Author Topic: 85 4runner build (Read 5935 times)

cjcoffroad · « **on:** Jul 11, 2011, 06:19:07 PM »

My brother and I decided we wanted to build an 80's Toyota 4runner. This is our first Toyota build, most of our experience is with Dodge pickups. After searching around for a bit, we came across this '85 on Pirate. It was a one owner '85 SR5 with only 85k original miles. We drove up the same day and picked it up. Here's a picture of it as we started stripping it down:

After seeing all the builds on here, we opted to go with an All Pro classic 4" kit with all the fixings such as high steer, 5" rear springs to compensate for the additional rear weight, etc. We also picked up a Trail Gear rear Detroit with 5.29 gears, IFS rear axle, Trail Gear 1.5" wheel spacers for the front, front 5.29 third with a Lockright, IFS steering box, Addicted Off Road front bumper, Trail Gear rear bumper, 15x10 wheels with 3.75" backspacing, Copperhead Fab wheel stiffeners and 35" BFG KM2's. Other mods such as dual cases are still being determined.

Since this will be a trail rig, we decided to bite the bullet now and go with a satin black paint job rather than deal with scratches. We stripped the paint off as best we could and took it to a local body shop:

The next order of business was to prepare the wheels and tires. My brother welded on the stiffeners and had the wheels and tires mounted and balanced:

Next was preparing the IFS rear axle. Our friend Mason installed the Detroit third member and we ground off the perches:

We couldn't resist taking a peak at what's to come:

cjcoffroad · « **Reply #1 on:** Jul 11, 2011, 06:19:42 PM »

First, the front axle/springs/etc had to come out and some of the less cooperative bits had to be ground off:

On the side, we started prepping the front axle for the third member/knuckle rebuild/high steer:

We probably had a good 3 or 4 hours just cutting and grinding different parts. Almost ready for the new suspension:

Front axle just about ready for its upgrades:

My brother welding the new front crossmember in:

Now we have run into a problem. All Pro didn't send two of the shackle spacers, which are now on there way and should be here tomorrow. This is as far as we were able to get as a result:

We should be installing the IFS steering box and high steer this week as we would like to tackle the rear suspension next weekend!

82rustbeast · « **Reply #2 on:** Jul 11, 2011, 07:03:49 PM »

How much did you pay for the runner??? 85K origional miles?!

That satin black looks good. Do you have any pics of the Dodges you have built?

cjcoffroad · « **Reply #3 on:** Jul 11, 2011, 09:45:03 PM »

Thanks! Got a pretty good deal on it but had to deal with a lot to get it registered with DMV. Here are some pics of some of our Dodges. They're set up to run in the desert:

RockRescue · « **Reply #4 on:** Jul 11, 2011, 09:48:28 PM »

looks good my only suggestion would be to only tac weld up your hangers so that you can adjust your shackle angles if need be before everything is welded solid .

LilChief87 · « **Reply #5 on:** Jul 11, 2011, 10:52:56 PM »

good progress looking good

Mega Baby Huey · « **Reply #6 on:** Jul 12, 2011, 08:34:23 AM »

wow!

i was a little worried when i saw you were taking off the stock paint cuz it looked pretty clean, but it looks frickin sick now! that black is beautiful!!!!

that 4runner is gonna be NICE!!!!

SloCrawler · « **Reply #7 on:** Jul 12, 2011, 08:43:17 AM »

Nice what dunes you at?

chim · « **Reply #8 on:** Jul 12, 2011, 10:27:33 AM »

Looks good! I dig the paint!

cjcoffroad · « **Reply #9 on:** Jul 12, 2011, 10:42:40 AM »

Thanks guys! I'm afraid it looks like we may have to cut the front hanger off and move it back 1/2" to accommodate the short All Pro 4" springs. From now on everything gets tacked til it's fully mocked up!

Quote from: Chrstphrtptts on Jul 12, 2011, 08:43:17 AM

Nice what dunes you at?

The red one is in Glamis in the pic and the blue one is in Pismo

_HOIST_ · « **Reply #10 on:** Jul 12, 2011, 10:55:17 AM »

Quote from: cjcoffroad on Jul 12, 2011, 10:42:40 AM

I'm afraid it looks like we may have to cut the front hanger off and move it back 1/2" to accommodate the short All Pro 4" springs.

Ouch!

Nice build so far thought, how much did the paint set you back?

85toyota · « **Reply #11 on:** Jul 17, 2011, 07:16:40 PM »

what size of tires are those that your gonna run on the 4runner?

toyotaporvida · « **Reply #12 on:** Jul 19, 2011, 04:21:13 AM »

Says 35" BFG KM2's

sabatoa1 · « **Reply #13 on:** Jul 19, 2011, 05:42:11 AM »

Man this is looking good, I love the satin black!!!

cjcoffroad · « **Reply #14 on:** Aug 24, 2011, 05:04:04 PM »

I apologize for taking so long to update! I've been out of town a lot this summer but can finally get back into it. We went ahead and mounted the IFS steering box:

Next was getting the front axle mounted to the All Pro springs:

This week we should be installing the new front third member and rebuilding the knuckles!

87hillbillyoter · « **Reply #15 on:** Aug 24, 2011, 05:46:25 PM »

is that the steering box's final resting spot? personally id rotate it as far forward as possible so your springs dont hit your pitman arm.

Talon84x4 · « **Reply #16 on:** Aug 24, 2011, 06:08:33 PM »

That satin black looks great, nice job

cjcoffroad · « **Reply #17 on:** Aug 24, 2011, 08:13:52 PM »

Thanks guys. That seemed to be as far forward as we could mount the box with all pro mount. We hacked the core support to stuff it there.

cjcoffroad · « **Reply #18 on:** Aug 25, 2011, 06:29:47 PM »

A friend came over and tore apart the front axle today.

What a mess! Everything inside is nasty enough to the point that I think I'll go ahead and upgrade to chromoly shafts and birfields. Would the Trail Gear 27 spline kit be enough for the 35's I'll be running? Thanks!

85toyota · « **Reply #19 on:** Aug 27, 2011, 12:20:33 AM »

You might have a problem with that front spring hanger, i just got done doing the same kit on my 85 Pick up and thats how i tacked it on first and it had horible shackle angle so i cut it off and moved it back an inch and a half and it has a 13 degrees of shackle angle and the rear has 28 dagrees and it sits perfect. And it will still settle some.

cjcoffroad · « **Reply #20 on:** Dec 19, 2011, 10:57:22 AM »

Thanks for the info we'll see how it does. Finally got the thing on all fours, put fluid in the diffs, etc. Here's a pic for now I'll get some better ones when we pull it out of the garage.

BHT12 · « **Reply #21 on:** Dec 19, 2011, 01:54:14 PM »

That thing looks bad ass!!

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