Ole' Blue

[85hinuff]

this is my '86 4Runner. I traded for it about 3 years ago. here is how I got it.
http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm142/85hinuff/4Runner/runnerside.jpg
On my way back from Cary NC. it overheated and blew a head gasket. I stopped in Winston Salem, and picked up an extra fiberglass top, and some extra parts from a guy on NC4X4.com. So soon after I got home it went to the shop for a new head gasket, timing guides cover and chain. new valves and etc. $600 later she came home. and soon found some new shoes. http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm142/85hinuff/4Runner/runnercanvas3.jpg and a canvass top, (part of the purchase). Next came some bigger shoes (from Tiny) and then some BFG's purchased through 4x4grace,
http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm142/85hinuff/4Runner/runneronBFGs.jpg
then it was time for some rust repair. This was accomplished thanks to Toyotafiberglass.com. Purchased Front fenders, 1/4 panels, tailgate skin, and smooth cowl. CJ at Toyotafiberglass.com took care of me. He was available to answer questions, and provide installation advise. I purchased the panels with the understanding that a buddy would help me install them, but after they arrived, the buddy was GOA for about a year. I asked a local bodyshop to give me an estimate on installation and paint, they responded, "Man I would touch it!" You are looking at a minimum of 80 hours to install, prep and paint. I began to panic a little. I found another local body shop, that would install the panels. I put on the front fenders in about 20 mins. http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm142/85hinuff/4Runner/downsized_0401111025a.jpg
Then it was off to the Body Shop.
here are some build pics:http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm142/85hinuff/4Runner/0408111418.jpg, http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm142/85hinuff/4Runner/0408111418a.jpg, left side installed: http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm142/85hinuff/4Runner/0408111419.jpg, right side installed: http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm142/85hinuff/4Runner/0509111527.jpg, under primer:http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm142/85hinuff/4Runner/downsized_0512111314a.jpg: new paint:http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm142/85hinuff/4Runner/0527111019.jpg: Where she's at now:http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm142/85hinuff/runnerdun1.jpghttp://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm142/85hinuff/runnerdun3.jpg. The future plans include, Header installation, 4.5" suspension lift, dual shock hoops front(Old school) Eagle Alloy wheels installed, New rubber, dropping the body lift (installing poly body mounts), re-gearing to 4.88's.
Keeping the dream alive. Ole Blue is gonna be around for a while, this whole deal is a kinda mid-life reclaiming of youth i guess. But there are worse things to throw money away on.

[Jeep07]

Looks great. I like the front fenders a lot.

[TNjeeper97]

Looks great!

[Hadfield4WD]

Eric that turned out awesome.

[85hinuff]

Thanks for the compliments guys, This has been a long time dream of mine. Just never had the financial means to complete a project like this. It is definitely still a work in progress, I guess you never really get done with something like this.

[Tiny]

It even looks better in person. To bad its to nice to scratch good thing you have a friend willing to let you ride shotgun or pistol by my side lolol

[Want2Wheel]

Very nice.

[85hinuff]

Thanks Tiny, heck Ole' blue just can't go the places that the Mini-Monster can anyway. Maybe eventually I can get her a little more trail capable.

[85hinuff]

Took a trip up the Grayson Highlands park, had the sides up, Looking at some Awesome scenery.

[85hinuff]

Got $300 bucks worth of exhaust work done last week. New header, new converter, Borla muffler and all new pipes. Scored the muffler a while back for CRAZY cheap. got $100 bucks in the header from California. She sounds real good, and runs better.
Wrapped the header to keep the heat down. EXCELLENT addition.
Highly recommend Benny's in Bristol for exhaust work good folks, Great work!

[yoder519]

man i aint seen it since you had it painted, that baby is gorgeous.

i agree Bennys is the only place i go. Very honest people to deal with. i had to get a new exhaust on my DD toyota, got new pipe starting from the back of the converter, to a new muffler, and exit in front of back tire for 53 bucks.

[85hinuff]

Thanks yoder, it is still getting new stuff. Added a new rear bumper today, some interior lights, and power points.
Camped in it last weekend! AWESOME.