'85 4-Runner

**NOTICE** 06/16/03 - This truck is currently undergoing quite a few changes. Check here for pictures.

Suspension

• 4" Alcan front springs with axle moved 1.5" forward
• 4" Alcan rear springs - 5" longer than stock similar to the Mazda conversion
• Custom fabricated 2" over stock shackles (5" eye - eye)
• Ford front shock towers
• Dick Cepek 4" dropped adjustable drag link
• Rancho RS5000 shocks
• Allpro heavy duty tie rod

Drivetrain

• 5M-GE EFI inline 6 cylinder - From '82 Toyota Supra
• Dual transfer cases
• Rear ARB air locker powered by Cadillac air compressor
• 4.30 gears from automatic
• Custom fabricated Frorfab type crossmember
• 5M-GE bellhousing
• Centerforce dual friction clutch - from '82 Supra
• '85 automatic 4Runner retubed/lengthened driveshaft in rear
• '85 standard cab pickup shortened driveshaft in front
• '87 rear axle
• Land cruiser vented rotor swap with IFS calipers
• Rebuilt knuckles on front axle with new bearings and seals
• 35-12.50 BFG MT's
• American Racing "Cheapy" black wagon wheels

Body

• Entire body repainted inside and out - all rust removed/repaired
• New front fenders
• Rear wheel wells cut out for tire clearance - inner fenders tubbed
• Custom 1" SS body lift
• Quick release door hinge pins
• Homemade bikini top

Interior

• Brown interior (dash, door trim) from an '85
• Clinometer/Altimeter from an SR5
• Cheesy Pep Boys temperature gage

Misc

• Power Steering (with the Supra steering pump)
• Russell speed bleeders
• Custom axle breathers
• Toyota Supra shifter knob
• Toyota Supra radiator
• Dual 10" fans in front of the radiator - wired to ACC
• Toyota Supra steering wheel

Coming soon:

• Warn M8000
• Onboard air system
• Custom roll cage/bobbed/custom soft top
• ARB locker in front

I bought this '85 4Runner for $400 in April of 2001. It replaced the '84 extra cab pickup of which I sold the cab/frame/bed to a friend. With nearly 200k miles on the ticker, this truck was in need of some serious help. The automatic transmission was slipping, the engine had a major oil leak somewhere on the front, the heater core was bad, the passenger seat mounting bracket was half sawed off, the rear fenders had been cut and rebuilt with Bondo, the the truck had a certain "Mexican" look to it (my mom called it an Easter egg ;-).

I bought the truck so that I could swap everything from my '84 pickup onto it - since I like driving a 4Runner better than a pickup. I swapped everything over, including the axles, Supra engine, and suspension.

I added a few things while I was changing trucks. I fabbed a Frorfab type crossmember that bolts to the rear of the transfer case, I added a crawler, and I added a rear ARB air locker. I also treated the truck to a hefty fender trimming in the rear - along with an inner fender tubbing, good front fenders and doors from the '84, and a fresh coat of PPG flat desert tan paint.

This 4Runner is shortly going to be bobbed, which is something I have wanted to do for a long time - ever since I had Photoshopped the pictures of my old '85 4Runner.

More pictures here!