nate2169

This one's gonna take a while!
Just got a 1988 4Runner. I've wanted one of these 2 door removable top Runners for as long as I can remember, but I've never pulled the trigger on one either because it was too expensive for what I wanted or just ragged to death. Got lucky the other night and found one on craigslist for a good price. The previous owner had tried to convert it over to carb from FI, but it still wasn't running right so he decided to sell it. Lucky for me!! Got a great deal on it with a brand new Weber carb (which I will probably post in the classifieds soon). I have started the carb back to FI conversion. I want to get it running good then move on to the mods. I am planning SAS, 5.29's, interior revamp, wheels, tires, and probably an exocage. I'll get to work and post up as I go. Here's what she looks like as she sits right now in my shop.

Cyberhorn The Dragon

should be interesting to see and i wont deny looking at the carb for my old 79 hylux

nate2169

Didn't get much done last night. Started working on the interior and found some cancer! Oh well, nothing some sheet metal and a mig won't take care of! Got most of the interior removed. The carpet and rear seats were wet. Not sure if the PO had left the windows down or the top off, but that stuff's gotta go! This thing was stinkin! Gonna do all black vinyl in the floors. Not decided on seats yet. I decided to hold off for now on the swap back to FI. I think I may do a rebuild on one of the other 22REs that I have and install in the Runner. There's a pretty good peck in this one and I figure there's no reason to do all that work then have to tear it all out again. Not sure if it's a rod, wrist pin, or what.
Here's a few shots of the progress, the rust, and one with the lid off!

Before:


After:


Topless!

nate2169

Thanks Cyberhorn - I'll let you know as soon as I get the gas out of the carb. I'll let it go for a great deal to one of my fellow Yotatechers! It was only used for a couple times. May have 10 miles on it and maybe 30 minutes of run time!

Cyberhorn The Dragon

well the cancer isnt surprising runners arent known for great primer coats

terry has saved some seriously grnarly carpet an seats just spraying them clean at the local car wash an letting um dry out totally

yeah my old 79 shes got a LOT worse cancer used to fish off of on the beach down the gulf mexico by her PO but it still runs an has done things no other truck ive owned would have the asian carb though is shot the throttle shaft has worn into the aluminum base plate causing leaks which ruin the idle an fuel econ its the 3rd carb ive rebuilt an put in her to the same result

nate2169

Worked on the Runner a little last night. I've decided to use one of the engines I have in the shop instead of converting the one in the Runner back to FI. Ordering a Master Rebuild kit from engnbldr and probably gonna order a cam from LC. Took the upper intake up to a friend's shop and glass beaded it. Looks pretty good! Now I've got it soaking to loosen up the crap on the inside. I'll post up a picture tonight after I get it cleaned up and painted. Probably gonna do the same with the valve cover. Probably do them both black with brushed finish on the lettering. All the interior is out. Gotta order the vinyl floor and seats. I hope I won't be disappointed with the Ebay cheap racing seats that will be going in the front. Gotta do some measuring also to see which seat I'll go with for the rear.

nate2169

Haven't been able to make much progress this week on the Runner. Been trying to get everything in order and get my taxes done. Business taxes are a pain in the arse! I have gotten a few minor things done and hope to be able to get going full swing again this weekend!

nate2169

Finally got to work on the Runner a little. Traded my big F-450 a couple weeks ago for a smaller, cheaper 2005 Chevy Duramax 2500 so the Runner was put on the back burner for a bit. Got back in there this weekend and started dismantling under the hood in preparation for pulling the engine. I've decided to build one of the other engines I have at the shop to put in the Runner. Probably go about 20 over and do an engnbldr rebuild kit. Pretty mild build with a cam and header just to get some bottom end torque.

By the way - I thought I remembered seeing someone looking for some rear seat headrests for one of these Runners. If anyone knows who was looking for some, let me know or send them my way. I am doing away with the factory seats. Will probably be posting the front buckets on the classifieds as well. Rear seat headrests will be free to a good home. I will post them over there as soon as I get a chance to take a pic.

Gizler00

iTrader: (1)

Nice work man! I really need to tear up the rest of my carpet and lay down some bedliner to seal up the cancer.

nate2169

Thanks Gizler!! I gotta get in there soon and cut that cancer out! I got some sheet metal at the shop to fix the hole. After that, I'll probably do a thin coat of spray in bedliner and throw down the black vinyl floor. I did the same thing in my 94 pickup. Hate carpet in a trail rig! Heck, I'm tempted to tear the carpet outta my diesel truck and replace it with vinyl!

Cyberhorn The Dragon

sounds like your getting after it
as for the seats an headrests id go to the classifieds here on yotatech an offer them here

nate2169

Thanks! Will do. I just remebered seeing someone looking for them and can't remember who it was. I've done a search to see if I could run across the post, but no luck so far. I'll post 'em up. Maybe whoever it was will see them.

Toyota~Boy

iTrader: (2)

A member named Yopar sent me a PM asking about seats in my part out Runner. I couldn't help him so ya may wanna send him a PM as he just sent me one a day or so ago.

nate2169

Will do! Thanks

ChefYota4x4

iTrader: (5)

Ooooh, Nice work thus far..... Sup Nate?

nate2169

Well........... I traded the 4Runner last night. I may be moving in the near future and the stuff I traded for will be a heckuva lot easier to move than the Runner. Including the Runner, I've got 5 vehicles, a Harley, mowers, a tractor, a 40' fifth wheel RV, a 16' trailer and a 24' enclosed car hauler. Too much stuff!! Traded for a Hobart Mig machine and a Hobart Plasma Cutter. I still have Ole Blue and the Taco. And, since I bought the Starlet, the Runner has taken a back seat anyway. Maybe I'll get another one down the road sometime.

Cyberhorn The Dragon

ohh dude :-(

well i hope the person builds her up not dogs her to death an then sends it to the scrapper

nate2169

Yeah, I'm with ya there! Good thing is - the guy I traded with is a good friend of mine and wants to get her running and use her for a weekend camping / trail rig. I think he'll probably get some good use out of the Runner!