Hottrod81 4 Runner Build

[Hottrod81]

Here is what I am starting with.  Bought it for $900.  It has power windows and they all work.  It's an 84.  It will have dual cases, 36" IROKS, Marlin 4" springs, Longfield 30 splines, and 4.88's with E-lockers F/R.  It has a little rust around the wheel wells but that will be cut out.  The frame is in great shape.  Her are a few pictures after I removed all of the bumpers.

[olivedrab85]

looks like a good start, wish mine was that good!

[Hottrod81]

I think it's a good start.  It's going to be a slow build because I want to do a lot of cleanup and all of the parts are coming off of my 81 pickup.  I am basically doing a swap.  I need the room.

[cheap sunglasses]

It will have dual cases, 36" IROKS, Marlin 4" springs, Longfield 30 splines, and 4.88's with E-lockers F/R.

That's basically everything I *want* to have on my truck, except maybe 5.29s...


oh and I would buy everything from Trail Gear 










just kidding man

[Hottrod81]

4.88's work well for me since this thing will be on the trail more than the street.  Sometimes I wish I would have went with 5.29's.

[megolfer]

I think you should run the tires and wheels.  You dont need iroks.  Hurry up and pull that motor out and get her done.

[DTB]

4.88's work well for me since this thing will be on the trail more than the street.  Sometimes I wish I would have went with 5.29's.

well its not too late right? or you are swapping from your 81? go with 5.29's the first time so your not kicking yourself in the later

[megolfer]

Hes already got the built axles with 4.88.  His truck works great with them.  I think he is going to go with 4.7 gearset in the transfer, so it wont really matter.

[Hottrod81]

I am doing a swap from my 81 that already has 4.88's.  They work fine form me since I don't drive it a long distance to get to trails.  If I do go to the hammers or a place like that, it's on a trailer behind my motorhome.  I also like the 4.88's because I am also thinking of doing a 4.3L swap later down the line.

[Hottrod81]

Just pulled the motor in the Runner today.  Don't know what is wrong with it yet.  Drained the oil and it looks like there are some shavings in the oil.  Hopefully all it needs is a crank kit because it only has 131,000 on the odometer.  Once the engine is fixed, the transformation will begin.

[Hottrod81]

I am looking at the 261 C Cam from engnbldr.  Has anybody run this before and will it pass CA smog?

[Volcom]

I am looking at the 261 C Cam from engnbldr.  Has anybody run this before and will it pass CA smog?

I've got the 268C cam.  I'm still in the process of getting the engine back into the 4Runner myself.  The 268 should be smog legal, I'm not sure about the 261.

Good luck with the build.  I'm pretty much building the same 4Runner.  84 with 85 EFI swapped in.
http://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=14334.0

[Hottrod81]

I got an e-mail back from Ted at engnbldr today and he says he has had many use the 261C cam and pass smog.

[Hottrod81]

No more new pics.  The build has been going slow since I have my 81 to wheel.  The engine, trans, and t/c is out.  I have been looking at tubing benders to build my bumpers and rock sliders and partial exo.  I have decided not to rebuild the engine and instead take the one out of my 81 and put it into the 4Runner.  Shortly, I will be trimming the fenders and sanding the paint.  I have also decided to go with a hydro assist setup.

[Volcom]

So, it's going to stay carb'ed?  Did you have trouble with the 81, is that why you're moving to the 4Runner platform?

[Hottrod81]

I am going to leave it carbed for right now.  I was thinking about going EFI, but I really don't want to do the swap right now.  I am moving to the 4Runner simply for more room.  I am pretty tall and the truck just isn't big enough for me.  At the end of trips I am really sore from being coiled up in the truck.

[toyotagod69]

Looks like a nice start, a friend of mine bought a 91 runner from a guy for $600, and it actually runs!!!! Trying to talk him into building it up so we can go play!!

[Hottrod81]

$600 is so cheap to get a running runner.  I wish mine had been that cheap and ran.

[boggerunner]

i picked up my 90 4runner with a rod knock for $500, and i sold all the v6 crap and got my 500 back from it, id go fuel injection right away so your not kiking yourself down the road when u gotta rip the whole interior out to swap it in

[Hottrod81]

I thought about EFI a lot and if I am going to do a swap, I want to swap in a 3rz.  I really don't mind the carburetor at this point and time.

[Hottrod81]

A little update,  I've been too busy to do much lately.  I got the front axle out of it today and it is pretty much just a shell now.  It will be going up for sale soon.  Also, getting ready to put my new Marlin drop hanger on it tomorrow.  After that, I am going to trim the front fenders and tub the rear.

[Volcom]

Take some good pictures of the rear tub, I need to tub mine as well!

[Hottrod81]

I will as soon as I start.  I think I am going to do it this weekend.

[Hottrod81]

I finally got the motor in her.  Going to try to put the axles under it next weekend if I have time.  I am going to post pictures later.  I just got my T/C back from Marlin where they put 4.7's in the rear case.  I also just got my Pro Tools Bender so I can make bumpers, sliders, and fender bars.  I am undecided if I am going to do an EXO.  I am also going to send my PS Box to PSC to get it tapped for hydro assist.

[megolfer]

Your Gay and so is your 4runner, dogs, motorhome, house, truck, company car, police scanner, couches.  Pretty much everything about you is gay except your brother.  He is one cool guy that knows his SH%T. 

[Hottrod81]

You forgot my big screen, welder, and tubing bender.

[Matty]

damn i hate to see that 1st gen pickup get parted  .  its wicked nice. but this should be a sick build.  good luck with it 

[Hottrod81]

Finally got the running gear under it and on the trail.  From Posi hill on Bald Mtn.

[Hottrod81]

Another

[Hottrod81]

Now it's time to get the tubing bender out and build some rock sliders and bumpers.