The 86 4Runner Build...What Now?

[Explorer4Hire]

Well, I made it home. Now I have some choices to make. First order of business is windshield repair. Because I don't have the full chrome molding set, and new (hard to find) is close to 400 and ebay is in the 200s, I'm having windshield city do a generic black moulding/trim. It seems a lot of gen 1 folks prefer this anyway. Over the next few years I will collect some trim pieces here and there so I have a complete chrome set. Gotta change some fluids. I have to figure out the suspension and soften her up just a touch. Most importantly I have to pick a direction....

I can either try to stay as original as possible and start adding on the chrome fender trim (the condition of the pieces I have is from good to fair, but definitely usable... mostly a few pieces are dented a touch, but they would probably shine up), And try to install some kind of hitch or find a factory option one from an 87 or 88... also stick with 235/75/15 (29 skinny) that are on there..

or

I can delete the rear chrome bumper and add a steal bumper with a hitch (there aren't many options, but there are a few), throw the OME 2" kit on (I may do this anyway) and put 31" skinnies on. Then do a simple steal front bumper later.... and keep the body straight blue and keep the chrome trim in the shed...

or a combination of sorts.

This is gonna be something I am usually driving, for now anyway, so if that factors into things... I don't know. I just want it to be fun and practical, but also capable... nothing crazy.

Cruiser outfitters has the OME kit for the 86 runner for a light/medium and heavy. I'd probably go light/medium because the only difference is a rear add-a-leaf which they sell after the fact if you go crazy with a tire swing out etc.....

What say you CLCC?

 

[matzell]

3-4" full lift kit. 33's, 12.50's on 8" American Racing Outlaw II wheels. 4:88 gears, limited slip rear diff. Classic look from the 80-90's. Good performance with the gear swap. Tri-Y header, 2 1/4" exhaust with a "super turbo" muffler so not too loud. You will be able to cruise at highway speeds with no problem. Keep it classic looking and do not clutter it up too much. I loved my 86, it was set up about this way and it was a pleasure to drive. It could easily do over 100 mph and still got good mpg's at 70. You have a nice classic looking first gen 4runner. Keep it classic looking. I do like the stainless trim over the wheel wells or a set of low profile flares. Do not do the flares if you are doing "skinny" tires, it looks goofy.

Of all the mods, gears are the most important and impactful. 33" spare will fit underneath so no need for swing out on bumper.

I am bias as I had the same truck that you just bought. I did the above mods and loved it. I sold it to buy my first house!

 

[Explorer4Hire]

haha... yea I sold my 80 series to buy floors for my wife. I don't think I'll go too lifted... I need to find out what stock measurements are and see where I am now so I can gauge.... something has been done to the rear on this...

 

[Explorer4Hire]

I was thinking about a 2 inch or 2.5 OME lift with 31 skinnies... something simple. Hopefully that would keep me from re-gearing right away... maybe a marlin crawler rear bumper or just a curt trailer hitch tucked under factory chrome.... Then basically leave it... The bumper / hitch is my first obstacle to tackle... I need something soon to haul my trash

 

[afgman786]

Look at you go man. Been MIA for so long then all the threads come from you haha.
Looking forward to the 4runner build

 

[mdcoa]

I was thinking about a 2 inch or 2.5 OME lift with 31 skinnies... something simple. Hopefully that would keep me from re-gearing right away... maybe a marlin crawler rear bumper or just a curt trailer hitch tucked under factory chrome.... Then basically leave it... The bumper / hitch is my first obstacle to tackle... I need something soon to haul my trash

I voted “restore to former glory” and then read what you meant by “mod it out” and had to change my vote. I was worried you meant monster truck it...not my bag. Tasteful , slightly taller, tall skinnies and a steel bumper in lieu of chrome—yes!

 

[matzell]

So I went back and looked at pics. It looks lifted. My guess is torsion bars are turned up. Rear may have an add-a-leaf or blocks but it sits up for having stock tires. Go with 30 x9.50's. It will still have some power, remember it only had about 118 hp to begin with. Look to see how many threads are showing on the torsion bar adjuster screws to see if it is turned up. If you post a pic of the rear leaf springs we can tell if they are stock or not. Another thing they did back in the day was add a spacer to the front upper control arm and ball joint mount to allow better movement and alignment.

 

[Explorer4Hire]

So I went back and looked at pics. It looks lifted. My guess is torsion bars are turned up. Rear may have an add-a-leaf or blocks but it sits up for having stock tires. Go with 30 x9.50's. It will still have some power, remember it only had about 118 hp to begin with. Look to see how many threads are showing on the torsion bar adjuster screws to see if it is turned up. If you post a pic of the rear leaf springs we can tell if they are stock or not. Another thing they did back in the day was add a spacer to the front upper control arm and ball joint mount to allow better movement and alignment.

100%

30x9.5 is the way.. Cooper st maxx has that size too which I loved on the FJ, but I'll worry about that later. I think you are right about the add a leaf... I think that plus the sub-par shocks is the cause for the harsh ride. I know there are some options out there for the rear OME mediums and ball joint spacer kit... basically leaving out the OME torsion bars. From what I have been reading this may be the way for a build where you aren't going crazy with a winch and massive bumper in the front. Probably a good starting point. I have a few pics on my phone... stand by..

 

[Explorer4Hire]

 

[Explorer4Hire]

I dunno... I'm perplexed.. that rear is no way stock height.. the ride can't be just from sub-par shocks... It isn't terrible, but it isn't good....

 

[matzell]

add a leaf in rear. Not sure on front yet, need to see rear end of torsion bars and mounts.

 

[Explorer4Hire]

add a leaf in rear. Not sure on front yet

Front may be stock ... I measured some today and the front height was stock according to some stuff I found here on mud... measuring top of rim to fender... I don't remember the number but the front was real close and the rear was way off... I just figured I was wrong or the info was wrong because I was in a hurry to get to dr. office. I think new shocks up front, a ball joins spacer kit, and OME medium/light rear springs and shocks will give me about the same height as the add-a-leaf.. but level it out, and make it ride way better because the torsion bars won't be cranked...

 

[Explorer4Hire]

Confirmed.

Stock from top of 15” rim is 13.75 front and 11” rear.

I am 13.75 front and 13.25 in rear.

 

[Explorer4Hire]

I think freshening up the springs and shocks is the move. Oh, and it fits in the garage!

 

[Explorer4Hire]

Is warrenton tire and auto still the go-to place for install and alignment? Or are there other good options?

 

[D21FJ60]

Pretty sure I saw you cruising down the 234 bypass today about 45 min ago

 

[Explorer4Hire]

Pretty sure I saw you cruising down the 234 bypass today about 45 min ago

Yup! haha. Hopefully I looked as cool as I thought I did!

 

[Explorer4Hire]

I am going to change the oil this week. I’ll swing by Miller and see if the have any OE filters. I started thinking.... the motor is close to 200K and the receipts that I have mention nothing about timing chain or head gasket. My belief is that the PO never did chain but he only owned the truck a couple years. So..... I should probably do the timing chain huh.... I AM DREADING it. Haha. It’s pretty involved. I really don’t know when it was done though.

 

[Explorer4Hire]

PO said the Toyota dealership checked it all and said it was all good, but no indication of when it was done.

 

[Crusha]

I should probably do the timing chain huh

Nope.

Wait until it starts to rattle, then deal with it.