In the past I have owned two Taco's, one FJC, one 3rd gen 4Runner. The Toyotas have always been "Penelope", so we will carry that on with this one.
The day I picked her up from the gentleman who liaised the transaction between me, the small town dealer, and the Japanese government.
She's a 1990, VXL 1HD-T, twin locked, 130k km. Cosmetically not in great shape, but relatively rust-free, starts fast and runs well. The shop that did the acceptance inspection told me the automatic cold start device (ACSD) had a leak, and I would need to pay $800 after labor to fix it, also said I needed to replace the A/C system since it was leaking as well, they couldn't give me a firm number on that. I politely passed, had the A/C charged, and mysteriously both leaks have since stopped. The BIRF's, however, are leaking... to be expected.
BASELINE LIST:
Clean, clean the previous owner out of existence.
Remove P/O's shotty stereo wiring.
Wax/polish.
Get a cover for the off time.
Fix leaking sunroof/windshield.
Replace weatherstripping.
Change oil/filter.
Change diff/transfer oil.
Swap coolant.
Flush ATF.
Front-axle rebuild.
Rear-axle rebuild.
Differential breather relocation.
Brakes rebuilt/bled.
New rotors/pads.
ACSD delete.
Kickdown/Throttle cable adjusted.
Replace sticky throttle cable.
Replace the speedometer cable.
Change the fuel filter.
Valve clearances.
BEB's changed.
Universal joints changed.
Driveline greased.
Turbo oil leak fixed.
Catch can installed.
Shock bushings changed.
Sway bar bushings changed.
Replace antenna.
Replace leaking A/C lines.
Fix broken seat mounts.
Remove carpet, install deadening and vibration damping material.
Replace center console fridge with Dometic.
Seal all holes, firewall plugs.
MODS TO DO:
EGT/Intake temp/boost gauges.
Seat covers.
Head unit.
Wireless charging pad.
Rewrap/deaden console.
Center console removal.
Install a Dometic center fridge.
Prado series shifter.
Prado transfer case shifter.
Small aux light bar.
Onboard air.
12V in the back.
Drawer system.
Roof Rack/RTT.
Raptor coat (Cement Grey).
Intercooler.
Winch.
Rear bumper with a spare tire swing.
OME BP51's with 3-inch lift springs.
35" tires, steel wheels.
Re-gear (maybe...)
Flare delete/low profile mudguards.
Rock sliders.
Front bumper.
AUX battery in the rear.
Traction board/Hi-Lift/shovel mounted.
Waterproof mat to replace the carpet.
Gullwing/sliding rear windows.
Awning.
3-inch exhaust + dump pipe.
I'm sure I'll think of more.
Here she is several hours later...
I don't have a lot of space or tools to work with, I am also going to be deployed 5 of 12 months per year, so this build won't get ambitious until I get back to the states with her. At that point, she will be stripped to the bones and built for tough tracks. For now, it's all about baselining, reliability, and restoring the little things. The main thing I am excited about is learning to REALLY maintain a vehicle, all my past 4x4's have been newer Toyota's, which have needed not beyond an oil change. That and having an excuse to buy more tools.
The day I picked her up from the gentleman who liaised the transaction between me, the small town dealer, and the Japanese government.
She's a 1990, VXL 1HD-T, twin locked, 130k km. Cosmetically not in great shape, but relatively rust-free, starts fast and runs well. The shop that did the acceptance inspection told me the automatic cold start device (ACSD) had a leak, and I would need to pay $800 after labor to fix it, also said I needed to replace the A/C system since it was leaking as well, they couldn't give me a firm number on that. I politely passed, had the A/C charged, and mysteriously both leaks have since stopped. The BIRF's, however, are leaking... to be expected.
BASELINE LIST:
Remove P/O's shotty stereo wiring.
Wax/polish.
Get a cover for the off time.
Fix leaking sunroof/windshield.
Replace weatherstripping.
Change diff/transfer oil.
Swap coolant.
Flush ATF.
Rear-axle rebuild.
Brakes rebuilt/bled.
New rotors/pads.
ACSD delete
Replace sticky throttle cable.
Replace the speedometer cable.
BEB's changed.
Universal joints changed.
Driveline greased.
Catch can installed.
Shock bushings changed.
Sway bar bushings changed.
Replace antenna.
Replace leaking A/C lines.
Fix broken seat mounts.
Remove carpet, install deadening and vibration damping material.
Replace center console fridge with Dometic.
Seal all holes, firewall plugs.
MODS TO DO:
EGT/Intake temp/boost gauges.
Seat covers.
Wireless charging pad.
Rewrap/deaden console.
Center console removal.
Install a Dometic center fridge.
Prado series shifter.
Prado transfer case shifter.
Small aux light bar.
Onboard air.
12V in the back.
Drawer system.
Roof Rack/RTT.
Raptor coat (Cement Grey).
Intercooler.
Rear bumper with a spare tire swing.
OME BP51's with 3-inch lift springs.
35" tires, steel wheels.
Re-gear (maybe...)
Flare delete/low profile mudguards.
Rock sliders.
AUX battery in the rear.
Traction board/Hi-Lift/shovel mounted.
Waterproof mat to replace the carpet.
Gullwing/sliding rear windows.
Awning.
3-inch exhaust + dump pipe.
I'm sure I'll think of more.
Here she is several hours later...
I don't have a lot of space or tools to work with, I am also going to be deployed 5 of 12 months per year, so this build won't get ambitious until I get back to the states with her. At that point, she will be stripped to the bones and built for tough tracks. For now, it's all about baselining, reliability, and restoring the little things. The main thing I am excited about is learning to REALLY maintain a vehicle, all my past 4x4's have been newer Toyota's, which have needed not beyond an oil change. That and having an excuse to buy more tools.
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