Hey everyone,
I decided to start a build/progress thread. I'm not going to be building much however, and will be keeping my 'runner close to stock. Build threads seem like a fun way to track the progress. I plan to do some mild off-roading once I get the suspension up to snuff, but other than that she's my DD.
Some history:
When I bought the 'runner it had 201k miles on it. It has spent its entire life on the West Coast and as a result has very little to no rust. It's a 2000 Limited Auto 4x4 with the E-locker. The ODO is currently sitting at 212k.
The PO had the timing belt replaced at 197k so I knew I was pretty much sold on it since I wouldn't have to do that job anytime soon. I was also sold on the KO2's. I liked the color scheme and the 2000 Limited with E-locker was exactly what I was looking for.
I wasn't too happy with the bumper damage but ultimately decided to fix that down the road.
Shortly after I bought the 4runner, I noticed a whining sound in my transmission. I can't remember if the noise was there when I test drove it since I had so many other things I was focused on. The radiator and rear wheels for signs of a leaking axle seal were the top priority. The drain plug had been stripped causing all the fluid to eventually drain out. Upon looking at the service records I had from the PO, I suspect a drive-in oil shop was at fault for this. I have no way of knowing for sure though.
I added fluid and drove the 4runner as it was until the end of January '17 when I had found a transmission from a wrecked 4runner with roughly 130k. I had that swapped in at a local tranny shop and it's been golden since.
The PO claimed he had no clue the tranny was making noise. I requested 400 bucks back and he agreed to give that to me. Ideally I would have liked enough to cover the replacement transmission, but you catch more flies with sugar and I handled the situation rationally. This was my fault for not being diligent enough, but I am grateful for how things turned out in the end. Plus, I learned more about my 4runner in the process.
Here is what it looked like the day I brought it home, November 8, 2016:
Some slight rear sag in the springs. Installing my lift soon.
And here is how it currently sits:
The rear bumper sags on the driver's side. I tried to fix this but the body was actually bent where the brackets mount as a result of the accident. It looks much better than it did before, so I'm happy with it.
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Currrent builds:
E-locker wire mod
LED Tail lights
Flowmaster Series 50 muffler
Kenwood double din stereo (PO installed)
99 talls + Bilstein 5100 all around
Planned:
New tires
CV's
Fuel Pump
Brake shoes
Hi-lift/mount for my Yakima rack
More to come...
Otherwise my next transmission will be directly from Toyota.
Linear Mode
