[SnowLizard]

Current Mod thread... this will be edited with mods and things as I change it (and update the post)

current Mileage 180,XXX = 2/16/18






As I Bought Brand New to me
OD : 152,575
One Owner

sitting next to my 97 4runner


3.4 v6
4x4 with limited multi-mode
Tan Leather interior
Rear Dif Lock
limited 5 star wheels
265/70r16
Running Boards
Tow Hitch
Roof Rack
Stock front/rear bumpers
fog lights


Current Build: - March 2020

Front End
-Open: 4.30 gear Ratio
-spidertrax 1.25 spacers
-Tundra Brakes 231mm
-OEM ITR - 162k
-L/UBJ OEM - 162k
-5100 bilstein tundra shocks
-stock 99 tall springs
-steering/sway bar bushings - 162k
-1" Differential Drop
- fenders trimmed, flares 'hollowed' to fit 33's
- OEM new steering rack

Rear End
-E-locker: 4.30 gear Ratio
-spidertrax 1.25 spacers
-5100 bilstein tundra shocks
-OME 906 rear coils

Stereo: (It works, when it doesn't I'll upgrade)
-kenwood
-6inch front doors
-6x9 rear doors
I don't have refined taste on music/sound... it just has to work.

Undercarriage / Drive Train Upgrades
-Removed Running boards

Interior Upgrades
-Scangauge II
-Weathertech Digital-Fit Floor liners front

Engine & Performance Upgrade/Maint
-ISR (Intake Silencer Removal)
-OEM filter
-KOYO Radiator
-B&M trans cooler (rad insync) -165k
-water pump -162k

Armor
Stock Skids/front&gas
-Savage Rear Bumper 2016

Exterior
- Altezza Tail Lights: black+clear
- tint match front windows
- tint banner on windshield
- tint all 'colored' glass for less heat (THIS IS AMAZING!)

Wheels/Tires
-99 Limited star stock
-285/75/16 BFG AT







Maintenance
Date Miles Description
06/10/15 152,572 tow truck from Cali to AZ
06/12/15 ---null-- temp tag
06/12/15 152,600 emissions
06/13/15 ---null-- registration and state tax
06/13/15 152,612 DTS - trans flush, eng oil change, pwr steer flush
07/01/15 ---null-- scratch and dent spacers
07/21/15 154,038 DTS - RR driver rear axle bearing and seal
07/25/15 ---null-- dealer - spark plugs and wires, fuel filter, PCV valve
08/06/15 ---null-- scan guage
10/03/15 155,000 tundra brake upgrade
10/27/15 ---null-- brake lines
10/27/15 157,700 RR front and rear CAT's
10/28/15 157,700 axle, t-case, engine oils + eng filter
10/28/15 ---null-- brake fluid
12/31/15 ---null-- savage off road bumper
03/01/16 ---null-- timing belt, rad hose's, t-stat, door switch
03/02/16 ---null-- timing belt tensioner
03/08/16 ---null-- radiator cap
03/16/16 ---null-- OME-906 rear coils
04/06/16 ---null-- J-Pipe Muffler Mod (NO MORE DRONE!)
04/19/16 162,014 dealer - syn oil change
04/23/16 ---null-- dealer - ball joint bolts, air filter
05/02/16 ---null-- dealer - ball joints, water pump, fan shroud
05/02/16 162,400 4 shocks, fan clutch, rear bumper and springs install
05/03/16 162,400 Lifetime Alignment purchase
06/01/16 164,521 DTS - install SS brake hoses
06/03/16 ---null-- front diff drop
06/11/16 ---null-- tow wireing harness
06/25/16 165,400 install trans cooler, tied with stock cooler
06/25/16 ---null-- DTS - trans leak, hose replace
07/05/16 165,465 dealer - syn oil change
08/19/16 ---null-- DT - Nitto Trail Grapplers 285/70r16
08/24/16 168,746 DT - Nitto Trail Grapplers 285/70r16
11/02/16 171,002 dealer - syn oil change
12/28/16 ---null-- 3wire mods
01/06/17 ---null-- dealer - gaskets, intake hose, spark plg gaskets
01/18/17 ---null-- dealer - DS door gasket
01/20/17 ---null-- Kenwood wire adaptor and pioneer door speakers
02/03/17 ---null-- battery core return
05/31/17 ---null-- dealer - steering rack (self install)
06/03/17 ---null-- front drive shaft replacement
06/05/17 175,895 brake fluid flush, free lifetime alignment
07/28/17 176,949 dealer - air filter and syn oil change
08/11/17 177,000 emissions
10/16/17 ---null-- battery
10/24/17 ---null-- battery core return
11/20/17 ---null-- tools rental, light bulb
11/24/17 178,765 check wheel alignment
11/24/17 ---null-- return tool rental
11/24/17 ---null-- blinker fluid
11/24/17 ---null-- misc tool, cotter pins
11/25/17 178,768 free lifetime alignment
12/09/17 179,111 dealer - air filter and syn oil change
06/11/18 182,812 DTS - Trans Flush and Brake Booster RR
10/05/18 ---null-- 3 wire mod parts
02/15/19 188,437 DTS - oil change, wheel alignment, fan belts RR
02/26/19 ---null-- dealer - lower control arms
03/06/19 ---null-- syn oil
08/07/19 192,033 emissions
09/20/19 ---null-- DT - Used Tire for spare
11/05/19 ---null-- free battery exchange
11/15/19 192,760 RR t-case front output seal, overall check
12/21/19 ---null-- sway bar links, hatch struts

[SnowLizard]

Hello, I've been around this site for while, lots of research and lots of things to learn.

First off, I love off road and decent clearance.
My first car was a 65 mustang and I put the biggest tires on it for my camping trips, great car, wrong application.
My first off road vehicle was a 75 bronco with lockers d44, 33's... the whole shibang, I needed more of a family off road vehicle, and it's kinda uncomfortable (even with it's cool factor)
that's when my wife and I bought a 1995 4runner, we loved it, it was awesome, and everything we needed. except no 4wd. we were hooked on the functionality of the 4runner, and the little maintenance (95 with 155k miles wow!)
when the 95 was t-boned (wife and 1y/o daughter were unharmed) we then bought the 97 sr5 4wd, 192k miles. needed little tlc.
well the 97 needed more than 'neglected maintenance' and repairs... we decided it would be better for us to get what we should have gotten in the first place
Enter the 99 4runner...

Purchase Story...
Small CA dealer, was cool, sent me pics, and updates, I requested a certified Toyota dealership send me a pre-purchase report. with all features and relative low miles (152k) and one owner...
Purchased from Craigslist... I wired the money from AZ... Scariest thing ever, kept having thoughts that it's going to mexico for drug runs.
cool thing, the dealer sent me updates,

kept me in the loop of who has it, gave me phone numbers of the guy driving the semi it's being towed on... overall very honest. might purchase from him again, but don't think I'll ever wire again...

well it's arrived, I have maintenance plans, but not many mod plans.

First on the list
Power Steering Fluid! = Poop Brown color, not supposed to look like that
spark wires - original?
spark plugs
radiator - fluid is yellow! gonna make it bleed read.
hoses -corrosion on the rubber hoses
toyota timing belt - was changed @ 122k miles with a napa belt
water pump gasket (not leaking, just want to know age)
fan clutch - really weak!
thermostat
possible pulley's for timing belt (won't know till I get there)
fix auto-antenna
swap tires+rims from 97
fix door jam switches for lights
purchase new FOB key for rear window one touch
swap roof rack from 97
fix passenger side running board (for now)



the 97 and 99


For now, I'll be doing Toyota parts, those on the forum who know where to shop (other than stealership) I'll need to PM you, so let me know who you are.

[fightman80]

Nice rigs man...enjoy the build.... I'd love to have 2 Third Gens..

[Unner]

For OE parts check out Amayama and CamelBack Toyota in Arizona. Both are good and have great prices.

[SnowLizard]

playing with HDR last night... and timing the sunset...



got my cloth seat covers on...


these seat covers have been in my 95/97 and now my 99... who knew they fit so well!



I think the covers would have been better in tan, but these actually came from my 95 4runner, which happens to fit the 97 and 99 really well... all except the front head rests... I do like the leather, but I wanna keep it for later, for now... until we get our 5th gen 4runner this will have to do.

one last one

[SnowLizard]

had the engine light turn on, don't have my scan guage yet, so I went down to autozone and used their free tool.. engine code P0171 and a 2nd one pending...

I don't like codes, but a little search and found that it's most common with MAF sensor, so I took a chance and replaced it. went to Napa and picked up a Denso unit.

the engine light went out after a couple starts and it's been great since. but my current gas mileage is horrible, mostly from driving with the engine like on... next tank should see an improvement.

[absalom]

They don't offer the 285/75/16 Duratrac in load range D unfortunately .. I'm local to you, let me know if you ever need help wrenching.

[Kmurt]

Great pics. Very clean 4runner you got there.

[SnowLizard]

thanks on the duratracks, you're right, I'll have to step up to the 17in rims for D rating

Kmurt - Thanks! hopefully I keep it clean.

[SnowLizard]

Went Camping for Fathers Day, took the 99 and it performed perfectly!! even got some off roading in... tried to avoid mud, but still hit a few patches, the 4lo+elocker went right through, no issues... got permission to get full skid plates (proabbly budbuilt front and center, and lil-skif gas tank) Defenetly needs bigger tires and a lift (someday)

Dogs road in the back, nice cushion'd bed for one with arthritis, cargo bag on top for other things we couldn't fit..




little mud fling, didn't want any mud, but at least I didn't get stuck.

[T4R2014]

Where did you get those seat covers?

[SnowLizard]

T4R2014 - sadly my wife bought them, and I don't know where it was from, I do know it was ordered for our 95' IIRC they said they patterned them off the 96 4 runner, 'Exact fit seat covers, made in the usa'

my google skills come up with:
1996 Toyota 4Runner Seat Covers from GT Covers
1996 - 4Runner - Seat Covers | Precision Fit

I would guess she bought them from amazon... don't know where really.

[SnowLizard]

so just to write it down somewhere... my MPG...

a week ago i went up camping, fully loaded, with 2 dogs, wife and kid, and cargo bag on top... hated the bag up there.

MPG for the entire trip was 18mpg (252.9miles and 14.003gal)
MPG for city driving was 15.2 (188.1 miles and 12.389gal)
so I think that's good... it's not great, but at least it's not worse...


some decisions have been made...
bud built skid and belly.... link
lil Skif gas tank skid.... LINK
CBI Front Bumper... Link
Savage Offroad Rear Bumper... Link (possible mod for tire carrier too)

and currently looking for an expedition trailer, probably a simple cargo trailer and add bigger tires, we'll see how it goes.

[AZBub]

We are planning a run Sunday if you want to go, lots of us in QC, Chandler and Mesa as well.

[SnowLizard]

wish I could go Sunday's, but atm Sunday's aren't an option, if it was a Saturday, I'd be there.

on another note....


found a nice little 2005 1 owner registered cargo/camping trailer... this will be my expedition trailer, some day bigger tires.

I was going to buy one I found in Henderson NV (1990 with a front compartment converted to cooler) but I found this one last night locally and REALLY wanted it, plus I now don't have to drive 600+miles.

now I can pack the family in min's and not all day... so excited.