YotaTech Member Takes Us Through His 4Runner Build
Long-running build thread begins with a 1986 4Runner with little rust, aims to build the coolest machine of his dreams.
Have you visited our YotaTech Forums yet? If not, you’re missing out on all of the cool things happening within, including threads featuring the coolest Toyotas from our members, how-to threads for everyone working on their trucks and SUVs, off-road planning threads to get the most out of them, and even a classifieds section for those needing a new ride or a specific part for their current one.
Our forums also happen to have extensive build threads from our members, including this one by magnet18 of his 1986 4Runner. The thread began on September 6, 2016, and soldiers onward to this day. Let’s have a look at where he began, and where he’s gone since then!
“I’ve been wanting an 80’s Hilux/4Runner for a couple years now (ever since that Top Gear episode on killing a Hilux),” the builder wrote nearly three years ago. “Finally got me one! Shelled out good money for one with minimal rust, unfortunately a lot more than some of you desert-dwellers can pick a nice one up for, but an almost rust free frame in Indiana is priceless. [Around] 170k miles, needs a little TLC, but it is solid through and through, [and] apparently lived in Cali until 2 years ago.”
Since then, the builder has updated the thread with info on what has been done, what will happen next, and the care he’s put into keeping the 4Runner ready for the road. The first thing he did was to ditch the rusty rims for a fresh set of black rotary-dial units shod in decent off-road rubber.
A few months later, the 4Runner received clear turning signal light covers for the front and rear, reglued the windshield, and debated whether to remove the California EGR and smog setup or not, settling on finding a fresher unit in order to fulfill his goal of using the Toyota “to go road tripping and camping in it.”
The builder discovered that his new front turn signals didn’t pair well with the stock grill, so he wound up swapping in a unit from a 1984-88 two-wheel drive Toyota truck. The bullbar was replaced with a chrome front bumper, as well, whose backside he painted on the advice of gsp4life to prevent rust.
Inside, he wasn’t too enamored by the wood trim on the dash and steering wheel. However, the glue used to attach the trim “pretty much ruined how everything underneath” was supposed to look. Thus, he used his home-built, 3D-printed CNC to make new trim pieces from black textured plastic. After all of that, he made use of part of his driveway to remove the top from the 4Runner for some open-air fun.
A new full set of rubber and nearly two years into the 4Runner build later, it was time to tackle the engine rebuild, one he nearly sent to someone else due to the possible scope of the project. Instead, he wrangled the mill out of the bay to work on replacing its old timing-chain setup, fuel injectors, piston rings, and so on.
Of course, the 4Runner isn’t his only project, as he also has a pair of Mustangs and his new home (an Airstream RV!) to pull his attention away now and again. The builder continued his work on the engine into the new year, finishing the rebuild in late April.
As of this writing, the builder is currently working on the brakes of his 4Runner. He says that after leaving home from work one day, he noticed “pulsing between no pedal at all and screeching tires.” Upon pulling over to pull one of the wheels off, he found the brakes had cheap shoes, prompting the fix.
So far, there are 16 pages devoted to the builder’s 4Runner thread, and there appears to be no end in sight; thus, it’s the perfect time to follow along. And who know? His build might bring some inspiration with your Toyota build!
Photos: YotaTech Forums
