86 4-runner rebuild

[davemell0]

I've had an 86 4-runner for about 6 years now, and finally decided it deserved a little work. No 4-wheeling mods at the moment, but I have quite a lot of engine work to do, and I want to take the sag out of the rear springs.
In a year or two, maybe a 2-3 inch suspension lift, auto locker in the front, and limited slip or other in rear dif. and run either 31x10.5 or 33xsomething, so if I'd rather not do anything that I'll have to reverse or re-do later when I start 4-wheeling again.

what I want to do:

get rid of the sag

new rotors
new CV joints

more horsepower without doing an engine swap.
intake/header/exhaust/port and polish/
plus maybe bore the engine out a little

before that I need to get the EFI system working well
does anyone have a place they would reccomend getting sensors?
should I get my injectors cleaned?

The first thing I'm doing is fixing the rear suspension, I may be towing some, so I'd like to increase the weight capacity of the springs. Can I put springs out of a pickup on it? if so, where would be the cheapest place to get them.

I would appreciate suggestions on the stupidity of my actions, and/or answers to any or all of the questions.

Thanks

Dave

[Rescue]

What kind of offroad are you going to do? That will determine the mods you should perform...

I would keep the engine as is, maybe put a headder and K&N air filter, and re gear for 33". Maybe a solid axle is what you need?

As for the sensors they rarely fail so I wouldn't touch that.

Why do you want to replace the c.v's? If they are ripped just buy new boots and replace them. but the again SAS.

[davemell0]

I need to replace the CV's because I get a loud screeching noise from the front left side of the car when it is in four wheel drive.
I'm in the SW Virginia area, and I want it to be my daily driver for the forseable future, so I'm not looking to do heavy offroading modifications.
Everything this summer involves making it a slightly better all around vehicle. I want to avoid doing things that I'm going to have to reverse when I start off-roading again. Such as buying new stock springs, etc.
for instance, could I get rear springs, with a 3 inch lift, and adjust the shackle so that I had even ride height until I get tires and a front lift. What would this do to the road handling, and the life of the new springs? Als I'm keeping the independent front suspension. The likelyhood that I will ever be doing the sort of crawling or mudbogging that would require a straight front axle is very low.

Thanks

Dave

[illiand]

are you sure the screeching is coming from the CV? get down there and try to wiggle it around and see if the joing has free play. if it does not, the sound may be coming from some place else (hubs or diff?)

[davemell0]

hey, thats good advice, I was thinking it was deffinitly coming from the left side, and figured I'd check the hub on my way in to get at the CV joints, but I'll check the diff too just to make sure.

Thanks

Dave

[illiand]

dont forget to let us know what you come up with!

[davemell0]

One week and it will be time to fix my sagging rear end, I still haven't decided on the cheapest/most efffective way to solve the problem.

1. should I get rear springs with a 3 inch lift, and adjust the shackle so that I had even ride height until I get tires and a front lift.?
Can I even do this? If so, what would this do to the road handling, and the life of the new springs?

2. used stock springs out of a toyota pickup?
increase load capacity so this doesn't happen again

3. Add a leaf, or other spring support system?

4. Could I raise the current springs with an adjustable shackle


Dave

[azbearfan]

For the rear suspension, you may be best off going with an extended shackle and/or an add a leaf to even out the ride height. Of course the add a leaf will also add a little more capacity but it will also stiffen up your ride. The shackles you should be able to use again when you get your lift, but the leaf you may not need or want to.

As for the HP increase, check out this cheap HP link (http://www.wildyoats.com/hp_under_$95.htm) for some tips on getting a little more power out of your 22re.

[high4runner]

i agree with the add a leaf and shackle. the add a leaf will stiffin the ride but thats what you'll want for towing. i put after market 3" springs with a shackle lift on my 92 toyota and found i was getting way too much axle wrap. had to go put in traction bars. the axle was twisting soo much the carrier bearing was hitting the bolts on the drive line. traction bars solved the prob.