Happy Toyota 4Runners have Bugs in their Teeth.......well.......not too many!
High Above Sedona, Arizona!
Sedona 
Comb Ridge,Utah
Sept. '06 Looking at Bears Ears Utah from one of my favorite "secret locations"....!
Black Bear Pass, Colorado....
See Waterfall Powerhouse in lower right of pic! This trail is decending a Shear Cliff and is one of the most Infamous Trails in the whole country!
Here is looking at Black Bear from the Imogene trail just above Telluride....it's a sheer cliff! You can see the white dot "Powerhouse" with waterfall in the pic!
...."Black Bear"... CLIFF!
Imogene Pass Trail, Colorado.... 
The San Juan Mtns. of Colorado.... Alpine Loop Trail
12,800 foot elevation...Engineer Pass, Alpine Loop Trail, Colorado Sept. '06 Burr!
Ophir Pass
Sept. '06 Fisher Tower Utah.....
Moab, Utah....... 
Moab, Utah.......
Valley of the Gods, Utah......
Near "Bears Ears" Utah........
Broken Arrow Trail...Sedona, Arizona....
Above.......Sedona, Arizona.......
San Diego Back Country.... 
Thanks for joining me at my little corner of the net!
These pages are about my 4Runner and all the Wonderful places it can take me! These pages are a lot more than just about a truck......It's about an Exploration Lifestyle.
I hope this inspires you to stop and enjoy the beauty that surrounds you, the next time you are off the beaten path!
(please remember to Tread Lightly and take....only pictures!)
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I am the second owner of this like new 1988 4Runner V6 SR5 Automatic with manual locking hubs. Has all the options including, A/C, Cruise, Tilt, Power Windows/Locks, Sunroof, etc. I found it online in the spring of 2004 with only 52,539 miles on it!
I bought it sight unseen from a dealer on the east coast who assured me that this 4Runner was like new! I had it shipped by covered rail to Riverside, CA. and when I picked it up, it still smelled brand new inside! The 4Runner is still a garage queen as I'm sure it must have been with the first owner. I'm using it only for fun outings on weekends and holidays. The rock gods have been very good to me~not a scratch! This 4Runner is just so nice, sometimes I'm wondering if I need a second one for the dirt/play and park this one in the family room and just stare at it!...hehe
IMPROVEMENTS; New complete top end rebuild due to normal headgasket issue's with this engine. New cat back exhaust with Magnaflow high flow cat, Magnaflow muffler and all new 2 1/4" pipe all the way back with chrome tip (I noticed the power increase right away, see link at left for "Performance Peddler", I got mine there and their prices seem good, they carry other products too)....gotta love that sound! New HD Radiator, Water Pump, Timing Chain and Tensioners, Thermostat and any other parts that should be changed during top end rebuild. All new shocks Pro Comp ES9000 from 4WheelParts.com great buy on these!
WORKING ON; mild 2" suspension lift with Sway~A~Way 25mm Torsion Bars and new leaf springs in back (DONE). Trying to decide on off road tires brand and size (DONE, Toyota Factory Alloys w/31x10.50x15 all terrain).
WANTS/NEEDS; offroad lighting, fire ext., rear locker (I'm considering getting a newer Toyota TRD Electric Locker and having it modified to fit my '88 rear end, I've seen tech hints online about this being done) maybe front locker too, new tires still deciding on brand and size (input welcome here), waterproof the differentials, CB Radio/and or ham radio, underframe rock lights for night offroad travel, special design tailgate tent cover for sleeping in back with zipper entry (no more trying to figure out how to get in and out on those cold rainy nights!), I also want to design a full size large tent that can unzip big enough in back so my 4Runner can back right up to it and seal the back end off, this will make for some really cozy all weather camping! Lots more ideas to come but not too outrageous. These pages are going to be about my 1988 4Runner and the wonderful places it can take me!
This is what the speedometer read when i bought the truck in spring of 2004. It now reads 58K after a 4,000 mile summer trip including Arizona, Utah, Idaho, Nevada, and home to So. CA. The truck ran flawlessly and went every where I pointed it!
Dash Looks like brand new. Everything works! I love the Auto and 4x4 Shifter Handles. The Auto Trans has the optional "Power Saver Mode" with an Overdrive button too! The whole set up gives you a comanding feel over your 4x4 adventures! Stock radio works perfect. I had to put on a new Toyota power antenna. I'm keeping the stock radio with Cassette and starting my new collection of cassette's from thrift stores including all my favorite songs and groups from the 60's 70's 80's and beyond! Woohoo...I just picked up two Jimmy Buffett and one Kenny Loggins cassette's for just .25 cents each! I hope this Runner knows the way to Margaritaville!
Drivers front seat and passenger seat just as good as NEW!
BACK SEAT.....PERFECT! I wanted to add a power plug to the back seat area and searched all over for the best location. I finally settled on the passenger side elbow pocket/deep tray. This tray under side window is removable, thats when the light bulb went on! I took this pocket out, drilled a hole in it for the power plug. Installed the power plug with extra length wire so not only can you use this plug in it's location, but it can be taken out and used at the rear of the tailgate if needed there! SWEET and Easy!
Rear Cargo Area...So CLEAN I can eat and sleep back here!
Here is an original Toyota steel chromed wheel. All 4 in perfect condition. Notice how clean it is under the fender, the whole underbody is this clean! Before I went 4Wheeling for the first time, I changed the gear oil front and rear. The rear was dirty black like it had never been changed. The front poured out like pure clean factory gear oil, leading me to believe this Runner has never seen dirt or even been put in 4 wheel drive! I picked up a set of 4, 15x7 original Toyota alloy upgrade wheels for $100. If I remember right, in 1988 these alloys were a $1,200 upgrade. I'm going to use them to put larger off road tires on. Can't decide between 31" 32" or 33". Don't know if I want to get into re~gearing. Any thoughts on tires anyone?
Original V6 Engine before the COMPLETE top end rebuild including HD Radiator, water pump, timing chain and tensioners and anything else that should be replaced during this type of job while everything is apart. MPG is as high as 24 mpg while doing highway driving all day long with power saver button clicked and in OD! Amazing!
Here is the new chrome front bumper installed just before the truck was shipped to me spring of 2004. I asked them to take off the old Smittybuilt front bumper and install a new stock chrome one. I may one day put a winch bumper up front with winch. Just taking it slow for now and weighing the needs vs. wants. There is a Smittybuilt rear bumper and side nerf bars.
Summer 2004 Trip. Just south of Moab Utah. I put up a huge towel (was in a hurry to hit the road for our 4,000 mile excursion!) on the drivers side windows as a curtain for my son to be able to play his XBox and watch movies on our 12" screen TV/DVD! Oh Yeah...installed a 400watt power inverter and extra power plug for the back seats. More summer fun pics to come...OK check out Page 2!
