4x4....or so I thought...

***HOUR LATER EDIT***: So I'll be the first to say I'm a bit stupid...short term memory problems perhaps? Idfk...anyway...
I just realized the previous owner, in our discussions prior to me looking at the 4runner, said he had 37mm CV Axles on the way but they weren't there yet. Then after I bought it he said he would bring them to me whenever he gets them and in my quick research on how 4x4 works I remembered that we talked about this and went back through my messages.

SO. I believe I'm a bit of a pinecone and we're all good here. My bad y'all, but please feel free to take some entertainment out of my short term memory loss...is what I'm going to call my general stupidity here. Look forward to more, my next post is gonna be about suspension upgrades.
I'll leave all this up though so you can find entertainment in it.

Just bought this 1990 SR5 thinking it had 4x4. It's got the manual transfer stick, carfax and title are clean and reflects what it should be (4cyl 4x4)...

I get underneath to take a look at what I may need to do, you know, want them sweet coil overs, and she's been bouncing around and overall feels soft aaaand...

WHERE THE HELL DID THE REST OF THE AXLE GO?? I should've known something was up when the guy I bought it from put it in 4low and started turning in the parking lot like nothing. Fuck me, I am shit at looking over vehicles before purchase.

So, how do I recover here? I bought this thing for the 4x4. I spent too much on it now that I found this out. Before figuring this out I thought I was right on par at value.

What do I need to do to get 4x4 on this thing again? It has a 22RE in it, if that helps any. The transfer case and front diff are all there, connected to each other by their own drive shaft as it looks like they should be, doesn't appear to be any leakage from them (I think the minor oil leak is coming either from the engine oil pan drain bolt or the pan gasket), and for what it's worth, it at least feels like the 4x4 will run...WHEN I GET THIS AXLE SORTED OUT. Also for note, the previous owner said they did a front brake rotor and caliper conversion. I'll go check on that, but as you'll see in a below reply I took the bait whether it was real or not.

Can someone show me what a proper set up should be, and tell me where I should get the necessary parts? I'm new to this car thing, money is a bit tight so hopefully this isn't going to cost too much but I also want it done right and understand that right and cheap are not the same...
Or do I cut my loss and sell? The motor is a fresh rebuild by a reputable shop, could still get some money but likely would be a loss...anyone want a '90 SR5?...it had 4x4...

 

Lol.

 

ikr. Lesson fucking learned. I'm not the sharpest tool in the crayon box...

 

I know nothing about 2nd gens but don't understand the "LOL". Am I missing something?
I am ignorant and confused.
Thanks for explaining & not laughing (hopefully).
Ryan.

 

Probably just usual internet banter. I do appreciate a good laugh even at my own expense so I'm not upset. I don't mind if y'all laugh at my stupidity.

It does suck though...lol....

 

So there is a transfer case but no front driveshaft and no front anything?
I am a bit confused as why that would be done?
You can probably source all parts out of salvage yards or Rockauto if you want to repair it.
Sorry for the a$$hole who sold that to you. Karma is a bitch!
Thanks,
Ryan.

 

I edited the original post to reflect that, but yeah. Transfer case is there, front diff is there, both connected to each other by their own shaft, nothing looks out of place...just missing the axles that connect the front diff to the front wheels. I basically have 2 useless bars coming out of the front diff. Looks like I'm missing hubs and axles? Also looks like an attempt at a lift because I know it would not directly connect at this time, the center of the wheel is too low in reference to the center of the front axle.

I'll add this to the post too but: the previous owner says they did a front brake rotor and caliper conversion. I said 'lol sounds good I would prefer that anyway' and took a quick look underneath, then pressed the brakes and it felt fine so I went with it. Lesson learned, not fucking buying another private sale without taking it to a mechanic ever again...

And don't worry about that. I really don't care lol.

 

To be honest, i kinda thought you were messing with us, sorry if i hurt your feelers man.

 

Hahahahahaha all good. I'm not at all upset. I expected it anyway.

I wish I were indeed messing with y'all...but no. Unfortunately I am not. We all learn somehow though, looks like I'm learning the hard way.

 

Holy moly that's really messed up. You need 2 CV Axles, but the main issue I wonder about is if the diff was covered up, which isn't the case. That means it likely ran dry and is full of water. Your ring and pinion in there is likely toast.

I wouldn't say it's the most expensive repair ever, but it's probably time to source a junkyard front diff if you can find it, along with 2 CVs.

 

I'm missing CV axles that the previous owner and I talked about before I even looked at it. I should find a pinecone to make into an ornament to remind me of myself whenever I drive.

 

I think I figured it out. I began flipping through the Haynes manual and looking shit up on google and youtube to try and give myself a crash course on how 4x4 works and I realized the previous owner and I talked about CV axles. I edited the post to reflect the outcome...I think I'm all good, just waiting on those axles.

 

That's a bit sketchy... 4wd hubs rely on the shaft to be installed to help keep them sandwhiched together. 2wd hubs are slightly different and have a retainer ring to keep them from separating. To me, those look like 4wd hubs (since they have seals where the CV axle would have met it).

EDIT:...got up way too early this morning and it's been a long day. Just remembered that the seals are in the spindle and not necessarily the hub. Not sure if those are 4 or 2wd hubs.

 

So I remembered that the previous owner and I talked about CV axles. He said he had ordered 37mm ones but they hadn't arrived yet. Then after I bought it from him he said he'll bring them to me when he gets them. So the axles are sorted out (sort of) at the moment.

However, the diff you bring up I am now tracking. But as I've said before, I'm new to all of this. So I do not understand exactly what you're getting at. I suppose what I want to ask you is, may you explain how it ended up this way? Is there a skid plate I need or a metal cover? How does it work and how did water get in there? I will indeed source a new diff though, I'm not refuting your claim, I'm just very curious and want to know the science behind all this.

 

Okay awesome, thank you very much. That makes me feel better. I edited the post, but I remembered during my crash course on how 4x4 works that the previous owner and I talked about CV axles and he's going to get them to me when they come in. I'm eager to work on this car but I'm also unaware, but willing to learn.

Oh wait, they rely on the axles to be sandwiched together so I wonder what I'm going to run into when I eventually get those axles...

Edit again: I guess I'll find out if they're 2wd or 4wd when I get the axles lol.

 

FYI
With your year of 4runner I bet they made Hanes manuals for your gen. Those aren't a Bible but can help greatly. Maybe try & source one.
Ryan

 

Previous owner was nice enough to provide a new one when I bought it. That's what I started flipping through, found chapter 10-B1 and looked at the diagram to figure out the missing parts. Then when I read 'CV axle' I remembered him saying something about that so I went back through our messages and he said he ordered some and will get them to me when he gets them. Dunno when that's gonna be, but he seems like a good guy so I'm sure I won't be waiting long. And even if I'm wrong I understand it's a private sale so nothing I can do, I technically accepted the vehicle in this condition. I did learn a lesson here though...that's to know what the fuck I'm doing when I look over cars.

 

Glad you are getting things understood & hopefully resolved!
Please, keep this thread up,
Ryan

 

So the differential holds oil, where the ring and pinion live (the gears that connect the driveshaft to the axles). If they haven't been off long, it's likely just low on oil, because the axles keep the oil in, as in plugging the hole. If you drive and hit puddles, snow, rain, etc, you have a hole (2 actually), accepting debris and water into the housing. That house needs to be clean, gears don't need grit.

I'm not saying it is guaranteed toast, I'm saying it needs inspected. Also, maybe I didn't see it, but if they found a way to plug up the holes then maybe it didn't get a bunch of stuff in there.

 

Those front diffs use tulip shafts to connect the axles. If the tulip shafts are attached, can only see one from the pic, I would not worry too much about the diff being contaminated. The axle does not seal the diff, the seals on the tulip shafts do. Also the cv axle is separate from the seals for the bearings too. If you’re worried drain out the diff oil and see what it looks like. With those axles do yourself a favor and knock out the studs in the tulip shafts, they come out easy with a 3lb drilling hammer, and replace them with nuts, bolts and lock washers. You do that you can replace the axles waaaaaay easier. You just have to remove the 2 bolts holding the diff and support the diff with a jack and you can get them in. No need to remove the knuckle or mess with the control arms. Do you have hubs or flanges on the front wheels, or are those missing too?

 

My bad @Dezman92 I thought in the third photo I was looking at the diff opening for the CV but in fact I was looking at the wheel hub.

Yea, if the rosebuds/tulips are there, then they were doing the sealing.

I apologize for unneeded grief.

Bonus, you currently have 2Lo hah

 

What you see is what I have. Though the previous owner did change the wheels a couple hours before we met and he said he had more parts he'll give me eventually so who knows. He lives about 2 hours away from me so making schedules work ain't easy. He said he was going to give me the other wheels anyway so I suppose I'll wait to see what I get when we meet again. Also yes those tulips are in, so that's another load off my shoulders. I do plan on draining all fluids soon so we'll see how everything is.

 

Ok then disregard all I said about the diff. It's sealed. Changing the fluid is simple and cheap, a good way to get your feet wet with maintenance. Watch some videos, make a Toyota friend in RL, we lurk around everywhere. Then you can check it and feel confident she's ready to go.

Otherwise, congrats on the new truck you pinecone!

 

It’s all good. 2 lo actually comes in handy believe or not. I would throw some manual hubs on that thing. It saves your axles and you’ll get a mile or two increase in mpg.

 

Oh jokes aside I'd love 2Lo. Would make backing up a trailer up a hill or something much more controlled.