Dave Brill: '87 Toyota 4-Runner

The truck was purchased brand new in 1987 as a work truck for my sign biz. It had back seats which made it great for weekend trips with friends. The top comes off, which is also nice on those sunny days. I picked up the truck on Friday night and on Saturday afternoon, I was stuck on an old logging road around a pond, somewhere in Vermont...my first foray into 4-wheeling .

Over the last twelve years many modifications have taken place as the need has arisen, mostly due to high mileage. The old pup has over 300,000 miles on it and still gets 18 MPG on the highway, with 36 inch Swampers.

The first modification was the tires. It started with 31's and then I swapped them out to 32" General Grabbers. The poor old girl was involved in three separate accidents, which were each not our fault. Each time, I replaced anything that needed fixing with heavy duty, high performance parts.

I started the Eastern 4 Wheelers in '90 and we joined EC4WDA in '92. Since then, the Runner gets out at least twice a month, running trails that range from mild to wild.

The current Toy sits on Q78 Interco Swampers (36"x10.5"), has a Warn 8274 up front, Lock-Rights, front and rear, Downey and custom trusses, Downey high-travel IFS kit, Hella "illegal" headlights (100wHB/65wLB), header and K&N air filter on 22RE, 140 amp alternator, on-board air, Centerforce Clutch, GPS, CB, Marlin Crawler transfer case with 4:10 gears, '90 tranny, RS9000 shocks at all four corners, cut fenders (this is how the Swampers fit...no body lift), Rancho kicker shocks, Skyjacker 2.5" springs...??? What am I forgetting??

The next season will see her running complete Rhino/Tuff liner from tailgate to pedals, buggy spring or Revolver shackles, Thunderbird 8-way power seats (need comfort with those Swampers), rear disks and hopefully a tow rig.

The Downey kit has been tweaked a bit by using the stock torsion bars and only preloading them for about 1/2" lift, using short poly bumpstops all around and extending the shock mounts. The swaybar is long gone.

With this and Skyjacker 2.5" springs in back it'll ramp right close to 800 (on a 20 degree ramp). With inclusion of the buggy/shackle set up, I expect nearly 1000. I have NOT broken any front-end pieces. Minor tweaking has been done to the Downey tie-rods and custom hiem joint rod-ends and rods are on the way. I have a tendancy to only push a little and then bring out the third locker.

We have done very severe East Coast wheeling and it still holds up like a champ. On the trail it outflexes most of the live axle Toys. Not to say that live axle swaps aren't worth it. It all depends on what you want to do. I've stayed with the IFS almost in spite of all the press about live axle swaps, proving that a beast like this can wheel extreme trails with an IFS and not grenade if driven without a lot of right foot.

The 4-Runner has wheeled all over the Northeast and some parts south and west of here. I know time will eventually wear out the axles and motor, and when the time comes, I'll replace them. Until then, you can find me 'wheelin it hard and havin fun.

Find out more about Dave's 4-Runner here