Toyotally Awesome 1987 4Runner

[dwphoto]

Backed this pile into he the garage and went to work getting the front off the ground.

Got the knuckle apart and boy oh boy shit was fucked.... I'm not even sure how this thing was still driveable.

Richard to the rescue again with the easy out for the snapped stud in the knuckle...

Next morning pretty sure it was hottest day of the year...what better way to spend it than sweating it out working on this pile of parts

Got all the old nasty grease and chards of bearing cleaned out.... This is good right ???

fresh studs

Back in Business well kinda. When I put the wheel back on I check the wheel bearing and it was a tad on the loose side. Was kinda like well I could run it for just this pismo trip...I had plans to open it up and take a look at the status of the grease and snug up the nut a bit... I was too hot and tired from wrenching on this thing all day so I took it for a quick hot lap to the store... and wow what a difference...

 

[dwphoto]

the next night Monday I got home from work. figured I'd take a look at the wheel bearing.. after some swearing light taping and a few miller lite I got the cone washers out of the locking hub only to find..... more wonderfulness...

jam nut and hub nut for lack of a better term were finger tight Fuckkk again not sure how I hadn't crashed this thing yet.
Pullled everything off and it was hammered... this thing must have spent some time underwater at some point.

Old races much to my surprise came out pretty easily compared to my past experiences with my old rover hubs...While I was hammering in the new races... I pinched the shit out of my hand...RAD!

Super glued that puppy shut and kept hammering away...
got everything cleaned up and ready to go back on only to realize shit I didn't have the right size socket for the hub nut.
Fast Oranged myself in the kitchen sink. Hoped in my wife's car and jammed over to Auto zone... They didnt have it.. it was like 8:42pm
Harbor Freight was my next option.... Google maps said was 11 mins away in Camarillo they closed at 9pm... you silly of course I sent it.... made it just in time... Girl at the register didn't look as excited as I did when I slithered in the Automatic door.... ... Trolling the automotive aisle I finally spotted the hub nut kit for a low low price of $79.99..Picked that up back to the house. Got it all back together.. working quietly with hand tools like a peasant trying to not wake up the squad.Filled up the Birfield with Grease.. did a complete grease and nut and bolt check on all the Leaf Sring bolts and ubolts.Holy LEE shit... Again how was this thing going down the road still.

To be honest I was pretty upset with myself that I hadn't checked everything sooner. But at the same time, I really hadn't taken it anywhere other than around town on the road, the trip to Gorman, and to Tommy's shop party... Oh well, nothing happened just I know better. This thing will be gone through 100%

Felt just like old times... waiting til the 11th hour night or 2 before a trip... Gotta love it.

 

[mobil1syn]

a couple of stich welds on the face of the race will shrink it and typically will fall right out. a hammer and flathead screwdriver is the most common way to deal with those spindle nuts on toyotas for the those at home who are hacks like me.

you are making me miss my old mini trucks

 

[dwphoto]

a couple of stich welds on the face of the race will shrink it and typically will fall right out. a hammer and flathead screwdriver is the most common way to deal with those spindle nuts on toyotas for the those at home who are hacks like me.

you are making me miss my old mini trucks

Yea big hammer and a punch they popped right out.... Tossed the new races in the freezer for a little shrinkage....

you should just add to the fleet. Its the right thing do...

 

[dwphoto]

Hooked it up for the first time to the RV Friday. My boy @the_fablab_ did an awesome job installing the tow points and modifying the tow bar. Hooked up even easier than the mouse so that was nice.

We finally hit the road about 230 pm

Made it to camp about 6ish after a pretty smooth trip minus the high winds going up Gaviota pass.

Fired up the grill and Cooked up some burgers.
Used Billy's firepit for some smores
Had a few sport sodas.

The next morning cooked up some breakfast.

Loaded up the squads and headed to the beach....

Before we pulled out of the campground my daughter decided she had enough of that shitty tint and started pulling it off her window. haha

We aired down

and we were off

We cruised all the way down to the end of the camping zone ( which is way smaller, they only allow 250 camping passes now. compared to the previous 1000 and the size of the camping area reflects this.) We turn left and head into the dudes kids are having a great time I decided to just leave it in 2 hi and see what how far I could get. We are cruising along it was pretty chattered out and let's be honest the leaf sprung 4 runner is a few steps up from a covered wagon in the rough.

Well fast forward about 3 mins. Evi is not having it. Connor is trying to talk her off the ledge holding her hand and telling her it's going to be okay.

So I make the executive decision to head back to the beach. so we can post up and let the kids play in the sand. Almost the moment we get out of the terrible chop. EV-E passes out haha... We hit up Billy and let him know we are on the way back towards the main entrance. Cruising down the beach windows down watching all people, the birds, and whales....

 

[dwphoto]

Just past before the vendor area. I look off to my right and see a buried Lincoln Town Car? I drove a little past and stopped and chatted with Maitai and was like dude we should help that guy out real quick... so I spin around. I hop out and started chatting with the guy about the car and asked if he needed any help. He and his buddy had just finished this beast. It reminded me of the car I think Kibbie tech build? Thing was cool.

We hooked up the 4runner. Locked the hubs and threw her in 4 Lo. I didn't want to yank him too hard right out of the gate so I just got some slack on the strap and tried that first.


Got him out..but as you can see in the video it was pretty soft... He was still aired up to about 20psi. I recommended he drop it down to 12 in the front and 10 out back to get some float...he agreed. we continued to shoot the shit a little bit more..He was telling me about the car and how they were out filming for his youtube channel. . gave him the only Bad lines good times sticker I had with me, We loaded up and continued down the beach. Later on, I scoped out his youtube he has quite a following.

 

[mobil1syn]

you should just add to the fleet. Its the right thing do...

in the interest of domestic tranquility on top of being out of parking, got a master bathroom remodel that is has passed the 2yr mark and a few tricks up my sleeve for the tahoe, its not a possibility at this time. i need to redeem myself on the taco i got driveable and destroyed the first time out after 2 yrs of building it, but now is not the time.

 

[mobil1syn]

just going to leave this here ...

CA - 4 Wheel Underground Front 3 Link Kit 86-95 Toyota Pickup

4 Wheel Underground Front 3 Link Brand New For 86-95 Truck - Standard or Extra Cab I am not sure if it is turn key on a 2nd Gen Runner or not. You could call 4WU and ask Brain and see if you want too. All details and options are here...

irate4x4.com

 

[dwphoto]

just going to leave this here ...

CA - 4 Wheel Underground Front 3 Link Kit 86-95 Toyota Pickup

4 Wheel Underground Front 3 Link Brand New For 86-95 Truck - Standard or Extra Cab I am not sure if it is turn key on a 2nd Gen Runner or not. You could call 4WU and ask Brain and see if you want too. All details and options are here...

irate4x4.com

noooooo I saw this on Irate.... I need it but to quote a wise man "in the interest of domestic tranquility " I better not

That's exactly what I need for this pile

 

[GahnRacing]

noooooo I saw this on Irate.... I need it but to quote a wise man "in the interest of domestic tranquility " I better not

That's exactly what I need for this pile

If you do buy this hit me up and stop by. I’ll grill you a steak

 

[mobil1syn]

this one is cheaper and i know he wants it gone. https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/614999453512922/

 

[dwphoto]

this one is cheaper and i know he wants it gone. https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/614999453512922/View attachment 4471

Fack! that's a deal! Although I totally want this now.. having it all of that sit in the shop for a while doesn't do anything for me at the moment. Appreciate your efforts to make my wife stab me haha

@sdecurti is meeting up with @dillyb today out in AZ and picking up a tcase. So going to start working on building that little guy... gunna go 4.7 23 spline in rear case.. and then front case will have 2.8 stock low and then I've got 3rz I've got chillin in the garage I'm going to start to tear down for a rebuild.

Ultimately my thought is to keep the truck useable with minimal downtime. I still need to actually take this pile on a real trail! haven't even seen what it can do as it sits other than that little solo run to Gorman.

If you do buy this hit me up and stop by. I’ll grill you a steak

you really know how to cut to the core of me...

 

[dwphoto]

So thanks to @sdecurti for the transport and @dillyb for selling me his spare tcase.

Starting to acquire parts for duals.
Looking at the marlin 4.7 gears 23 spline and 23 spline adapter and then need to source a w59 bellhousing for Trans to mate up with the 3rz


Prepping for Thanksgiving, I finally took a few hrs and dismantled the stereo wiring that was balled up behind the sub box. Yikes...Glad to have that out of the truck. I think I'd like to have a sub maybe a single 12 that's in a smaller box. The wakeboard speakers also got deleted, might install them in the mouse.

Sweet rats nest behind

Need to pull the carpet and get a new carpet kit but that will have to wait. Got back a good amount space for gear/cooler with the sub delete. Thinking a tire carrier is probably the way to go cause I can't imagine a 37 is going to fit inside.

 

[dwphoto]

Had C help me pull the roof off so we could get the antenna wire into the cab. pretty quick and easy. 10 or 12 bolts and it came off no problem. I had him fish the wire down from the top while I lifted shell off.
So rad having him out there helping.

When first got the truck I wanted to take care of the stereo/ race radio situation. I bought a race radio off of Chris Goodpaster befere he moved to Florida. Also picked up a stereo install kit on ebay I think
I pulled the CB out only to find the above shit show... i just set the head unit up on 2x4 for support and it had been like that for 6 months... hadn't moved in the few adventures. Any way with Thanksgiving here around the corner. I was like okay game on let's get this done.

Removed some more useless wiring under the dash! ended up with...

saved the little USB port with volt meter on it. Need to dremel out the little bezel so the head unit fits all the way. Night and day better than stereo just sitting on a 2x4 haha.

Stoked! Gotta do a nut and bolt and will be hooking this pile behind the motorhome to head out to Thanksgiving!

 

[dwphoto]

Thanks to the Bodj for sending me message on the forum!!!11111

This beautiful piece of equipment is now under my care... Big thanks to @sdecurti for dragging this pile home from me all the way from San Marcos and @the_fablab_ for the use of his flat bed.

home sweet home.....

 

[dwphoto]

This was the truck before they took a bunch of parts off it..



1985 Toyota 4 runner
Clean title

cliff notes from this video and my brief inspection.

Trans
Dual T case 2.28 front 4.7 rear case
Beefy Trans Mount / skid
Drivelines
LC engineering T case e brake
Diffs 5.29 gears rear spool not sure about front yet
Heavy Duty Longfield axles in front not sure about rear yet
Rear disc brake conversion.
Rear Kings smooth bodies 14'' i think?
Front Bilstein resi shocks
a mile marker winch in the front
Warn winch out back.
outlaw 2s on some old but surprisingly good looking 35
All pro Billet rear shackles

 

[the bodj]

Heck yeah! Glad it worked out.

 

[mobil1syn]

home sweet home.....

im assuming a parts truck

 

[dwphoto]

im assuming a parts truck

yea.. not 100% what I'm going to do with this pile yet... but planning on robbing everything good off of it. I can and installing it on the White one

 

[dwphoto]

Still haven't done anything with new acquisition been pretty busy with life. Been DDing this pile for last few months. It's the best... I don't really know why I enjoy it as much as I do, Its tough to put into words. It just has a soul. It's ridiculous, Impractical, and great haha

Took the kids up to the snow on New Years Day.

Met up with @sdecurti for a bit.

Got out of the truck and blew out my snow boots right away. lolz.

This little red guy got stuck on the uphill with a few people. I cruised over and help of a few of the natives we pushed him to enough for him to get up the hill.

it started snowing and the shitshow that ensued was of epic portions. We were about a 1/4 from the main road which was completely gridlocked... for hrs... thankfully my wife was like what ever let's just hang out and let the kids play. after about 2 hrs of seeing shit at a complete standstill. I walked down about 20 mins from where we were set up to find people stuck blocking the road, helped them get it sorted and like a herd of turtles people started to move.... I watched a dude in Xterra drive like 4 feet and then slam on the brakes and pitch it sideways let off the brakes drive 4 ft and repeat and repeat..... Was pretty entertaining if really but also pretty sad watching the copious amounts of fail all around.

Anyways I walked back up to the truck reported back to my squad and then was like this isn't gunna start moving unless someone started directing traffic down there at the stop sign.... If not me, then who. So I walked back down to the junction and one by one directed traffic. lol
Amazing the you go - I go concept. It's like a zipper that people don't seem to understand. A few people were too dumb, oblivious... both to see what was going on.. so I had to get a little rough... I was like "NO! you wait!" haha most listened, some just went anyway and told me to shit in my hat... Long story short...got shit moving. Otherwise, we might still be on the mountain. Loaded up the truck and got in the Congo line down the mtn.

Goodtimes

Truck ran great all the way up the grapevine, no issues. It really does enjoy it's oil, and smokes a little... leaks.... haha but other than that plenty of power on the climbs for what it is.

Yesterday I did notice a slight fuel leak on the fuel rail I need to address ASAP. I'll probably dig into that this weekend.

Over and out!

E