my MUD-life crisis, 85 4runner (1 Viewer)

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Joined
Sep 11, 2020
Threads
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91
Location
San Antonio, Tx
The first vehicle that I ever owned was a 1985 Toyota SR5 4×4 pick up that I bought used when I was in high school (1987). I upgraded and modified the truck to my liking, to me it was the perfect truck. I sold the truck out of necessity in 1995 when we started having kiiddos.. no regrets that's life. Fast forward to today, we're empty nesters & I still love Toyotas (my daily is 2016 Tacoma), but I still love old school Toyotas. I catch myself browsing internet forums dreaming of "one day"...
I recently stumbled upon an out of state craigslisting of an '85 SR5 4runner that caught my eye. It pushed all the right buttons for me, a phone call and a few pictures and video later and I was on a plane from Texas to Colorado to buy it.
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Where did all those epic SR5 decals go?!?! Saaweeet pickup and awesome 4Runner
 
The back story, the first vehicle that I ever owned was a 1985 Toyota SR5 4×4 pick up that I bought used when I was in high school (1987). I upgraded and modified the truck to my liking, to me it was the perfect truck. I sold the truck out of necessity in 1995 when we started having kiiddos.. no regrets that's life. Fast forward to today, we're empty nesters & I still love Toyotas (my daily is 2016 Tacoma), but I still love old school Toyotas. I catch myself browsing internet forums dreaming of "one day"...
I recently stumbled upon an out of state craigslisting of an '85 SR5 4runner that caught my eye. It pushed all the right buttons for me, a phone call and a few pictures and video later and I was on a plane from Texas to Colorado to buy it.View attachment 2446329View attachment 2446334View attachment 2446336View attachment 2446337View attachment 2446338

Wow nice score. What are your plans for it?
 
I dig the old confer roof rack. Looks like it needs some rear springs though!

welcome:flipoff2::flipoff2:
 
Sorting things out.
Priority 1: The rear suspension is shot, broken leaf springs, worn out shocks & broken shock mount/base plate. After weighing my options I decided to order All Pro 56" long travel spring kit....
I addressed a few other things to start making her mine. I removed the fender flares, I was relieved that no rust was hidden beneath. Although removing the flares did reveal some paint damage caused by years of chaffing, not too worried about it (it adds character 😉). I also pulled the console and removed a bundles of DIY stereo & alarm wiring.

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My horn was not working. After eliminating all things electrical all the way to the horn, I was able to isolate the problem to the steering wheel. There is a brass "plunger" inside the steering column that makes contact with a brass ring on the backside of the steering wheel. Over time this connection wears resulting in loss of continuity. The fix is adding material to the plunger using a spent .22 cal shell casing. Removing the horn pad (1 screw) will reveal the steering column nut (19mm) loosen the nut & leave in place. Then yank the wheel to loosen it, the nut will keep you from smashing your chest. Once it's loose remove nut fully and remove steering wheel. I cleaned the brass contact on the back of the steering wheel and added a light coat of dialectic grease. Put a dab of dialectic grease inside the shell casing and put it over the plunger. Put everything back together in reverse order & now I have a working horn again.

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Update: got some parts in.
Old Man Emu springs, ubolt flip kit, shock mount relocation brackets, Bilstein 5100's & new steering stabilizer.
I originally was going to do All Pro long travel kit but after more research & a few phone calls I determined that it was going to give me too much lift.
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And got the ole' girl topless in the backyard. 🤙🏼
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Loving this progression!

Were you able to drive it back from CO or did you trailer it home?
 
Update:
After doing the rear suspension, I knew that the front end would need some attention too. I wasn't sure how much lift the rear OME springs were going to give me, compared to the front springs. After the rear install I had a little rake & wanted to level it out. The front springs actually have a decent ride (unknown 4 leaf lift springs 🤷🏼‍♂️)
I measured my shackle* (see photo below) decided to order 6" shackles from All-Pro to level out the truck. Install was straight forward & new Bilsteins were installed too.
Mission accomplished, she's level and rides nice too. 🤙🏼
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WTF: PO had mismatched shackles 🤦🏼‍♂️
5" shackle (the one I measured)
3" stock shackle.
No wonder I had a little bit of a lean too.
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All-Pro 6" greasable shackles
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shocks
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Install.
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Riding level again 🤙🏼
 
Blinker mod: After installing the new front bumper I needed to relocate my turn signals. (the old bumper had brackets). I temporary zip tied the stock signals to the cross bar and then began to research my options. Then I looked at my motorcycle & thought why not. 🤷🏼‍♂️ For a few bucks I'll give it a try.. time will tell ?
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Update:
After doing the rear suspension, I knew that the front end would need some attention too. I wasn't sure how much lift the rear OME springs were going to give me, compared to the front springs. After the rear install I had a little rake & wanted to level it out. The front springs actually have a decent ride (unknown 4 leaf lift springs 🤷🏼‍♂️)
I measured my shackle* (see photo below) decided to order 6" shackles from All-Pro to level out the truck. Install was straight forward & new Bilsteins were installed too.
Mission accomplished, she's level and rides nice too. 🤙🏼View attachment 2486700
WTF: PO had mismatched shackles 🤦🏼‍♂️
5" shackle (the one I measured)
3" stock shackle.
No wonder I had a little bit of a lean too.View attachment 2486703
All-Pro 6" greasable shackles View attachment 2486706
shocksView attachment 2486708
Install.View attachment 2486709
Riding level again 🤙🏼
Looking good!
 

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