MattJakob's 'Everything but a Tacoma' Thread

Well, at least it isn't a Hampstermobile Kia Soul.

 

Whelp, sounds like the next project is secured. 1985 4Runner. 22RE, solid axle.
It’s been sitting since 2013, so it definitely needs some work. Pending how she runs with fresh fluids and a little tube, I’ll either keep the 22RE in there and give it a pretty good refresh, or swap the 5VZ-FE from the 2001 4Runner into it (then part the 2001 out). There’s a ton of how-tos on a 22RE to 5VZ-FE swaps, and available parts to do so. Both sound like super fun options, leaning towards the 5VZ-FE route because I’m hoping to keep this thing road worthy and a little extra power won’t hurt.

 

That is beautiful.

 

I've got 37s with your name at the shop ready for install.

 

Thanks Chris

Going to be a while before that happens, unfortunately - I'll probably steal the 35s off of the 3rd gen 4Runner for now. I'd love to get some F5s and chonky tires on there, but I need to make sure it runs well before it looks good.

I'm hoping to have it up and running well over the winter, and have all necessary work to the FlipPac done (little bit of fiberglass work, redo the back doors, small amount of tent work, etc). And maybe a new suspension.
Then build the rest of it out next spring and thereafter. Bumpers, sliders, gears & lockers, dual cases, interior work, etc.

I also hate the color of this thing. I've always wanted something old with retro stripes, so I may try my hand at a garage paint job.

 

Sounds like plan! Definitely looking forward to seeing this thing on does on the trails!

 

Color-match the side stripe to the FlipPac, and I bet it would look killer.

 

So as sick as it would be to have a 5VZ-FE in this thing, I think I'll be keeping the 22RE.
The cost for all the conversion parts is in the $3,500 range and that just the big parts, prior to even turning a wrench.

The current wiring harness has been chewed through and ghetto spliced together, so I think I'll just pick up a whole new harness from ORS and call it good.
I'll also pick up a master rebuild kit from LCE and get this thing running right.

https://www.offroadsolutions.com/products/22r-e-replacement-engine-wire-harness/
https://www.lceperformance.com/Premium-Master-Rebuild-Kit-p/1010006.htm

The 5VZ-FE would get me to the trail faster, and get me into an automatic (which I'd prefer), but it's not worth the extra thousands of dollars.
I'd rather throw that money towards gears and lockers.

 

Putting a bunch of shit here for future reference

Suspension https://trail-gear.com/suspension/l...toyota-pickup-85-95-4runner-95-04-tacoma.html

https://trail-gear.com/suspension/leaf-springs/rear-springs/toyota-rear-leaf-spring-kit.html

https://trail-gear.com/suspension/u-bolts-components/u-bolt-flip-kit-front-79-83-rear-80-95.html

https://trail-gear.com/suspension/u-bolts-components/u-bolt-flip-kit-front-79-83-rear-80-95.html

https://trail-gear.com/suspension/front-spring-hanger-kit.html

https://trail-gear.com/suspension/shackle-kit.html

Armor
https://www.marlincrawler.com/armor/axles/full-face-differential-armor

https://www.ballisticfabrication.com/products/toyota-79-85-front-axle-truss

https://www.4xinnovations.com/84-89-4-Runner-Rear-Bumper-with-Hitch-and-Tire-Carrier_p_186.html

https://www.4xinnovations.com/84-89-4-Runner-Rock-Slider_p_67.html

Misc
https://www.lceperformance.com/Rear-Disc-Brake-Conversion-1979-1995-4wd-Pickup-p/1055202.htm

https://eastcoastgearsupply.com/i-16587519-toyota-8-4-cylinder-3rd.html

https://www.4xinnovations.com/Super-Duty-Transfer-Case-Mount-for-82-95-Pickup-4Runner_p_85.html

https://www.jamesdeancreations.com/toyota.htm

 

Lol rebuilding that 22re with new pistons and rings is gonna be a comparable amount of work to just dropping in a new motor. But I get it for the money part of it.

 

I feel pretty good about saying I can get this thing rebuilt in a weekend or two. If all goes to plan and there’s no big surprises, ha..

but yeah, main driving factor is the cost. There’s too many other items on this thing that need to be addressed instead of dumping a lot of doll hairs in swapping the engine

 

Definitely doable. I did the head on mine in a weekend. The 4cyls are mad easy to work on.

With it being a manual, I'd forsure make cases and gears a higher priority if you wanna crawl it

 

5.29s and cases are up there for sure. With parting out the 4Runner, some extra dollars coming in will help get this thing done sooner rather than later

 

3rz swap it

 

At that point why not 5vz if you're already going to all that work to drop in a motor and harness and all that

 

It’s just a common swap in those, plus I know of a supercharged 3rz Tacoma that’s being parted out

 

@MattJakobs Any updates on the 4R? Are you gonna be listing your shit primarily on here or on T4R? Asking for a friend...

 

5VZ is a pretty common swap too, and I already have one of those.
The cost of all the parts necessary to do the swap is what’s keeping me from doing the swap.

TBD. There’s a pretty large local community so local forums/buddies will likely get priority

 

Just picked it up from the previous owners house.
I drove it around the block once I got it home. It runs okay, idles rough, and there are no brakes at all. The engine harness is messy, was chewed through by some rodents, and was put together with some quick splices. I'm hoping that replacing the harness, flushing the brakes, and getting a solid tune up done will get this thing road worthy again. If none of those items give me too many problems, I'm hoping to have it ready for some wheeling come spring.
I'll update this thread accordingly.

Untitled by Matthew Jakobowski, on Flickr

 

Alright smart people of the internet. Per the previous owner, Can't remember if it was #3 or #4 cylinder spark plug hole that had to be helicoiled due to a suspected spark plug cross treading.

This comment kind of makes me feel weird. I've looked online and heads (which spark plugs thread into) are not too expensive. Probably worth the expense in my opinion.
But I have one question - If I replace the head (and therefore the head gasket because I'm in there), do I run the risk of having more head gasket problems in the future?
Should I try and avoid messing with the head, and therefore head gasket, all together?
Is there any concerns with matching a different head to the block?
Should I replace the head gasket as well, or just the head?