- Year
- 1987
- Vehicle Model
- 4Runner
- Mileage
- 164500
- Color
- White
164,500 miles
$18.500 OBO
I bought this rust-free 4Runner as the pandemic was really kicking into high gear last spring. It spent over 32 years of its life in Arizona before coming to Long Island NY for a short period, then into my hands to NJ last year. My original idea was to have a truck I could modify and tool around in, take it to the beach, etc. The front suspension was tired and the prior owner installed OME rear leafs that were so stiff you’d jar your kidneys loose on every bump.
So began what I would call a “mild mechanical restoration”, which was me basically throwing lots and lots of new parts at the vehicle to both freshen it up and occupy my brain during the anxiety of pandemic lock down. Plus, it couldn’t be driven legally as NJ DMV was a train wreck for many months.
This is a mechanically sound truck with lots of new parts, NO fluid leaks of any kind, a brand-new Donbinsons4x4 suspension, and nice fresh non-stinky carpet. Yes, some of the interior panels are cracked (notice the carpet dash pad for that reason).
BTW, the brown coloring in the undercarriage pics, especially in the rear is Arizona desert dirt, not rust. The one thing I did not touch was the paint. It’s in good condition. A good polish job would shine it up even more, but I have found that I like the look of the paint with the faded 1987 graphics.
Some videos for your viewing pleasure:
General commentary:
Rear window works:
Cold start: 87 4Runner cold start - https://youtube.com/shorts/zole4sVW0G8?feature=share
Engine idling: 87 4Runner engine idling just after cold start - https://youtube.com/shorts/1G6a5TWiWK4?feature=share
Undercarriage: 87 4Runner undercarriage extraordinaire - https://youtu.be/v7sALyK43Q8
General driving: 4Runner general driving - https://youtu.be/gwXXrKJWON8
More driving: General driving, the sequel - https://youtu.be/yaqqtJ-KmV8
4WD, low/high engagement: 4Runner 4WD 4 Fun - https://youtu.be/VFNt55pMmfc
Horn: Horn - https://youtu.be/vw-G3sXXLzk
Walk around: 4Runner walk around - https://youtube.com/shorts/MqwGT3ok-MU?feature=share
Below is a listing of everything that I recall doing. The prior owner replaced the transmission with a Marlin Crawler unit.
6/28/2020 Tune up and start of baseline. Replaced dist cap & rotor, Toyota OEM air filter, spark plugs, spark plug wires, intake elbow. All Toyota OEM. Set timing.
6/28/2020 Replaced fuel fill cap. Toyota OEM.
7/1/2020 Engine oil change with Lucas high zinc “hot rod” 5w30 oil. OEM Toyota filter.
7/6/2020 New soft top from KTT.
7/9/2020 New Toyota OEM throttle cable.
8/7/2020 New hood prop stay, shifter and xfer case knobs, interior HVAC knobs, brake/clutch pedal rubber, and oil dipstick tube & dipstick.
8/8/2020 Replaced temp sensor (for dash gauge).
8/8/2020 PCV valve, A/C idle control valve, OEM fuel filter, OEM throttle cable replaced.
8/8/2020 Oil change. Toyota OEM filter. Lucas hot rod oil, 10w40 (high zinc). New oil dipstick.
8/10/2020 Sent TPS to Jerry for adjustment.
8/12/2020 Valve cover gasket + aluminum half-moons from 22RE Performance. Adjusted valves.
8/15/2020 Coolant. Drain, flush x 3. 50/50 mix Prestone concentrate w/distilled water.
8/16/2020 Upper intake manifold from LCE Perf, all vacuum lines, new OEM EGR valve replaced. New idle air screw. Replaced TB coolant hoses. Replaced IAC hoses.
8/16/2020 ARB diff breather kit installed (front/rear diff + xfer case).
8/19/2020 Transfer case, front, and rear diff fluid change. 75w90 semi synthetic.
8/20/2020 Replaced cold start injector gasket.
9/7/2020 Negative battery cable replaced.
9/8/2020 Replaced radiator. New CSF 2314 radiator. New radiator coolant hoses. New Toyota OEM thermostat. Replaced heater control valve (OEM). System flush multiple times with distilled water. Bled system.
9/20/2020 Installed Autometer mechanical water temp gauge.
8/25/2020 Installed new “Cody Key” rear interior and tailgate panels.
11/20/2020 Installed new NAPA axles, both sides. New OEM inner axle seals. New OEM upper and lower ball joints. New wheel bearings. New tie rods. Installed Dobinsons4x4 front suspension (torsion bars, shocks, springs, steering stabilizer). Installed new sway bar bushings, new upper control arms (RockAuto, with new bushings). Lower control arm bushings are good; left alone.
11/20/2020 Front brakes: New calipers, pads, rotors, soft line replacements. NAPA brand.
11/25/2020 Installed diff drop kit from 4Crawler.
2/15/2021 Steering gear rebuild. Shipped to Yota Masters in CA for rebuild. Installed along with new high pressure steering lines and power steering reservoir hose. New PS fluid obviously.
3/3/2021 Replace belts. Center the new steering gear. Charge A/C. Perform alignment.
6/20/2021 Replaced driver’s seat with a better used part.
7/1/2021 Pass. side inner axle seal replaced. Again.
8/29/2021 Installed new Dobinsons4x4 rear suspension. Took 11 months to receive.
9/6/2021 New carpet and carpet cover dash pad installed.
