Well, I figured it was time to introduce myself and start a thread documenting my "build", which is less of a build and more of just an attempt to make the 4Runner my own.
I bought it in July 2012 with 206,000 miles on it for $3000. I have a 2004 Jeep TJ that has been my DD since I bought it in 2007, but I have built it beyond being a sensible driver to have to haul my two kids around during the week. The purpose of the 4Runner is to be my DD and wet weather wheeler/camping vehicle. Therefore, the work I will do is geared toward refurbishing, refreshing, and mildly modifying to my tastes, using what little money is left over from my Jeep fund.
2000 4Runner SR5 4x4
The interior, while in decent shape, was filthy.
First thing to do when I brought it home was to ditch the cheesy bug shield, and rescue the paint underneath. The PO had let leaves and dirt just sit in there and it took a bit of elbow grease to clean and remove the adhesive from the rubber paint protectors.
Next, every bit of the "soft" interior came out. I removed the seats, console, and all the carpet, and vacuumed the dirt and old food out of the bare floors. I took the carpet down to the local car wash and used the soap pressure washer on it, which worked incredibly well. While everything was out I armor-alled all the trim and dash pieces, febreezed the smoke smell out of the seats and headliner, and cleaned all the windows and door jambs. After getting everything back in, I realized this was probably the most satisfying interior detail I had ever done on any vehicle.
From my fortune cookie the day I stripped the interior:
Next I started with the tune-up process. I still have a few things to do, but started with all the simple things like replacing the PCV valve, plugs and wires, seafoaming the engine, oil change, and topping off all the fluids that needed it. I had a front brake that was dragging, so I replaced the pads (rotors still looked great). The PO told me that the valve cover gasket needed to be replaced, so I did some research and was fortunate to find what many others have: the bolts on the cover were so loose I could turn them by hand. I tightened them all down, cleaned up the oil, and haven't had any leakage since.
There are still a few things I need to address like the trans fluid (and adding a cooler), replacing belts, changing fluids in the TC and front and rear diffs, and replacing some steering components, but for right now I've just been enjoying driving it.