This is my 2002 Golden Pearl 4Runner limited. I bought it from a Toyota tech in Dallas who had bought it from and old lady who had ordered it with every available option and kept it in her garage since since new while racking up 182k before somehow managing to throw a rod out the side of the block. The technician put in a used 120k motor, did the timing belt and water pump, changed the fluids and sold it to me for $3800.
The vehicle is pretty interesting- one year only Golden Pearl with paint in excellent condition, heated front seats you can cook a turkey on, dealer installed remote start, and dealer option electroplated 24kt gold emblems (hideous.... but kinda neat)
I named her Blondie.
And she was real clean underneath
I bought Blondie literally weeks before moving to Portland Oregon (good choice since they're about 70% more expensive here) so I set about making sure she'd be safe and reliable for the drive.
Had a shop install a new radiator, TBU, lower control arms, sway bar ends links and a new set of Michelins. Shop put the thermostat in upside down so I moved it to the correct 6 o'clock position.
I was coming from a newer vehicle, so I couldn't live without Apple Carplay and a back up cam
With the help of my lovely assistant
Needed to do something about the ugly gold emblems, so we picked up some spray paint and 3m tape
Then we moved to Portland, with a stop for photos
Once in Portland we found one more issue- at some point an axle seal had leaked on the right rear, and while the seal was replaced, the brake shoes and drums were not. So, new rear brakes!
Once in Portland I made my way to Tillamook Forest and went just about far as my Michelin Defender LTX tires and stock 02 suspension could take me
So it was time for an upgrade- Icon coilovers, OME 3 inch lift rear springs with Icon shocks, and a set of 265/75/16 BFG KO2s
Then we found some mud
But always cleaned her up when done