Help picking what year 4Runner to get..

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elum

elum

Joined
Apr 4, 2005
Threads
85
Messages
382
Location
San Antonio, TX
I've been set on the 1985 due to the SFA... however, I plan on doing more expedition like travelling and possibly going down Baja..

I'd like to build up a 1st Gen 4Runner and am not sure if SFA would give me much greater benefits than IFS or not..

I do know that I'd like to get the 22RE or 22RTE.. coupled with a 5-speed manual..

Anyone know of someone who might already have a rig set up that they're willing to part with?

In the end I'd see myself with a few inches of lift.. 33x10.5s... Snorkel.. armor.. lockers.. etc...
 
a 22rte 4runner is going to be hard to find. Better luck finding a 88/89 with the 3vze.

On that note, don't pass on a good '85 if it comes up but I think you'd be just as happy going down the peninsula with a ifs. Either with a sfa or ifs it'll need new rear springs, for cheap you can go Downey, or as we did put a Rancho add-a-leaf and pull the load leaf. On the sfa downey springs would aslo be a good choice, for a ifs I say low profile upper arm stops, and OME t-bars, 25mm bars are ok but a little stiff. Also for a little more travel you could add ball joint spacers.

Plently of room for 33x10.5's or 12.50's with some pinch weld rubb.
 
Thanks for the input.. I like the 22re due to it's reliability and fuel economy.. power is not that big of a concern for me. This rig would be a twice a week commuter and a weekend play toy possibly as well to take the family out. I saw the Yellow 4Runner in the "Ultimate Adventure" and thought it was very sweet.. a lot more truck than I'm looking to buy.

Part of me feels like if I can get a good condition IFS 4Runner I could always swap it out for a SFA later if need be... I know I'm going to want lockers... so traction won't be an issue... don't know if I'm really going to need any type of max clearance underneath.. the idea of longer range prerunner like suspension sounds interesting to me as well..

The All Pro products out there look good, a little expensive.. but after feeling what a less stellar suspension feels like on my BJ42 I don't want to skimp on quality...
 
Do you mean this "4Runner"?

131_0611_07_z+ua_truck_driver_profiles+christo_slee.jpg


Cause that's an 80...... :D
 
no.. not Christo's rig.. very nice though.. It was a less bright yellow with some black on it as well.. it sat four with a soft top and half tube doors... very nice..
 
There is a '85 4runner with everything your looking for and more that has been in the forsale section for too long now. It is in Vermont, but if I was in the market I would consider it. Go with the SAS.
 
My recommendation is to look for a 2nd gen 4Runner (90-95 model). The earlier ones are cool, but crawling in and out of the back seat with that passenger seat sliding crap gets old fast. No access from the drivers side sucks too. Four doors fixes all that. They have more overall room too, which is a major problem on long expedition trips.

Having taken my '87 xcab on a long road trip this past summer with just 2 people, I can attest that it is very cramped in the cab. There's just not quite enough room to put all the things you need to keep handy when on the road: drinks, munchies, cell phones, iPod, CB mic, GPS, yadda yadda yadda.

I've had both styles of 4Runners ('85 and a '92) and the 2nd gens just are better for long trips. Maybe find one with a 22RE, eventually SAS it and get rid of the rear coils.
 
KLF said:
Maybe find one with a 22RE, eventually SAS it and get rid of the rear coils.
Click to expand...

great advice! I found the yellow 4Runner on the Ult Adv.. it was a 90 with the back roof cut off... (leading me to my next thread)
 
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