My Indestructible New Toy

[TomCat]

Update 1/22/08. As it sits today:




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Update 11/16/07. As it sits today:




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I picked this up last night. A 1985 Toyota 4Runner. My new project truck.








Yes, I know the wheels and tires are too small. The truck was rolling on 35" swampers, but the previous owner started a new project and used the tires off the 4Runner. So that will be one of the very first things I have to buy.

The truck already has a 2" bodylift and probably another 2" of lift thanks to oversized shackles and add-a-leafs in the rear. The front end seems to have real lift leaf springs, as well as, an aftermarket shock hoop package with Bilstein shocks, so I'm told the flex on the front is awesome. The truck also has extended braided brake lines and a high-steer kit. Mechanically the truck is sweet. Runs perfect, everything works, even the AC blows ice cold. It's an Arizona truck, so there is pretty much zero rust, and the interior is in great shape as well. 242k miles on the original motor and it still runs perfect.

[JipJopJones]

Sweet, I'm looking to buy a 4x4 soon too, probably a Jeep Cherokee or somthing, but you'll have fun with that Toyota

[Sony]

what the hell did you buy

Do you have any pics of what you intend to do to it, styling-wise ?

[TomCat]

Originally Posted by Sony

what the hell did you buy

Do you have any pics of what you intend to do to it, styling-wise ?

It's a 1985 Toyota 4Runner, 4WD, 5spd. It's the last year of the straight front axle and first year of the 22RE fuel injected 4 banger. They're pretty rare trucks and they're usually worth more then the newer IFS models.

Styling wise, it's not going to change much. I'm going to buy new wheels and tires, obviously, so that will change the looks. I'm also going to buy replacement lift leafsprings for rear, to even out the ride hight. That and the rear passenger leaf is bent. I also plan on doing steel tubed bumpers and side guards, eventually.

[Sony]

Besides looking quite out of the ordinary I felt a slight deja vu when I saw it. Does this truck have anything to do with the truck from Back to the future ?
When I was a kid I thought that to be the coolest car.

http://www.imcdb.org/images/003/742.jpg
http://www.imcdb.org/images/029/063.jpg

[TomCat]

Yeah, they're pretty much the same thing, except the 4Runner is an SUV, with a back seat and a removable rear top.

I just got done removing the back bumper and putting the front bumper back on. The back bumper was a mess and I needed the hardware, so it's gone.

[Labcoatguy]

For the first time ever, this phrase can be used for real: OMG LEAF SPRINGS LOL.

22RE though, that says it all. That thing's going to outlive most of us on this board.

This post brought to you by the word "hyperbole" and the retort "not that much".

[cvrefugee]

Throw some 24"s on that sucka!

[Ottobon]

i bet you its not that indestructible when it rolls over, keep it shiney side up!

[Viper007Bond]

SPINNARZ, BABY!11

[Blind_Io]

Originally Posted by JipJopJones

Sweet, I'm looking to buy a 4x4 soon too, probably a Jeep Cherokee or somthing, but you'll have fun with that Toyota

I sure hope you don't mean the Cherokee Sport. They're shite, trust me, I had one.

Viper: Add-a-leaf springs and shackles are the poor-man's lift. I would think about getting a proper 4'' Rubicon or ARB kit when you can.

[TomCat]

Originally Posted by Ottobon

i bet you its not that indestructible when it rolls over, keep it shiney side up!

Oh, I know. lol It was just a TopGear reference. In Australia, this truck is called the Hilux Surf.

Originally Posted by Blind_Io

Viper: Add-a-leaf springs and shackles are the poor-man's lift. I would think about getting a proper 4'' Rubicon or ARB kit when you can.

I assume that was meant for me. The rear end has add-a-leafs, the front appear to be true 3-4" lift springs with the shackles. I'm probably going to buy a set of ProComp or Superlift 3-4" lift springs for the rear, just to even it all out with the front. I also need to fab up mounts for the shocks on the rear. The stock brackets are eliminated with the u-bolt flip kit.

[JipJopJones]

Originally Posted by TomCat

I'm probably going to buy a set of ProComp or Superlift 3-4" lift springs for the rear, just to even it all out with the front.

Between the two, go for the superlift, because it's known as Procrap for a reason, they tend to sag alot after use, and just are all round not great lifts. Although, they are better than no lift

Originally Posted by Blind_Io

I sure hope you don't mean the Cherokee Sport. They're shite, trust me, I had one.

I dunno, that's not what I have heard, did you have the 5 speed with the 4.0L I6 or did you have a different version? because the I6 is known for it's indestructability and Cherokees are known as pretty good rigs around here.

[Spectre]

The problem isn't the engine on the Jeep. It's just that everything but the driveline and chassis is crap. The electronics are awful, and the trim disintegrates.

['CruiserMan]

Nice truck, those things are just incredible in terms of durability. That engine is right up there with the HZ1 in terms of reliability.

Out of interest, are there many 70 Series Landcruisers about the place in the US?

[fbc]

Originally Posted by TomCat

It was just a TopGear reference. In Australia, this truck is called the Hilux Surf.

Nope, it's the 4Runner here too. There's some Hilux Surfs around now, but they're grey imports.

[TomCat]

Originally Posted by JipJopJones

Between the two, go for the superlift, because it's known as Procrap for a reason, they tend to sag alot after use, and just are all round not great lifts. Although, they are better than no lift

That's cool. I'm just researching parts right now. Superlift springs are cheaper anyway. The more well known brands are twice as expensive and it's probably because you're paying for the name.

Originally Posted by 'CruiserMan

Nice truck, those things are just incredible in terms of durability. That engine is right up there with the HZ1 in terms of reliability.

Out of interest, are there many 70 Series Landcruisers about the place in the US?

I've actually never seen a 70 Series to be honest. But I see every other generation often enough.

Originally Posted by fbc

Nope, it's the 4Runner here too. There's some Hilux Surfs around now, but they're grey imports.

Well shoot. I wonder where the Hilux Surf was sold. All the ones I've seen were from the land down under.

Edit* Found it. It was only sold in Japan as the Hilux Surf.

[CyberMonkey]

I don't know anything about 4x4's or offroading, but why is the front so ridiculously high? It looks like it's going to topple over in the first corner it takes.

[TomCat]

Originally Posted by CyberMonkey

I don't know anything about 4x4's or offroading, but why is the front so ridiculously high? It looks like it's going to topple over in the first corner it takes.

It's lifted. It has anywhere from 5-6" of suspension lift in the front. And only about 3" in the back. Plus another 2" in bodylift, which I'm not a fan of.

It looks really awkward because of the wheels/tires. The previous owner was running 35" tires, but it's setting on 29" tires at the moment. And these wheels are negatively offset, when they should be positive. I know it looks ridiculous. But just wait.

[JipJopJones]

Geez, you must get amazing aproach angles with 35s on that thing!