I'm changing the tie rods in my truck and the manual that I'm going off of doesn't even seem right about the measurement between tie rod ends, at least 6" longer than what they were set at when they came off. I know that my truck doesn't eat up tires, so should I adjust them the same as the ends that I just took off? Or does anybody have correct specs for an 86 4runner?

adjust them the same as they were with the clamps pointing in the same direction as the old one's then get an alignment

As long as you took measurements(or counted threads) before you took the old stuff off, you should put the new ones on the same. If not, assemble them with an equal amount of threads show on each side, so you can adjsut them. Either way, once you have the new ones back on, you can do a quick alignment yourself so you don't where the tires any before you can get it to a shop.

To do a home alignment, you need a tape measurer and two pieces of 2x4's(or other straight edges), that you can place up against the outside of each tire(should be long enough to reach from one sidewall out past the tread on the opposide side of the tire). Have a buddy hold one end of the tape and measure the distance across the front of the tires, then do the same on the backside(if you have nice straight lugs/shoulders on the outer edge of the tires you don't need a straight edge. If the measurements aren't the same(toe-in or toe out), adjust the tie rods a little, roll the truck back and for a few times and recheck the measurements. Repeat process until the measuremenst are the same(or w/in an 1/8"). If you don't have a tape measurer, you can use a rope and a marking pen. Even if you live close to an alignment shop it would be worth it to do an alignment this way, so you can do one trail side if needed. I always check my alignment before heading home after wheeling(I carry a piece of static rope with the correct distance marked on it), it doesn't take much toe-in/out to wear down a tire.