My 1985 4Runner Build
1985 Toyota 4Runner · 112" wheelbase · 58" WMS-to-WMS · bobbed rear with removable top · full exo cage. Built for rocks, snow, and multi-day trail trips.
This rig started life as a solid-axle 1985 4Runner and has evolved into a heavily armored, dual-winch trail truck that·s at home on North Idaho backroads, deep winter snow runs, and iconic trails like the Rubicon.
Drivetrain & Gearing
- G54 5-speed transmission
- Dual transfer cases (doubler): 2.8 × 4.7 gears, Trail Gear crossmember, 21-spline
- 5.29 gears: USA Automotive (rear), Motive (front)
- TOM WOODS double-cardan driveshafts front & rear (1350 joints)
Axles, Lockers & Armor
- Rear axle from ·93 4Runner (58" WMS-to-WMS)
- Front IFS hubs from ·93 4Runner, 3/8" hub bolt upgrade
- Both axles fully trussed & armored with diff armor; front knuckle gussets
- SPOOL in rear, Aussie locker in front
- RCV front axle shafts with chromoly hub gears
- Trail Gear axle seals, Yukon crush sleeve eliminators front & rear
- 10 mm rear & 8 mm front differential stud eliminators
Suspension & Steering
- Front: 2nd-gen RUF custom pack leaf springs
- Front shocks: KYB Monomax, 10" travel
- Rear: double-triangulated 4-link with 2.0 × 0.25 links and 1.25" chromoly heims
- Rear shocks: FOX 2.0 × 18 coilovers with Viper springs (100/150 rate), frenched into frame using Barnes towers (anti-squat adjustable 68·84%)
- Trail Gear hydro-assist steering (high-flow pump, remote reservoir, external cooler)
- Trail Gear crossover / high-steer, IFS steering box
- 7/16" knuckle studs with 5th stud mod (both sides) & 6th stud mod (passenger side)
- Trunnions upgraded to 25 mm with German bearings (Front Range Off Road)
- 555 FJ80 OEM tie-rod and draglink ends
Armor, Recovery & Winter Setup
- Full exo cage and bobbed rear
- WARN XRZ 9000 front winch (wireless remote, ·" synthetic rope)
- Badlands 12,000 lb rear winch (wireless remote)
- Chains on all four corners for winter wheeling
- Half-doors for summertime
Wheels, Tires & Brakes
- 37x14.5R15 Interco SX2 Super Swampers
- 15x10 American Racing 6-lug steel wheels
- Coyote internal 15" double beadlocks on all four wheels
- 1.5" wheel spacers
- T-100 1.065" master cylinder
Engine, Fuel & Exhaust
- 22RE LCE Stage 2 engine: Eagle H-beam rods, LCE Street Pro cam with LCE valve springs & rockers, 1 mm oversize valves, bronze guides, bored .060" over, adjustable cam gear, metal timing guides
- EGR deleted and desmogged
- Rebuilt injectors (Advanced Injectors)
- RuffStuff ·bomb proof· motor mounts
- Trail Gear high-flow power steering pump, AISIN water & oil pumps
- 17-gallon fuel cell with Evil Energy pump & filter
- Long-tube header, OEM resonator, Thrush Turbo muffler and glasspack
- Stock air box with K&N flowmeter (better in dusty conditions)
Electrical, Lighting & Interior
- Dual AGM Interstate batteries (900 CCA each) with isolator
- Equus gauges (water temp, oil pressure, fuel level, tach, dual voltmeters) in diamond plate cluster
- (2) USB charging ports
- LED headlights, front & rear light bars, 8-piece white rock lights
- MICTUNING P1S 12-gang RGB switch panel
- Custom Hyundai heated seats, 5-point harnesses & harness bar
- Rear backup camera
- 2000 Super Duty wiper motor
- Power steering cooler
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