01-18-2012, 04:53 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: McLean, VA
Posts: 1,996
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: McLean, VA
Posts: 1,996
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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...
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'02 Limited 4WD
Stuff:OME 3"|ARB Tacoma|Light Racing UCA's|Savage KO sliders|285/75 Terra Grapplers|TRD catback|TRD wires|Brembo'd|VVME 4300K HID|LightForce 170|Exterior LEDs||Inside: Infinity Comps/Kicker/Nuvi625WT|Uniden 520XL|15% tint|Full LED swap|Backup camera
Pending Install:LC80 wheels,OME 883 and LC 8 wraps,panhard drop
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01-18-2012, 04:58 PM
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#2
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Member
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Alturas, CA
Age: 33
Posts: 720
Real Name: Matt
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Alturas, CA
Age: 33
Posts: 720
Real Name: Matt
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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!
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97 4Runner SR5 5 Speed Swap, ARB bumper - Warn M8000 winch - Custom rear bumper w/ tire carrier - Dual Jerry Can Carrier - Dual Optima Batteries - BlueSea Battery Isolator and Charger -Rear E-locker retrofit- ARB Front Locker - ARB Compressor - Hiflow exaust - ISR/deckplate mod - Trail Gear sliders - Tepui Kukenam Rooftop Tent - JDM Field Monitor Unit - 170 Amp Alternator - Bilstein 5125's - OME 861's - Toytec Coilovers - Camburg UCA's - 1" Toytec BL - 315/75/16 STT Pro's on Tacoma TRD wheels
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01-18-2012, 04:58 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Boston MA
Age: 40
Posts: 3,394
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Boston MA
Age: 40
Posts: 3,394
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What, no actual back story?
Step 1: Go off roading.
Step 2: ...
Step 3: Car on fire.
Missed a key step there.
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2000 SR5 3.4L V6 Automatic 4x4, e-locker, 175k Miles, Rust
Imp. Jade Mica with Oak Leather Interior, Field Monitor Unit - B&M Tranny Cooler - SG2 - New (to me) rear axle assembly - Goodyear Duratrac 265/75-16 - 1.8" Ironman Front Lift, OME 906/Procomp 9000 Shocks
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-ge...ld-thread.html
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01-18-2012, 05:00 PM
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#4
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Elite Member
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Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Earth
Posts: 6,453
Real Name: Isaac
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Elite Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Earth
Posts: 6,453
Real Name: Isaac
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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.
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if a*sholes could fly this place would be an airport -2004 GX470 spm -97 SR5 3.4, SCS Stealth 6's w/305 70 17s MTRs, Icon 2.5" RR w/700#coils, OME861s w/Icon tacoma 2.0 RR, ARBs w/nitro 4.88, PIAA LED lights, 170amp CS144, ARB snorkel, ARB bumper w/xd9000ce, CBI swingout loaded, BudBuilt skids, lil skip tank skid, sliders, LCE 231s(d&s), first gen roll bar mod, LED interior/dash lighting, B&M 70624+perma cool w/electric fan, dual electric fanshttp://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-ge...ld-thread.html
http://www.metaltech4x4.com/
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01-18-2012, 05:02 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: TN
Posts: 1,518
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: TN
Posts: 1,518
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a freak transmission fire..
This we have to hear. Seriously.
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01-18-2012, 05:05 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 3,921
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Philadelphia, PA
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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.
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01-18-2012, 05:05 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: McLean, VA
Posts: 1,996
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: McLean, VA
Posts: 1,996
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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...
__________________
'02 Limited 4WD
Stuff:OME 3"|ARB Tacoma|Light Racing UCA's|Savage KO sliders|285/75 Terra Grapplers|TRD catback|TRD wires|Brembo'd|VVME 4300K HID|LightForce 170|Exterior LEDs||Inside: Infinity Comps/Kicker/Nuvi625WT|Uniden 520XL|15% tint|Full LED swap|Backup camera
Pending Install:LC80 wheels,OME 883 and LC 8 wraps,panhard drop
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01-18-2012, 05:14 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Boston MA
Age: 40
Posts: 3,394
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Boston MA
Age: 40
Posts: 3,394
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KellyJ
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?
__________________
2000 SR5 3.4L V6 Automatic 4x4, e-locker, 175k Miles, Rust
Imp. Jade Mica with Oak Leather Interior, Field Monitor Unit - B&M Tranny Cooler - SG2 - New (to me) rear axle assembly - Goodyear Duratrac 265/75-16 - 1.8" Ironman Front Lift, OME 906/Procomp 9000 Shocks
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-ge...ld-thread.html
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01-18-2012, 05:15 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 1,087
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 1,087
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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!!
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1999 4Runner SR5, with some stuff...
OverlandNV
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01-18-2012, 05:17 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Burnaby, BC
Posts: 2,019
Real Name: Ervin
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Burnaby, BC
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Real Name: Ervin
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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!
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97 4Runner SR5 TRDSC URD Yukon Camburg Toytec Trekmaster 4Crawler SonoranSteel Level8 Nitto SavageOff-Road ARB Smittybilt MasterPull Powertank SpiderTrax B&M Jaos Gobi Flowmaster Cobra Firestik Alpine CompuStar Hella PIAA RigidIndustries WeatherTech
my build http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-ge...formation.html July 2012 T4RoTM / 2012 T4RoTY
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01-18-2012, 05:19 PM
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#11
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Member
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 182
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 182
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Holy crap! Glad to hear no one was injured. I need to look at a fire extinguisher.
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01-18-2012, 05:21 PM
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#12
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Elite Member
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Colorado
Age: 34
Posts: 5,317
Real Name: Jim
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Elite Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Colorado
Age: 34
Posts: 5,317
Real Name: Jim
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Holy cow man. I'd wondered where you went!
Glad you are OK though, that would devastate me.
Plans for next vehicle?
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'13 Tacoma TRD-OR: The Spruce Goose. BUILD
'02 Sport Ed.- V2.0: The better build. Totaled BUILD 2.0
'02 Sport Ed.- V1.0: The college build Sold BUILD
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01-18-2012, 05:31 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: McLean, VA
Posts: 1,996
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Join Date: Aug 2006
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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...
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'02 Limited 4WD
Stuff:OME 3"|ARB Tacoma|Light Racing UCA's|Savage KO sliders|285/75 Terra Grapplers|TRD catback|TRD wires|Brembo'd|VVME 4300K HID|LightForce 170|Exterior LEDs||Inside: Infinity Comps/Kicker/Nuvi625WT|Uniden 520XL|15% tint|Full LED swap|Backup camera
Pending Install:LC80 wheels,OME 883 and LC 8 wraps,panhard drop
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01-18-2012, 05:32 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Val Cote, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 4,361
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Val Cote, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 4,361
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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?
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1998 4Runner SR5, ISR and Deckplate Mods, Painted Intake Manifold, TRD Tundra Struts, Diff Drop, LC 8 Wraps w/ Skyjacker shocks, Panhard Drop Bracket, Rear Tire Carrier, Maxxis Bighorns, Procomp Wheels, Custom Front Valance, Sport Edition Skidplate, Upgraded Exterior lighting
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01-18-2012, 05:41 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: McLean, VA
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Join Date: Aug 2006
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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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'02 Limited 4WD
Stuff:OME 3"|ARB Tacoma|Light Racing UCA's|Savage KO sliders|285/75 Terra Grapplers|TRD catback|TRD wires|Brembo'd|VVME 4300K HID|LightForce 170|Exterior LEDs||Inside: Infinity Comps/Kicker/Nuvi625WT|Uniden 520XL|15% tint|Full LED swap|Backup camera
Pending Install:LC80 wheels,OME 883 and LC 8 wraps,panhard drop
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