The '92 T4R has landed!

williewilkens

williewilkens

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Okay...it only landed because I did a down-and-back to Tucson on Friday night! So here she is. I've got a laundry list of things to address...I'll be glad to take suggestions for parts sourcing, part brands, or anything else you'd like to chime in on.

From what I understand, the engine was rebuilt 5K ago...the clutch was 20K ago...and has had a lot of new steering components installed, and new(er) Rancho shocks all the way around. That said, it drove surprisingly well for the 4 1/2 hour ride back to Flag. It was a little steamy for a while, as the a/c is inoperable at the moment...and trust me...the heat coming from the floor/firewall was a reminder of my prior T4R. :flamethrwoer2: It's got 3 really good BFGs on it...the other, not so much.

So...here's the list so far:

1) Fix that damn brake light - I already pulled the cap...it wasn't low on fluid, and unplugging/plugging in the connector didn't do anything either...
2) One new tire, coming right up!
3) The driver's door needs help. The power mirror doesn't work, the lock tumbler and door handle linkage are broken beyond repair.
4) UNCOMFORTABLE SEATING! Gotta do something...just not sure what...
5) Skid plate = missing! Too much is sticking out to not be protected by one...
6) Splash guards in front wheel wells...also missing. See #5.
7) Left turn signal assembly is smashed in the front. Don't need help in getting picked up...better find one of those quick!
8) Rear hatch lock...not sure what's up, but it won't budge...
9) Windshield trim (the top side)...anyone know where to get this?

I know this is mostly piddly stuff, but since the soon-to-be 16 year old daughter is likely to be getting behind the wheel, I need to make it safe for her. After this stuff? Who knows...a good bath...a little scrubbing...then gas it and go! :driving:
 

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Good looking truck! How many miles on the body? I had a hard time finding parts locally in Flag last year if you figure something out be sure to let me know.

You're gonna enjoy working on the truck up in Flag I'm waiting for classes to start so I can leave the valley. Takes a ten minute mental conversation with myself to get outside and work on mine..
 
Hub said:
Good looking truck! How many miles on the body? I had a hard time finding parts locally in Flag last year if you figure something out be sure to let me know.

You're gonna enjoy working on the truck up in Flag I'm waiting for classes to start so I can leave the valley. Takes a ten minute mental conversation with myself to get outside and work on mine..
Click to expand...

230K on the clock, but a lot of mechanical work has been done by the previous owner. It's got the usual wear spots...seats, console, door issues...normal wear and tear. But it certainly does run good!

I found a "U Pull It" place in Prescott over the weekend that had a couple...even managed to find a few useable parts!
 
Hate to tell ya but back down here in Tucson is a great pull ur own salvage yard off contractors and Michigan they have about 20 toys including 4runner bought inner rendered rear window motor and complete under dash climate control box for 120 not gonna mention other stuff that fell in tool box lol pm me if u want maybe we can meet up ill show u where to go
 
Okay...it was a long day in the driveway, but we got some stuff done:

Driver's door: Replaced the power mirror (thanks ebay!), but the lock/latch mechanism was a beeotch. Not so much that I couldn't get everything to fit, but when I reassembled everything with the junkyard parts, the power lock actuator didn't work, and the new lock tumbler wasn't tight enough. $h!t!!! :redbrick: :redbrick: :redbrick:

So...I disassembled EVERYTHING...tightened up the lock tumbler clip...stole the good door handle-to-latch linkage from the junkyard assembly, and attached it to the assembly that was in the car, and reassembled everything again. Success! The door handle opens the door...the key locks and unlocks all doors...

Skid plate = missing...but for a reason! When I got underneath to wrench it on, I found that not only was one of the front holes bashed out of shape, there was a bolt broken off flush in one of the rear attach points. I used a beefy screw gathered from the junkyard and a large drywall anchor to attach the front...will need to get a tap-out to back out the broken bolt on the back side. It's pretty secure on three points for just road driving...

Left turn signal assembly replaced with a junkyard piece. Since this thing took a minor shot to the driver's front corner, reattaching anything is an adventure. Ended up routing out one of the screw holes with a larger size drill to be able to cut the angle to the screw attachment in the bumper. Still a little jacked up, but it is complete, attached, and functional.

Head light assembly - replaced the entire unit with a junkyard piece. Once again, the shot to the front made lining up anything a challenge...plus, the PO had used some interesting fasteners during his own repair attempts (phillips screws + nuts?). Gotta love changing sockets for every fastener. Getting the grill wiggled around everything was fun, too. Bent bumpers make fitting parts a PITA!! The junkyard headlight worked, and doesn't point down at the pavement...so...SUCCESS!!

I will need to find some grill anchors at the junkyard...it's so effed up, it is more of a "floating" piece at the moment, and probably could stand to be replaced itself. Maybe on the next JY visit...

Rear hatch lock...nothing wrong. Just needed to put the window all the way down! I got a trim piece for the rear window, but the clips are shot. Probably have to go to the dealership for those...

A long day of frustration...but it sure makes up for it when you can actually get something to work!!! :banana:
 
Okay...so a little update on this thing. On the way to work last week, there was a horrible noise coming out of the engine compartment...sort of like ice cubes in a blender...and with my fantastic hearing (too many nights with the band!), I couldn't pinpoint where it was coming from.

It turned out to be the a/c compressor that was making all the racket. I knew the a/c was shot when I bought it, as were all the belts. I wasn't initially concerned about it, because in Flagstaff, it's not absolutely necessary to have a/c. A cheaper solution probably would have been to disconnect it...but I want it to be a reliable vehicle, so I let them replace the entire a/c system.

There was no way I would have had time (or the knowledge, for that matter) to do it myself, and would have had to have them recharge the system anyway. As it was, they put it all back together, charged it up...and...found another leak in the system. One of the lines off the compressor had been nicked with something...basically had a slice across the underside. Once they replaced the line, it worked fine.

So now, the engine sounds a whole lot better...and the a/c works...but I added a lot of $$ to the original investment. Oh well...at least we are back on the road...and I was able to avoid the frustration of the repair attempt! :bravo:
 
Your brake light is probably the switch at the parking brake lever. Either the cable is jammed and it's pushing the lever out, or the switch is jammed. What happens if you push the lever in all the way?
 
if not the parking brake switch, try the small black cap on the top of the brake fluid reservoir. early 90's 4Runners were notorious for having the brake light come on intermittently, or very dim... which rendered the cruise control inoperable. You can test this by simply unplugging the brake fluid sensor from the wiring harness.... it unplugs about 2" from the brake fluid cap. If the brake light disappears, then the sensor is probably malfunctioning.

To fix this, take the small black cap off the larger black brake fluid reservoir lid, and check for fluid/crap on the circuit board (sensor) underneath the black cap. Wipe both sides of the circuit board clean and see if it solves your problem. If this solves your problem then you'll wanna seal up that sensor a little bit better to keep brake fluid off the circuit board. Or just pick up another brake fluid cap at the junk yard.

Another, more rare issue is that the white float underneath the brake fluid cap has developed a small hole in it, making the float "sink" a bit into the brake fluid causing the sensor to trip the brake light in the dash. Check the float while you're checking the cap! Good luck.
 
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the_dingman said:
Your brake light is probably the switch at the parking brake lever. Either the cable is jammed and it's pushing the lever out, or the switch is jammed. What happens if you push the lever in all the way?
Click to expand...

The brake light is on no matter what. Lever out, lever in, while doing a jig on the roof...doesn't matter. I'm actually getting used to the red glow from the dash. :jk: I will goof around with the lever, and see if I notice anything fishy...

And umtomcat...thanks for the tips. I unplugged the cap at some point, but didn't dig into as much as you detail. I'll give that a try.

There is also a method in the service manual I have. I don't recall the steps off the top of my head, but it's something like putting a jumper between two connections on the code bank under the hood, and then tapping the brake pedal eight times within 15 seconds - while juggling a bowling ball, a butcher knife, and a chainsaw. :whipping2

I'll try and take a closer look at it tonight, and will post the true steps from the service manual (not that I was exaggerating or anything!).
 
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