Hi Everyone. I was going to post in introductions forum, but I have a bunch of technical questions also so I figured I'd combine 2 threads into 1. Get ready for a long read (or skip to the last part after pictures)
A little background info. I'll try to keep this part as short as possible.
I've been looking for a 1996-2000 4runner for about a year. I wanted this particular model because IMO it cant be beat in terms of practicality and reliability. Manual tranny was a must-have for me, hence the year range. I was considering a 4th gen with a 2UZ, or a brand new 5th gen trail edition but the lack of a manual tranny was the ultimate deal killer for me.
The plan was to keep the vehicle for a very long time, so I was looking for one in excellent condition. My ultimate dream truck would be: Rust free, 5spd, fully loaded (incl E-Locker), 4cyl (for ease of maintenance, mpg and ultimate reliability), dark color (black preferred, followed by dark green). In that order. As I'm sure most of you know, that combination is extremely rare. Especially the first point. I've looked at dozens of 4runners for sale locally, and up here, "no rust" means it has small rust holes in various places (tailgate, rockers, quarters). "Some rust" means parts of the truck are missing. You get my point..
I was prepared for a LONG search. I have looked and checked ads daily from all over North America. I gave up finding a rust-free truck locally, so I was looking on craigslist in southern US. I was prepared to fly to Arizona or California and drive the truck back to Canada. However, I still could not find what I wanted. Most trucks with the options I wanted had VERY high mileage, and faded paint. I was also very picky, and it was extremely difficult to commit to buy something like this without seeing it in person. However, I was not in a rush, so I was not going to give up.
Fast forward about a year. I see a local ad for a 1998, black, 5spd, 4cyl, 4x4 truck with
88k km. Surely a typo (or fraud), I'm thinking. Ad says "no rust", but I already said earlier what that means up here. I contact the guy. He assures me the mileage is not a typo, and there literally is no rust. So I arrange to come right away.
My wife wanted to go to a mall, so we went together and I told her we would visit the mall after checking out the truck. I met the guy, and was talking to him for 3 hours while my wife was waiting in the car. Mall closed by the time I was done... I'm going to be dealing with "sanctions" for a while...
Turns out the guy is the original owner of the truck. He lives in downtown Toronto and has always lived within walking distance from work. In 16 years of owning the truck it has only been used for an occasional trip to a grocery store and has always been parked in a heated underground garage. Mileage (88k km, 54k miles) is fully documented with service records since it was new. He even has all the original paperwork, including the bill of sale from the dealer.
Truck body is absolutely free of any signs of rust. Common problem areas (tailgate, rockers, fenders, etc) look brand new. Paint is all original, and very deep and glossy. There is some surface rust on some parts on the underside (especially on the fuel tank shield), but nothing that cant be cleaned off with some minor wire brushing. Original steel rims are rusty also, but they would be replaced regardless. Rear bumper is slightly damaged due to a minor parking lot rear ending incident.
It looked perfect, except for complete lack of factory options. Manual everything, no A/C, no locker (obviously), steel rims, no hitch. This wasn't going to stop me - I knew that this is as close to my dream truck as I'm ever going to find, so I bought it on the spot. At last, my quest was over!
I only maintain my cars myself because there is nobody else I trust with them. I'm religious when it comes to car maintenance - I only use the best parts that money can buy (which is usually OEM). Only highest quality synthetic fluids. Unfortunately the previous owner was not as thorough. He loved his truck, and maintained it to the best of his knowledge, however his knowledge was not that great. Most oil changes were done at places that I would be scared to park near (such as Walmart), with their basic bulk dino oil and cheap filters. It was, however, done every 6 months (approx. 2k miles). Other than that, there has been very little maintenance. All gear oils, brake fluid and coolant were replaced once, about 8 years ago (by the dealership, thankfully). New plugs, tires and alignment about 2 years ago. New battery from the dealer a few months ago. It had original 16 year old battery before this, which the guy kept (and gave me.. kinda cool). Original brakes throughout, with about 30% life left! Needless to say, its a Toyota with 88k kilometers on the odometer, and it runs like it is brand new. Absolutely no issues/unusual sounds of any kind.
The truck needs a good spring cleaning/detailing, which im going to do on the weekend. Meanwhile, everyone knows that any thread is worthless without pics, so here are a few teasers
Tailgate and quarter panels (only people living in the rust belt will appreciate these):
http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag465/Anya_Zhuk/WP_20140408_005_zps22d29dd1.jpg
http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3826d006.jpg
Now onto some questions. My plan for this truck is to make it into a mild expedition rig. I want to preserve it as much as possible, so no extreme lifts or cutting holes through a fender for a snorkel!
1) I will start by installing every factory available option on it. This includes, A/C, full leather interior (possibly with heated power seats from a 2000-2002 limited), E-Locker, power windows and locks, cruise. Don't try to talk me out of it by saying manual windows or cloth interior is better. Not to me. This will obviously be a very extensive project, and finding a complete parts truck for this would be the easiest route. I'm already looking for a beat up, rusted truck with milkshake auto tranny fluid that has all those options. I will then get new leather covers for the seats. My question is, are there any write-ups available for similar projects? I have looked, but could not find much info. I'm particularly interested in wiring for A/C and all the power options. Is my truck pre-wired for these things? Are there existing plugs on the main body harness for power windows and such?
2) The guy I bought it from got a "rust protection with lifetime warranty" from the dealer when he bought it new (cost was $800). He kept all the paperwork, including the warranty papers for the rust proofing. Im wondering, does anyone know how good Toyota is when it comes to honoring this "lifetime" warranty? Is there a point in trying to get them to replace the rusty fuel tank skid plate and such?
3) I will be absolutely 100% dedicated to keeping it from rusting. I'll fill up the tailgate with rust-proofing compound monthly, if I have to. Unfortunately, it will have to be parked outside on my driveway, as the only garage spot is reserved for my other baby that I have owned for 12 years. Are there any particular (advanced, 4runner specific) tips to keep the rust away?
4) As I've mentioned earlier the rear bumper is slightly damaged. I will eventually replace both front and rear bumpers with aftermarket. I know there are a lot of different choices out there. My question is, which of the aftermarket bumpers are built the toughest, and are actually designed to be able to absorb a small hit/collision?
5) Any particular preventative maintenance recommendations? I'm obviously going to replace all fluids, 16 year old plug wires, etc. Are there any parts that are known to go bad on these trucks from old age? Any particular sensors (such as MAF) that I need to worry about and stock up on? Please, don't tell me to "not worry about it until it dies". If something is known to go bad, I want to have a replacement part on hand when it does.
6) I cant lift the passenger side seat ass cushion to access the tire replacement tools. When I pull on the loop, it lifts up a bit, but it feels like something is blocking it from going up. Driver's side lifts up with no issues. I tried to force it (probably close to the point of breaking something), with no luck. Am I missing something?
7) Truck also has a factory installed alarm, $400 option from the dealer. Interesting, considering it has no power locks.. The alarm seems to work OK (reacts to shocks, doors opening), however its "prestige" brand (as per remotes), not Toyota. Should I keep it?
I will obviously have more questions in the coming weeks/months, but that's it for now. Thanks to everyone for reading my ramblings! Im just too excited to finally end my long search!
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