Topic: '85 4Runner automatics OK?

[dragr1]

I have a chance to buy a pristine '85 4Runner which I have been looking for.  I will be making a trail rig out of it, but it happens to be an automatic.  Are the automatics reliable?  Is there an adapter for the auto's to run dual cases?

What are the upsides and downsides to an '85 with the auto for a trail rig?

[TexJeff87]

http://www.inchwormgear.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=86

Pro's...liquid coupler ( auto trans ) means possibility of broken parts is way way less. You can run 5:71 gears and 35's with out worry.  With an auto, maybe you don't need dual cases. You CAN, but...whatever.

Cons...cooling needs to be addressed...Toy auto's not known for uber-toughness...

[donutman126]

What TexJeff said, automatics will be a lot easier on the drive train because of the torque converter. And you might not need as low of gearing because unlike a manual you not slippin the crap out of your clutch trying to get up something. That being said, I am very glad that my 85 has a manual because I daily drive my truck and the 3 speed autos make the already slow 4 cylinder feel waaay slower because of the less gears and bigger gaps between gears. The manual is also simpler and more reliable than the auto tranny. If you plan on keeping the auto tranny, the main key to keeping it alive is keeping it cool.

[dragr1 [OP]]

How difficult to swap it to a manual trans.?  I have access to several donor vehicles.

[weirdtimes_7]

How difficult to swap it to a manual trans.?  I have access to several donor vehicles.

They arn't that hard, trust me, you will be a whole lot happier if you swap it over... F auto's, they should be banished from trail's... HAHA, just kiddin... i would do it if i where you

military_stang

[ZUK]

Having an 85 with a good auto is a blessing....especially offroad. I agree on the 571 gears and 33~35" tires. The auto is a 4 speed actually.
I would consider a tranny cooler and temperature gauge a "buy first thing".
I had an 87 Runner 22RE with auto with 571 gears and 33x10.50 tires.....I was impressed. Offroad it performed well...on-road it held 70~75 just fine....with the factory cruise control on.

[Burl]

I bought one of these but I swapped the auto out for a standard it was easy.  If you look under the thread for project build ups It is Burls 85 runner build.  The auto tranny sucked .

I have a chance to buy a pristine '85 4Runner which I have been looking for.  I will be making a trail rig out of it, but it happens to be an automatic.  Are the automatics reliable?  Is there an adapter for the auto's to run dual cases?

What are the upsides and downsides to an '85 with the auto for a trail rig?

[Hayes]

So far I like the auto.  When this one craps out on me I am going to look into a manual swap, or a 400r auto (adapter from engine to trans, and trans to toyota t-case).

[Prismo]

I have an 85 4-runner with 529's & an auto. I bought a w56 & an extra case to swap them in. I was prepared not to like the auto. We used it up here in 2 feet of snow this winter. It worked real well, i was actually enjoying it. I might even run it for a while.

[dragr1 [OP]]

Well, looks like the auto is not the way to go as I suspected.  Especially since I plan to run 37" tires, dual lockers, full exo and so on.

[Rocksurfer]

I had an auto in my 86 4Runner loved the hell out of it, beat the hell out it and it just kept going. If it has the electronic torque converter you can also disable the stall which will make it crawl downhill very nicely but don't stop with it disengaged or trans goes kaboom. In the rocks it crawls masterfully, I took mine everywhere on some of the toughest trails and it makes life simple. Just lift it, lock it and go for it.

[toyo487]

they came with 4.30 gears so that is cool. 

[weirdtimes_7]

they came with 4.30 gears so that is cool. 

Lucky you.. how much is this thing again??

military_stang

[dragr1 [OP]]

Lucky you.. how much is this thing again??

military_stang

$3000

152k miles-garaged since day one, not a spot of rust, original paint is perfect, not an SR5 though, just a deluxe

[weirdtimes_7]

Damn, i would say you made out like a bandit then, HAHA

military_stang