1994 4Runner V6 Restoration

Hi All,

I'm about to drop off my '94 4Runner to have a Body Off Restoration, and would like to hear opinion s on what to do about my Suspension..

It all looks very orange underneath, and whilst the Ladder Chassis can be repaired, galvanised & painted etc., I'm a little concerned that it might be easier / cheaper / better for peace of mind to simply scrap all the Suspension components and fit new parts..

What do you think..?

I have attached a few photos of the OSF as an example, and one of the Rear Axle which I also think just needs replacing.

Has anyone here had the same decision to make, and done the same..?

All thoughts welcome.. Also, I think I'm going to need a comprehensive list of Parts for everything between the Chassis and the Hub, so if anyone has that, it would be much appreciated..

 

Wow, that is some serious rust. Good luck on the restoration. I would replace all that you can especially if you are going thru all the trouble of a body off frame restoration.

 

No offense, but I would look for another truck with less rust to throw money at.

 

None taken, and you're probably right from a financial point of view.. But I love this Truck..

 

Find a better rig. This is going to cost you an absolute fortune and no one is going to replace all that rust properly.

 

I grew up in rusty upstate NY.
I live in the Nevada high desert now and forget about the rust carnage back there and your pics bring back memories……not good ones. Good luck.

 

Similar story. I'm an Upstate NY transplant to NC. I have dealt with restoring rusty cars and it's not worth it. Total money pits. Starting with a solid car saves you tens of thousands of dollars in body work and parts.

An off frame resto for this rig is going to be at least $40k. Any less, and whoever is doing it, is going to tear it apart and abandon it quickly. Everything under that car will need to be replaced. Fuel, brakes, suspension.

But hey, I've been in this guy's place and had to learn the hard way too

 

I saw a show, I think it was on Hagerty, a old car salvage guy who puts together a car or two said he gets solid bodies from the SW an interiors from the N, the less sun/UV beating make the N interiors weather better and the bodies die before the interior.

 

Thanks for the Replies guys, although I think I was expecting something more encouraging..

I have priced up all the replacement Suspension parts from RoughTrax 4X4, and it tips the scales at £900.. Not including all the labour to fit them of course, but I shall be doing most of that once the Ladder Chassis is ready for it..

No hard and fast decisions have been made as yet, I think I need to see what state things are in when the Body & Chassis are separated, and then make the big decisions..

I'm not expecting to make money along the way, that's for sure, but I am committed to making sure my Truck stays on the road for a good few years yet..

 

Sorry, I didn’t mean to be a downer but that looks like a lot of work/money when blown up V6s body shells are pretty easy to find. At the same time I kinda understand as I would have a difficult time parting with Goldie.

 

YIKES! Looks like it was parked at the bottom of the ocean for a while.
Sorry, but I think I'd look for another rig. Although, how hard are they to find in the UK?

 

English Channel perhaps..

Manual V6 4Runner is a pretty rare truck here in the UK, but that isn't the reason I'm being stubborn about restoring this one.. It has been dropped off and the Work is starting imminently so I will keep you all updated on this Thread..!

Will definitely be fitting new Suspension and Brakes, and the Engine & Box will be getting a lot of love too whist the Body is off..

 

wow to all that rust! good luck and keep us posted.

 

I'm not sure what everyone is on about, the rust doesn't look too bad to me. Mind you most of your pics don't show the susceptible frame sections, what I see of the actual frame isn't bad. If you are replacing all the bolt on components, where most of the photographed rust is, then you shouldn't have much of a fight. You have already expressed intent to replace the axle and suspension components, so quite honestly it sounds like you know what you are getting in to. Just make sure you get a good written description of the work proposed by your frame shop, that you know that work is adequate to make it last the way tou want, and that the shop performa the work to an exceptional standard.

Hopefully you can post some updates for us soon.

 

Well..

It has been a while, but my 4Runner has finally landed at a Body Shop where a full Body Off / Chassis restoration is to take place..

I'll update here with Photos and Details as and when they are sent to me..!

 

Update..!



Once the Chassis and Body were separated, I made the decision to do a Chassis Replacement since the condition of the one I had was in need of a lot of repair.. So, coupla Hundred Pounds later, a Chassis turned from Ebay and the resto began in earnest..





New Chassis was stripped, prepped, Red Oxide and then 2K Satin Painted Black..



Starting with refurbishing the ancillaries such as Spare Wheel Carrier, then moving on to the Fuel Tank & Cage, Chassis Bump Stops and Steering Box..



Then on to the the Fuel and Brake Lines..

 

Rear Axle focus next, removing the Surface Corrosion then treated the same as the Chassis with a 2K finish..




Fitted with new Springs, Dampers, and waiting on refurbished Upper & Lower Trailing Arms.. Came up pretty good..



Will be finished off with an all new Rear Braking System..

 

IFS setup next, new Uppers, Lowers [inc. Ball Joints], Pedders Torsion Bars & Dampers.. The 4Runner will have [as before] a 2" Suspension Lift [although I am removing the 2" Body Lift, returning to Stock]..



Sitting Pretty..

 

Good choice replacing the frame….looking good, but whew…a lot of work.

 

Time to focus some of the attention to the Rear Axle, and fitment of new Bearings, Back Plates and Brakes..




At last, separated..! Now, the rebuild..





New Studs too..

 

Congratulations on having what I consider to be an amazing bit of perseverance!! Keep the pictures coming

 

Wow, Is all I can say to the amount of work, patience and determination you have put in your project.

Shows what can be done on a vehicle you absolutely do not want to part with.

Really do appreciate the pics showing the status of your build.

 

Thank you @Ironguy @RumHamRunner73 , it really is a Labour of Love and Quite a Large Bag of Money..

Work has resumed this week, came across an issue when uniting the 3VZE Motor with the replacement Chassis - Engine Mounts..





Nothing a bit of Grinding & Welding won't sort, but a Speed Bump nonetheless..

There was a tinge of regret at having scrapped the original Chassis already, but I had to remind myself that that thing was shot and I was better having some Fabrication done that salvaging from the old Rusty Skeleton..

Finished up the Rear Axle work, with the a refurbished Handbrake assembly and new Cables..

 

Do you think those mounts might’ve been for a 22RE?

 

I can't say for sure, but my money is on the Chassis having been for a Diesel Hilux Surf, since most [99%] of the N130 Series in the UK are.. 2.4 most likely..

 

Engine Mounts fabricated..

 

Attention has turned to the Engine this past week: Timing Belt, Water Pump, Gaskets, Plugs, Leads & Gaskets.. Essentially, a Major Service..! And Essential it was..!!

I was [and still am] a little embarrassed about the state of the Engine, and how really it had not been looked after.. I have kept the Fluids under a watchful eye, but really, there were issues that were as close to Breaking Point as they could get without a Catastrophic Roadside event..

The Water Pump had been sealed with Bathroom Sealant, not a Gasket..



How the F£%& this had held for as long as it did was miraculous..

The Dizzy Cap points were brittle and came away with little persuasion..



Basically, it was on its Last Legs.. Fortunately it was going to receive a New Everything..

 

The Exhaust System was to be overhauled, with the removal of the Crossover Pipe in favour of Headers, and an EGR Delete..

Because of the introduction of Stainless Steel to the Engine Bay., it was decided to Heatwrap them to protect everything else in there..




A little Surgery would be required, as the length of the Union Pipe meant that there would be insufficient room for the Silencer/Muffler, the Catalytic Converter and the Tail Pipe..

 

After some thinking and a chat, we have decided to go with a completely Custom setup on the Exhaust..

Yes it is going to be more costly than doing Surgery on the Headers & OEM rearward section, but this Build deserves to be done Right..

Will post some Photos when I have some, but I have a feeling a Full Stainless Steel Exhaust setup is going to look awesome..