Have you seen this 4Runner before?

[FGZ03]

Have you seen this 4Runner? Need to find the PO, in SC...



I picked it up in SC last weekend, I would like to find the owner previous to the guy I bought it from. Unfortunately the guy I bought it from doesn't know much about 4Runners, so he can't tell me much about the mods done to it or other history.

It was registered in West Columbia from 2002 till 2012, the guy that owned it trailered it to go wheeling and he was into Land Cruisers. I would like to get more history on my new truck, let me know if you can point me in the right direction.

Thanks!

 

[85 t runner]

thats a nice 4runner , how does it drive on the highway ? what year is it?

 

[FGZ03]

Thanks, it's an '85, 280k with a motor swap that has about 60k on it. Hard to verify the engine mileage without finding the PO, but compression is good and it doesn't smoke so I'll take it.

Highway is OK, kinda sloppy steering and needs better handling manners which I hope to get by lowering it some. I think I have a misfire to chase out. Desperately needs front brakes and complete exhaust from the manifold back, but I'll get to that when the weather warms up - it now lives just North of Boston and it's 9 deg outside currently.

 

[FGZ03]

Bump, I appreciate any help finding this PO. The lift is custom and I have tons of questions.

 

[onemanarmy]

You may have some luck by posting some pics of the suspension....its pretty simple....4 leaf spring and shocks...unless they did something funky and someone here could help figure it out.

What drivetrain is in it?

 

[FGZ03]

You may have some luck by posting some pics of the suspension....its pretty simple....4 leaf spring and shocks...unless they did something funky and someone here could help figure it out.

What drivetrain is in it?

Stock drivetrain, 22RE single t-case

It should be simple, yes. Either TG, All-pro, NWOR lift kit, or chevy rears and rears up front. If it had any of that I could figure out what to do next to drop it ~4+ inches.

Instead, it has shock hoops that look like TG or AllPro or Marlin, rear U-bolt flip spring pads that I haven't seen anywhere, relocated rear shackles, and Alcan springs with 7 pack front and 8 pack rear. I haven't found any vendor that sells Alcan springs with their lift kit. So I'm thinking the guy did some custom stuff.

It rides fine, I don't know how it flexes yet, but I need to drop from my current frame height of ~26 down closer to 21 or 22.

Rear: Alcan 8 pack, strange spring perch http://s207.photobucket.com/user/fgz1/media/85 4Runner/131210_4Runner004_zps87de0fa5.jpg.html

Front: Alcan 7 pack, terrible (vertical) shackle angle http://s207.photobucket.com/user/fgz1/media/85 4Runner/131210_4Runner010_zpsd9bb12ef.jpg.html http://s207.photobucket.com/user/fgz1/media/85 4Runner/131210_4Runner016_zpsbccc02f2.jpg.html
Shock hoop, bilsteins http://s207.photobucket.com/user/fgz1/media/85 4Runner/131209_4Runner001_zpse94a4c0b.jpg.html


Maybe I'll get another thread going just trying to address my issues and get it lowered easily, but finding the PO will help me in a lot of ways -was the front axle rebuilt? what are the axle gears? what year is the 60K 22RE in it? etc etc

 

[85 t runner]

alcan springs are custom springs like you thought and from what people have claimed are really good. those pics are difficult to see anything

 

[FGZ03]

alcan springs are custom springs like you thought and from what people have claimed are really good. those pics are difficult to see anything

They're clickable thumbs so you can see bigger versions.

 

[KLF]

The linked photos are the same size, too small.

 

[FGZ03]

Well I'll be. Sorry about that, I've been grabbing the wrong links trying to save screen space. Enough of that silliness.

Am I missing a way to edit posts on this board?

Rears:

Front:

Shackle angle:

Shock Hoop:

 

[KLF]

At the bottom of your post box should be an "Edit" button. No biggie...

Shock hoops look like Trail Gear to me. http://www.trail-gear.com/shock-hoops

The spring perches on the rear axle look like the threaded ones that All-Pro used to sell.

 

[ajordan1975]

your rear spring "ubolt" assembly used to be sold at All Pro I think. I have the same set up on my truck. Why are you wanting to lower it?
Look into TG 3" springs.

 

[85 t runner]

how about your front shackle angle they look like there almost straight up and down , could be the angle of the pic

 

[FGZ03]

your rear spring "ubolt" assembly used to be sold at All Pro I think. I have the same set up on my truck. Why are you wanting to lower it?
Look into TG 3" springs.

Reasons for lowering it are to reduce unwanted attention from the law, and for more stability. It will be my DD, so lower helps with the constant load/unload of various things: tools, supplies, groceries, kids, etc.

how about your front shackle angle they look like there almost straight up and down , could be the angle of the pic

I took some additional pics of that front shackle angle because someone else pointed that out. Yes it's vertical. Flattening the current springs won't fix it, I need longer springs. So I'm either looking into RUF or custom Alcans. The customs aren't that much more than most vendors springs, and I'll recoup some cost when I resell my current ones which are in great shape.

If I can find the PO I can ask more about how this lift was installed and try to get to the bottom of why that shackle angle is what it is. I don't think that will change my options for fixing it, but I have lots of other questions for the PO too

 

[cundmud]

Post up on the upstate site those guys can help with the id probably better. I know they usually keep up with all yotas in the area.

 

[FGZ03]

Thanks, I'm doing that now