The "Pile" build.

BoatRacer

BoatRacer

New member
I figured I would start my own build thread since my first thread here has turned into one. Link to my original thread:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/classic-t4rs/140779-opinions-wanted-86-toyota-4runner.html

I'm a 36 year old HVAC sub contract mechanic at a Gov. facility, father of two little girls, and an avid hydroplane race fan/mechanic and muscle car builder. I'm revisiting my high school years again, in finding and building a reliable moderate wheeler. This time with a 4Runner that the whole family can come along.

I picked up this '86 a few weeks ago in trade for an old 90's pick-up I had. It has an '85 front straight axle, stock rear springs up front, and Chevy 63's in the back. It's been beaten on for a decade and not maintained. This build will be a slow one as I have many projects going on right now and a limited budget. I will be relying a lot on the info and help I pick up here along the way.
 
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My wife just shook her head with a smirk on her face when I drug this home and replied, "what are you going to do with that pile?" So we call it "The Pile" now.

As I got it:




 
It drives terrible and the braking was nearly non existent, but the 22RE runs awesome. The first thing I did was have the exhaust replaced, it has a nice Thorley header already. I then found a '95 that was being parted out and got the brake booster, master cylinder, and calipers from it and swapped them over to the Pile. I discovered the wheel bearings where loose and decided to tear into the front end. She sits on my home lift right now partially torn down. I've ordered all new front end and hub rebuild parts, they should all be here any day now.





 
While researching the parts I need and how to go about the repairs on these knuckles, I've been searching craigslist like crazy to find random stuff for good deals or trades.

My new bumper I picked last night! I also made a sweet deal on a newer Warn 8000lb winch that I have not picked up yet.




And new to me KMC beadlocks I traded some car parts for.
 
I'm a part time turbine engine mechanic, leaning these engines a little bit at a time in the race shop anyway. While there last week, I had taken my hubs in to sand blast and decided to treat them with this black oxide I have been experimenting on with some of the turbine engine parts. So far it's held up to VERY high temps and never allowed rust to set in. I blasted the hubs clean, immersed them in the oxide chemical for 5 min, rinsed off with water, brushed on the metal penetrant/sealer chemical and allowed them to dry. I'm hoping they stay rust free for years to come.











 
I also picked up a pair of very nice doors that I will be making half doors out of very soon. After the front end and brakes are back together, I'll focus on replacing the worn out and broken leaf springs all around. I also have sets of 5.29 gears and Yukon install kits I need to have set up and get installed. I have a long road ahead of me to get this one straightened out to my liking.
 
'The Pile' is going to be one nice truck!

A home car lift - wonder how I could get my wife to sign off on one of those....LOL!

:whipping2

NICE! Can't wait to see the progression of your 4Runner.

:thumb3:
 
RiFF RaFF said:
'The Pile' is going to be one nice truck!

A home car lift - wonder how I could get my wife to sign off on one of those....LOL!

:whipping2

NICE! Can't wait to see the progression of your 4Runner.

:thumb3:
Click to expand...

Thanks! I used my tax return a couple years ago and bought the lift. Seriously, one of the best purchases I have ever made!
 
Nice truck!

While you have the front axle half-way apart, you might as well check if it has the stock Birfields in it. If so, plan on getting a set of Longfield super axles or Trail Gear Dirty Thirties as the stock Birfs won't take much abuse. May as well throw in the matching chrome-moly hub gears at the same time. Good insurance. If the axle was built up, it may have them already.
 
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I wish I had some cool updates, but sadly not much has been going on. There is a pile of new parts growing in the shop, I just need the time to do the work. The issue is the axles, they are stock and I'm wanting to up grade to Long's. The problem is how quickly this gets out of control $$. I have this same problem with all my projects, it's very difficult to not upgrade everything at once. It adds up too fast though, if I do the axles I might as well up grade the knuckles, and the trunion elims, hub gears, and on and on...
I know everyone here knows what I'm talking about. It just kills me to put this whole front end together just to tear it down next year.
I also bought a pair of 5.29 drop outs on C/L, one is welded, and the other has a lock right locker. The price was too good to pass up, but now I really don't want to put the locker up front and not upgrade the axles. The next update may be a while, lol.
 
On a side note, has anyone put an '82-'83 grill on your 4runner? I've seen this on one driving around locally, but have not been able to meet up with the guy. Then I see this one for sale on C/L. I think it looks great, but I can't find any info on where to buy them and if it's a simple bolt on deal. What do you think?
 
KidVermicious said:
I'd like to put a whole 82-83 front clip on mine - fenders, headlights, everything. I think that'd look tits.
Click to expand...

That's a great idea, wonder how the body fit from fender to door would be and how the body lines would look along the sides though? Would probably need the core support as well?
 
BoatRacer said:
That's a great idea, wonder how the body fit from fender to door would be and how the body lines would look along the sides though? Would probably need the core support as well?
Click to expand...

Hit it enough times with a BFH (BIG FREAKING HAMMER), plasma torch, welder, sheet metal, and you can fit anything to anything!

:rofl:
 
I think I will just put the front end back together with the rebuild parts and the 5.29 drop out for this summer. I want to drive it some this year, but probably won't spend the money for axles and knuckle upgrades till next spring. In reality, I won't be doing any serious wheeling for a while anyway.
I'm neck deep into an LQ4/4L80E swap in my '66 Chevelle, and need to focus on finishing one project at a time. Damn budgets!

Waiting to find the time now:
 
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