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Hi everyone, I bought this 1984 4Runner in November 2022 from the family of the original owner. It was all original with 132K miles but had been sitting in a barn since 2006.
After selling some of my old Datsuns I now have some time, space, and money to see about getting this 4Runner back on the street.
This week I loaded the runner on my trailer and towed it to a Toyota mechanic and friend of mine to start the work.
As you can see by the pics below, it is an original paint 84 4Runner SR5 with a 22R and 5 speed transmission. It does have aftermarket wheels and tires which I plan to replace with period correct wheels.
My mechanic, Jeremy, is starting with a fluid change and spark plug removal to see if the engine will turn over. At this point all the fluids look good in the engine and radiator but we are flushing them out and replacing anyways. Next week, if all goes as planned, he will try and get the engine to fire on an auxiliary fuel supply and see what we have. If that goes good we'll move on to refurbishing the fuel system and cooling system including water pump. Probably replace the timing chain and guides at that time too. The carb will probably need a re-build and then see if we can get it to pass California emissions tests...fingers crossed.
Looking to keep it mostly factory looking with original parts when possible.
Per Wally, he wanted me to take a look at your build threads similar to this 84 4runner I am doing. Since you have so many threads, can you point me in the right direction of a build similar to the one I am doing??? Maybe a link to one of your threads that would help me along.
I'll definitely keep an eye on this, and will be happy to compare notes and sources along the way. Parts are becoming very hard to come by, as you know. My thread is here, feel free to have a look and reach out to me directly! https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f199.../#post52486826
Per Wally, he wanted me to take a look at your build threads similar to this 84 4runner I am doing. Since you have so many threads, can you point me in the right direction of a build similar to the one I am doing??? Maybe a link to one of your threads that would help me along.
Update: Fluids changed in engine, transmission. Engine turned over and fired after a couple of revolutions....ran off a gas can. Engine runs smooth and valve train is quiet. Brought it up to temp and all gauges work and shows good oil pressure and water temp was excellent. Next up, a new carb was ordered, factory replacement. Tune up kit will be ordered to change out plugs, cap, wires etc.
Jeremy was able to operate both front electric windows which worked smoothly. The rear window did not operate with the front switch but it did work using the rear tailgate key so that's a plus.
Still going to remove the valve cover to inspect the timing chain even though it was quiet while running. The water pump was working and was quiet as well but if the original chain exists we will replace it along with the water pump.
The smog pump was seized so need to get that sorted and figure out where to order one from.
Need to order a 84 4Runner fuel tank as well so any suggestions for a metal factory original would be appreciated.
So far, very happy that it actually runs and seems to run pretty well. The original carb did not want to idle but thats ok since a new one is on the way.
Next week we will order a front end rebuild kit and order V6 front brakes for an upgrade. Maybe he said they were FJ60 ??? not sure but I know it was an upgrade.
A few pics so far but not too much to look at, we did manage to vacuum the interior a little bit.
So I found out that even though LakeLand Toyota in Florida shows on line that they have a fuel tank in stock #77001-35940, when I called they told me that the number is old and that all the newer part numbers for this tank are discontinued and that no dealers on the east coast have one in stock. I called a Toyota dealer on the west coast with the number and he checked and said that no dealers in the US have this tank in stock and that it has been discontinued.
I checked Amayama who list the tank as well but also discontinued and none in stock
Guess I need to check the BEST made aftermarket tank out there and see what I come up with.
In the end I may just have to take the old tank out and have it boiled and cleaned at a radiator shop and go with that if it is possible.
Sorry, i don’t understand why you need a new tank? Is it leaking? Have you looked inside with a cheap scope? When you remove the fuel pump, you should get a very good view of the inside.
Yes Sorry, I'm just thinking ahead that since the truck sat for 20 years in the Sacramento heat that what was left in the tank has turned to varnish or something. We will pull the tank this coming week and take a look inside to see what we have. But you're correct, it may all be just fine with a complete flush and install a new fuel sender.
The mechanical fuel pump is working properly off an external gas can. There is not a electric fuel pump in the tank because this is a carb'ed truck correct?
Mike
Last edited by Saccyclone; 10-29-2023 at 06:28 PM.
I forgot you have a mechanical pump. With respect to 20 year old gas, i’ve heard several times that today’s fuel is much worse than it was 20 years ago. I hope yours proves it out. Incidentally, i scoped the tank on a 69 Jaguar that has been sitting since the late ‘80s and it looked very good,
Well that is good news on the Jag.
All the other fluids looked really really good so maybe we will get lucky with the fuel as well.
Guess we will know in a few days.
Mike
Good luck with your tank Mike. I’m in a similar boat. Currently In the process of getting my ‘86 22r 4wd Pickup running that’s been parked for most of the last 20 years. Two years ago I went on the same hunt as you looking for a tank from Toyota. A couple dealerships listed them in stock online. I placed the order and almost immediately it was cancelled and they reached out to say the tank had been discontinued. This month I’m hoping to pull mine and have it cleaned at a radiator shop. Based on the aftermarket tank reviews I’ve read here on YotaTech getting it cleaned seems like the best option.
Hope yours turns out to be in good shape when you pull it. Your 4Runner really cleaned up nice…love that color and it’s an SR5! Great find!
I've read many reports of the aftermarket tanks springing leaks at the spot welds near the bottom after only a few months. I'd recommend a cleaned out OEM tank every day.
I'd also say something similar for the carb. The rebuilt units are not actually as good as new. Keep your old one at minimum as a spare.
New carb arrived and installed. Replaced the cap, rotor, plugs and plug wires. The truck runs off the new carb well but after 5-10 minutes the electrical connections on the carb get hot while the rest of the carb are cool so need to investigate wires leading to the stock carb for shorts or bad grounds etc.....maybe the mice have chewed something somewhere.
On another note, we had previously located 2 metal tanks mounted unside near the frame...today we got power to them and found that they were a small fuel tank and lift pump tank with a electric lift pump that could be heard. The lift tank had a water separator valve on the bottom as well. Jeremy said that he has seen these on diesel powered trucks but not on gas powered. Maybe the previous owner was going to convert to diesel later on down the road but we will remove these as they are not needed... the mechanical fuel pump is present and working.
We discussed the following items which I will order some of this week:
2nd gen V6 brake booster from Napa
96-98 FJ80 1" brake master from Napa
2nd gen rebuilt calipers for 4runner from Napa
Jeremy has a new set of rotors that we will use.
Custom order stainless brake lines.
Air pump is locked up so going to order another one from Napa.
Going to buy Spider Trax wheel spacers 1 1/2" to clear calipers with 2nd Gen SR5 wheels or FJ40 steel wheels with caps.
Tires will probably be BFG KO2 31x10.50x15
Trail Gear 2" lift leaf springs front and rear
Bilstein 5100's are for a 4-6 inch lift which will not work so prob going with 4600's which are stock height to 2" lift from what I have read.
Trail Gear Knuckle rebuild kit.
Removed the valve cover and inspected the timing chain which looks almost new and no wear seen on guides so thats a plus.
10-20-2023, 04:55 PM
