I'm Back. Sort of... Sob story included. & Words of Wisdom

Well ladies and gentlemen of T4R, I am glad to see this site is still running just as well (if not better) than when I left about 2 years ago, really nice to see. Just browsing I've seen some amazing transformations which were just pipe dreams when I went on hiatus (we can thank the ex-gf for all that - yes yes... blahblahblah who cares about this poor SOB's life anywho...). In between dealing with personal matters and health problems (can you say back surgery?) I just haven't had the time to come back to T4R, and now that I have the time to, I no longer have a 4Runner. Now, this was not by choice, but as a result of a terrible night back in December that ultimately led to the totaling of my 4Runner. My baby is gone, and sure it wasn't the cream of the crop compared to half the rigs here, but nonetheless it was a vehicle I had cherished and babied for nearly 6 years. Enclosed is a picture of what my truck looked like after experiencing a freak transmission leak fire while helping a friend get his J[H]eep unstuck from a field outside of a fitness center in semi-rural Northern Virginia. Needless to say, I am not pleased to admit that I could have used better judgement and avoided this altogether by simply staying at my apartment and studying for my exams like I SHOULD have been. But no, the off-roading bug had been biting for too too long and I needed to get some aggression out of my system (what better thing to do than go "beat up" my truck? Using "beat up loosely here fellas, don't take this the wrong way. Plenty of people here know that I would never intentionally destroy a vehicle that had over $15k invested in it). So if you plan on taking your truck off road, please be careful and bring at least 2 fire extinguishers with you. There's nothing like having to watch your pride and joy decintigrate in front of your very eyes. Without further adieu...

Wow, that really sucks, sorry for your loss. I hope you were at least able to buy it back from insurance and save some of those exterior mods from the crusher!

What, no actual back story?

Step 1: Go off roading.
Step 2: ...
Step 3: Car on fire.

Missed a key step there.

i hope you parted it out, there looks to be lost of salvageable parts on that rig that where usable still. sorry to hear of your loss.

a freak transmission fire..

This we have to hear. Seriously.

Damn dude, sorry to hear. Hope everything works out with insurance or part out, etc. If the exhaust is still good, I'm interested. I have a small leak, need to do something.

In order to get the full amount from the insurance adjusters I was not allowed to part out the truck. Things like the LR UCA's, ARB bumper, rear suspension (all OME), TRD exhaust, etc... were still on the truck when it was sent to the crusher. Sad I know, but I was able to get nearly $12,000 from Geico for the modifications. Which is a lot more than I would have gotten if I had bought it back, and sold the parts or sold the truck before it was totaled.

And to whoever said part of the story is missing, it's not. I was barely off road (maybe 5 minutes) and my friend got stuck, really really stuck. I backed up to him, threw it in 4LO, attached to his hitch and started pulling. I myself got a little hung up in the very muddy and wet tall grass, and for one reason or another (insurance thinks it was transmission leak...) a small fire started near my transfer case. I thought it was just the grass, but it quickly spread among the plastic parts of the undercarriage and into the engine bay. 3/4 of the engine is missing. As well as the entire front seat area. My keys melted into the floorboard...

KellyJ said:

And to whoever said part of the story is missing, it's not. I was barely off road (maybe 5 minutes) and my friend got stuck, really really stuck. I backed up to him, threw it in 4LO, attached to his hitch and started pulling. I myself got a little hung up in the very muddy and wet tall grass, and for one reason or another (insurance thinks it was transmission leak...) a small fire started near my transfer case. I thought it was just the grass, but it quickly spread among the plastic parts of the undercarriage and into the engine bay. 3/4 of the engine is missing. As well as the entire front seat area. My keys melted into the floorboard...

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I said part of the story was missing, and it was... until now. That sucks. It doesn't even sound like you were abusing it. I have seen videos of guys starting fires by blowing their diff's while doing spin outs, but in 4LO I don't see you doing that. Yikes.

Got plans for buying another 4runner?

:happens: So sad to hear. Good to have a member back, especially one with the knowledge I assume you have.

I recommend getting back on the the horse and find another 3rd gen to burn to the ground!! :

:wow:Atleast you walked away unscathed. man i'm at a loss for your truck, though. I'ma get me a fire extinguisher like I should've already.

But Glad to see you back!

Holy crap! Glad to hear no one was injured. I need to look at a fire extinguisher.

Holy cow man. I'd wondered where you went!

Glad you are OK though, that would devastate me.


Plans for next vehicle?

Well thanks for all the responses guys. I didn't mean to come off harsh or anything lol Nelson.. I realized I didn't fully explain what led to the fire. Yeah, it's pretty awful losing your vehicle in such a way, at least I can know that I'm making an example of myself if I can make one person change their mind that's what matters. Also yes, I am very lucky I got away unscathed. I tried everything I could to put this fire out (even resorted to filling up my clothes with mud and throwing it at the flames, on a 40 degree December night), but as soon as I saw the flames spread I had to get out of there and just let nature take its course on the poor thing...

I have been jobless and carless since this event (THANKS to this event as well), but soon I will have my certification to become a sales representative at a dealership in the area. The DC auto show is coming to town within the next week or so, so I'll be having a look around there for new car ideas. Right now I'm leaning towards an STi or an E39 M5, and down the road I'll be in search of another 4Runner and treat it to everything and more than what my old rig had. RIP baby...

KellyJ, I'm really sorry to hear about all the life issues and the loss of your truck! I can say this though, that rig was sweet, I remember you from a while back, and your rig made it into my little T4R.ORG slideshow I have on my flashdrive. A couple of nice shots of your rig on there....

That being said....what are you driving now?

Thanks fightman, have always liked your rig too, glad to hear its memory still lives on in the hearts of others lol..

As for my current transportation, I am "being loaned" my ex-daily driver, I wonder if anyone remembers what it was or can tell by the picture, but yeah, my insurance finally started to skyrocket so I really only drive if necessary for the time being until I get a suitable full time replacement.

Be very very careful with the e39. I have a 540i/6, they're maintenance whores! They're nowhere near as DIY friendly as out 4Runners and the M5 is worse to maintain than my 540 is. That motor is so tuned to the limit that they need tons of maintenance. It's very hard to buy a good one anymore. I love them but they're not budget friendly.

Thanks I'll keep that in mind. Yeah older BMW's have better reliability when it comes to motors, but I've had a hankering for the E39 M5 since I totaled my first one when I was 18 (yes, yes, I was spoiled then and am FAR from that now.) 5 years will bring you a lot of wisdom. I want to get back into German automobiles, but depending on insurance quotes, etc, I may be sticking with Japan and going 05-07 STi.

The thought of the ARB in a crusher makes me sick. I am sure it makes you vomit. At least you can out unscathed, for the most part.

KellyJ said:

Thanks fightman, have always liked your rig too, glad to hear its memory still lives on in the hearts of others lol..

As for my current transportation, I am "being loaned" my ex-daily driver, I wonder if anyone remembers what it was or can tell by the picture, but yeah, my insurance finally started to skyrocket so I really only drive if necessary for the time being until I get a suitable full time replacement.

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Its an Acura RDX... My wife has one for her DD w/ tech package

combatmedic said:

Its an Acura RDX... My wife has one for her DD w/ tech package

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ding ding ding! Correct, I too have the tech package. Love the backup camera, so crucial.

Not to stray too off topic..