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1988 SLOW build

Discussion in '1st Gen Builds (1984-1989)' started by McSaucyWalrus, Jan 24, 2020.

  1. Jan 24, 2020 at 11:13 AM
    #1
    McSaucyWalrus

    McSaucyWalrus [OP] New Member

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    My names Trevor, and I bought this 4runner about a year ago, plans are to SAS it with FZJ-80 axles, coilovers up front, leafs in the rear. This is going to be a slowwww build as I'm paying off student loans and saving to buy a house in Bend, OR. This thread will be for keeping track of progress and any trips we take this on..

    Current Mods
    33x12.5r15 Hankook MT
    15x8 black steelies
    Rear Spartan locker
    (Edited November 24, 2020)
    35x12.50r15 Milestar PatagoniaMTs
    15x8 Black steelies
    Rear spartan locker
    torsion bar "crank" ​



    A little back story on me....
    Grew up about 45 minutes away from the rubicon and bought my first Toyota when I was 14, it was a 1985 pickup. My dad and I put the usual crawler stuff in it: dual cases, 63s in the rear, e-lockers front and rear and 37s, bobbed bed and 4runner inspired bed cage.

    Went from this

    To this

    Sold that, to buy something I can drive back and forth from Oregon State University, ended up buying a 2001 Tacoma TRD for a really good deal, had plans to SAS it with the land cruiser axles and put duals in it and all the goodies

    Stock. Bought October of 2014

    Ended up only getting it on 285s with sliders and a homebrew front bumper. It turned into more of a camping rig, got me through moab and the rubicon, and deep snow wheeling in Montana and Idaho though


    Bought the 4runner last January still have the landcuiser axles that I plan on using, and the dual cases that are mated to a tacoma transmission (not sure what i want to do with them yet).
    The day I got it. January 17, 2019.
     
    Last edited: Nov 24, 2020
    36tacundra and WallyT4R like this.
  2. Jan 24, 2020 at 11:17 AM
    #2
    4scooter19

    4scooter19 New Member

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    Welcome. Cool rigs I'm over in Eugene. I'm working on a 92 pickup solid axle project. Just trying to find time to finish it.
     
    Last edited: Aug 17, 2020
    McSaucyWalrus[OP] likes this.
  3. Jan 24, 2020 at 11:21 AM
    #3
    McSaucyWalrus

    McSaucyWalrus [OP] New Member

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    So far I have really only gotten it road worthy, and taken it on a few snow runs.

    When I bought it, it needed some small stuff like spark plugs and wires and distributor cap, also needed some wiring work.


    Painted the grille and front bumper and the windshield trim because I am not a fan of chrome

    Took the rear spider gears out and replaced them with a Spartan locker. (January 6, 2020). :also thankful for a girlfriend who let me do the work on the kitchen table because theres no room in our tiny 1 car garage:


    Picked up some half doors around the same time


    When I bought it, the seats were trashed they didn't recline and didn't slide, so I bought some 2nd gen seats out of a 1995 for $30 and bolted them in. The seats are nice, driver's seat bolted right up, had to drill two holes for the back bolts on the passenger seat. But the foams are nice, no rips, some small stains. Only downside is that they wreak of cigarettes


    Mocked up a "roof top tent" since thats the popular thing to have around Bend.... Dog was not amused.


    Hopefully I can get my rock sliders welded on this weekend, then off to test them...
    Cant wait for summer to take the top off and run those half doors..
     
    Last edited: Jan 24, 2020
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  4. Jan 24, 2020 at 11:27 AM
    #4
    McSaucyWalrus

    McSaucyWalrus [OP] New Member

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    Sweet! My cousin goes to U of O, Im over that way quite a bit. I sold that tacoma to a guy that lives in springfield if you ever see it driving around. I should've kept that truck...
     
    4scooter19[QUOTED] likes this.
  5. Jan 24, 2020 at 11:30 AM
    #5
    4scooter19

    4scooter19 New Member

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    I feel like I've seen it around town. I had an 02 Tacoma that i regret selling. Luckily the guy lives in Washington so I don't have to see it hahaha
     
  6. Jan 24, 2020 at 11:36 AM
    #6
    McSaucyWalrus

    McSaucyWalrus [OP] New Member

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    Lucky for me I havent seen it yet, and Im not so sure that I want to. I'll hopefully buy another soon, and keep it small, little to no mods for a nice driving daily. No need for three modified trucks... but thats what we all say right?
     
  7. Jan 24, 2020 at 12:43 PM
    #7
    WallyT4R

    WallyT4R New Member

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    Subscribed! :thumbsup:
     
  8. Jan 24, 2020 at 7:23 PM
    #8
    McSaucyWalrus

    McSaucyWalrus [OP] New Member

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    Got started on a big change for the 4runner today. Something I’ve been wanting to do ever since I got it....

    1 hint: not the SAS yet.
    More to come. :anonymous:
     
    WallyT4R likes this.
  9. Jan 24, 2020 at 7:37 PM
    #9
    ForRun

    ForRun 4Runner

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    Nice rig! welcome to the forum
     
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  10. Jan 24, 2020 at 9:21 PM
    #10
    McSaucyWalrus

    McSaucyWalrus [OP] New Member

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    Thanks!
     
  11. Jan 25, 2020 at 7:00 AM
    #11
    SlvrSlug

    SlvrSlug Slightly bent.

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    Great post, and pics. thanks for sharing, and welcome to the forum.
     
  12. Jan 25, 2020 at 10:08 AM
    #12
    36tacundra

    36tacundra New Member

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  13. Jan 26, 2020 at 11:27 PM
    #13
    McSaucyWalrus

    McSaucyWalrus [OP] New Member

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    Stay tuned for the unveil of some major changes. Hopefully I can get everything done this week. I got all the parts that I needed this weekend and starting the work tomorrow.

    Thats all for now.... :anonymous:
     
  14. Jan 29, 2020 at 10:24 AM
    #14
    McSaucyWalrus

    McSaucyWalrus [OP] New Member

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    Been slowly chipping away at some body work on the project, found some spots of rust. nothing major, just some surface rust in some spots along with some bad body work from the previous owner....

    Heres a teaser.....

    Name that color :anonymous:
     
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  15. Jan 30, 2020 at 5:49 PM
    #15
    McSaucyWalrus

    McSaucyWalrus [OP] New Member

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    BEFORE






    AFTER



    Cavalry Blue 1st Gen
    Original plans were to paint the top black, but the white is growing on me. And the top is in the best condition compared to the rest of the truck. I cant decide, but for now it'll be white. Might get it wrapped in black later down the road.
     
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  16. Jan 30, 2020 at 5:57 PM
    #16
    4scooter19

    4scooter19 New Member

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    If you're ever over in Eugene I have a black one I might be down to trade you
     
    Last edited: Jan 30, 2020
  17. Jan 31, 2020 at 12:27 PM
    #17
    McSaucyWalrus

    McSaucyWalrus [OP] New Member

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    I might take you up on that offer!
     
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  18. Feb 6, 2020 at 11:28 AM
    #18
    McSaucyWalrus

    McSaucyWalrus [OP] New Member

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    Trip Update:

    February 5, 2020

    Was able to do a true locker test out at Cline Butte OHV outside of Redmond. Went through some of the more difficult trails and the 4runner crawled through everything. I really need to weld the sliders on before doing any more technical stuff, got pretty close to the rockers a few times. My friend in his TRD tacoma didn't want to get too technical.
    Also hoping to get some 35s soon, but the 33s aired down to 8psi worked great.

    pics.



     
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  19. Mar 10, 2020 at 5:34 PM
    #19
    McSaucyWalrus

    McSaucyWalrus [OP] New Member

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    Minor Update.

    Got 35s mounted up over the weekend. Been looking into new leafs for the rear or the ZUK Mod, I have some 4th gen coils that I am going to mess with and do the ZUK mod before being any leaf springs because the coils are free...

    33s Pics for reference.

    35s

    Definitely need to do something to lift the rear a bit, hopefully the 4th gen coils will do what im looking for.

    Haven't had a chance to get them out on the trail yet. So far impressed with the Patagonia MTs. Way quieter than the Hankooks that were on it. Seem to ride better too.
     
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  20. Mar 10, 2020 at 5:55 PM
    #20
    jack bauer1

    jack bauer1 New Member

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    Thats thing is rad!
    Love it. Thanks for sharing taking the time to post it up.
     
  21. Mar 14, 2020 at 8:20 PM
    #21
    McSaucyWalrus

    McSaucyWalrus [OP] New Member

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    Bought another. 1997 4Runner. This one will be a daily for my girlfriend. Nothing crazy. Maybe a mild lift and 33s a little later on.

    Just need a fifth gen now.
     
  22. Apr 23, 2020 at 8:36 AM
    #22
    Marlin Crawler T-Revv

    Marlin Crawler T-Revv Lead Sales Marlin Crawler

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    1992 4Runner Crawler
    SAS, 5.29 gears, Tacoma Elockers front and rear, Marlin Crawler Dual Ultimate transfer cases, All- Pro leaf springs, 37" tires, chromoly axle shafts, Marlin Crawler R150F Transmission, Marlin Crawler front and rear bumpers, Marlin Crawler Sliders, Marlin Crawler Axle armor.
    im liking where this headed. Excited to see the FJ80 solid axle swap when it happens. :woot:
     
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  23. Aug 17, 2020 at 12:53 AM
    #23
    86snowplow

    86snowplow New Member

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    6" lift on 35s with front locker
    We have the same tires. I have a 86 4runner. Love these tires!
     
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  24. Nov 24, 2020 at 6:23 PM
    #24
    McSaucyWalrus

    McSaucyWalrus [OP] New Member

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    Awesome! they've been great so far. They're getting pretty chewed up from the rocks around here but they are still performing really well. Im happy with them. I'll hopefully be getting another set of them in the 37x12.5 variety soon.
     
  25. Nov 24, 2020 at 6:45 PM
    #25
    McSaucyWalrus

    McSaucyWalrus [OP] New Member

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    We did a lot of wheeling this summer, broke a few CV axles, but other than that the IFS handled pretty well, definitely not as planted as the tacoma ifs was, and obviously a long shot from the solid axle '85 crawler from my past. However I am impressed with it. Just took some getting used to three wheeling all the time.

    Summer was mainly filled with camping with the "Fool-size." Honestly love wheeling the Duramax. Its pretty nimble for such a big truck, flexes pretty decent too. Ive gotten it through some rock gardens that my friends in tacomas and xterras weren't able to make it through without some trouble.


    With the 4runner leaving a lot of room for improvement and me wanting to throw money at it...I sold the tacoma transmission with the dual cases, and also sold the FzJ80 axles. It was a sad day but it is funding the next stage of the build. Staying IFS for now. Currently waiting on the Blazeland long travel kit from TNA. And looking for a tacoma rear axle. I bought some Old Man Emu CS009 leaf springs and torsion bars from Low Range Offroad and some Bilstein 5100 front shocks and 5125 rear shocks. Ill throw them in and wait for the control arms to come in. Once the Blazeland gets here, I'll be buying some 37s and regear it. Maybe a 4xInnovations full cage first.
     

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