Hello Toyota world - and questions for my "new" '85 4Runner
First off.... Hello Toyota world! I've never onwed a Toyota before but I have always wanted to see what all the fuss was about! I've had my '85 Toyota 4Runner for about 4 days now.
A little about me... My dad was a Honda mechanic for a LONG time, and is also a hobbyist mechanic for many other types of cars and trucks. I grew up turning wrenches in my dad's garage, on all sorts of things like mid 70's Internation Scout II, '69 Mercedes Benz, an assortment of Honda cars, Ford and GM trucks, hell I even helped rebuild the top end on an old deisel school bus!
My truck:
So yeah its the 22REC, EFI, with the solid front axle, you probably knew that. It has 160k miles on it and runs like crap. I'll be posting pics of her tonight or tomorrow....
When I went to test drive the truck I was told it was in "great condition" but had a stalling issue... when I arrived... I was VERY happy with what I found outside, all the pretty parts were still somewhat pretty, but it was missing the topper. Oh well. the bed is Rhino lined, and the rusty parts of the truck arent all that rusty!! The interior isnt in bad shape at all, and doesn't stink! The guts (important stuff) were a different story!
The suspension is SHOT. The leaf springs are pretty much flat... no curve at all. The bushings on the leafs are pretty much non-existent too! yay a reason to re-arch them, add-a-leaf, lift her 2-3" inches and level her out! (ANY suggestions would be VERY much appreciated... not looking to crawl but wouldnt mind a little more off-road-ability than stock) A good refurbishing kit for all the suspension parts is NEEDED.... got ideas?
The truck would NOT idle. They told me it would idle fine after it she got warm. That wasn't the case. The poor truck has been neglected... and is leaking fluids EVERYWHERE. However... being that this motor is legendary, and for good reason, the damn thing will still push the truck around, so they kept neglecting it.
Im not exactly well versed in all of this mechanical stuff but I seem to posses enough time under the hood to follow directions, and a keen enough eye that I think I can get this pony back in the pasture! I finally get the truck to run long enough for me to run from the cab to the engine bay, and get my hands on the throttle. I keep her running around 1500 rpm and she seems pretty okay at that RPM. I notice right away audible vaccuum leaks coming from everywhere. Easy enough, right!? I slap $1000 down and she is MINE. WOOO My first TOY!!
After I get her home, I immediately fix as many vaccuum leaks as I can find. I found 5. All of a sudden the motor is running better.... and ALMOST idling on her own. Almost. I find this website 2 days ago and start reading. Right away I found some info on idle adjustment and give her a go. After adjusting the infamous EFI idle screw, the beast lives again.... she is idling! Kind of! She certainly isn't purring like a kitten. At least now I don't have to mash the gas pedal to keep her going at stop signs!
The next thing I did was standard fluid checks, air filter, spark plugs ect. To my surprise theres a new air filter, and new spark plugs. Probably NOT a good sign.... since this means the neglectful owners were FORCED to do something to the truck, finally. (I picture this pretty truck sitting on the side of the road, getting road side plugs and filter ect...) scary.
Anyways.... I still need to make sure the spark plugs are properly gapped, and check the plug wire resistance. I've sprayed some of the engine down with foamy cleaner stuff, so I can actually see the parts that are covered in goo. Going to check the PCV valve and EGR and anything else my Haynes manual says to do.
I have a bad feeling that this motor is going to need some serious love. Due to the mileage, and "type" of previous owners, Im sure there is timing chain work and water/oil pumps and gaskets and everything else too. I do hear some slight ticking from the front of the motor during "idle". Its probably the timing chain itself slapping around, or at least some kind of chain guide that has failed. I better resist and NOT drive this truck. SAD! I finally get my hands on a sweet little pickup like this, and I have driven her a total of 10 miles to get her home.
Wow LONG story. Sorry! Anyways.... if you guys and gals who have been wrenching on these old toys longer than me have suggestions I'm all ears! I need her ready for the Colorado winter coming in a few months. At least able to drive through winter. Not sure I want to rebuild the ENTIRE motor just yet....
Just for starters on the plugs if you did not know use only NGK, or Denso only. Toys likes those only. No substitutions or crossovers.
So the guy who had it before me put in some off brand plugs I've never heard of. I'll be getting rid of those soon. Thanks for the heads up!
Another question. This is a big one. The motor has 160k+ on it. The timing is definately OFF, and probably because the chain has never been done. How do I know when I should rebuild the ENTIRE motor or just the top end? The motor does not seem to burn oil at all (just leaks it out all over). I have not done a compression test yet, but I plan on that as soon as I'm done working on my Ford POS (water pump died).
Also - if I'm going to the trouble of doing the timing chain and water pump and all of that.... how far should I take this? I need the truck to be solid through this winter... I DONT have tons of time on my hands to be pulling the motor out entirely and rebuilding the whole thing. When winter is over though I can pull it out and play all summer long without the need for the truck, so no pressure. I could build it out all the way, bore/hone it, rebuild the head, a bit hotter cam and valve train setup ect... the whole works.
BTW the transmission seems pretty solid. It shifts well ect... no clutch slip either. No rush on servicing the trans yet, I dont think. However like I mentioned before the suspension is shot, which means the drive train is probably going to need some love too
Timing chain and guide set, crnak gasket, water pump, gasket kit for timing chain job, and maybe new accersory belts. That should get you through the winter. As far as an engine rebuild if it does not burn oil and has good compresion then I would just fix the oil leaks for now intil you get antsie to do something.
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I'll be getting rid of those soon. Thanks for the heads up!
thanks!
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