ajohnson's horunner

After contemplating converting the Taco to 4x4 with a SAS, I decided to keep it reliable for now and buy something I can beat on a little without worry. I picked up this 85 4runner. My progress is slow but I will update as often as I can work on it. My plans are to make it as beefy and capable as I can while keeping the body mostly stock.

The p/o claimed some work has been done to it. It was originally an automatic, a 5 speed was swapped in with a new clutch. The 22RE's head gasket and timing chain were replaced. Oil was leaking out of the valve cover and I could see someone installed a new gasket set but the bolts were just past finger tight, so I tightened those down well and alas no more oil leaks. It runs well for a 240k mile engine. The Mickey Thompson MTZ's came with and only had a couple thousands miles on them.













So far I have added:
Softopper
New air filter, spark plugs, oil change
New starter
replaced side window belt line seals
misc. missing parts
Trail-Gear 4" front and rear suspension w/ hi-steer and Bilstein 5125's
5.29's
High pinion front 3rd w/ Yukon Zip locker
Spartan locker out back
ARB air compressor
37x12.5r17 Goodyear MTR's on 17x9 Pro-Comp rock crawler 52 w/ 2.5" B.S.
Dual cases w/ 4.7's & triple sticks
Longfield superaxles
TG chromoly inner/outer hub gears
TG trunnion bearing eliminator
ARP steering and hub studs
Dual diaphram brake booster
1" bore master cylinder
Rear brake manual proportioning valve
rebuilt rear drum brakes
Uniden 510 CB w/ 4' fiberglass Wilson
Hella Supertone
Aux fuse block
Hella 500 fog lights
Hella 500 driving lights converted to 55w HID
Zeus Offroad 18" combo LED lightbar
Blitzpro 6lz reverse lights
Vision-X tantrum rock lights
Powermaster GM 100 amp alternator w/ Trail Gear bracket
Addicted Offroad front bumper w/ Smittybuilt XRC 8 Comp winch
Dents and scratches

 

looks great man and love that sticker I drive over stuff lol classic and sub'd for more

 

I'd go to 35s first and see how you like the performance. Too tall will getcha tippy.

Also:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIVODIQKB44

 

and what brand soft top is on your taco

 

Thanks. The suspension is going on in 2 weeks and I'm going to try to get a few more things done before then.

That is my plan. Right now I'm thinking 35x12.50" Goodyear MTR's. It might be a little while though.

Also: LOL

 

It is made by Softopper:

http://www.softopper.com/

 

I gave it a good bath today. I will get some pics of it cleaned up tomorrow. I may try to replace some wheel studs too if my sister doesn't bug me to help her with the new house. I have a few that are broken so I'm going to go ahead and replace all of them.

 

Well the sister called me up today to help move furniture so I didn't get much done. I inspected the wheel stud situation and most of the front studs look fine, there is just one missing on the driver side and a damaged one on the passenger side so I will replace those 2 and call it good.





I test fit the wheels but forgot to take a picture during the frustration of them not fitting. I should have done some more research but oh well. The inside of the wheel is hitting the outside curve of the caliper and the D-windows will hit the front of the caliper as well. I ordered some 1/4" spacers for the front and I will just grind away on the calipers to make 'em fit. They will work fine in the rear.

The suspension is going on next week. I got pushed back when the shop had some trouble with one of their builds after a shipping company punched a hole in a transmission with a forklift. Shit happens.

 

Forgot to add, the P/O did a FJ vented disc swap. I don't know if a larger caliper was installed or if I still have the factory calipers, and if the Pro Crap wheels would work with the original setup. I know FJ-60 guys have trouble fitting these wheels. Either way, they are going to fit once I go pick up a grinder.

 

Dropped it off at Carolina Truggies yesterday for the suspension work. They will start on it monday and I pick it up friday. I will post up some pics when I can, and if you like carolina truggies on facebook you will probly see it. I used to deliver pizzas with Josh, the salesman. Small world.

 

Me likes this. Me gusta mucho.

 

Yea man, I'm so excited. I'm thinking about going ahead and ordering some 5.29's with a ARB in the front and Spartan locker in the rear and some 35" MTR's and call it good for the summer.

 

Is it going to be a trailer queen forever or do you want to be able to street it? If it's a trailer rig for good I'd just save some money and spool the rear.

 

I drive it to work and around town a couple days a week. I'm still weighing the options.

 

If that's the case I'd go with your plan then. Much more streetable that way.

 

I appreciate the advice. Hopefully I will see some more progress pics today

 

Got the runner back today and I am very happy. I can't wait to get these springs broken in. I will probably remove leaves from the rear and maybe the front but I will wait and see how they settle. The steering is far better than the crap push-pull setup. One problem I have is the rear brakes. They are rusted pretty good and the bleeder bolts are seized, so I'm going to research some rear disc swaps.











The All-Pro driveline e-brake works great, I'm glad I can park on a hill without worry now.

 

Gettin' up there. Be real careful next time you're on some off camber stuff. Looks good though!

 

Yes I will be. The front is flexing good already but the rear is pretty stiff. I will drive it for a while and see if they start settling.