1989 4runner build

[ghostmoney]

Bought a 1989 4runner with a blown head gasket with the plan to swap in a 3.4. I wanted one with the 5spd, but after looking for 8+ months I never found one that was clean enough and the person wasn't wanting over 2k for a non running rig.
Found this nice one up in Seattle that had a overheating issue and hole in radiator. Plans for it are to swap 3.4 in it, blazeland long travel front, elocked rear, and front rear fiberglass from toyotafiberglass.com

I have been working on this for the past year, but just now decided to post a buildup on here now that the motor swap is finished.



Shortly after I found a 2001 4runner that had 101,252 miles that was rolled. I went and pulled the motor for $1,200. I worked on on doing a timing belt and water pump, drilled dipstick, flip fuel lines etc.

Early March I finally dropped the motor in



and started hooking everything up. Tying to get the old fuel connector off the fuel line I ended up bending the hard line on the frame. So I pulled the line off from the fuel filter. I cut the bent piece out and used a cheap harbor freight flaring tool and flared the end of the line.


Turned out pretty good for my first time trying to flare fuel/brake lines.

 

[huntsonora]

sub'd

 

[ghostmoney]

I am using a ORS conversion harness and the instructions that came with it are great and making this so much easier than it could have been. I have everything plugged in except for the auto ECM as I am trying to figure out how to get all the wires mounted behind and above the ECU while still being able to install the heater blower. I ended up having to remove my door alarm computer completely and I am moving the computer for the electric windows into the dash as this was the only possible way to get all of the conversion wires tucked behind the ecu and out of the way of the hvac box.


Got the fiberglass hoodscoop installed and mounted new 33x10.50x15 bfg km2's



after messing with trying to get it running using the ignition and hearing nothing I realized I didn't have the Neutral safety switch plugged in. I ended up having to order one for a 1998 t100 as the one that was on the transmission had a different plug. Once I installed that and got it plugged into the engine harness when I turned the key I would hear the COR click. After some looking around I traced the ignition wires and saw where previous owner had installed an alarm system. I removed the entire alarm system and soldered the spliced ignition wire back together, but all I get is still just a click from the COR. I ended up just bypassing the ignition to test to see if it would start and it fired right up but died after a couple seconds. It does this for about 4 times and then 5th time it starts and stays running. I attributed this to a vacuum line, but I ended up figuring out that because I am using a ecu and engine harness from a 1998, but motor is from a 2001 the MAF sensor was different and causing it to run lean. I was able to just repin the MAF sensor plug to match up with a 1999 and new MAF sensor and all trouble codes are gone and it fires right up and idles great.

 

[ghostmoney]

I used the evap setup from the 4runner and mounted it near battery on driver side.


I also installed a Derale remote transmission cooler instead of running it into the radiator since I plan on eventually supercharging this and wanted to keep the tranny temps as low as I could while not worrying about pink milkshake down the road. I mounted it above the mounting bracket for the spare tire.

I also mounted a transmission temp sensor into the pan


Next I built the exhaust from the cross over to the tail pipe. The cross over dumps very close to the drivers torsion bar/frame and was a pain trying to get it to clear. I ended up getting it to clear, but it is very close to the frame.

 

[Crenshaw]

Nice job. The 3.4 feels like what should've come in these trucks. Are you actively looking for a supercharger yet?

 

[ghostmoney]

No it is down on the list of upgrades that I have planned.

 

[Clay]

Looks great so far. I can't wait to see what you do with the suspension.

 

[Austo]

Looks good, ORS was great to work with. Keep us updated.

 

[Chaser88]

Ahhhh so great! One day I plan to do the same. A supercharged 3.4 just came up for sale here in Alberta Canada. It only has 160km's on it...Asking 2k. Awesome thread! Look forward to watching it grow!

 

[JasonRedwood]

Awesome build! Thats my dream girl right there. I had a 1st gen with the Blazeland and really liked it.

 

[ghostmoney]

Awesome build! Thats my dream girl right there. I had a 1st gen with the Blazeland and really liked it.

What did you do for your rear setup? I am trying to figure out how I want to setup my rear since I have a m101 trailer I would like to tow behind for longer trips. I would like to be able to have air bags in the rear for when towing the trailer, but not sure I could get it to work to have travel when I want to go fast on back roads without trailer.

 

[austintaco]

You sir, have a great truck.

 

[jds0912]

Looks good!

 

[dorton]

Very cool

 

[rustED]

Great job, it's turning out really nice! The body looks nice from your pics, I didn't see any rust, just curious why you want to replace the panels with fiberglass?...or are you going to go with the wider flared or the high clearance fenders/quarter panels?