Topic: 87 runner build somewhere in the middle?

[cen-cal crawler]

I dont have a thread from my 87 4runner build. So I thought I would start now in the middle of my junk build. I bought my truck with no suspension whatsoever. Basically it was just cab and frame. my buddy's and I welded on the custom spring hanger,  :turtle:shock hoops,  springs and I stuck my bone stock 85 toyota solid axle under it. after setting up the rear with springs and a shock hoop I drove it and even wheeled it with stock gearing and 35" bfg's. anyway ill post up a couple pics of what i ave done so far. 

[cen-cal crawler [OP]]

this is how I found it when I bought it. the motor was there but no transmission. I just took the guys word that it was running?

[cen-cal crawler [OP]]

back at my buddys shop. that "exo" was the first thing to go!


this is how it sat after I cleaned it up a bit and cut off that exo!


my buddy leo welding up the spring hanger.


pulled off banged up fenders and grill.


close up of the spring hanger.


the day we put the axle up.


the day I was able to roll it onto a trailer and get it home.


mounted up the hi steer.

[cen-cal crawler [OP]]

I drove it around long enough wit stock gearing and stock axle. so I am in the process of rebuilding the front solid axle. I have it all taken apart and beefing up the axle housing.
here is the housing waiting to be welded on. The diff cover is just laying so i can see how it looks.


here it is welded up.


up close.


my buddy notched the cover near the edge (the small hole) so the ubolts would still work.


here is the stock drain plug. look how it sticks out really far.


A hole saw and a welder is all it took to get rid of it and now I have a hair more clearance.


View from above.

[Nimyad]

Looks good man!

[cen-cal crawler [OP]]

thanks for the kind words guys but i know this thing is a beater.

very nice. at least its not rusted!   cant wait to see where its gunna go

i was gonna hold off but here is where its going.

sexy all black 87 sr5 4runner cab. with all the options. im gonna swap this cab soon as i can. 

[cen-cal crawler [OP]]

im going to do a cab swap. after that im thinking about a removable cage in place of the camper covered with fabric.

[spc mike]

Did you buy that BTF diff guard directly from BTF? I am Trying to figure out where is the cheapest place to buy them.

[Peterbuilt84]

Did you put the axle in a jig when you welded all the armor on? Seems like an awful lot of heat going into it.

[cen-cal crawler [OP]]

Did you put the axle in a jig when you welded all the armor on? Seems like an awful lot of heat going into it.

the cover was tacked on and then welded in short welds over an eight our work day. allowing it to cool down and be welded with out heating the axle much.

[cen-cal crawler [OP]]

Did you buy that BTF diff guard directly from BTF? I am Trying to figure out where is the cheapest place to buy them.

i ordered it thru 4wheel parts. if you add up what it would it cost to have it shipped plust cost. 4wp is cheaper if you pick it up  at the store. I ordered it online and it showed up at 4wp in 3 or 4 days!

[Peterbuilt84]

I see, should be good then. I avoided an upper truss all together just to avoid warping it, I'll probably bend it some other way though  Keep up the updates should be good.

[cen-cal crawler [OP]]

I see, should be good then. I avoided an upper truss all together just to avoid warping it, I'll probably bend it some other way though  Keep up the updates should be good.

a truss helps but personally i see these axle bend closer to the knuckle more then in the middle! i will post up more pics soon as i start putting my axle together.