Clean 85 4runner build...and pry pretty slow

[the228]

Hey everyone. I found this beauty of an 85 4runner on craigslist.   
Its so clean its unreal no rust all stock its well worth the 1300 bucks i spent even though it needs a motor
1985 22re 200k+ miles
Its the model without the back seat
Im going to pick it up tommrow its gonna need a motor so ill start working on the rebuild

I want a reliable clean camping, hunting and weekend wheeler. I also need something to sleep in this summer for downhill races.

my plan

pull motor and rebuild
new clutch
mild lift
gears
33s
front and rear locker
winch
bumpers
sliders

going to pick it up tomorrow
heres a crappy picture from my cell
more pics to come 

[Yota87Truck]

Purdy!

[86yoter]

nice

[83 Crawler]

didnt know they didnt come with back seats

[the228]

Ya i was doing some research on it. I guess it had do do with taxes when they were imported. Without a back seat 4runners were considered trucks. Trucks were less to import. But as soon as they got state side dealers put seats in them. Pretty cool stuff i guess its kinda rare. Ill post pics of it.

[86yoter]

interesting

[83 Crawler]

Ya i was doing some research on it. I guess it had do do with taxes when they were imported. Without a back seat 4runners were considered trucks. Trucks were less to import. But as soon as they got state side dealers put seats in them. Pretty cool stuff i guess its kinda rare. Ill post pics of it.

now that you say that i do remember reading about that, it saved Toyota shipping from japan to here, and company's altered them and they have a sticker on them right?

[REG535]

Yea thats the same as mine, listed as a truck but 4runner and didnt come with back seat. Some guys from Lousiana though retrofitted some weird seat and welded it onto the rollbar in the back lol. I had to grind that off and their ghetto brackets. And got the seat out. now I can see better ..

Great start. Cant wait to see more

[the228]

So I went to pick up the 4runner today. My buddy Chris towed me back to his house. She's gonna sleep there for a while till the motor is in. But i did get the motor out. Took a little while it was my first 22re. I labeled and marked everything so install will be simple. The motor is going to the shop tomorrow its sittin in the back of my truck now  Anyways heres some pictures

[AaronB]

nice score

[the228]

So i got the motor in the shop today it should be done in about two weeks. $795 for the rebuild. it comes with a 12 month 12,000 mile warranty.
Does anyone have experience with getting the 22re head ported and polished? Is it worth it or should is save my money. Im  gonna replace the clutch and get new motor mounts since its out. Anything else i should do?

[Zs Confederate Toy]

Clean runner! Looks just like the 85 my old man use to have

[toyotaporvida]

Very nice and clean. Good question about the port and polish head as I want to know also.

Anyone??

[HogCanyonHopper]

So i got the motor in the shop today it should be done in about two weeks. $795 for the rebuild. it comes with a 12 month 12,000 mile warranty.
Does anyone have experience with getting the 22re head ported and polished? Is it worth it or should is save my money. Im  gonna replace the clutch and get new motor mounts since its out. Anything else i should do?

If you want to port/polish head on the 22re, you should also think about ported/polished intake plenum, bored throttle body, an LC header and even a LC pro cam. 3rz or 5vz would be so sweet in that rig. its all $$$, and isn't always the final solution to the never-ending quest for more hp out of a 22re. Been there. BTW, I have an LC pro cam thats like new.

[the228]

Ya i might just leave the motor alone. I kinda have a tight budget motor wise. Oh well. more money for 
Has anyone added leafs from a rear pack to the front. I dont wanna do a rough country lift or any crap like that. but high steer and RUF arent in the cards till i graduate.
i only want like 3 inchs of lift. i was thinking of adding everything except for the over load

[86yoter]

i am new but from reading around people will take some ford leafs and mix them up with the toyota springs.but there might be some cutting. or i actually ordered some add a leafs for the rear for my 86 about 3 years ago and it lifted the rear about 2.5-3 inches.i use to rub back there when i would  flex but it stopped and i had more traction also. but i am new what do i know!!!

[REG535]

A new radiator would be good too. Cant wait to see this on the road, looks great ride and fun.

[the228]

A new radiator would be good too. Cant wait to see this on the road, looks great ride and fun.

ya im gonna shoot over to the radiator shop today and see how much ones gonna run me. I also picked up a timing chain cover brand new for the motor.

[the228]

Yesterday I spent time cleaning up the motor bay i still need to pressure wash it. I got a little distracted 

[HogCanyonHopper]

Is that Fat Tire? yeah, good ale is definitely a distraction

[the228]

Is that Fat Tire? yeah, good ale is definitely a distraction

Ya it is. I did a little bit more beer drinking then working on the 4runner. Oh well i got a week till the motor is out of the shop. I have time 

[TacoRunner]

Yesterday I spent time cleaning up the motor bay i still need to pressure wash it. I got a little distracted 

Love the coozey

[the228]

Love the coozey

Ya you gotta love the 3d effect 

[the228]

Updates! So the motor should be done on tuesday. It had to be sent to be bored .30 over. 
Today i picked up a 3.5 inch tuff country lift. all springs with shocks for a 100 bucks thanks craigslist! im gonna put it on tonight with the help of some PBR thats on sale at my local gas station. Will post pics when its done 

[rubiconrunnerneville]

nice runner reminds me of how I somewhat got mine clean body just not lifted. get gears with the lift or you will hate life with bigger tires. 22re mods are expensive but some are well worth it depending on how you build the motor but then again a 3rz swap will gain the same power/torque for cheaper cost in the long run. get high steer asap the j arm breaks all the time with doing any off-roading. my . looking good keep up the work I like the build so far

[Cheng Lo]

Great find.  Congrats.  Engine bay looks pretty clean.

[the228]

Updates! Its been a while.
So i got her running and got a lift on some 33s. I also made some tube doors. Fixed little things and shes good to go. wheels great for stock and limited flex from the stiff a** springs. Anyways, my cousin is selling his 85 to me. Its a pick up.

Its got 5.29s.
bobby longs
detriot up front
spool rear

But it doesnt run. so im gonna buy it cheap and swap the axles.
Also im gonna do RUF with 63's in the rear. Im buying some 37" mtrs from my buddy for cheap.
I think parts list wise for the RUF are as follows:
Hi steer
ifs box and mount kit
drop hanger
shackles
shock hoops
square tube drive shaft
springs

But heres a picture. I got a new job so this should happen quick