87 4Runner - GoonSquad

[Hodor.]

I will update this thread a little each day until caught up with the current state of the build.

History - My parents bought this white 1987 4Runner with 30k miles on it when I was little.  It took us hunting, to school, and everywhere in between.  When I got my permit at 15 it was the vehicle I learned to drive in.  I ended up having a couple Toyotas of my own but always wanted that 4runner.  When it rolled 400k on the original motor my parents decided they were finally ready to let it go and so I bought it. 

Pickup I was building when I bought the runner - 84 std cab sr5








How it looked when I sold it



Starting over from scratch I threw some bumpers and sliders on the 4Runner and started wheeling it instead



Fitted an 83 grill  my favorite Toyota grill

[Hodor.]

Next I found a set of mix matched super swampers on CL and threw em on. 30x9.50 front 30x10.50 rears.  classy I know...

IFS Flex....


Lots of 3 wheeling


Welded up the thirds and went snow wheeling.

[Slabzilla]

Great start,Cool grill, Waiting for the build

[Hodor.]

With the engine and drivetrain hitting the 430k mile mark it was time to stop beating on her and get a fresh start.  I didn't want to SAS the ifs frame because a factory SA frame will allow more room in a lower stance. 

I was able to find an 84 pickup frame.


The front body mounts matched up but all the others had to be removed and replaced to work with the 4runner body.

Pulled the rear axle


Saved the rears to make a RUF pack and picked up some 63's for the rear setup.


A quick trip down the road to Sky's to grab some parts!


Shaved clean frame.


Got the suspension tacked on so its ready to swap the body over and start fabbing up all new body mounts!

[OVRAROK]

what a great start, that body looks ultra clean

[Hodor.]

The body isn't as clean as it appears in the pictures but for the mileage this thing has seen it isn't to bad.

While the teardown was happening I needed to buy a daily driver.  It just so happened at the time that my cousin's family had outgrown their 02 Double cab TRD Tacoma.  I quickly stepped in and picked it up as the second owner.



Since then it has undergone the following:

-Bilstein adjustable front coilovers and rear shocks
-33x12.50 BFG A/T's
-Flowmaster
-K&N Filter
-5 spd swap 

Buddy machined out a "Goonsquad/Goonfab" shift knob for me





Now back to the regularly scheduled 4runner build

[H8PVMNT]

Good choice on the solid axle frame.  My 4runner is great but I have an IFS frame and I would love for it to be about 3 inches lower. Not possible with the frame I have...  I am as low as I can go with everything still working.

[ErikHinch]

I am in love with the '83 grill mod!   What changes if any did you have to make to get the 83 grill to fit?  I am in the process of obtaining a grill now! 


Everything takes about 20 mins.

[Hodor.]

The grill doesn't need modified much, you do have to trim down the inside of the 2nd gen headlight buckets due to the 83 grill being wider/longer.  Some quick trimming with the grinder and a couple zip ties and its good to go 

[bigarms23]

nice clean 4runner

[Hodor.]

Got the motor pulled.  It wont be going back in... 430k miles never rebuilt, still ran just low compression in one cyl.  It has done its time.


Also will be a good time to clean all the filth out of the engine bay.


Tranny needs some cleaning also 

[SqWADoosh]

Sick rigs. 

[redneckcustoms13]

Oven cleaner that trans and she will look like new. Do you plan a 3rz swap or refresh a 22r?

[Hodor.]

Oven cleaner would have been a good call.  I spent hours with a wire brush and brake cleaner to get it back to clean.

Took the help of about 8 friends but we lifted the body off the old IFS frame and shuffled it over and onto the SA frame.  Cut off the front bumper and mounted it to the new frame.  Boxed in the front of the frame and built gussets and welded the bumper on.  Also decided to add a stinger.






Also cut up some plate to make diff armor (diamond style)  I'm sure this is frowned upon but the fill plug was tacked in and covered.  I can add oil in through the breather and toy axles are so simple that if I need to check the ring gear ill just pull the third.  The way I see it is if it needs checked then something is probably wrong and the third would have to come out anyways.  Flame on haha but I like how they came out!


Burning the plates in

[Cheesemaker]

Cool!


What part of Oregon you from?  Willamette Valley?

[Jason E.]

Thats a badass way to build your diff armor. I would have kept a hole for th efill plug but thats just my OCD ass over thinking everything!

Thats a sweet 4runner im glad your bringing her back to life!

Are you keeping the stock transfer case set up or going duals?

[Hodor.]

Cool!


What part of Oregon you from?  Willamette Valley?

Yep! Outside of Albany

Thats a badass way to build your diff armor. I would have kept a hole for th efill plug but thats just my OCD ass over thinking everything!

Thats a sweet 4runner im glad your bringing her back to life!

Are you keeping the stock transfer case set up or going duals?

I really thought about keeping the fill hole but I just pictured it getting packed full of crap and filling the diff would leave oil in that tube making more of a mess so I just opted to block it off.

The original plan was for stock duals like on my last truck but for now I have decided to keep a single case.  A couple reasons: money and  I just want to get it going (its been over 4 years since this thing has been out of the shop).  If I feel like I'm really missing out by not having duals they can always be put in after the 4runner is running/driving.  I have a spare top shift sitting in the shop just in case I still want to go that route.

[Hodor.]

The heater had stopped working so I tore the dash apart 


Got that nightmare buttoned back up


But before putting the remaining interior in......


Passenger length cage from 4xinnovations, also got sliders welded on and rear bumper installed.

[OVRAROK]

looking good, I really like that cage

[SqWADoosh]

4xinnovations is by far one of my favorite vendors. Their interior cage is on my list as well. How long did it take you to put it in? Did you get the frame tie ins as well?

[Hodor.]

4xinnovations is by far one of my favorite vendors. Their interior cage is on my list as well. How long did it take you to put it in? Did you get the frame tie ins as well?

Yea I love their stuff.  Cage went together great, took a Saturday to complete.  I got the frame tie ins and the dash bar.  I ended up modifying the frame tie ins to my own preference but it would work great the way they have it setup also.

[Jason E.]

That cage came out badass 

How much was it? Did you have it shipped or pick it up?

[Hodor.]

Finally got around to building up the front axle.  The 4Runner was just being pushed around the shop on a borrowed stock one.

OG Longfields and hub gears


Knuckle Gussets


I puckered a little when I bought them but like most things you get what you pay for.  These things are stout! Awesome design.




The lowrangeoffroad full rebuild kit was extremely well thought out and had everything.  Just add grease...... so much grease for front axles.. 

Well got er back to rolling status.  Front end is stupid tall with no engine weight.  Still have to pull the wheels off and finish up the front brakes, plate the frame, add shock hoops, mount the steering box.

[OVRAROK]

wow! is the whole knuckle packed with grease?

[H8PVMNT]

I like to do that too.  If there's that much grease nothing else can get in there.

[helipilot77]

Nice build. I grew up in the WV

[Hodor.]

So got the ifs box mocked up with hysteer and looking for factual advice. Buddy says it should be parallel with the steer arm bar. I have the box positioned as far forward as possible with the hanger.  So question is mount it there or move it back and angle it up high and tight with the frame?





No motor so its not fully compressed but its not going to make a huge difference in steering location. Advice/experience is appreciated.

[1985CRAWLER]

id say tilt the box a little bit

good work!

[Hodor.]

This is as much tilt as I can get out of the box with the steer nut clearing.  Will this work ok or do I need a drop pitman arm to tilt the box back more for a better steering shaft angle? 

[Hodor.]

Got some work done on the passenger side.

Frame plate clamped on


Lots of welding followed


Looks rad after paint


Still have to put the shock hoops on but im waiting until I get shocks to make sure I get the hoops in the right spot.

Also got the taco rotor/ifs caliper installed on the passenger side