91 2nd Gen Rebuild

Hi folks.

New to the forum. Have come to get some inspiration / share some progress I'm making.

About 10 years ago, a friend of my dad owed him some money, and ended up giving my dad a 1991 4 runner 4x4 with a 5 speed box. It had a seized engine, that needed to be rebuilt. 181k on the motor. Unsure of the details surrounding the lockup. My dad held onto her for about 6 months, and then sold it to a friend for $1000.00.

I live in SWF, and love to fish. Have a small flats boat and needed something to tow it with. I had always regretted not asking my dad for that 4runner, and doing an engine rebuild with him.

About a year ago, I asked my dad if he knew of what had happened to the 4runner. He reached out to his buddy that bought it. Turns out, it had been placed in storage, engine removed, and nothing else. I got his contact info and got in touch with him. He said that he just didn't have the time for it, and allowed me to take it off his hands, for $1000.00.

I had it towed back to my dads shop, and ended up ordering a used motor on eBay, which I intended on dropping in and calling it a day. Used motor had (reported) 91k miles on it and had come out of a JDM vehicle.

My dad is a very meticulous guy, and wasn't happy with the new motor. Basically, took the heads off to look at the valves and pistons, and just kept stripping it. Long story short, ended up with a completely stripped motor, as well as the original motor (so lots of parts to choose between for a complete rebuild).

We were moving really slowly for a long time (dad is busy and I'm in grad school), but picked up some great momentum over thanksgiving.

So far block has been honed, new pistons and rings, heads redone with valves reseated, polished crank, new water pump, new oil pump, new thermostat, threw a new knock sensor in under the intake manifold. Waiting on some new flywheel bolts, then clutch goes on.

Today changed fluid in front differential, oil looked beautifully clean and no metal on the magnet, which was great to see.

Have some new front and rear disks and pads to put on right before she's ready to start moving.

Things I still need to figure out:

Need to make a decision on new injectors - have 8 total used ones at this point, any input on aftermarket / rebuilt injectors? I've seen a wide variation in costs, some 60 bucks per injector, all the way up to mid 200 range (yotashop) for original OEM injectors.

Dash - top portion of the dash is cracked, and for sure needs to be replaced. I have seen some "overlay" options online, and was wondering if anyone had actually placed one over a cracked dash with good success.

Rims: I really would love to find a set of the original rims from this year range (pictured below). Anyone have a set laying around, or know of some good places to look to try find a set?

Interior as a whole is pretty clean outside of the dash.

Once I have it up and running smoothly, I'm going to get a respray in the original green, and redo the original factory decals.

Uploaded some pics of the progress! Super stoked to be getting close to dropping in the motor. I can't wait to take it for a drive!

 

Looks great! Please keep up with pics on the progress!

I got my injectors from MotorWest Performance - they’ve got a great rep. Looks like they’ve got some reman Densos for a reasonable price, plus they’ll give you money back to send your old ones. Alternatively, they also have a clean, flow test, and rebuild option that’ll be a bit cheaper.

at least on the 5VZ the fuel injectors are slightly different on JDMs, so I’d probably swap em with something fresh to be sure anyway

 

Thanks man. I took a look at their site. Looks like a 40 dollar core charge and around 340 for a set of reman OEM injectors. Not a bad deal compared to some other original yota injector prices.

I'll for sure keep the updates coming.

Today drained transmission and cleaned out the bell housing. Old tranny oil came out looking nice and clean. New seal and bearing going on.

 

Welcome to the forum! The original wheels you are looking for and have pictured are my favorite style out of all the wheels over the decades.

 

That rig is cherry. Love it. I put in Precision Auto Injectors. Paid $138 with no core charge. They're two hole injectors and I've not had any issues, I might even feel a slight boost in power but that's subjective. They really seem invested in what they do, sent me a hand written note, followed up by email.
Looks like they're $190 now. https://precisionautoinjectors.com/...94~mk_toyota~md_4runner~cb_3-0l-3vz-e-sohc-v6

 

Thanks man! I ended up going with a rebuilt set from yotashop.com.

This weekend I was able to get the new clutch / pressure plate installed, and get the motor dropped in.

I also focused on some corrosion reduction while I had access to spots in the engine bay.

 

Welcome to the forum! Your hard work is evident, keep up with the updates

 

Can’t like this enough!

 

Thanks folks! I'm super stoked on it! Will for sure keep the updates coming.

If anyone knows where I can buy a set of the OG rims, please let me know! I've been checking craigslist pretty much state wide. I called a few scrap yards too, but no luck.

 

Nice Project!

I’ve used this company in the past. Looks like the prices have doubled.

https://www.hubcaphaven.com/c/489/toyota_4runner_wheels_rims.html

 

Thanks man! I hadn't seen that webpage in my search. They're not playing around with those prices, lol 250 bucks a rim. I'll for sure keep them in mind. Right now I'm hoping to either find someone on here with a set they're willing to sell, or hoping I'll come across a set at a junk yard or something. I keep prowling the craigslist, but no luck so far.

I'm thinking 3 inch lift and maybe 32's on those OEM rims.

 

Nice.
Like I mentioned these have gone way up in price. It’s too bad.

This site has the steel wheel painted Silver for 100.00 each. Item number OW69201C


https://www.originalwheels.com/toyota-wheels/4runner1990rims.php

 

Thanks man! I'm tempted to just go ahead and pull the trigger on them, but will probably wait until I have her up and running before I spend anything on appearances.

I also need to find myself a good paint shop in the area, and figure out someone that can remake the decal for the side of the body.

 

Here is a site for new side decals.

https://www.jamesdeancreations.com/1992.htm

 

Thanks man!

 

Did you get rid of the crossover in the exhaust?

 

I did not man. Is that something you'd recommend? I kept exhaust setup factory.

 

The 3.0 is notorious for blowing head gaskets especially at the #6 cylinder. There's tons of threads stating that it's caused by the crossover producing a ton of heat at the number #6 cylinder. I have a 92 pickup that I've done headgaskets in twice. First time was at like 280K second time was on a fresh rebuild. Both times it was on cylinder #6. After the second time I got rid of the crossover and used ARP headstuds and haven't had any issues since. Some people will say the crossover has nothing to do with headgasket failures but it may be worth looking in to. I lucked out and bought a used set of headers from a buddy. There are a couple companies that make crossover delete kits if you didn't wanna buy headers.

 

That's interesting man. I'll have to do some reading into that. I can't say I have seen anyone mention it so far, but I'll pay attention to it as I read through forums and whatnot.

Unfortunately, I have already placed the engine in the bay and connected the exhaust system. I sure hope in a few years I don't find myself revisiting this thread to find your name so I can let you know that you were right. lol

 

I swear we just bought one and it has the exact same rims ( I was wrong about the rims but close enough) and tires on it. How weird is that? That must've been a popular replacement or something....

 

No way man. Very close in style. Like I said in the OP, I just feel like that style rim would have looked correct on a K5 Blazer, but they just don't look right to me on these early 90's 4runners.

 

Yeah we've been looking for original rims and they are outrageous in price. We haven't visited any junkyards yet but I have a feeling it will be slim pickin's for those original rims

 

Had a few days off from the ol' hospital this week, so decided to get after a few more projects.

Engine is in. Waiting for slave cylinder for the clutch, and some rebuilt injectors that are on their way, so couldn't make any more progress there.

Decided to turn my attention to the brakes, which turned into complete hub rebuilds lol. Started with the front end, took apart the hubs and did some corrosion reduction projects on the shrouds that channel airflow toward the rotors. Gave them a good sanding and a fresh coat in some high temp caliper paint.

Packed in new bearings and cleaned up all the surfaces that I had access to. Was considering rebuilding current calipers, but it was hard to pass up rebuilt ones for 60 bucks a piece, so I went with those instead (not pictured)

I did go ahead and remove axle shafts from the rear end. Was very encouraging to see how clean the differential oil was, with no shavings at all on the plug.

A bit of a challenge to get the rear seals and bearings out, so saving that for another day.

Some pics:

 

Don’t know where you’re at, here’s a CL post.
https://reno.craigslist.org/wto/7572251275.html

 

Thanks so much for looking man, I appreciate you. Unfortunately I'm down in SWF. If they were just rims and not tires I may try get in touch and ask the guy to ship them, but I think that may get a little crazy with the rubber. I may reach out nonetheless.

 

My fault, duplicate post here and on the for sale thread, but I managed to find a set on eBay last night. They are a little rough looking, but looking closely, seems mostly just dirty and have some oxidation on them. With some good chemistry and elbow grease though going to get them looking brandy new. I paid 400 for the set, which is decent at 100 bucks a rim.

I won't be able to get to them for a while with this semester starting up, but if they don't clean up really well, then I'll consider painting or powder coating them.

 

Love seeing this! Those 2nd gens are getting to be total classics. Looking forward to seeing it up and running.

 

Hey thanks man! I'm stoked on it for sure. Need to figure out the plan for wheel sizes. I'm considering just a modest 2 inch lift and some 32's. I don't want to stray too far from the original look.

What bike you riding bro? That's a wild intake on it.

 

After doing a full 3 inch suspension lift with 33's when I had my 2nd gen Tacoma, I've learned less is more. Especially on those older 4runners- a 1inch lift with some aggressive AT 31s would look perfect imo. Functional, aggressive, practical, and a bit more mature. 2 inches with some 32s would look awesome as well though- whatever you decide you can't go wrong.

Haha, that picture was my Harley Nightster. Very sweet bike I had for a couple years in college. Had a few Harleys, a couple Honda CBRs, and a BMW R Nine T which was my favorite out of all of them. Now I'm married and not allowed to ride anymore so I just track my Mustang. Apparently it's safer.

 

Dude, I was just looking at a few 31 BF Goodrich options. Both really well reviewed.



They have some good meat on them. You're probably right man, 1 inch with 31's is likely what I'll go with.

I love bikes man. I have always wanted an R nine T! Your wife might be right man. I've never taken anything on a track but that sounds sick!

I started out with a CBR600 when I was really light. I sold that and got a DRZ 400SM which was a street legal super motard build, super fun and nimble on the streets. I have no shortage of projects man, I'm just totally unrealistic about how much time / money I have for the. lol. After this 4runner is done I have a 74 CB550 that I really want to do a frame off restoration on. The kid I bought it from had started to go for a cafe racer look but kinda lost interest. I've had it for a long time just haven't had the time to dig in.