Chim's a sucker... for 4Runners!

[chim]

It's true.. I never learn my lesson.

I thought I would be completely satisfied with my 2014 TRD Off-Road Tacoma...


But I wasn't... It just wasn't the same as the old school feel of an 80's Toyota.. So I sold the brand new Tacoma and looked and looked and looked and finally settled on an 87 4Runner.
It needs some work but its a great start and I am happy with it.






Plan is to keep it IFS for a good while and make it capable as is for now.. thinking maybe rear locker and dual cases at this height... Maybe some bumpers and sliders and call it good..

[chim]

First thing I usually do is the steering wheel




Pretty intense mod I know 

[zippo]

That's a super clean first gen! Those footy steps will really help you in and out!

[1985CRAWLER]

sweet! you know your gonna want to build it up into a crawler after adding duals. 

[chim]

I'm thinking instead of going the rock crawler route I will build more towards expedition rig... Aux fuel tank, rear carrier bumper, winch, roof rack.. etc.. but who knows

[helipilot77]

Is that lower valance chrome? I've never seen that before.

[chim]

Is that lower valance chrome? I've never seen that before.

Yeah, its ugly as heck.. It will get painted white when I do the fender and door... unless I order a front bumper before then.

[Cheesemaker]

Nice, I've had always thought that if I never get a SAS'd rig, I want a expedition setup.  Some long travel, lockers, and spare fuel tank. 


Yeah, I prefer the older Toys.  Sister has the same Tacoma as you, but I don't like it.  She gets horrible gas mileage. 

[chim]

Nice, I've had always thought that if I never get a SAS'd rig, I want a expedition setup.  Some long travel, lockers, and spare fuel tank. 


Yeah, I prefer the older Toys.  Sister has the same Tacoma as you, but I don't like it.  She gets horrible gas mileage. 

Mileage was a huge factor! 17-18mpg was not fun.. so I bought a Corolla that gets 30mpg+ and this runner for fun

[Wermz84]

Nice and clean.

I wish I hadn't got rid of my old 4Runner.  One day.  lol

[helipilot77]

I am also working on an expedition build but I did a mild SAS with OME springs. I chose it for its simplicity and durability. Check out the drawer setup I built. The link to the build thread is in my signature. If you are planning on an expedition build I would highly recommend installing a HAM and getting you license. It is peace of mind that is hard to beat when you are out on extended excursions. Tell me more about your build plans. I don't hear about many others that choose to go this direction with a first gen.

[chim]

I am also working on an expedition build but I did a mild SAS with OME springs. I chose it for its simplicity and durability. Check out the drawer setup I built. The link to the build thread is in my signature. If you are planning on an expedition build I would highly recommend installing a HAM and getting you license. It is peace of mind that is hard to beat when you are out on extended excursions. Tell me more about your build plans. I don't hear about many others that choose to go this direction with a first gen.

Your drawer system looks great, nice work!

I barely just started looking into exp. rigs but to me it looks fun. I will check into HAM radios.. I really know nothing about them. Can a license be had online?

Here is a really rough quick list of what I am looking to do:
1. Front bumper with winch. Preferably ARB style but unless I can find a deal it will be tube.
2. Rock sliders.
3. Rear bumper with tire carrier/ hi-lift jack/ gas can or two/ cb antennae mount. (maybe a little flip down table on it).
4. Dual batteries.
5. Freshen up my ifs with new ball joints, bushings.. etc.
6. Gun mount and GPS
7. Rear locker for sure. (Not sure if I want to spend money on a front locker in case I decide to go SAS later.)
8. Thinking of keeping my stock gearing and tires and running dual cases.

[helipilot77]

I built my own front plate bumper with a winch.  I am building a roof rack to hold the two jerry cans, shovel, axle, spare tire and hi-lift jack that I have. When I did my deisel motor swap I also did the dual batteries that came with it. I don't think you can take the HAM test online, but you can take the practice test online. I have my GPS mounted on the dash. I have dual cases in mine would highly recommend them.  I need some rocker protection and lockers. But I am working on them both. I am building 1/4 plate rocker panels and just picked up a FJ-80 full floating rear axle with the e-locker. I am going to narrow and center it and throw it under the runner.

[chim]

I can cross a couple things off my list... Made a couple purchases today 

Here is a really rough quick list of what I am looking to do:
1. Front bumper with winch. Preferably ARB style but unless I can find a deal it will be tube.
2. Rock sliders.
3. Rear bumper with tire carrier/ hi-lift jack/ gas can or two/ cb antennae mount. (maybe a little flip down table on it).
4. Dual batteries.
5. Freshen up my ifs with new ball joints, bushings.. etc.
6. Gun mount and GPS
7. Rear locker for sure. (Not sure if I want to spend money on a front locker in case I decide to go SAS later.) Bought an ARB with Compressor
8. Thinking of keeping my stock gearing and tires and running dual cases.

[John Doe]

Here is a really rough quick list of what I am looking to do:
1. Front bumper with winch. Preferably ARB style but unless I can find a deal it will be tube.

How is this for an "ARB Style" bumper? Bolt on plate, accommodates standard winches, has turn signals, and rock lights. If interested let me know.

[OCD]

How is this for an "ARB Style" bumper? Bolt on plate, accommodates standard winches, has turn signals, and rock lights. If interested let me know.

Hey, that's my red truck at the bottom of Cadillac!!!  sorry for the interruption, carry on...

[John Doe]

Hey, that's my red truck at the bottom of Cadillac!!!  sorry for the interruption, carry on...

Yes that is your truck, this pic was taken last year.

[zippo]

I love the arb bumper. But they are crazy $$. Addicted off-road has a plate bumper tha looks ok. For 4th price I like allpro tube bumper with plate inlays.

[chim]

I found an ARB bumper locally for sale... Its on a 92 though.. ARB has the same part number for 87 as they do 92... So I am going to go look at the mounts and see how that works.

I looked at All-Pro's bumper and it looked more baja to me. I think my next option may be the addicted off-road bumper.
http://www.addictedoffroad.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=91

[chim]

I ordered this bumper today:
http://tacticalarmorgroup.com/TAG-Bumper-Store/MultiCarrier-4Runner-1984-1989

But its 8-12 weeks out  Going to be a long wait.

[Nation]

That's a nice bumper!

[chim]

Found an ARB front bumper locally 

[helipilot77]

Found an ARB front bumper locally 

Nice VW type I

[chim]

Nice VW type I

Its for sale 

[zippo]

Wanna cell it?

[helipilot77]

My wife said no more bugs. But I may be able to convince her to let me get an old bus . I have had two 62' bugs. Neither of them ever ran while I owned them. 

[95xtracab]

nice rig man
not gonna be as cool as the brown 3rz one though!!! haha
and that rear bumper is sick

[Nation]

Wait.... you're gonna put a 2JZ and solid axle swap that bug? Sick! Can't wait to see it. 

[chim]

Wanna cell it?

Sell the bug? Yes! Its actually been on craigslist almost a week.

[chim]

My wife said no more bugs. But I may be able to convince her to let me get an old bus . I have had two 62' bugs. Neither of them ever ran while I owned them. 

If I had a bus I wouldnt be selling it! Love buses... I also love 62 bugs as well but keeping them running is a chore haha