1984 4 runner build
 

I ran across some pictures the other day of my favorite vehicle that i had back in high school.. my 1984 4 Runner. "thumbsup"

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Re: 1984 4 runner build
 

The pictures were taken right after i got it painted my high school senior year.

Re: 1984 4 runner build
 

Here are some pictures from when i was working on the body work and then right after i got it sprayed. I have owned 11 different early model toyota trucks and 4 runners but i have to say that this was by far my most prized!

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Re: 1984 4 runner build
 

20 years later I can't help but to go on a mission to build a model of this truck "thumbsup"

Re: 1984 4 runner build
 

Nice!
Are you going to do top off and rear seats?

Re: 1984 4 runner build
 

Im not sure yet. I'm definitely going to do interior. Top off would be over the top. Maybe if i get enough votes for it ;-)

Re: 1984 4 runner build
 

I did a little research and found these bodies on ebay and picked one up.

RC hard body 1st Gen 4-runner ( body shell only) - rc4wd . SCX10

When I got it it was a bit rougher than i expected. Lots of trimming and clean up to do..

Re: 1984 4 runner build
 

Looking through my old spray cans i found a full can of the original paint i bought for touch up. Perfect! I just hope its still good.. at least i have the color code if need be.
The color was a factory Ford color, i think from 87, Denim Blue Metallic. Looked amazing in the sun.

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Re: 1984 4 runner build
 

My original had the Northwest Offroad dual shock hoops and 3" leaf springs. I sprayed the shock hoop the same color as the body so that will be matched. The wheels are tough to replicate. RC4WD used to make these:

RC4WD Classic 5 Lugs 1.55 Beadlock Wheel (Chrome Plated))

Unfortunately they have been discontinued... :cry: If someone made the same wheels but deep dish they would sell like crazy, maybe some day. For now its getting a set of the 1.55 mickey thompsons beadlocks.

Also picket up one of these of course. "thumbsup"

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Re: 1984 4 runner build
 

Some goodies that arrived yesterday. 8)
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Re: 1984 4 runner build
 

I got the idea from headquakes youtube build video to make a dremel box for the body work. Got this done yesterday and got the rough out on the body done. There was quite a bit of mold trim to cut off.

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Re: 1984 4 runner build
 

I got the body rough trim done yesterday and set it on my old TF2 and realized that the wheel base is not even close :roll:

So the wheel base for the 4Runner body is claimed 11". I measured it out at 10.75". TF2 is 11.3" over a 1/2" won't work in my book for a scale rig and the body won't even come down over the front frame rails.

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Re: 1984 4 runner build
 

Option 1 i came up with : cut the frame in half behind the transfer case mount and shorten the frame. Drive shafts would then be unequal and goofy looking.
Option 2: relocate spring mounts. A lot of work.

I thought about it some more and then was looking at the TF2 leafs under the front of the 4Runner body and there was no way i could center the axle under the fender and not have the leaf stick out the front under the body.
Then i looked at the stock leaf spring lengths for the 4Runner and the front are 45" with the front axle centered and the back are 47.5 with the rear axle at 20.5" back on the leaf. This gave me an idea...

Option 3: Install spare SWB springs up front on the stock spring hanger position and relocate the shackle mounts, and cut off the front of the frame. Move the rear axle slightly foward on the rear leafs. "thumbsup"

Re: 1984 4 runner build
 

Wheels and tires. May put on some smaller tires later.

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Re: 1984 4 runner build
 

Started on the new chassis build. Went ahead and drilled the new front shackle locations. Cut off the front 5/8" or so of the frame and the servo mounts on the front cross member. Test fit the double shock hoop locations and marked the front holes. Rear holes line up with the front transmission mounts.

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Re: 1984 4 runner build
 

The front shock mount hole on the right side looks really sloppy because i actually had to wallow out a hole already in the frame. Cant see it with the shock hoop covering it up.
Also moved the rear bumper foward a bit. Had to wallow out the front mount hole for it to work on the rear shackle mount bolt.

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Re: 1984 4 runner build
 

End up moving the rear axle foward a full 12mm (spacing of the axle bolts) on the rear spring. Front axle came back 13mm. Thats an inch, im not sure how but wheel base looks great now and measures out right at 10 5/8" "thumbsup"

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Re: 1984 4 runner build
 

90mm rear shocks and 70mm front. Reused the shocks off my SWB TF for the front. Ride height looks great too. I think its perfect for this build.

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Re: 1984 4 runner build
 

Thought i would share this cool little sanding tool I made. I took an old spin brush tooth brush and cut off the bristles and used double foam sticky tape to attach sand paper. Makes a great little sander for find detail stuff. It might benefit from a 2s lipo as well ;-)

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Re: 1984 4 runner build
 

Off to a great start. I'll be very curious to see how the suspension setup works. I'd definitely recommend the Chino mod with the SWB springs up front to get some more suspension travel, since those tend to be on the stiff side. Keep the updates coming!

Re: 1984 4 runner build
 

Yes, the front end is very stiff. Between the friction of having dual shocks and the stiff springs she doesn't like to boogie much.
I always hated those springs on my SWB TF2. I ended up linking it and now its my favorite trail rig.
I figure its a scale truck anyways and it won't see a lot of trail. The NW offroad springs i had were horribly stiff so at least its scalish. I remember jumping it and hearing a clanging sound on landing only to find my driveshaft was bottoming out.. dang. Shortened that up and then found my front leafs were bent at the axle because my shackles were too short. took my leafs off and pounded them back with a sledgehammer and put them back on with new shackles. Good times!

Re: 1984 4 runner build
 

Decided to go for it and cut the top off and the hood as well. I figured it will make it easer to do the interior too.

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Re: 1984 4 runner build
 

n00b's builds are terrific. Don't feel bad...there aren't too many in that league.

Another suspension tip...you can (and should) ditch the springs in your shocks, especially up front where you're running the dual shock setup. That will allow the leafs to do their job and will also soften up the suspension quite a bit. I run all of my leafed trucks that way, and it works great. "thumbsup"

Re: 1984 4 runner build
 

I like the double shock hoops, goes with the era, however i don'l like how fat the shocks are...

I mostly use a dremel with thin cutter blade.
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Kinda went nuts with the dremel.


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I have done that in my other TF2 but i may need the springs, This body weighs a ton!

Re: 1984 4 runner build
 

I admire you guys that have the courage and skills to cut up hardbodies like this and actually have it turn into something in the end. I just have not found the balls to do this to one of mine yet. Interested to see how this one turns out. Nice work so far!

Re: 1984 4 runner build
 

Well, didn't do anything on the 4 runner, needed to get the yeti back together. All new rod ends with metal balls front and back.
Got new wheels and tires on the boat trailer and towed it around a bit. A good day id say.

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Re: 1984 4 runner build
 

Well i first put in some floor pans with some bent 0.125" styrene. I didn't like the way i looked and the way it fit so i tore it out and installed flat plates with the step. Got a firewall roughed in as well with some 0.030" styrene.
I bought a new hot cutter, works great for the thick stuff. Never worked with styrene before but it is pretty easy to work with and glues great with CA.

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Re: 1984 4 runner build
 

Playing around with hanging the doors. Not sure exactly how i need to do it to minimize the door gap but it is looking ok.

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i must have spent another 4 hours removing and repositioning the hinges until they the fit was just right and the doors shut well. Then i filled the gap in with some styrene. Also got the gas filler door installed and working good.
A huge learning curve going on here, not to mention a bit of a test of patience but for some reason i seem to enjoy it. :D

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Re: 1984 4 runner build
 

Very cool build, Love all the body chopping. Have any pics of your doors hinge system?

-Mike

Re: 1984 4 runner build
 

Thanks, the hinges were a pain but i'm liking having the doors open and close. "thumbsup" Heres a couple close ups of the hinges. I used airplane hatch hinges for the hinges, just trimmed them up a bit to fit. i could have put the pivot on the inside of the fender and had the whole door swing out, which would have been much easier to fit, but i wanted to make them more scale and have the front of the door swing in like the full size truck. I found that moving the hinges back into the door made it swing better for fender clearance.
Just want to say thanks to everyone for the helpful suggestions like with the shocks. If anyone has any good suggestions don't be afraid to post, i appreciate it along with the comments. Thanks "thumbsup"

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Re: 1984 4 runner build
 

I was thinking this thread should be in the 1.55 scale thread instead of the TF2 thread.. does anyone know if a thread can be moved?

Re: 1984 4 runner build
 

Tail gate went on with some dubro plastic hinges.

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Re: 1984 4 runner build
 

Damn, not bad man

Sent from my SM-G920R4 using Tapatalk

Re: 1984 4 runner build
 

thanks for sharing the details on the hinges "thumbsup"

Re: 1984 4 runner build
 

Haven't got a lot done lately between the holidays and work. Got the front dremeled out and ready for making the grill. I wanted to get the front all done before i put the hood on. Then i got distracted with thinking about the old stereo system i had. Found these little bluetooth speaker systems for $10 at walmart. Each one had two speakers that look just like the 3 old JL 10w6 subs i had. Gutted two of them to get three speakers to put in a custom little sub box. Fun stuff :)

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Lots of body work lately to get it looking decent. The body has a ton of bubbles and pinholes too so its seems like its nonstop bodyfiller, sanding, priming, repeat. Also heated the roof to get the front roof to come out a bit. It was too straight across and the sunroof need a bit of an arch anyways.

Before

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Got the door and canopy magnets installed.

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Coming along pretty good.

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Merry Christmas everyone!

Re: 1984 4 runner build
 

Made a cardboard template for the visor and thought i might be able to heat and bend something up with styrene. That did not work at all.

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Then i cut up some 1/32 plywood and glued it together. Some body filler and sanding and it came out pretty good.

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Its really starting to look like the ol girl now. 8)

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Re: 1984 4 runner build
 

Dude that visor kicks ass, really stoked to finally see someone put all the necessary effort into one of these bodies. I know how rough they are from the 2nd gen runner I had.