My 1987 Toyota 4x4 Van
- Thread starter patrolman
- Start date
wow, mileage is a bit high but it seems nice. I wish I could see better pictures of it.
patrolman
Observer
The news is predicting a low below 10 this week, so tonight saw a mad scramble in the 30 degree darkness to change the antifreeze. I went around testing all the cars, and this one wouldn't even register at +20F on the freeze gauge. Checked it over and it was REALLY gross. 3 hours later, and it is all clean and should be good to well below 0. One more thing to cross off the list...
patrolman
Observer
Just as I thought that I had taken care of one problem, 2 days after the antifreeze change, the water pump leaks big time all over the driveway. Drained everything again, took all 3 fan belts off (which needed replaced anyways), replaced the pump with a brand new one. Also replaced the thermostat with the right temp so the heat works now. Figured it was time to knock it all out. No leaks after 24+ hours, so looks like it is good to go. Fingers crossed. That means 2 more things off the list.
4cruzer
Adventurer
nice to see this here!
I just bought one of these vans. I love it. It's so comfortable on the road. It also has it's quirks, but it's pretty solid. I looked and looked, and one came up right here in my neighborhood. It's 4wd, 5 speed, with all the windows. It has front and rear heat and AC, all sorts of goodies... but no fridge. Luckily, I stole the Engel and all the other goods from my 4runner before selling.
I'm surprised there aren't more here. These are smaller than synchros, but they're known to run forever and they get great mileage (I'm at ~20mpg freeway). Just keep them in oil and water, and they just run...
I decided one day that I just don't enjoy the 'sport' of rock crawling. I built my last truck to get us to the remote spots that are more open, less traveled, less litter strewn, but I've found that all of those places (here in CA at least) are already overrun with Jeeper types. It's a challenge to get there, and that's an attraction to folks. I've discovered that to get away from the crowds, you drive fire roads. Too nasty for cars, to easy for jeeps. And the runner, though I'll always love it, was just too small for me, GF, and dog to sleep inside.
Long story short, I own a van, and it's a great little toy. Been snooping around the other forums, but it'd be really nice to see more toyota vans on this one!
Just building a couch/ bed this weekend, I'll have to get some pics up. Next is Aux power...
GB
I just bought one of these vans. I love it. It's so comfortable on the road. It also has it's quirks, but it's pretty solid. I looked and looked, and one came up right here in my neighborhood. It's 4wd, 5 speed, with all the windows. It has front and rear heat and AC, all sorts of goodies... but no fridge. Luckily, I stole the Engel and all the other goods from my 4runner before selling.
I'm surprised there aren't more here. These are smaller than synchros, but they're known to run forever and they get great mileage (I'm at ~20mpg freeway). Just keep them in oil and water, and they just run...
I decided one day that I just don't enjoy the 'sport' of rock crawling. I built my last truck to get us to the remote spots that are more open, less traveled, less litter strewn, but I've found that all of those places (here in CA at least) are already overrun with Jeeper types. It's a challenge to get there, and that's an attraction to folks. I've discovered that to get away from the crowds, you drive fire roads. Too nasty for cars, to easy for jeeps. And the runner, though I'll always love it, was just too small for me, GF, and dog to sleep inside.
Long story short, I own a van, and it's a great little toy. Been snooping around the other forums, but it'd be really nice to see more toyota vans on this one!
Just building a couch/ bed this weekend, I'll have to get some pics up. Next is Aux power...
GB
patrolman
Observer
So a quick heads-up. These vans seem to be reliable, but parts can be a PITA. 2 weeks to finally get the RIGHT brake pads. Had to try 3 different places, not counting all the places that couldn't get any at all. Then it came down to wheel bearing seals for the front. Only one place could get them and it is a 7-10 day wait. In the meantime I have my van with the front end torn down. It will have new pads, new rotors, bearings cleaned/greased, and new seals. Not much to go wrong for the rest of the life of it. Just learned though, buy EVERY part you THINK you MIGHT need well in advance!
patrolman
Observer
The motor is an I-4 2.2L pushrod. Apparently likely not enough room under the seating area for an OHC engine. It is a tight fit already. I know people have dropped in other OHC engines, but technology is much more efficient now. The engine is pretty simple and they run forever. The rear axle is basically a 2wd truck axle on coil springs. Nothing complex or hard to get parts for. The front is different than the 2wd trucks, since it is 4wd. Doesn't share the same brakes or anything as the 4wd model. It is a unique beast in that regard. Makes finding some of the parts a hassle.
patrolman
Observer
I snagged one off a 2wd model a couple weeks ago for mine. All 3 of the vans I have not had were missing the tire rack or it was broken. Silliest design I have ever seen.
patrolman
Observer
It was either slightly bent or maybe just a tad bit different. I worked it into place without anything special. Works like a charm. They don't seem as beat as the 4wd versions. Also, if you need tail lights, make sure you get the right ones. My van has the reverse lights in the tail gate rather than in the corner lights.
patrolman
Observer
So the brake job was a COMPLETE NIGHTMARE. I ordered the pads from O'Reilly. They never came in. I ordered them on Amazon. Wrong parts twice in the right box. Other local places didn't even carry them. FINALLY got a set from a guy on Ebay for 1/2 the price of anyone else. They are the right ones, which was obviously the most important. This guy knows his ******** about the vans. I also got a brand new set of Brembo (like I care) rotors for cheap enough. The wheel bearing seals were a complete disaster as well. O'Reilly ordered them 4 times before they came in. 1st one was wrong item in the box. Then the order got lost, and then it got lost again. I finally got them in Friday. I had also ordered a pair from Amazon. Right parts the first try and it would have been all done, but I damaged one putting it in.
So the story wraps up after 3 WEEKS of sitting in my driveway waiting on parts that I finally got it all done yesterday. New pads, new rotors, wheel bearings cleaned/packed, new bearing seals. Only thing not replaced was calipers as they didn't show any need. I also ditched the auto-hubs and put a manual hub on one side. I had a 4Runner drive-flange for the other side as I rebuild the 2nd manual hub to put on hopefully in a few weeks. The 4x4 should work like a charm now! I think a hub failure kept it from working before.
So the story wraps up after 3 WEEKS of sitting in my driveway waiting on parts that I finally got it all done yesterday. New pads, new rotors, wheel bearings cleaned/packed, new bearing seals. Only thing not replaced was calipers as they didn't show any need. I also ditched the auto-hubs and put a manual hub on one side. I had a 4Runner drive-flange for the other side as I rebuild the 2nd manual hub to put on hopefully in a few weeks. The 4x4 should work like a charm now! I think a hub failure kept it from working before.
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patrolman
Observer
After completing the brake job, I decided to take out the van for a test drive today. Got in, turned the key, engine turned over a couple times but didn't start. Turned key again, and just click, click, click. After doing a bit of testing, determined it was the starter. I had snagged a nearly new starter for cheap a couple weeks ago. Swapped it out today. Old one was pretty darn ugly and had seen many better days. Started up on first try after the swap. Runs and drives great!
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patrolman
Observer
Got a stereo and Cobra CB install over the weekend. I had been driving without tunes for some time. MP3 input which is what I was looking forward to. The CB has weather radio, which is likely to see more use here in Colorado than the actual CB. Both units fit perfect into the spot where the original monstrosity of a radio used to be.