This build started about 2 years ago. I have had an affinity for Toyotas for years, having raced and worked on them for almost 10 years. Awesome, strong, and reliable as the rising sun.
I Purchased this 1987 4-runner two years ago from a guy on craigslist. I was looking for an SR5 5 speed, 22re, but with all the power luxuries, and of course A.C. The origninal asking price was $2k but I was able to get it for $1500. It was rough around the edges, but I knew I was going to resto-mod it to my likings.
The overall goal with this 4-runner was to build a capable, IFS truck that I could use for expedition as well as chasing and pre-running for our class 7 Toyota truck. In Baja, Nevada, and Lucern valley. I plan on one day driving this to Costa Rica and back.
Here is how she stands now:
As soon as I got her home I immediately went to work on the motor. It was running poorly and very rough. The P.O. had just installed a new head, so this was the plan:
Timing chain
Plugs
Cap
Rotor
Plug wires
fix some leaks
PVC
New vacuum lines
Flush all fluids and replace
Fix some hokie wiring
Water pump
Starter
Alternator
New belts
Basically going through it mechanically.
Started like this:
hokie wiring:
no heat:
After we got started we figured out that the motor was no good, in addition it was the wrong block for the year. It had the older 22re with the taller deck hight. So we pulled it, went to the junk yard and got a good block. I sent that motor out to get rebuilt by a reputable shop in Long Beach.
out with the old:
After some serious cleaning and many trips to the junk yard to find parts:
I added the engnbldr head, and a .261 cam for a little better bottom end.
A little better:
Suspension:
The goal was to get as much as I could out of the stock IFS system. I have had long travel vehicles in the past but really wanted a simple and efficent "stock" system.
So we decided to build an upper control arm and utilize a uniball. I also converted the stock lower ball joint to uniball. Had everything sandblasted and powder coated.
All new with V6 calipers to boot!
manuel locking hubs too!
For the rear I have a set of deavers, and a downey shackle. I will be utilizing fox 2.0 10 inch remote reservoir shocks for the rear and as well as the front. the front will also be getting a Downey torsion bar.
The suspension is going to be installed this weekend. It is currently at California Mini Trucks getting new 4:88 gears installed, the rear axle rebuilt, fine tuning on the timing (been driving me nuts) heat and A.C. fixed as well as a few gremlins I was not able to trace out myself.
Interior:
I added some neosupream seat covers by car king
Pulled the interior out and cleaned as much as possible. I think the P.O. must have been a carpenter there was tons of saw dust, nails, and construction trash in every little nook and cranny.
Tuffy center console:
Pressur washed the carpets:
Then two layers of dynomatte:
I then took it to a friends shop for the stereo install.
Old B.S. wiring;
We redid the whole dash harness, so many of the wires were rotted and spliced. The P.O. had TWO radio harnesses in there?
All cleaned and buttoned up!~
Rear folcal 6x9
Front focal components
Blue tooth!!
The best part is the alarm, keyless entry, and had the truck release wired to roll down the rear window. So useful!!
That about it for now. I get the truck back this week, then I will update the suspension install. After that on to paint and body. w00t!
Thanks for looking!
I Purchased this 1987 4-runner two years ago from a guy on craigslist. I was looking for an SR5 5 speed, 22re, but with all the power luxuries, and of course A.C. The origninal asking price was $2k but I was able to get it for $1500. It was rough around the edges, but I knew I was going to resto-mod it to my likings.
The overall goal with this 4-runner was to build a capable, IFS truck that I could use for expedition as well as chasing and pre-running for our class 7 Toyota truck. In Baja, Nevada, and Lucern valley. I plan on one day driving this to Costa Rica and back.
Here is how she stands now:
As soon as I got her home I immediately went to work on the motor. It was running poorly and very rough. The P.O. had just installed a new head, so this was the plan:
Timing chain
Plugs
Cap
Rotor
Plug wires
fix some leaks
PVC
New vacuum lines
Flush all fluids and replace
Fix some hokie wiring
Water pump
Starter
Alternator
New belts
Basically going through it mechanically.
Started like this:
hokie wiring:
no heat:
After we got started we figured out that the motor was no good, in addition it was the wrong block for the year. It had the older 22re with the taller deck hight. So we pulled it, went to the junk yard and got a good block. I sent that motor out to get rebuilt by a reputable shop in Long Beach.
out with the old:
After some serious cleaning and many trips to the junk yard to find parts:
I added the engnbldr head, and a .261 cam for a little better bottom end.
A little better:
Suspension:
The goal was to get as much as I could out of the stock IFS system. I have had long travel vehicles in the past but really wanted a simple and efficent "stock" system.
So we decided to build an upper control arm and utilize a uniball. I also converted the stock lower ball joint to uniball. Had everything sandblasted and powder coated.
All new with V6 calipers to boot!
manuel locking hubs too!
For the rear I have a set of deavers, and a downey shackle. I will be utilizing fox 2.0 10 inch remote reservoir shocks for the rear and as well as the front. the front will also be getting a Downey torsion bar.
The suspension is going to be installed this weekend. It is currently at California Mini Trucks getting new 4:88 gears installed, the rear axle rebuilt, fine tuning on the timing (been driving me nuts) heat and A.C. fixed as well as a few gremlins I was not able to trace out myself.
Interior:
I added some neosupream seat covers by car king
Pulled the interior out and cleaned as much as possible. I think the P.O. must have been a carpenter there was tons of saw dust, nails, and construction trash in every little nook and cranny.
Tuffy center console:
Pressur washed the carpets:
Then two layers of dynomatte:
I then took it to a friends shop for the stereo install.
Old B.S. wiring;
We redid the whole dash harness, so many of the wires were rotted and spliced. The P.O. had TWO radio harnesses in there?
All cleaned and buttoned up!~
Rear folcal 6x9
Front focal components
Blue tooth!!
The best part is the alarm, keyless entry, and had the truck release wired to roll down the rear window. So useful!!
That about it for now. I get the truck back this week, then I will update the suspension install. After that on to paint and body. w00t!
Thanks for looking!
