Topic: 85 4Runner in CO: fresh (re)start

[wakkjobb]

Here we go again; at least this time I have an engine/trans/4Runner/more parts this time around...   

Basics:
1985 SR5 4Runner cab-n-frame
getting 3.4 and R150, stock duals
no bigger than 36/37 tires
RUFs/63s (may do F150s...)
2x 5125s and 2x Fox 2.0s since I already have one
--or get another 2 5125s
York OBA goodness
truck tailgate mod (already set up for it)
axles from the 84:
5.29s, Lok-Rite/Detroit, hydro assist, Marlin hi-steer, IFS swap, going rear discs too
totally rebuilding the front axle; might as well
Heim joints everywhere
rear antiwrap bar
bumpstops this time
Warn XD9000i, rock lights and investigating LED lighting options
no body lift, going for low and flexy
flat-ish belly if possible; not going to run the factory rock-grabbing x-member
sound/heat shield; already has bedliner stuff all over the place
half doors and full doors

Pics! Everyone likes pictures:

Picked up w/ wife:


Dropped off w/ Grond:


Snow holds up progress:


Thick Bondo over rust=plasma cut here:


Insert 3.4 here:


Firewall is tubbed:


Topper on:


Half the shocks:


How to get a free topper:


Slight damage; I've got some fiberglass fixins somewhere:


Figured since I have the 84s wiring diagram I'll take out the 85s EFI wiring and run the 84 stuff... EFI harness will be for sale soon; looks really intact but don't quote me on that just yet. Today I hooked up a battery to roll up the windows and checked other stuff; lights, horn, blinkers, fan, map lights, etc... all in working order from what I can tell. Harness will come with ECU since I don't need it and it "might as well" go with the wiring along with the fuel tank; as soon as I drain it. The pump works; it spit out some nice old smelly fuel when the battery was hooked up. Ugh... old fuel smell. What else... swapping out the tan interior for the grey interior from the 84; tan stuff is all for sale. Rear heat stuff for sale, maybe some mirrors, hinges, grille, both wiper motors, all the A/C stuff... pretty much anything I won't use will be for sale. Gotta fund the build y'know... also selling 85 P/S box/lines etc since I have a tapped IFS box. Ha, tapped box... 

There you have it; PM me if there's something you need from either vehicle... chances are I'll have it.

>>Dan

[luvyota]

Looks like you will have a sweet wheeler. Good luck on a nice build

[wakkjobb [OP]]

I hope it ends up to be a nice build; today we loaded what is left of the 84 up for scrap; about the only thing left on it is paint... I took everything. So if anyone needs some 84 parts, let me know because I saved 90% of it.

I've been thinking of a name for this thing and today it dawned on me: SCAB... Super Cheap-Ass Build because:

free engine
$20 trans
$25 top shift
free crawl box
free topper
$80 14" 5125s
free 37 TSL SXs
free-ish wheels (traded)
$40 seats
$40 tailgate
gonna be free paint from work
included 2nd set of RUFs
free OBA tank
free Willy!

Why can't I find some free duals and Longs now? I figure there's still about $4000 to be spent on duals/4.7s/trans adaptor/new tires/Longs/hub gears... hell, it's only money.  

>>Dan

[wakkjobb [OP]]

Got around to switching out steering boxes and threw the engine in just to get it out of the way...



Axle is coming forward an inche or two; this is purely "to move around" mounting:


I'm going to run this type of setup for the hydro mount but with DOM that isn't .25" too big as seen here:
Outer thin rings will be welded to toe bar and the center will hold the ram's end and be loose to adjust alignment. I saw a write-up or two but can't find my bookmarks for them... but it's been done before.


Cut off torque bar and stock shock mounts (frame will be plated for IFS anyways):


Making a mess of things:


I may have to re-do the hydro mounting even though I have a 2wd T100 oil pan... we shall see:


>>Dan

[4x4yota]

there you go just leave it stock and run it that way

looking good dan

[luvyota]

Look good man

[Zs Confederate Toy]

Sweet man! Get that done for the Jambo

[wakkjobb [OP]]

 

Time and money... time and money.

 

[Zs Confederate Toy]

Time and money... time and money.

 

Haha I know it. Im pretty sure that I wont have mine done any where close to July

[COToy91]

Is your oil pan on backwards?

[wakkjobb [OP]]

Hell if I know; it's been like this since I picked it up... haven't bothered to open up anything yet. It came from a 98 4Runner so I figure it's like that due to IFS crapola. I do have a spare oil pan as well as the magical T100 pan; bet I can make something work.

Today there was some clod selling a new ACT clutch kit for a 3.4 for $300 and his ad said "Buy it now 'cause it'll be $400 next week." Wow dude, if something doesn't sell, people generally LOWER the price.

WTF... 

[COToy91]

Hell if I know; it's been like this since I picked it up... haven't bothered to open up anything yet. It came from a 98 4Runner so I figure it's like that due to IFS crapola. I do have a spare oil pan as well as the magical T100 pan; bet I can make something work.

Today there was some clod selling a new ACT clutch kit for a 3.4 for $300 and his ad said "Buy it now 'cause it'll be $400 next week." Wow dude, if something doesn't sell, people generally LOWER the price.

WTF... 

I need to work on my reading comprehension lol. I thought you already had the t100 pan on there, but you dont

[wakkjobb [OP]]

Another 4Runner showed up on my doorstep yesterday; it's a stock 90s with the 3.oh no that sounds like death. The guy was driving it home and (it seems) the oil pump the bed so he limped it into my driveway, where it sits now.  He's asking $800/offer for it since the engine is toast. Overall, it's in good shape: 5-spd, sunroof, cloth interior, no prior paint work; just a dead engine. Oh, and 250k on the clock. 

Now I'm thinking of bailing of the 85 Runner and building up this 90s one. Keep in mind: I have the 3.4 to stuff in whatever I bulid and will keep all the good bits I have stockpiled lo these many months. A fella I have been talking to says it'd be easier to do a 3.4 swap into this 90s compared to the 84+ EFI trucks. I'm all for the easy way... and $800 isn't a bad price to me.

Thoughts? Build the 85 or the 94 (I think it's a 94)? Can I stick leaf springs on the rear of that 94 to get rid of the coils? I think I can... Please post pros and cons if you like; I'd like to keep the 85 for the removable top and "3.4 swapped 85 4Runner" bling status, but that's about it. The 94 has a/c and I bet I could fab some flavor of removable top for it.

>>Dan

[Jakesteads]

cant go wrong with a 4runner untill you flip it on a hill in colorado springs..... oh BTW dan i might be getting a 88 extra cab tomorrow here in Texas totally mint condition no rust.... we will see going to look at it tomorrow

http://dallas.craigslist.org/sdf/cto/3120749519.html

[4x4yota]

I say build the 90s runner... the engine swap sounds way easier and it seems like its in better shape than the 85 you have

[THK Matt]

Ill watch this!!

[OldGold3VZE]

Use the wiring and dash from the 90s runner in the 1st gen runner with the 3.4, bam done.

[Zs Confederate Toy]

If you build the 94 would you sell the 85 frame?

[wakkjobb [OP]]

Matt, that 88 looks too nice to wheel, but so did that silver tower of 4Runner you had.  When are you free from Uncle Sam?

I was also thinking the 90s 3.4 swap will be easier, but the SAS might offset the "easy factor" and then there's the rear coil springs to deal with. I think I can run leafs out back but haven't really looked into that.

Initially I thought of doing the "new wiring/dash into old 4Runner" trick but wiring still scares me too much to do myself. I'd give it a try if all else fails but I'm still hesitant about it. I can weld, fab and paint; wiring is not in my bag of tricks yet.

Wife says I can build one thing at a time so I'd have to sell the 85 frame/body before I start on the 90s Runner. Naturally I'd keep all the suspension bits too; no use in selling off stuff I'd need in the future. It'd have a full interior, slightly damaged topper, truck tailgate and vanilla air freshener to go with it. I'd go as far to throw in my 84's gray interior parts that are still collecting dust just to get stuff moving along.

I'm going to try to get a hold of the 90's 4R guy this week; last week was busy as hell with friends from PA visiting and the 4th and whatnot. Seemed like the weekend went on for a few days more than it should have...

>>Dan

[wakkjobb [OP]]

Called the guy who has the 9? Runner; we're meeting Sunday to hash out details, but I want that Runner! I can deal without having a removable top; hell... I'll make one. Hopefully he buys this Saab I have so I can get the ball rolling on this build.

What's more important to buy as far as big-ticket items: Longfields, or a dual adapter and 4.7s? My vote is for Longs with their hub gears...  $800.    but well worth it. Either way I'd still have to SAS it and I want to run leaf springs out back unless I can stumble upon some 4-link craziness. I don't think the stock coils would be ideal for moderate-serious wheeling... but I have been wrong before (and will be in the future).

>>Dan

[wakkjobb [OP]]

Back from the dead... it's going to be dead. I have too many other projects taking up space so I'm giving up on this. It's 75% parted out; basically the body and frame remain, with random interior bits. Wiring is gone, EFI stuff as well, front leaves, EFI tank, gray interior bits and fenders all gone.

Still have a good chrome grille center section, working door window motors, power switches/wiring, gauge clusters (84 and 85 SR5), cut stereo bezels, tan interior bits... just random leftovers. If anyone's looking for something specific, PM me and it's yours for shipping. I hate throwing away good parts, even if I can't use them.

I'll build something else later but I won't stop thinking about wheeling.