88' 4Runner mild build by newb

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J

johnnyh66

10 Year
Joined
Mar 5, 2013
Threads
2
Messages
8
I've been lurking for a while now and finally signed up after I saved enough cash for a 1st gen 4Runner.

I ended up finding a much nicer rig than I intended...
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab165/johnnyh66/2013-03-31131859_zpsdfd05985.jpg

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab165/johnnyh66/2013-03-31131843_zpsbe329d2e.jpg

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/...55Nb5Kd5F6d3m289bd85ad73213b1_zpsfb7dc2a3.jpg
and this little factory error
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab165/johnnyh66/2013-03-31131927_zps57315bdf.jpg

Right now the plan is a DD with light trail use at the local off road park. I'm going to build it over time as money is saved.


These are the off road mods I'm thinking in this order:

OME lift (1986-1989 2") from rocky-road.com
(I'm guessing that you guys know they sell it as a kit that includes F&R Shocks, Front Torsion bars, Rear springs, Bushings & Steering Dampener. U-Bolts sold separate)

33" tires (currently thinking BFG's All Terrain)

Softopper soft top

Addicted Offroad F&R Bumpers

Rocky Road Sliders

I'm currently nervous over installing the lift at home.
I have a buddy that says it's easy as an afternoon but I have my reservations.
I'd hate to tear into this only to have it sitting for the next few months.

It is really tempting though because I would like to do it myself and I have saved the money
for the lift but I currently do not have enough money to pay a shop to install it. I'd appreciate any advise and pointers you guys may have.
Thanks!
 
That's a clean 4Runner you got there.:cool: Lifting it is pretty easy. Just be sure to soak the nuts/bolts w/ some sort of penetrating oil a couple days prior to doing the lift.
 
Lift will take about a day.
Start soaking all the bolts now in penetrating lube.
A grinder with cut off wheel will be a likely necessary tool.
The bolt next to the gas tank was a pain for me.
A propane torch is nice for working the old rubber bushings off of the spring pins/bolts.
Way faster and easier to just cut your old u-bolts off. You can't reuse them anyway.
Be careful on that inclined driveway when you detach the rear axle. Safety first.

I've been considering a soft topper as well, but I already have a topless wheeler.

And you might want to regear with the 33s. I did my 4.88 swap and 33/1050/15 KM2 at the same time and it drives nicely on the road.
 
My 87 has 4.88 gearing and 33x9.5r15 tires. I bought it that way, but am probably going to go to 4.56 gears. As it is, it is not that great on the interstate, don't like to push it past 70mph or the RPM's get high. I have talked to Pappy and he told me that he is happy with his 4.56 gearing as it does better on the highway and is still good offroad. I guess it depends on how much and what type of wheeling you will be doing. By the way, that is a really clean 1st gen. Congrats on the find.
 
Thanks guys, those are some great tips!
I'm really looking forward to getting this build underway... I think we'll go ahead and tackle it here.
 
That is a very nice 1st gen. The lift won't be that bad, but I must ask what kind of mechanical background are you working with? Basic tools will be needed, nothing real special. A couple good sets of jack stands are also a must.

I will say, breaking loose old bolts will be your biggest challenge. PBS Blaster, Kroil, or whatever your flavor, start applying now. I might suggest you take a gander at you torsion bar bolts before you start. Maybe try adjusting them up and down to make sure they move freely. Of all the bolts you will have to fool with, those can, and have, break in half which will require new ones, and those will have to come from one of our fine vendors not the hardware store. If they seem questionable, then I would suggest going ahead and ordering a couple just in case.

You might also check into a pair of Ball Joint spacers. They lift the front without having to mess with t-bar removal. For the 2" you are after they will probably do you a good job. I have heard that the OME bars are very stiff and make the front ride rough, with the spacers you can actually relax the bars for a slightly better ride and maintain the lift. Before using the spacers, make sure you have some camber adjustment in the front as the spacers will require a significant change in the factory set up to get the camber/caster into spec.

On the gears, if you have an auto you likely have 4.30 gears and the 33's are going to suck a good bit of power, 4.88 will get you back in the power band, with a manual, you likely have 4.10 and the 4.56 will probably be the sweet spot. My 88 is a v6/ auto and I want to go to 4.88 or 5.29s, but it is to be a wheeling rig so I ain't to worried about highway speeds.

BFG's AT's are hard to beat. I got almost 60 k out of the last set I had on my truck. They are a good all around tire in my opinion.

Again, very nice rig, look forward to following your progress, and official MUD welcome **************** :cheers:
 
Congratulations on the new ride. You have gotten some great suggestions so far. Mine went with 33x10.5s and 4.88 gears. The combination works out great. Don't be intimidated by the lift,there's not much to it.
 
By the way, that piece thAt is missing the r on 4runner is not a factory error. Mine did the same thing. The r just faded away.
 
Thanks guys, I'm about to order the OME 2" lift.

I wanted to make sure I wasn't getting laid off before I spent the cash... and it looks like the coast is clear. :cheers:
 
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