]

This week was my spring break so I was able to get a lot done. Finished the rear except for brakes and needing to move the upper shock mount back a little.

Also almost finished the SAS. [MENTION=100733]sam24th[/MENTION] helped out a few days and we were able to get the important stuff done. Now I just need to hang the axle and finish putting the axle back together.

Pics from this week:

 

[fwak1234]

Nice truck man, I may be a little jealous....

 

[t4rghost]

Nice truck man, I may be a little jealous....

Thanks man, I can't wait till I can drive it again

 

[t4rghost]

Update on the build since it has been awhile.






Also, picked up another '86 this weekend.

 

[t4rghost]

Went back with the factory color. Maaco single stage urethane special actually turned out decent...besides the masking tape they painted over on the fuel door :ybrick:

The paint almost matches my new Chevy. It's a trailer queen for now, but that will change this weekend

 

[Nervo19]

Good taste in color! I took my gas door, valence and cowl vent off and Maaco painted them separately. They lost them for a few minutes but it turned out okay in the end. If you clean and sand your truck yourself I think they do a decent job.

 

[t4rghost]

Good taste in color! I took my gas door, valence and cowl vent off and Maaco painted them separately. They lost them for a few minutes but it turned out okay in the end. If you clean and sand your truck yourself I think they do a decent job.

Thank you! I should have pulled the tape off myself but forgot when I got there. Its not very big, and it's a trail rig so it will be alright. I did take my windshield cowl off, and they also lost it for a minute, along with my key. For what I paid i will take it. Time will tell how long it lasts.

 

[t4rghost]

Shakedown run with [MENTION=100733]sam24th[/MENTION] today. It went well besides a u-joint trying to leave the front driveshaft. Luckily I noticed it before it was too bad and got it fixed in 20 minutes.

 

[Chuckles89]

Looks like fun! Haven't heard much from Sam in a while...

 

[Skuzz_84]

Nice truck/s bro! Pretty sure my '84 was that same colour at birth. I think she's had more than a few colour changes before I got to her

Sent from my SM-N915G using Tapatalk

 

[sam24th]

Looks like fun! Haven't heard much from Sam in a while...

I am still lurking around. Dont get on much though since work has been kicking my ass.

 

[tpafire5]

Looks good.