Topic: Gonzo's Newest Project 88 Central Coast Runner Build (Updated w/Photos!!!!)

[GONZO97]

Hey guys its been awhile since Ive been on here since i have been dabbling in the world of Subaru's which is another awesome world! But i missed my camping, mountain trails, and rig building. So here it is i found a 1988 4Runner with a 3.0 V6. Very high miles at 325K on the chassis but I am excited for this build! The plans are to use it as my daily driver but I am definitely going to make it trail capable as well. Im thinking a full SAS build, 4.88s on 33s or 35s havent decided yet, detroit lockers, onboard air, and in the future when the engine takes its last breath im thinking of dropping a 3.4 into it. So here are some photos. Please comment ask questions and give me advice as im sure ill run into a few little issues along the way. Hope you guys enjoy this build!





First project for me is a standard tune up and also trying to figure out the idling issue that i am having. So i took off the throttle body and tried cleaning it up, we will see if that fixes the issue or not.



Maybe this is why it is having issues, pretty gunked up.
Then i decided all these red accent pieces needed to go!

ahhhhh much better


Well guys thats all I have for now! Hope you guys enjoy and will continue to watch the build progress!

-Gonzo

[GONZO97 [OP]]

Alright guys,
Let me get everyones opinion. So besides it being a 3.slow which i know just about everyone will say, 'Thats your issue" i need to figure out why i am having this idling issue. Here is whats going on. If the car has been sitting and i go out to start it up, it will fire no problem and idle perfectly. The issue i am having is after driving it and the engine gets to full operating temperature, if i shut it off and run into the store and then come back out to head back home it has a rough idle. The engine fires up but will not idle very strong and eventually die. Does anyone have any idea why it could be doing this? I have so far cleaned the maf and put a new filter in, and also cleaned the throttle body. Has anyone experienced this? all help much appreciated.

-Gonzo

[GONZO97 [OP]]

Alright guys, after cleaning the MAF and the throttle body I have ran into another interesting issue. I went to turn the engine over and it just cranks cranks cranks. No turn over. I checked the spark plug wires and noticed one had completely unhooked itself and the lead actually separated from the wire itself so i ordered a new set of NGK spark plug wires, hooked it all up. Engine continues to crank but no turn over. So i tried spraying some starter fluid into the throttle body, got it to sputter a little but not to the point of anything that sounded like it trying to turn over. So i am thinking it is a spark plug/spark issue. I pulled a spark plug and as i did so the spark plug fell apart on me, so time for new spark plugs. Pulled another spark plug and touched it to the block looking for a spark, and nothing. So now im starting to think it has something to do with the coil igniter. Does anyone know of a good way to check if this is the issue? I am thinking of hooking a volt meter to it and try turning it over to see if itll put out any current. If it does, does anyone know what it should be reading? Thanks in advance guys all help is appreciated!

-Gonzo

[GONZO97 [OP]]

So after swapping out the spark plugs which was needed and also the ignition coil  I still was not getting any turn over from the engine. I then decided to try unhooking the cable that plugs into the MAF and tried starting over and then sure enough the engine turned over idled for a bit then died. So i am 99 percent sure that now its a bad MAF so I need to try and find one for my 3.0, will keep you guys updated as time goes on and as the project comes along some more. thanks

-Gonzo

[GONZO97 [OP]]

Finally! The 4runner is running. So after figuring out that the VAF is what was having the issue i went in to the local parts store and picked up a new reman one. Hooked her all up and wahla she runs! So here is a list of all the service that I did on it. Keep in mind when i picked it up I had no idea what the previous owner had done or not done so I am doing almost an entire service on it to make sure I know exactly where I am on it. So here we go.

Performed at 319,283
-New NGK Spark Plugs
-New Fram Air Filter
-Oil Change
-New STP oil Filter
-New NGK Spark Plug wires
-New Reman VAF from AutoZone
-New Duralast Ignition Coil
-Topped off Coolant (Low by at least a quart)
-Topped off Brake Fluid

That is all that has been done at the moment. Trying to get the truck road ready, so I can drive it while I wait to accumulate parts for the SAS. If anyone has an axel that they are trying to get rid of here on the central coast or Fresno area, please let me know. Thanks!

[GONZO97 [OP]]

Well this is definitely one of the quietest build threads ever but i will keep posting up my updates just in case someone is watching! 

So here is the newest information, after doing some work on the engine to get it up and running and decided its time to start looking for the goodies needed to get this build on the road, first agenda was wheels and tires so sure enough i found some on craigslist, and later that day, with the help of LilGonzo and his wife, I had 5 tires and wheels, 35X12.5.

Loading them in his bobbed 86 wasnt exactly the easiest task, but hey we made it work.

Home sweet home! its going to be a tight squeeze for sure!

Here they are all mounted up


Seems like i may have a bit of a fitment issue. So since I am not quite ready to do the 63s in the rear yet, I had to come up with a quick fix that wouldnt break the bank. So i found some spacer blocks, had the local shop custom make me longer u-bolts and wahla here she is!



Sorry for the quality in the last photo but the height is much better now and im actually able to drive it now as well! The build is getting there hope you guys enjoy it!
And a few misc. Photos

[Cheesemaker]

 

[Nation]

Lookin good bud! 

[zidaro]

Ready for the Con'!!
nice to be rolling and running always.

got a fzj80 front axle in the for sale section.  Rear FF too, if your needing that.

[GONZO97 [OP]]

Lookin good bud! 

Thanks for the nice comments guys!

Ready for the Con'!!
nice to be rolling and running always.

got a fzj80 front axle in the for sale section.  Rear FF too, if your needing that.

Thanks man I'm excited to have it rolling and drive able. In regards to the axle I will definitely look into those goodies. Thanks for the info!

[onemanarmy]

why run 35s now and not just wait until you have all your parts for axles, lift, gears, and brakes?   seems to me they will just rub and you'll get worse gas mileage for around town driving, not to mention harder on the tired motor.

Just curious.....love a good 4 runner build.  It helps me plan mine.

[GONZO97 [OP]]

why run 35s now and not just wait until you have all your parts for axles, lift, gears, and brakes?   seems to me they will just rub and you'll get worse gas mileage for around town driving, not to mention harder on the tired motor.

Just curious.....love a good 4 runner build.  It helps me plan mine.

So i needed new tires regardless and new wheels, really i was on the hunt for some wheels to pick up. went onto craigslist and found wheels that came with 35s that have decent tread left. So i picked them up. Keep in mind I am building this over time and at the moment am not driving it as a daily. I want to get it to a certain point before i start driving it daily. So for now it sits and gets worked on and cleaned up.

[GONZO97 [OP]]

I have finally got my fire lit again to start working on this rig again. So here is a little update as to what is going on. I recently decided to swap out the engine. After not being able to figure out what is happening with the idling issue with it, I just decided to build it properly and get a solid engine in there. Im currently on the hunt for a 222RE or 3.4 complete so I can get this whole thing cleaned up. Also I have decided to redo the paint on the truck. A buddy is taking an auto body class and asked if he could use my truck as his project. Of course I couldn't turn that down so Ill have a fresh coat of paint, and fresh engine build. Once that is all complete I will be able to focus on the interior and also the suspension! Hoping to have this all completed by June/July, lets see if its possible

If you guys know of anyone trying to get rid of engines let me know I'm in central California! Thanks guys!

-GONZO

[MRHilux87]

Looks like a good project.  I had a 3.0 that idled like that too.  Never figured it out.  I looked for vacuum problems. IDK.  Throw some chevys on that bad boy and hammer down.

[GONZO97 [OP]]

Looks like a good project.  I had a 3.0 that idled like that too.  Never figured it out.  I looked for vacuum problems. IDK.  Throw some chevys on that bad boy and hammer down.

The plan is to definitely throw some 63s on it with a nice SAS and some RUF. Definitely need an engine swap that's for sure


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[GONZO97 [OP]]

Update: truck threw a rod bearing (big surprise i know) and so it was sold, lame to say the least, really liked the first gen runner. Anyways came across a 96 4runner, got a good deal on it. Will have to start a thread when things start to get a little more serious!