Topic: 85 4runner and the work never ends....

[THK Matt]

its cheap if you work at an auto parts chain

cant wait wait to see it done.

[John Doe [OP]]

Well, got to a point where I was comfortable starting the engine. Did not go well, I have a few issues to track down.
Once it runs I have:
-Exhaust
-Fuel filler neck
-and countless little details.

[John Doe [OP]]

Well I got the truck running the other day. Drove it home from the shop today 16 miles. Went to back into the drive way and Reverse was not working.  2 steps forward, 1 step back   

Ended up pulling the truck back into the street, driving around the block and parking in the drive way facing the garage. Got some kinks to work out. Still need to finish the fuel filler neck but progress has been made.

[kdub0013]

Damn you drove all the way home? Nice job dude. I'm bringing my new runner by the shop tomorrow.

[TacoRunner]

You really aren't having any luck with thing are you.

[John Doe [OP]]

You really aren't having any luck with thing are you.

You have no idea. It took +/- 4hrs of trouble shooting to get it to start. Turned out that the kid I bought the engine from was 7 teeth off when he did the timing. Took care of that friday night and it ran just fine. 

[John Doe [OP]]

Obviously did not get my truck done in time for this trip so I borrowed my buddies wife's 4runner and went to help at Sierra Trek this weekend. Went wheeling this afternoon on the connector trail from Cisco Grove staging area to the Eagle Lakes trail head for Fordyce. Rolled the 4runner after taking a drop off that was just over 3' that I thought was half that. Took it slow but when the front passenger tire dropped into the hole the entire truck followed. The passenger and I walked unscathed but the majority of the body is done.



Looks like I'll be helping build a replacement truck. Oh well, It is my responsibility to fix/ replace what I broke and I will do just that.

[kdub0013]

At least the tail lights didn't get busted out 

[Shamb]

damn that sucks....

[John Doe [OP]]

At least the tail lights didn't get busted out 

That is the funniest thing, my buddy wheels it and always breaks a tail light, I roll it nearly twice and the tailgate and taillights are fine.

[zidaro]

Oh Damn!!!  thats a bummer, hope your bud doesnt hate ya or have his wife riding both of you for trashing her toy.

be sure to post a thread of the new build     Im in the market for a clean runner tailgate btw

[John Doe [OP]]

Oh Damn!!!  thats a bummer, hope your bud doesnt hate ya or have his wife riding both of you for trashing her toy.

be sure to post a thread of the new build     Im in the market for a clean runner tailgate btw

All it will be is a body swap. My buddy and wife are taking it very well, they obviously understand that a rollover/ damage is bound to happen. As expected I am getting 1 hell of a hard time, but it is all in fun. If you are not in a big hurry I'll see if he wants to part with it, or keep it as a spare.

[zidaro]

yes, a huge ration of harassing should be on your plate.

no hurry, and i am interested.  Location, price, and a cherry tailgate is what im looking for, time is not the issue

[86yoter]

Ya I just got some pics sent of that runner on the trailor. Then another of the new downer runner. Bummer bro

[John Doe [OP]]

it is what it is. Going to do a re-build thread when we get going on this. Tossing around the idea of making a beater truck out of the spare parts.

[John Doe [OP]]

Well got my buddies truck running with the new body

My buddies wife driving up post pile this weekend on our way to Loon for the Cantina.

In my rush to get my truck running and ready for Cantina I forgot to check weather or not my e-lockers were working. Sadly they were not working and I was stuck running open front and rear. If I was going to be going the whole way through the trail I would have pulled the front motor and locked it in manually.
With out the locker I had a hard time at post pile 

Since I had never gotten around to extending my sliders I ruined my sheet metal 



The coolest thing is the 16ga trailer fender I used to make my inner fender held up much stronger then my stock metal. You can see the side panel bent in above and below the inner fender. I'll snap a good shot of the damage tomorrow when there is more light.

[kdub0013]

Even if you had the lockers we know you can't drive anyway 

[kdub0013]

Well are you ready for the round up or what? Better have those lockers working 

[John Doe [OP]]

On friday I rebuilt my front axle, installed my Longs, the new 25mm steering pins, and manually shifted my front locker.
I will be trying to get my rear locker to work correctly today.

[kdub0013]

Those axles are sweet! Glad that front is built. I liked that pin kit... the one I bought from you 

[John Doe [OP]]

Those axles are sweet! Glad that front is built. I liked that pin kit... the one I bought from you 

And now I have those pins on an fj80 front with 6 stud knuckles If you do not get a chance to borrow my welder, I'll see you at the springs.

[John Doe [OP]]

I had a great time at the Round-up, I did not get many pictures with my camera but my buddies girl friend took a bunch, when I get them I'll share them here.

I had no real issues, I replaced my rear e-locker motor Thursday afternoon before my drive up the hill. This was  my 1st time heading to the springs from Loon lake since the wheel base stretch and was very happy with how every thing was working. I am really liking wheeling with the new power of the 3.4 and running the automatic transmission.

I have plenty of projects that are left unfinished that I need to clean up over the next few months. Among them are to finish clearancing   the fenders, and installing bump stops.

[Wermz84]

Your rig worked great this weekend and the engine was a rock star. It was good to see it in action as well as those beefy axles. You also had the patients of a Jedi to keep it slow for me.   

I'll have to crack the whip on your buddy's girlfriend. 

[John Doe [OP]]

Your rig worked great this weekend and the engine was a rock star. It was good to see it in action as well as those beefy axles. You also had the patients of a Jedi to keep it slow for me.   

I'll have to crack the whip on your buddy's girlfriend. 

I started to loose my patience behind those Jeeps 

[zidaro]

bummed i didnt get to check out or even see your rig, just a quick hello during the raffle!
glad you had a great time, hard not to, eh

[Wermz84]

I started to loose my patience behind those Jeeps 

For the first time, even I began loosing my patience behind them.

[Shamb]

It was nice meeting you bro, we gotta hit Fordyce soon I want to see your rig in action! 

[John Doe [OP]]

Pics from Round up....

[Shamb]

nice pics!

[John Doe [OP]]

So shortly after MCR I found out that my Transfer case was full of ATF. I pulled the t-case and replaced the seal at the tail end of the Trans. A week later and I have ATF coming out of the t-case shifter Going to have to pull the Cases again and see what else is wrong. 
Got 2 new tires to replace my fronts which were half bald. I am going to spend the fall and winter finishing up a bunch of half finished projects.