What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

Toyota 4runner

MrArmyAnt

MrArmyAnt

1/2 ton status
Joined
Dec 29, 2004
Posts
661
Reaction score
0
Location
Texas, Kick a$$! (Grapevine, DFW; also Norman, OK)
I was looking at the gen 1 4runners, they are kinda like mini k5's with that removable top and all, which I really like, and they are a little more manuverable because of their size, but they are also small, weak (4cyl) and sometimes have IFS. I checked the weight and it said 5200 pounds. Does that sound right at all? k5's didn't way that stock, did they? I thought there reported weight was like 4900. How the hell does a 4cyl weigh so much?
 
MrArmyAnt said:
I was looking at the gen 1 4runners, they are kinda like mini k5's with that removable top and all, which I really like, and they are a little more manuverable because of their size, but they are also small, weak (4cyl) and sometimes have IFS. I checked the weight and it said 5200 pounds. Does that sound right at all? k5's didn't way that stock, did they? I thought there reported weight was like 4900. How the hell does a 4cyl weigh so much?
Click to expand...

It is an old toyota those things are tough maybe that is why it weighs so much. And there is room to fit a 350 in a 4Runner and SAS conversions are out there also.

Dick
 
one thing i have to say is those 4 cylinders are a really good engine(22r).i know a couple of people who run those in there mud truck wich the really beat the piss out of.and the engine still run beautifully.and if you could find one pre 85' you get a soild axle.
 
I was just out mudding with my friend in his 4runner. It has IFS, but has the V6 and a 5 speed. 340k miles on the clock and still going. He has owned it almost 3 years and it has needed brakes, tires, and a clutch in that time. They are tough little rigs.

My boss has a modified 4runner trail rig, but I don't even know the specs on that at all.
 
'86 model year was the first IFS. So the SA 4rnnr's are '84 and '85 only. '84 was the first year of EFI as an option, carbs were std. '85 had EFI std in CA, not sure about elsewhere.

There's only room for a V8 if you do a body lift or bash the hell out of the firewall & trans tunnel - requires removing all of the heater & A/C stuff. Right side exhaust is an issue as the starter is close to the frame. Obviously it's been done, but that doesn't mean it's easy and problem free.

Is that 5200 lbs net or gross?
 
Only reason I wasn't sure of elsewhere is that I've seen carbs on yota's as late as '89. Wasn't sure if that was some weird down-grade option or a 49-state thing.
 
Grr I just might have to get one. Motors do last long and get good gas mileage, just seemed they way a ton. Wonder if I could fit the 350 in it with the sm465 and 205 and 14 bolt and dana44, or remove the tranny (stock they came with a 5 speed I believe)

at least if I could swap in my axles what I'm doing on the blazer wouldn't seem like such a waste.

Not that its a waste, I like it, it's just big. And heavy.
 
MrArmyAnt said:
I was looking at the gen 1 4runners, they are kinda like mini k5's with that removable top and all, which I really like, and they are a little more manuverable because of their size, but they are also small, weak (4cyl) and sometimes have IFS. I checked the weight and it said 5200 pounds. Does that sound right at all? k5's didn't way that stock, did they? I thought there reported weight was like 4900. How the hell does a 4cyl weigh so much?
Click to expand...

There is no way in hell that a gen 1 4runner ways that much... I have several friends that own/have owned them, and I have driven wheeled several. They are awesome little trucks, but I don't even know if I would believe their GVWR would be that high. I know the axles on the toyotas are way overkill for the powerplants they run... and doesn't the rear suspension and axle loading capability factor into the GVWR somehow?

My '76 FJ55 dwarfs the older 4runners, and it weighs in at about 4700lbs...
 
a 4 runner is my dream daily driver, light wheeler.

I would leave all the toyota stuff in it and just add another t case to the mix. if you get an IFS rig swap it out with one of the many kits out there for the SAS'ing of them. you can run 35-37's on those axles stock and they will hold up. PLus you can swap in a nice toyota electric locker into those housings. Pretty sweet platforms. I'd really love the 79-83 style trekker (pre 4 runner) there are like 3 or 4 manufacturers of them.
 
55Willy said:
just get that and swap it to propane.
Click to expand...
'

If I could do that cheaply (under 400) I would. Found another one that runs. Really thought about wheeling one then saw the cost of the SAS kit....

http://www.marlincrawler.com/htm/suspension/sas.htm

Looked on toyota forums and most say go to dana 60/14bolt at 37" and larger... So really i'm back in the same boat with unsprung weight.
 
If the 4 runner has a 22r it is a piece of cake to convert to carb, however, Toyota loves vacuum lines and there are like ten thousand little lines that have to be hooked up. I know I am exagerating, but not by much. Before I bought the K5, I wanted a runner, then I saw the horsepower numbers and even the V6 is only ten horsepower more than the 22r turbo, so it just didn't have the power I wanted for towing.
 
lectric80 said:
If the 4 runner has a 22r it is a piece of cake to convert to carb, however, Toyota loves vacuum lines and there are like ten thousand little lines that have to be hooked up. I know I am exagerating, but not by much. Before I bought the K5, I wanted a runner, then I saw the horsepower numbers and even the V6 is only ten horsepower more than the 22r turbo, so it just didn't have the power I wanted for towing.
Click to expand...

Stay away from the early v6... performance difference between it and my friends' 22REs are not that big, and the 6s are EXPEN$IVE, and they get crap milage compared to the 4 banger. Both my friends with the V6 wish it was the 4 (and my buddy with the 85 4runner and 4cyl used to beat my other buddy with an 89 xtra cab and v6 when they'd race each other)
 
They Are not that hard to convert over to a carb.i help a friend of mine a couple years back put a 22R into a Suzuki Samurai.as said before Toyota Loves to use vacuum lines.there are alot of them on there.
 
i have a 86 runner, and i love the crap out of it. The thing is my daily driver, and has 210,000 miles on it. My parents have owned it since day 1. They deffinately run forever. I drive mine to and from school everyweekend which is roughly 150 miles one way, and it still plugs along, and gets killer gas mileage too. The only thing i dont like about it, is that my parents sold 1978 silver edition corvette to buy this:doah: Any ways here is a pic:
2073969_1_full.jpg
 
MrArmyAnt said:
'

If I could do that cheaply (under 400) I would. Found another one that runs. Really thought about wheeling one then saw the cost of the SAS kit....

http://www.marlincrawler.com/htm/suspension/sas.htm

Looked on toyota forums and most say go to dana 60/14bolt at 37" and larger... So really i'm back in the same boat with unsprung weight.
Click to expand...
Do you really need tires that large? If you do then I think a yota isn't a great place to start as you'll end up doing what you've already mentioned. Would be easier to just start with the heavier duty stuff already on the vehicle, or build a buggy.

The weak point in stock yota axles are the Birfields. If you have a tire larger than a 33; or wider than 10"; or lower than stock transfer case gearing then they are time-bombs. I quit monitoring the yota lists & forums some time ago, so I've no idea how much you gain from the various improved Birf's.

There is a smog legal Weber carb that eliminates a large percentage of the vacuum hoses used by the stock carb. Downey carries it. The stock carb is reportedly a nightmare to rebuild & make operate correctly. If smog legality isn't a concern then a DGV would be a good choice. Not to sound like a Downey commercial, but they carry those too. Webers are complicated to set-up, but once they're sorted out they are a great carb. It is worth the $$ to buy one configured for the engine you're going to use it on as that will save you hours & maybe days of headache. Make note that they do not want a lot of fuel pressure, 4 psi is usually the MAX. If you do go with a DGV there is an epoxy/fuel tube mod to the float bowl vent that will totally transform how the carb behaves off road.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom