First Generation Beast soon to be Beauty

I got this 1989 for what I considered to be a good deal, paid roughly a penny per mile on the odometer which I guess at 222k was a break even point for the previous owner. Everything was in running order including the four wheel drive, my first concern of course, and has been well taken care of through its life. The old owners love for this truck showed and I could not say no. I have since then replaced the timing belt, alternator, battery and power cables, clutch pump, a leaking brake seal on the drivers side, brakes, windshield (because my "boxweiller" put her head into it while riding shotgun as we were going down the old driveway when the brake issue decided to make it's appearance), side note: the E-brake works great! The dog was fine but the windshield was not. She now rides in the backseat. I have also custom built a bumper off a winch mount plate and welded out an aluminum center console for my rear window switch, repaired some cracks in the dash (it is 30 years old after all), and added a fishing pole for where the radio antenna was missing. I love this truck! It reminds me of my old Jeep Wrangler, the old interior/dash and removable top/doors have a nostalgia to them of a by gone era, and I am certain to get just as much joy out of it than I did out of that old trail worn Jeep. Cheers!

 

Did you mean to post a pic?

 

I loved my '89. That thing was fantastic and never missed a beat. A guy offered me 4K more than retail because it was a match for a boat he was also buying... I was 25 at the time and that was impossible to pass up. Then took his money and bought a year old '94 with a sunroof that didn't leak...

 

Welcome!

 

See, she is fine, maybe a bit nervous when it gets bumpy though, got's her tail tucked no doubt.. But the entire back seat is hers whenever we go wheelin'.

 

Welcome, strap that hard hat on her.

 

Nice dog! Ever think about a harness system to protect your dog from flying through the windshield in an accident?

 

Welcome

 

Welcome from FL. Good looking pup!

 

Yes, I have thought about a dog harness/seat belt. It's on my list and thank you for the reminder, I usually stay off the highway and just cruise around the city with her when we go to the park where speed limit is 30 mph, but I would hate to see something happen to her I could have prevented. Much love and thanks! also: haha slvrslug! The hardhat comment cracked me up! Thanks for the welcome everyone! Really enjoying the community! Respects to all Four Runner fans. I will post some more pics once I get the truck closer to where I want it. Recently acquired some new wheels and tires for cruising around town but plan on keeping my stock rims and figuring out away to restore them so I will have a good set to put some meaty tires back onto. If anyone has some know how restoring aluminum rims, tips and tricks are appreciated! Here is a pic of the console I built for my rear window switch (the only switch I really cared about because most the other electronics are shot, not looking forward to rewiring power windows or anything so working on a way to convert them into manual windows with cranks.)

 

Yeah pretty cool they started making these dog harnesses. I think it's a great idea and was probably long overdue. I don't know what the statistics are with dog fatalities during accidents but these have to be beneficial in trying to save the dog during a crash.

Anyway look forward to more pics of your progress on the build.