Need some suggestions on Project for 87 4runner

[climber87]

Here's the deal...I've finally got a class that allows me to learn more about and work on cars. As a final project we have a fairly open ended project - it has to be auto system ralated. I'm trying to figure out if there's a good project I can do on my 87 4runner. I've got access to a full garage, with lift, tools, engine rebuild stall, lube racks, welding, etc...pretty much anything i could want at at like 3$/hr to use. Its a partner project and we are looking at about 30-40hrs of work.

Any ideas on what a good project would be? I was thinking about either rebuilding my 22re or finding one in a junk yard and rebuilding it - but this is a lot of time and I wouldn't want my truck out of commission for a whole month or two.

Any suggestions are welcome. The stats on the truck are as follows:
5spd transmission
22-RE
just over 135,000 miles

New Parts:
-Shocks (all around-Monroe Sensa-trac, meant to use until I upgrade, but still as good or better than stock)
-new brakes all around
-marlin crawler 1600 clutch

[yotanut7]

Before pulling your engine do a compression test. If it is still in good shape put your time and money into other things. My 22r lasted 262k before a rebuild and it still ran good. As for other things, maybe some performance upgrades like exhaust, cam, etc. If you don't want your truck out of commission for a long time, consider a series of smaller projects.

[fourwd1]

This thread looks awfully familiar


Welcome to TOR Climber87. You may get better answers here, a lot of the people here are more technically oriented.

[Hoodlum]

Well if your going to re-build your current motor(which is what I'ld do).I would upgrade the timing to a dual row and add a mild cam(stock upgrade or stage 2)Have the head checked and cleaned up also have the intake side ported just a little bit do not mess with the exhaust side other than clean up.Add a complete exhaust system and have some fun. ;D If your school has a fabrication shop see if you can get a set of sliders made or even a set of bumpers. If your school has those types of classes available take every advantage you can.