question on 85 vs mid 1990's four runner

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missouriman

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1993 land cruiser in rapid city South Dakota
so how much work would it be to use my rebuilt 85 motor, dual transfercases and axles in a mid 90's four runner? still looking for the four runner. I have a line on a mid 90s not sure of what year 4 door four runner.

I think that I can just put in my motor, and the newer injectors providing this turns out to be a 4 banger.

the one that I heard about has a 4 banger and 5 speed.

Just waiting to hear the details.... so how different are these two trucks?
 
Newer injectors won't swap over, unless you hack the old wiring harness. Plugs are different.

Rear suspension is coils in the 4Runner. Weak from the factory, a lot of work to convert to leafs.

You will be disappointed in how slow it will be with a 4 cyl, lots heavier.
 
when or if I have my motor out. I was going to go through the timing chain and stuff like that. mine is supposed to be built for around 150hp.. but has never put out.. I think that maybe I have the timing chain one link off... my wifes unknown motor has more power then my expensive rebuilt one. just the 4 banger I think I can use alot more stuff of my truck for the rebuild.


not argument, just shareing what I was thinking.. all input is welcome.

just needing 4 doors and ac for the new babies..

wheeling yesterday was way hot out.. ac would have made that much better.
we took the wifes truck with baby and my truck, me alone.

06-30-2012 wheeling intro run pictures by missouriman3535 - Photobucket
 
well going to swap in the solid front axle from, most likley my truck. so I don't really see the back being much different. depends on the rear in the four runner. I am hopeing for an electric locker. would like to do that front and rear.
so maybe linking both ends. just not sure yet.. willing to give up my truck for parts. will keep hers for now, because it is in better shape then mine. mine needs a refresh of everything after 10 years of wheeling.
 
KLF said:
Newer injectors won't swap over, unless you hack the old wiring harness. Plugs are different.

Rear suspension is coils in the 4Runner. Weak from the factory, a lot of work to convert to leafs.

You will be disappointed in how slow it will be with a 4 cyl, lots heavier.
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from what I have understood, the 22re puts out more then the 3.o.. and not much less then the 3.4.. please correct me if I am wrong as I want to build this thing ONCE....

I have not bought the four runner yet. so any advice there is welcome also... what year to buy, what to look for.

I have enough extra parts to build at least 2, 85 toyota's... would like to be able to use my parts, if possible because I have more toyota stuff then several of the local junk yards.

is the trans, ect the same on the new ones as the old one's.. I am looking at the four runners just before they became full sized. so mid 90's maybe early 2000's... can use advice on that also.



I want my 85 rock crawler to become a 4 door with ac rock crawler. I have two 85's, and enough parts to build at least one more. I love my extra parts.
 
missouriman said:
from what I have understood, the 22re puts out more then the 3.o.. and not much less then the 3.4.. please correct me if I am wrong as I want to build this thing ONCE....
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No way. 22RE = ~85-100 hp, depending on tweaks and condition. 3VZ-E = ~150hp stock. 5VZ-E = ~190hp stock.

missouriman said:
well going to swap in the solid front axle from, most likley my truck. so I don't really see the back being much different. depends on the rear in the four runner. I am hopeing for an electric locker. would like to do that front and rear.
so maybe linking both ends. just not sure yet.. willing to give up my truck for parts. will keep hers for now, because it is in better shape then mine. mine needs a refresh of everything after 10 years of wheeling.
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e-lockers didn't come out until 3rd gen (96+). Very different body style, biggest change body-wise is the rear liftgate. Front diff swapped sides then as well.
 
KLF, you seem like a good guy that knows toyota's of all years.

I have two really well built 85's, many parts, extra motors, even two turbo motors waiting rebuild.

I need a four door now, ac would be a huge plus as baby boy got way over heated on the last run we went on..

what would you look for? what would you do with it with the parts that I have.

better to sell one of the 85's and start over, or use it for parts for the 4 door?
 
I'm pretty good at the '85-95 range (this forum), but very limited after that. Never owned one newer than '95, although I did have to tear apart a liftgate on an '01 4Runner last week, what a PITA.

My suggestion: buy an 80-series.
 
missouriman said:
so are the 80's bigger then the four runners? width wise? what is better about them.

thanks
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Yes they are bigger but they are not gigantic. The frame and axles are stronger and the engine is like a tractor engine. It's like a straight axle 85 on steroids with a modern, nice interior. A 97 LC had a sticker price of over $50k and you can get one in pretty good shape with a bit of patience for $6k +/- today.

I think one with factory lockers in stock form would go just about anywhere either of your modified 4Runners could go. Add slightly larger tires and a couple inches of lift and you have a pretty formidable off road machine that can also drive up to the finest restaurants in style (that's a metaphor for A/C, leather seats, etc.) and do 80 on the interstate in comfort.

The 93 - 97 also have air bags, which I consider pretty important with a wife and children in the vehicle.
 
missouriman said:
so are the 80's bigger then the four runners? width wise? what is better about them.

thanks
Click to expand...

Yep quite a bit bigger. Solid axles front/rear available elockers front/rear, and they are all automatics. Forget about your 22R and dual transfer case setup though.

Driveline wise you should be able to physically swap 85 stuff into a 90-95 4Runner. But some states frown upon older motors in newer vehicles. I recall hearing a while back that some later 22RE's had knock sensors too. Not sure on that though. And if your 22RE feels numb and has to run with the timing way too far advanced it probably has the wrong timing chain in it altogether. That's how my 89 is and has been for a decade. Gutless but it's just a plow truck that never leaves the yard anyhow.
 
This is the formerly Metal Tech 80 series. It has ARB air lockers, but as mentioned, they cam with stock Electric lockers on some of them. Those are 37 inch tires, and this thing goes nearly anywhere you point it. Seriously look into the 80 Series Cruisers, I think you will like them!

DSC01393.jpg
 
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