ROTM WarDamnEagle's 85 4Runner (1 Viewer)

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So what did I do to the 4Runner this summer while in the US for 5 weeks? In retrospect, not much. The LC got more attention this summer with new tires and OME shocks and springs.

I did manage to do a few things, some of which are already documented in other threads, but I thought a brief summary here would be good for posterity.

I installed the aluminum plate tailgate cover that I had cut last winter. I also replaced the factory screws and inserts on the cargo trim strip with stainless nutserts and stainless, allen-head cap screws. That stupid piece of trim has never wanted to stay fastened in place but it does now. I also did the same to the factory door threshold trim pieces while I was at it (not that they were ever a problem).

I installed three new grab handles that I had bought over the last few months off ebay: two for the rear passengers and one above the driver's door.

The biggest modification this summer was the upper plenum and throttle body. I replaced mine with a set off a 94 22RE. That wasn't as complicated or as time consuming as I had thought.

Lastly, I installed all new lug nuts and studs. One or two had broken off over the last couple of years so I decided it was time to replace them all.

There were a couple of things that I didn't do that I wanted to get done. I designed an aluminum roofrack but decided not to proceed after getting a price on having it fabricated. I also have some Toyota OEM Land Cruiser 12V outlets that I wanted to install (one in the Cargo area and one in the back of the center console). For some reason I never got around to buying the wire. I have the outlets, the fuses and the empty spaces in my BlueSea fuse block. Maybe next year.

Here's a pic of the tailgate. Not sure I took one of the engine with the new intake. I will have to check the camera.
Tailgate final small.jpg
 
Great lookin' pig...nice rig too :D

It's funny how many engineer's are into wheelin', I'm a network engineer myself. Well, I guess anyone who has an interest in how things work are into their vehicles.

Very cool writeup and gratz on ROTM.
 
Great lookin' pig...nice rig too :D

Thanks. After 3 summers of modifications when we're in the US, it finally went back to the woods at my in-laws house, which is where the pig came from.
 
Nice looking runner. I've always wanted one. When I get rid of my 60, I am gonna get me an 80's 4-runner. Also, nice to see that you get to hunt with your daughter - can't wait till mine is old enough. I hunt with my two boys now...

Peace,
ML
 
did you document putting the TRD locker into the stock front 4runner axle?
attachment.php



thats a sweet set up. I really love 1st gen 4runners.
 
WarDamnEagle said:
I'm not sure exactly what you need. I have two threads on the lockers install but they deal more with the electrical than the mechanical.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/79-95-toyota-truck-tech/204094-elocker-wiring-switches.html

https://forum.ih8mud.com/79-95-toyota-truck-tech/238965-wiring-trd-elockers-fzj80-elocker-ecu-switch.html

Thanks I'll look at them. Iv read putting factory front cruiser lockers into a factory unlocked cruiser axle is a major undertaking. Was that not the case with the trd lockers?

posted with my thumbs.
 
Thanks I'll look at them. Iv read putting factory front cruiser lockers into a factory unlocked cruiser axle is a major undertaking. Was that not the case with the trd lockers?

posted with my thumbs.

Well they aren't cruiser lockers or axles. These are the axles that came on the 4Runner and TRD elockers for 8" diffs. I just used an FZJ80 ECU and switch to control the lockers.

There is no difference in installing the front locker and the rear locker into the axle. Remounting the axle in front can be an issue with one of the u-bolts and that has been well documented in these threads and others. Basically you run into a little interference with the u-bolt on one side and one of the elocker motor mount bolts but it isn't difficult to sort. You just need to change the bolt out for a countersunk bolt.
 
May 2012 Update

Thought I should update this thread with some photos. New paint (Toyota Sun Fusion yellow), new carpet and new seats front and rear (1995 SR5 4Runner).


Exterior first:
Final paint 4.jpg
Final paint 2 no tag.jpg
 
Here's a question for ya that I am curious to know about. (Yes, I don't know this! :lol: )

When you swapped in the rear fold and tumble 50/50 seats, were they a straight bolt in affair?
 
Here's a question for ya that I am curious to know about. (Yes, I don't know this! :lol: )

When you swapped in the rear fold and tumble 50/50 seats, were they a straight bolt in affair?

No. Here's the thread link (they are beside each other right now) but for posteriy: https://forum.ih8mud.com/79-95-toyota-truck-tech/571841-2nd-gen-4runner-seats-1st-gen-4runner.html

You have to swap the frames and/or move brackets on the new frames. It isn't that hard. I just swapped the frames and it worked out fine.
 
So, another question..

:D Does it still haul game hogs? :lol: If not what did you get for that since it's too pretty and a nice trail rig and gets some DD duty now? :popcorn:
 
So, another question..

:D Does it still haul game hogs? :lol: If not what did you get for that since it's too pretty and a nice trail rig and gets some DD duty now? :popcorn:

We have two 4wheelers available. The last deer that I shot (in January) I hauled out in my 80. I just pulled the cargo liner all the way back and two of us threw him in there.

I'm going to try to find a cargo liner for the 4Runner. Nobody seems to make one for that model but I'm sure there's something generic out there that will work.
 
Nice 4runner...Ive been following this thread since the beginning...love to see someone caring for one of these old classics rather than chopping it up for a rock crawler...:clap: Just curious how the OME springs are holding up for you?

Ive got an '85 runner as well and seriously considering the OME springs because I dont want to have to modify the truck.

A vendor just told me that the OME truck springs do not have the military wrap...is that right? Do you have close up pics of yours?

Also I didnt see in your thread where the difference in height between the passenger and drivers side perches is mentioned. OME shows the has the same part # for the front springs..CS008FA. Did they provide a spring pad for you? What am I missing? :confused:
 
The springs are great. Just enough lift to not be obnoxious and you can easily fit 33s if you are so inclined. They do have full military wrap (see photo of front and rear). They do not come with a plate or anything for the front and I think my front springs are identical. I have never noticed a lean but I just went out and measured. The front passenger side is 1/2" higher (axle to fender well) than the driver's side front and 1/4" higher in the rear. You really can't see it even if you try to convince yourself that it's leaning. The last photo was taken on a side slope (left to right) but I moved the 4Runner to level ground before taking the measurements. You could always put a small plate on top of the spring perch if it bothers you.

I'm sure it's somewhere in the thread but we went heavy up front and medium in the rear.
OME Springs 001.jpg
OME Springs 002.jpg
OME Springs 003.jpg
 
I'm going to try to find a cargo liner for the 4Runner. Nobody seems to make one for that model but I'm sure there's something generic out there that will work.

I used a rubber truck bed mat for the back of the 80 and cut it to fit. You could do the same thing for the 4runner. Maybe a compact pickup bed mat would be wide enough...less cutting.
 
I used a rubber truck bed mat for the back of the 80 and cut it to fit. You could do the same thing for the 4runner. Maybe a compact pickup bed mat would be wide enough...less cutting.

That would work except I want something with a lip to catch liquids (e.g. blood). The one in the 80 holds a big deer pretty easily and you don't get any mess on the carpet.
 
Good to hear on the springs, thanks for the taking the time to measure your truck and post the pics. :cool: I went ahead an ordered front and rear OMEs from cruiser outfitters Cruiser Outfitters

Turns out there is a different part # for the front springs, CS008FA or B.

Are those still 31s on your rig?

You may have covered this but did you have any issues with the u bolts and drag link? They call for special u bolts in the ARB application guide, im guessing they are just thinner?? I'm already running a drop drag link so i'm hoping its not going to be an issue.

Ill post more in a seperate thread...dont want to hi jack yours... :grinpimp:
 

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