Toyota mechanics/owners a little help-advice please!

[fixajet]

My teenage son just bought his first vehicle. (towed it home last night) Its supposidly an 89 4runner (I'll get to the supposidly later) As always there is good and bad. First the good. The body is in really good shape with no rust and the interior likewise in really good condition and it also has a solid axle under the front.
Now the bad, It has been sitting non running for the past year and a half to two years because the guy he bought it from said the engine "froze up" on him. (im guessing hydoro-locked) because the oil pan is full of antifreeze-oil mix. Not to mention that my wife is not happy having another vehicle added to our driveway, let alone one that is not running, this story does get worse. When I popped the hood, to my great surprise and astonishment this 4 cylinder engine has a carburetor on it. With no evidence that I could tell in the dark that it ever had fuel injection at all.
Ive never owned a Toyota befor, I know nothing about them. But doing an internet search the info that I have found is that front solid axles where only factory from 1984-85 and that fuel injection was introduced in 85 on up.
So Ive got a few questions for you knowlegeable folks.
1. If it truly is an 89 4runner did someone somewhere down the line put a different engine in it? And why in the world would they take out all the efi stuff and put a carburetor on it? What evidence should I look for, computer etc.. location to see if this runner did indeed at one time had efi.
2. How can I tell if the solid front axle is from the factory or if it had an SAS somewhere down the line. (what do the mounts/spring perches look like from a kit) Im wondering if this isnt an 84-85 frame -engine etc.. with an 89 body.
3. Lastley, How is the coolant getting into the engine oil. Where to start to determine if the whole engine is shot or cracked head or simply head gasket.

This is my sons get his feet wet, welcome to the world of vehicle ownership initiation. Im sure he's got visions of a jacked up'd 35'' tire wheel'n machine but he needs to get it running on his budget because I am not going to open up my wallet, just my help to him if he asks.
My concern is getting an 89 to pass emissions with a carburetor.

Any help/advice would be much appreciated, especially help getting the engine running.

thx.
Scott

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Assuming its the 22R, however the 22R was still used (albeit rarely) on post 85' Toyotas, seemingly more often in other markets (Canada, South America, Mexico, etc).

Coolant in oil. Simple answer would be a head gasket, not at all unheard of for a high mileage 22R, and not a terribly difficult overhaul procedure either.

Re: the axle, post a pic. If its truly an 89' its a swap. To my knowledge Toyota NEVER made an 89' 4Runner (US Spec.) with a solid axle, and that goes for outside the US too, while the HiLux retained the solid axle, the 4Runner was a US only rig so it can't be a funky import.

My gut feeling, your son picked up an 84' era rig. Post a pic and that will be solved in a hurry

 

[Rot Box]

The timing chain guides on 85-95 R series engines are well known to break (high quality plastic ), and a a result the extra slop in the chain would wear a hole in the water pump housing thus letting coolant flow into the oil pan. It is a fairly easy fix, but time consuming at the same time.

The steering should tell you if it has had an axle or cab swap. It is rare that someone would go through the trouble of swapping on the factory "push pull" system from 79-85 trucks. So is the drag link connected to the tie rod or passinger side knuckle in any way? Or does it connect to a J arm on the drivers side knuckle? Pics would definatly help

 

[SAMI]

Check the VIN against this info...

Pre-1990:

DIGIT: 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
-----------------------------------
W V W D B 4 5 0 5 L K 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
-----------------------------------
WMI.. VDS........ VIS..............

WMI - World Manufacture Index
VDS - Vehicle Descriptor Section
VIS - Vehicle Identifier Section

1: Country
J = Japan
4 = North America
2: Manufacturer
T = Toyota
3: Type
1 =
2 = Passenger Car
4: Body Type (translated from Russian)
Passenger Car

Truck
D = Dual Cab
P = Pickup
5:
0 = Spare Symbol
1-9:
6: Engine Series (translated from Russian)
BUT - 4A, 5A, 7A
B - 3B, 11B, 13B, 14B, 15B
CH - 1C, 2C
E - 2E, 3E, 4E, CABBAGE SOUP
F - ECHIS
G - 1G
YU - 2H, 12H
ZH - YZHZ, 2ZHZ
K - 5K
L - 2L, 3L, 5L
M - 5M, 7M
P - YYUZ
R - 22R
S - 2S, S, 4S, 5S
7: Model (translated from Russian)

But - Supra
B - Choaster
Ch - Previa RAVYA
D - MegaChruiser
E - Chorolla
F - Lekhus Lsya00
Yu - Yuiache
K - To yuiache (new)
Zh - LandChruiser
L - Paseo, Terchel
M - Pichnich
N - Surf, 4Runner
P - Starlet
R - LiteAche
S - Lekhus Gse00, Gsya00, Chroshn
T - Charina/Chorona, Chelicha, Avensis
U - Dyna 200
C - Chamry
SH - MR2
X - Chressida
Y - Dyna 100, Dyna 150
8-9: Model Code

10: Spare Symbol
0 = Unused
11: Year
B = 1981
C = 1982
D = 1983
E = 1984
F = 1985
G = 1986
H = 1987
J = 1988
K = 1989
11-17: Sequential Production Number

 

[BlackDog]

"CABBAGE SOUP"?

I don't want that powerplant....

I thought that it was strange that it listed the lite ace as a model, but not the 2/3/4y family of engines, and for that matter, it didn't list the town ace, the lite ace's bigger brother.

 

[fixajet]

Thanks for the quick replies.
All good starting advice, I am at work now, so soon as I get back this afternoon I will post a couple of pictures, so please check back.
I will also check the vin, but if by chance the body was swapped would the vin stay with the body?
(It is rare that someone would go through the trouble of swapping on the factory "push pull" system from 79-85 trucks.) I will post picture of this.

Also, is there a block/serial number on the engine to see if it is 22r or 22re?

Thankyou again.

 

[fixajet]

One other quick thought. I noticed last night that this runner does not have the roll bar in it. Is the roll bar an option or was it not available on the 84-85's.

 

[SLC97SR5]

All 4Runners with the removeable top were equipped with a factory roll bar. 84-89 will have a bar installed from the factory...the roll bars got very popular with the 3rd gen 4Runner crowd for a while so it may have been removed and sold at some point. Rust or indentations and used bolt holes will tell you it was there at some point.

 

[fixajet]

pictures

Ok I just ran a vin number ck from carfax and it shows that the vin is from an 1989 that had the v-6 in it. Here are a couple of pictures from the engine bay as well as the steering linkage to the drivers side. Looking at the frame and how clean it is, I cant believe someone cut the ifs from it. There are no signs from a grinder or cutting torch.
Also, my son pulled the valve cover off and looking down at the timing chain there is plenty of slop in the chain as well as no sign of a plastic or metal chain guide on the drivers side so our best guess is that the chain has rubbed thru to the water jacket as Rot Box has suggested. We know we are looking at a timing chain replacement minimum, but is there a repair for the water jacket?
Do we waste time and my sons money into getting this engine running? and if we do, how will it ever pass inspection with a carburetted 4cyl engine when the vin shows it to once of had the v6 in it? What would you all do?

 

[cruiseroutfit]

89' body on a 85-ish chassis

 

[I Lean]

You'll need a new timing cover as well as the timing set. You can get metal-backed timing chain guides rather than the wimpy all-plastic ones that were certainly in there before.

That said, I'd guess you'll have problems at inspection time since you have what amounts to a swapped-in engine with older-year (less restrictive) emissions controls.

 

[KrazyKarl]

If you can just register it down in Price or Toole or something where there are no imissions. I bet if you tune it to run well it will probably still burn pretty clean though.

 

[fixajet]

You'll need a new timing cover as well as the timing set. You can get metal-backed timing chain guides rather than the wimpy all-plastic ones that were certainly in there before.

That said, I'd guess you'll have problems at inspection time since you have what amounts to a swapped-in engine with older-year (less restrictive) emissions controls.

Im not so sure that its a swapped in engine rather than a swapped cab/body.
I beleive the chassis and engine etc.. match the 84-85 era. Which brings the 64$ question? I thought the registration/title should stay with the original chassis vin and not the body. Is there any kind of red tape procedure that we can go thru to get the title changed to a 1984 or 1985 which matches the frame and engine/emmissions. My concern here in UT County is that we take the vehicle in to get it inspected, the title reflects the 89 vin number on the cab, he pulls it up on his computer and it shows that it should have a v-6 in it and we will be laughingly turned away. The 4runner was last licensed in 2006 and then parked after the coolant issue. So obviously the previous owner had a "buddy" that realized it was an 85ish and passed it with the 4cyl engine and era emissions. I don't have such a "buddy".

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Get the VIN off of the frame and go from there. Should be stamped on the passenger side in the front wheel vicinity.

From there contact the DMV, tell them you would like to do a lost/missing title form for the frame VIN. Get the title for that and then have then issue you a new VIN for the body. To my knowledge Utah has always been the chassis, though they will default to the body at an emission/inspection station.

 

[fixajet]

Get the VIN off of the frame and go from there. Should be stamped on the passenger side in the front wheel vicinity.

From there contact the DMV, tell them you would like to do a lost/missing title form for the frame VIN. Get the title for that and then have then issue you a new VIN for the body. To my knowledge Utah has always been the chassis, though they will default to the body at an emission/inspection station.

Thankyou cruiseroutfit, this sounds like a great starting point!

 

[Goose]

swap

I swapped a different cab on mine & did pretty much the same thing so that I wouldnt have problems, the stamp on the frame is the important one.

 

[fixajet]

If the weather would start to cooperate we are going to try and work on it this weekend and I will see if I can locate the frame vin.

 

[jsudar]

I did Utah County I/M inspections for a while. The machines aren't fancy enough to decode the VIN, so nobody will know that it was supposed to have a V6 in it. I think the four cylinder was a factory option on the 89's, so if you find a stupid inspector that is in a hurry, he may not notice it is carbed.

Nothing is really different inspecting an 85 or an 89, both are tailpipe tests and the emissions cut points are the same. The inspector should only be looking to verify the vehicle has a catalytic converter and an air injection system.

I would try to find the right title to go with the chassis first, that will save you a lot of trouble in the long run. It's kind of a lengthy process, but it's not too bad unless there is a lien against the chassis VIN. Then just strip the parts you want and abandon the rest in the yard of neighbor you don't like (do this at night).

 

[fixajet]

I did Utah County I/M inspections for a while. The machines aren't fancy enough to decode the VIN, so nobody will know that it was supposed to have a V6 in it. I think the four cylinder was a factory option on the 89's, so if you find a stupid inspector that is in a hurry, he may not notice it is carbed.


Yeah, we thought about getting it running and tuned up good and taking it in just to see what happens at an inspection station. But every year when it comes due you always get that quizzy gut feeling like your trying to pull one over on somebody. My thoughts are who cares what engine is in it as long as it runs clean enough to pass the test, but the county im sure feels different. We may try and locate the frame vin number and try to jump through some hoops and do it right. If not we will try another route.