Got the Runner rolling; drained the trans fluid from the crankcase (yeah, that's what I said...), sold the stock alloys and 31s, added a few quarts of trans fluid to the trans and it fired right up... with a decent amount of smoke though. It moves under its own "power" but acts like there's no motivation, no gumption, no giddy-up. I'm guessing that's normal for a 3.0/auto? Might just be fouled plugs, who knows. But it moves freely and all gears/t-case works; had it up to 85 with cruise and A/C going full-blast without any problems.

So on the way home there came a knock-knock-knocking from the 84's engine. Hooray. No leaks, no rods sticking out the block, oil is fine and coolant is nice n green. W T F. I don't want to stick a sick 3.0 in there and I sure don't want an auto if it sucks down that much power. I'm seeing a 22RE in my future unless I sell the 84 and 4Runner and just start over with a 3gen 3.4 or at least 22RE/5 spd. One of my instructors picked up a 96/97 (?) with 3RZ/5spd from an auction for cheap but won't sell it to me... which is okay since it's a regular cab and I have exactly no money for another truck.

Screw it, everything's for sale and I'm leaving for Europe in 2 days for 2 months. Come and get it; I want something new when I get back.

 
>>Dan