87 toyota for a platform??

[XJxplorer]

What is your guys take on a 4x4 87 xtr cab for a starting platform?? With my lack of funds right now I can't see myself paying 10k+ for a newer truck then more for the mods... I can get a pretty nice 87 toyota for around 2500 and still have have 6-7k for mods...

I was thinking about finding a used long travel kit for the front. Deavers for the rear. 33x10.5's all around. Bumpers front and rear with a Warn M8000... Camper shell with a platform built in the bed. Suspension seats for comfort. Ham, CB.... Inverter, engel... Custom flat khaki paint job(maybe camo!)..... And a few other goodies I'm sure I am missing... Later on down the road as money permits, I want to put a removable solar panel on top of the shell, as well... Oh and an awning.

What are you thoughts on the 22re? I know its extremely reliable and with the proper gearing and a few engine mods I can't see why it wouldn't have enough power to get me around..

 

[BIGdaddy]

great truck. none better. reliable, affordable, comfy, reletively quiet, great aftermarket..should i continue?

i had an 87 4runner that i regret selling, but the sale served a good purpose.

 

[XJxplorer]

great truck. none better. reliable, affordable, comfy, reletively quiet, great aftermarket..should i continue?

i had an 87 4runner that i regret selling, but the sale served a good purpose.

How are they for simplicity? Is there a large computer system in them with 6759494 different wires, or is this before they started will all of that?

 

[toyrunner95]

I got an 84 pickup. As long as you stay away from modifying the EFI harness you will be fine.

Even so, its really easy to work on. Lots of parts are readily available and tons of aftermarket. I picked up mine for 2k, and have probably sunk about another 1500 into it so far. I got alot more to go but its a great platform. Espically if its in decent shape. You can check out my build thread and see how far its come without too much work.

 

[Scott Brady]

any 4WD Toyota truck will make for a great platform

 

[Jacket]

AxleIke has an 87 4Runner built to similar specs, and his gets around Colorado with no trouble at all. I followed him home from Vail the other weekend, and he did just fine going up and over the passes at 60mph. I can't remember what gearing he has, but I want to say 4.88's.

 

[Grim Reaper]

As long as you don't expect to be pulling trailers at 75mph on the hwy it is a great truck. It will fit 33 on stock rims with just a little well placed hammer whacks to flatten the pinch weld and roll the bottom edge of the the fender. The key is STOCK SIZE RIMS. I am running 33x12.5's on stock size 15x7 rims on my 86 4Runner. I would craigslist a stock set of tri Y's off mid 90's truck.

Brakes are easily upgraded. Toyota put smaller brakes on the 4cylinder trucks. Totally bolt on swap is 92 V6 4Runner. Get rotors, calipers, master. That gets you MUCH bigger callipers, thicker rotors. and a Master that can handle the fluid requirements. The Booster is a little small so it will have a hard peddle but it can lock the 33's.

If you plan to leave the truck partly loaded then unbolt the brake proportioning valve control lever off the axle and zip tie it up to the frame to give it full rear brakes.

4.88 was a stock option on 92-95 V6 4runners with Auto and 31inch factory tire option. Bolt in Diffs and it will get your speedo just about dead on with 33's. I get 23-24mpg hwy if I keep my foot out of it and keep it under 70mph. :sombrero:

I would avoid the 3.0 aka the 3Slow. They are known for popping head gaskets. Not nearly as reliable as the 22RE.

Make sure you get a Fuel Injected model. The Carb versions are a pain to work on with all the smog junk. The Fuel injected model is actually very easy to work on.

Best thread ever about these trucks is the FAQ at Pirate. Just be warned ALWAYS search. Any mod or problem you can think of has been covered 100 times. http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=459180

Hit my build threads and some tricks are in it as well as how I put a E-Locker in mine.

 

[XJxplorer]

Thanks for the info grim!

are the axles from the 92-95 4runners direct bolt on?

 

[4Rescue]

Yeah What reaper said... the frame alone deserves a place in 4Wheeling history, they are massively overbuilt for the size of truck they're under and honestly, I think the 2nd gen P/U, 1st Gen Runner are the best looking Toyotas. An 87 Xtra cab would maske a GREAT Expo truck as long as passenger room isn't a big necessity. The Extra cab is more of a storage and seat adjustability convienence than room for more to ride. Go for it, you won't be dissapointed, unless you want v-8 power, then you might be dissapointed.

Cheers

Dave

 

[XJxplorer]

Hmmm... So from what I have been reading the last couple of hours, everything in the driveline and suspension areas from 86-95 are interchangeable?? No matter that its a v6 or 4cyl?

 

[Co-opski]

Now lets see this build. Sound like a nice truck you have in the works.

 

[toyrunner95]

No the 86-95 parts arent all interchangable. Some are, but a 4cyl and a v6 are different. Trust me you have a good truck, learn about it, toy with it, and do whatever you want. Its dependable My 84 has 288k miles on it and it has always started. NEVER had a problem. and the fuel injected model is even better. Everything is literally plug and play or bolt on.
Get a pair of all pro sliders, Arb bumper in the front. Make a rear one with a swing out (its easy). Lock up the rear diff with a trutrack detroit locker. Lift it either with an SAS or a IFS lift kit. Slap on some 33s and your good to go. If you got 6 or 7k to play with that stuff may be 3 or 4k to get if you do most of the work yourself.

So let me tell you that list again:
Lift 2-4in or SAS
All pro rock sliders
Arb front bumper
make your own rear bumper
detroit tru track in the rear diff.

That is a good start to a expedition truck.

 

[XJxplorer]

Oh yeah, I will def be doing all the work myself... I had a cherokee built for expedition use that I sold a while ago.. I was going to get another one but decided to go toyota instead..

 

[toyrunner95]

You can dig through my build thread and many others on here. There is tons of info, pirate 4x4, nw wheelers, yotatech, and a bunch of others have boat loads of info as well. I think you will find that toyotas are Much easier to work on than jeeps, mainly because there is alot less preventative maintenance. Once the job is done, you probably wont have to do it again for another year if not more.

 

[4Rescue]

Oh yeah, I will def be doing all the work myself... I had a cherokee built for expedition use that I sold a while ago.. I was going to get another one but decided to go toyota instead..

VERY good choice going Toyota this time... Coming from a Cherokee you'll be amazed at how few squeeks and rattle a high milage Toyota will have.

Personaly for Expedition/exploration use, I'd skip the SAS. It's nice to have, but there are better ways to spend that money IMO, not to mention that an SAS truck usualy ends up being alot taller than I would want for long drives. PLus the IFS in the older trucks is about as bombproof as an IFS system can be and it rides quite nicely compared to a solid axle.

My personal build list would look like this given that ammount of cash to play with.

-OME Shocks and rear leafs.
-BJ spacers and OME T-bars up front
-ARB BUll bar,
-Sliders of your choice
-Marlin Rear Bumper
-33's and 4.88's to match (this part is really important with these trucks, you NEED proper gearing or you'll constantly be hunting for the right gear and usualy it'll still be to low)
-Upgraded Brakes
-upgraded cooling system

My persoanl opinion is leave the 22RE bone stock. I would have loved to do all the operformance goodies, but in reality you gain very little power for each dollar spent and in some cases you turn a near indestructable motor into one with fuel delivery problems and a few issues that it never had before... While the 22RE won't pull like a big diesel, it's pretty good on fuel and it'll never leave you stranded.

Can't wait to see your build mate.

Cheers and No Worries

Dave