'87 or '85?

[Jeff T.]

I've got two 4runners, 87 & 85. 87 has IFS, ac is broke. 85 has auto, cold ac, and a solid axle.

Which one to keep? Keeping in mind it will be my DD, not looking to compete off road, but a super capable weekend warrior. Been driving the 85, gotta tell you the auto is spoiling me, especially in Ausitn traffic. But the 87 is an SR5, nice interior, ect.

Gotta get one of these out of the driveway.

[KToy]

i would keep 87 do a sas a nd put a/c in it if it were me.

the cleaner one with more power keep that one.

[Jeff T.]

Both motors the same. 22re, done by yours truly. So the motor isn't really a consideration.

[bbagwell]

I would keep the 85. Cold AC, and solid axle. I would presonally rather have a stick shift, but we can't have everything I guess.

[Oatmeal]

Keep the '87. Already has the wide rear axle, right steering box (ready for solid axle swap) for cross over steering and a t-case that'll accept a doubler and/or 4.7s;) All that's left is fix the A/C (important when you get to be my age:eek: ).........Hans

[Jeff T.]

I considered all of that...but $ is a big issue. I've got $2000. I can do a SAS for that, but that doesn't leave me anything for tires, gears, locker(s). Ok, tires are no big deal. That can come out of the family budget. But the other stuff...

[Jeff T.]

See, if I sell the 87 for 4K, I repay the family budget the 1000 I have in the 85, then I have a lot more $ to play with. Know what I mean?

JT

[jvmin]

part out the 85 and fund the build up of the 87 bit by bit:D
swap for a set of tires (cost depending on size)(33X12.5X15's)
you dont need too much lift that way
you got the front axle for the sas (freebie)
swap the rear third out and put the 4:30's in the 87 housing (freebie)
sell:
the engine tranny combo (400 600 depending on mileage)
interior parts and cut the doors for half doors. (freebie)
keep the frame for a buggy project or sell it to someone doing a buggy 50 - 100 bucks
make your own sas parts (cost of the tubing and favorite beverage for friend with welder)
run the rears from the 85 up front (sky mounts 12$ each)
make your own shackles (cost of metal and some time to drill em out)
weld the rear axle third since it will be 4:30 ratios or sell the 4:10 (50)
sell the ifs parts complete minus the hubs and calipers (10-50)
keep those for a brake upgrade on the front
sell the rear housing to the scrap yard. (5 -10 bucks)
sell the cab and frame with title for (100-200)
use the air from the 85 (freebie)
sell the tires and rims from the 85 (50-100)
get a second case and a doubler plate(buy a used one 250)
get the 85 front cv drive shaft modified for the rear (75-125)
use the rear driveshaft for parts and put a square tube drive shaft front in it (again cost of materials and the favorite beverage of your friend with a welder)
then find a set of used hysteer arms and tie rod (200 or so) and set up
or get a second stock 85 passenger arm have em welded for a crossover and do cross over steering. (30-40 for the arm and cost of favorite beverage of skilled welding friend)
move the steering box forwards for clearances cost of tubing for frame pass throughs and fish plates (1-15 bucks)depending on what you have laying around.

and there you go a cheap capable wheeler daily driver week end assault vehicle. with the cash to pay off the family or at least most of it.

but you said you had to get rid of one of them out of the driveway.
(find friend willing to let you keep the junk truck at his house until it is parted out)

cash
400
050
050
010
005
100
675 on the low side

cost
of build up:
cross over 100-150
sas (cost of materials)
dual cases (250-350)
driveshaft fab 50-250
welding and beverage costs (about as much as you can stand)
materials for the different projects (cost of the steel)
longer shackles

but this would give you a sas'd, ac, cross over, dual cased, 430 ratio's, wide axle, upgraded brakes. very flexy front suspension, high angle drive line, nice interior, great daily driver, newer truck with 5sp, lift, and tires and rims.

or just sell the 87 and start planning for the rework of the 85???

[Jeff T.]

now THAT's some advice, I tell ya. Gotta run that by the wife.

[jvmin]

I just know that your going to spend a lot of time getting things together for the auto to be swapped over cause you'll probably be less than happy with the auto off road.

if I had two runners setting there
and was wanting to create the daily driver / trail rig you are talking about.

you could swap out the frames as well and all ready have the suspension you could use for decent weekend wheeling

and very build able swap out the axle housing get a set of 4.7 gears and leave the drive train in the stock location.

and spend some money on a locker or two

that way you could always do the cross over steering later and you would have the parts neccessary except for the arms and tie rods.

then sell the 85 body on the 87 ifs frame with a auto as a project truck for someone.
:Thumbsup: and you could come out cheaper at first.

[jvmin]

but if your wifes like mine she wants it out of the driveway asap
and the bills paid asap

Women just don't get it when it comes to men and their toys


:eek:

[Jeff T.]

She's the best, really....but I really do have to get one of these outa the driveway. Our house has turned into the junkyard of the neighborhood.

I know you're right about the auto off road.. it's just so dang handy when I'm driving around town. My left leg is loving it.


JT