My 1997 SR5 4x4 with 3.4 V6, AT, and e-locker has 250K. It needs brakes and tires are not far behind. Timing belt/water pump were done at 190K, and it's been fairly well maintained since I bought it with 40K (regular oil changes, recommended maintenance). It's straight, decent paint, drives well, but the springs creak and groan, there are a few rattles here and there, steering rack could be up next --at least bushings. Engine doesn't leak or burn oil, starts up and runs fine. I'd take it across country tomorrow --it's never let me down. I am not a super-wrencher by any stretch of the imagination, but I have a decent build budget, and am looking for opinions on whether I should look for a lower mileage starter 4Runner (I'm committed to building a 3rd gen), or just dive into this one and hope I don't run into expensive surprises. I'd ultimately like an SC (pricey I know), and have been inspired by BigFishAllDay and 4-Ripcord's NM 4Rs. It's time to get my act together and start driving the T4R I know I want.

Sorry for the lame first post blog, but any ideas/thoughts/suggestions will be appreciated, and I"ll put up my build whatever it ends up being. Thanks guys.