My 1987 Toyota 4x4 Van

[patrolman]

Just got this recently as a new project. Looking forward to a cool build for it! It is a 1987, 5 speed transmission, dual range t-case. Inline 4 EFI engine. Seats for 7. Has ALL the options offered that year including the fridge in the center console! LOTS to do to it, but it should be a lot of fun!

 

[patrolman]

So far, the repairs have included getting the hatch open, and then getting it to lock closed again. Also replaced 2 front corner lights, 2 rear tail lights, 1 front turn signal. Had to fix the power windows in both front doors. Also pulled out the front seats and carpet and steam cleaned it all. 4 brand new studded snows put on the factory rims.

 

[patrolman]

Plans still call for a front tube style bumper to help with the approach angle, which frankly sucks. Also hopefully some sort of rear bumper to carry some fuel and get the spare out from under the van on the wimpy carrier. Hope the front bumper will be along the lines of this. Hope to integrate a winch into it or at least a winch adapter. Also hoping for some offroad lights without making the van too tall. Between the grille and windshield is perfect.

 

[patrolman]

In regards to the drivetrain, I plan on keeping it more or less stock. There aren't many mods available. The auto hubs don't work, so they will be ditched for manual IFS hubs.

I also thought about a rear e-locker from a 4Runner. I have a 4.30 which is matching ratio to the current ratio. The only issue the rear axle is a 7.5", basically from early Toyota trucks. Trying to figure out how to do a swap for a 8" so I can drop in the e-locker.

 

[BIGdaddy]

very cool! There's one of these in my neighborhood. I always seem to have to slow down to take a peek.

Having a family of 5 that are constanly growing, I'm always on the lookout for my next rig. I'm thinking it might be something along the lines of a westfalia, or maybe a 4x4/awd van like these lil' toyota's or maybe a Safari/astro.

Any issues with overheating on your example?

 

[patrolman]

No issues of over-heating, even at 10,000 feet. In fact, it runs a bit cold. I think the thermostat may not be working right. It is a 2.2L and actually has more power than my truck and my 4Runner which each have a 2.4L OHC. Loaded down with 7 people, I am sure they aren't as quick, but most of the time it is just me. My wife and I are expecting our first child in February and I wanted a Toyota that was 4x4 and had at least 3 doors. It can also haul a 4x8 sheet of plywood with the seats out or down. Didn't intend to get seats for 7.

 

[BIGdaddy]

nice.

Any knowledge of approx. miles per gallon?

and what do these come with as far as fuel tanks? 20gal?

 

[T.Low]

Cool project.

I did a certain amount of research on the Yotavans when i first began hunting for a van.

Had a few beers with Roy, commonly know as the Yotavan Guru. The guy knows 'em inside and out. I'm sure he could restore one blind folded. He's got the infamous white 4x4 cargo called Yoyo. It's funky cool, alright. I'm sure you've been here:
http://www.yotavans.org/index.htm
http://www.toyotavanpeople.com/

Lookiing forward to your project.

 

[Christian P.]

I had one of these long time ago. They were a bit dangerous in the winter, being pretty light. I don't remember if mine was 4x4 or not.

If I could come across a cargo model, 5 speed, 4x4 with no rust, i would probably have to buy it....

 

[patrolman]

nice.

Any knowledge of approx. miles per gallon?

and what do these come with as far as fuel tanks? 20gal?

After my first tank, I got just shy of 20mpg. That was 100% in town, stop and go traffic, 6 miles to work and 6 miles back. I hope it could do mid-20's on the highway. Tank is a single around 14 gallons I think.

 

[patrolman]

Cool project.

I did a certain amount of research on the Yotavans when i first began hunting for a van.

Had a few beers with Roy, commonly know as the Yotavan Guru. The guy knows 'em inside and out. I'm sure he could restore one blind folded. He's got the infamous white 4x4 cargo called Yoyo. It's funky cool, alright. I'm sure you've been here:
http://www.yotavans.org/index.htm
http://www.toyotavanpeople.com/

Lookiing forward to your project.

Yoyo is cool. I spent a lot of time on that site before buying mine. I have had multiple trucks and 4Runners, and the van shares some things in common with them, so I already had a bit of a leg up. A lot of new things to learn though!

 

[patrolman]

I had one of these long time ago. They were a bit dangerous in the winter, being pretty light. I don't remember if mine was 4x4 or not.

If I could come across a cargo model, 5 speed, 4x4 with no rust, i would probably have to buy it....

There is one nearby to me. Luckily we don't get a lot of rust here, so this one is still in fairly decent shape by the photos.

http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/2032268748.html

 

[hobietony]

I should have never sold mine! I had one of these things for about 5 years, has a great work box/sleeping platform, roof rack, it was awesome. It set the bug in me for a 4x4 full size van, which is finally being realized right now at Ujoint. I especially liked the fact that I could lock the hubs by reaching out from the front seat. I'll try to find a pic...

 

[hobietony]

Found 'em

Wife and I looking good after a week of camping

 

[sanchius]

If I could come across a cargo model, 5 speed, 4x4 with no rust, i would probably have to buy it....

We were visiting a disaster site in Central America and our guide had a very cool 4WD, Diesel, sky-lite roof model. I actually looked at duplicating this (and the splitty 23-window look) on my VW Syncro Westy with a couple Land Rover Disco skylights from the Pick-N-Pull, but the roofline angles didn't match up well. The Guides van was something like this, but more basic:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_MasterAce