Newb Introduce

[nosfanatic2006]

Hey all. My name is Jeff and I live in Topeka, KS. Graduated in '06, been working ever since. I'm going to school in January to get certified as an Automotive Tech. I'm pretty excited. I've loved cars my whole life and always been interested in working on them (even though I don't know much) and finally decided even if this isn't what I wanna do with my life it would be nice to know :). I bought an '88 4Runner about 3 months ago. It has the V6, 5 speed, manual hubs and t-case, 31x10.5 tires, Rancho shocks and steering stabilizer, front brush guard with 2 offroad lights, K&N air filter, Borla muffler.

I was out mudding a few weeks ago and messed up my steering. I took it to Toyota and they said $2600 :(. The list is as follows: both lower ball joints, both upper control arm bushings, steering relay rod (covered under the recall), steering stabilizer, repack front wheel bearings, left front tie rod, and alignment. I think I can do most of this myself. I was wondering what parts I could buy used? How difficult is it to do the ball joints and getting the bearings out? And a buddy of mine said it might be cheaper to just get a whole new spindle; I have been unable to find one for this truck though. What are your guys thoughts?

Anyways, I hope to meet some pretty cool peopel and wheelin buddies :). Here's some pics of my truck
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk84/JeffyBoy2006/1007081323.jpg
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk84/JeffyBoy2006/1007081322_0001.jpg
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk84/JeffyBoy2006/DSC_0001.jpg
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk84/JeffyBoy2006/DSC_0012.jpg
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk84/JeffyBoy2006/random003.jpg

[4Runner202020]

i got a whole new spindle form a junk yard... 75,000 less miles on wheel bearings, ball joints, and rotors... and it had been there for a week. well worth it and its holding great.

bobby

[04 Rocko Taco]

3 differenbt colors AND chrome? thats almost to rich for even UY. :) Welcome aboard. Try to aviod the mud from here on out. :)

[Tankota]

Welcome, make your self at home! I always like seeing other older rides coming on.

Hey since your only gonna break your IFS over and over, why not just trade all that junk for a good old fashion straight axle. :smokin:

[corax]

Ball joints, steering stabilizer and tie rod you should be able to do as long as you can turn a wrench. Wheel bearings aren't too difficult either, but you need a fairly large socket for the spindle nut (buying a whole new spindle would be a waste of money).

My best advice would be to get some kind of shop manual for your truck, Chilton or similar unless you can get your hands on the factory manual (maybe try half.com), look up what you want to do and decide if it's within your abilities from there.

Oh yeah, welcome to the board :D

[fustercluck]

Don't restore it!!!!!Hehe. Just looking out for your sanity brother. Nice runner. Welcome to the jungle :D

[corax]

looking a bit closer, do you still have the plastic flares on the rear, or did you remove them for good? (I might be interested to buy them, if you have no need . . . )

[4runnerchevy]

Welcome, I don't think rebuilding an IFS front end is worth it. Drop an axle in it and go. Love the patchwork paint, fits in perfect here.

Good luck !

[slosurfer]

Welcome to UY!

[nosfanatic2006]

Haha! Too rich you say lol? Yeah that's how is came when I got it. I plan to roll (EDIT: roll as in paint, not roll as in tipping over haha) it soon, or cheap spray. Thinking a dark blue or black?

Anyways, as to all the SAS suggestions, I do plan on doing that. . .in the future. Right now I'm really tight on funds and really dumb on mechanics/welding/fabing/etc. The school I'm going to has a 2 year program for mechanics and collision repair. Then I'm gonna take welding somewhere, get some wheeling experience under my belt (went with family back when I was around 5 a lot but all they had was stock Toyota's and I wasn't too interested in the mechanics of it all, now I can't wait to try it out myself :D), then go for the swap. I'm just looking to get this thing on the road safely again.



looking a bit closer, do you still have the plastic flares on the rear, or did you remove them for good? (I might be interested to buy them, if you have no need . . . )


I think I'm gonna keep them off for good. Not sure what brand they are but they aren't the best of condition. They will bolt on though. Shoot me a price

[nosfanatic2006]

Here's where we wait to see fuster chime in with "Hey, just got done restoring..."

:D Kevin, help this guy out!! :clap:

Welcome Newbie!! :thumbup: Here's his buildup* for reference and a good read. ;)
*Yeah, it's an 88, but the basics are the same.

http://www.ultimateyota.com/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=26&topic=692.0



Hey NorCal, this was kind of a short thread, only one page. You sure its the right one?

[slosurfer]

:laugh: Fuster needs to delete that one.

Try this one, grab something to eat and drink while you read it:
26 pages of Fuster (http://www.ultimateyota.com/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=26&topic=777.0) :thumbup:

[nosfanatic2006]

:laugh: Fuster needs to delete that one.

Try this one, grab something to eat and drink while you read it:
26 pages of Fuster (http://www.ultimateyota.com/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=26&topic=777.0) :thumbup:


Man I just ate and I'm stuffed :(. But I will drink lol :)

[nosfanatic2006]

Give yourself a good 8 hours to read through the whole bit. :rofl:


Haha, just finished bud. What an amazing read. My eyes hurt but its finally done. I can only dream of having that kind of skill and patience. I have patience for pretty much anything but automotive work. Most work done on my truck is from friends cause I get po'd and quit lol. That's gotta change since I'm going to school for this stuff :P.

Are there any recent updates for that thread? Did he start a new one or what?

[nosfanatic2006]

Lol, it was a very interesting read. He's a great writer, knows how to keep you interested :laugh:. And that truck :drool:. That's A LOT more than I intend to do to my truck however. Right now I just want it to get me through college as my DD (unless me uncle sells his '95 Integra GSR :drool:) while bringing me some minor wheeling enjoyment :). After that I should hopefully have a good job and be able to get a different car and be able to really take off on my Toy 4 :D