[MVP]

Not sure if you guys saw this post of mine in the Engine/Suspensions/etc section, but I could sure use some input before the weekend rolls around and I go try to start this bad boy...

Bought a Rollover (3rd gen) - what now before starting it?

Thanks in advance!

[MVP]

Photos, in case anyone is interested...

[JeepKiller]

Originally Posted by MVP

Photos, in case anyone is interested...

What's the extent of the damage? Just basically cosmetic or is there any structural damage? If there's no structural damage I'd say either keep her and mod her to your liking or sell her. Clean, rust free 3rd gens are hard to come by, so even though it's been rolled I'm sure someone would snag it up.

[csp]

Don't make a mountain out of a molehill. If you've pulled the plugs and forced the excess oil out you're fine to start it as is.

My engine came out of a rollover too. It smoked like crazy for about a minute and has been running fine in the two years since that initial startup.

[MVP]

Thanks guys, I already own two other runners and the rollover is the eighth I've owned.

It started fine and runs great. I pulled the rims and tires and put them on my 2000 Sport. Now need to either sell as a running rollover or part this baby out...

[MVP]

Originally Posted by JeepKiller

What's the extent of the damage? Just basically cosmetic or is there any structural damage? If there's no structural damage I'd say either keep her and mod her to your liking or sell her. Clean, rust free 3rd gens are hard to come by, so even though it's been rolled I'm sure someone would snag it up.

No frame damage. The airbag never deployed. Pretty much is a low speed rollover.

The engine, front/rear diff, transfer case, and all drive train is in good working condition. I thought for about 5 minutes to take the 4WD components and make my daughter's runner a 4X4, but not enough free time to do it, and not enough buddies locally for the same.

Guess the question is how much do you think someone would pay for a rolled but otherwise very solid 97 4WD runner?

Before photo:

[JeepKiller]

Originally Posted by MVP

No frame damage. The airbag never deployed. Pretty much is a low speed rollover.

The engine, front/rear diff, transfer case, and all drive train is in good working condition. I thought for about 5 minutes to take the 4WD components and make my daughter's runner a 4X4, but not enough free time to do it, and not enough buddies locally for the same.

Guess the question is how much do you think someone would pay for a rolled but otherwise very solid 97 4WD runner?

Before photo:

Depends on the area, but around here probably 3000-5000

[SilverRidgeRunner1]

U could find a blown engine 3rd gen and strip the body off of it and have little invested. But it all depends on if u have the time or willpower and also the place, I've done it one time for a customer it took 2 of use 3 days to pull the body off and put another one on, of course we had a lift. Interesting story the insurance paid to have it done. I don't know why this was just a rare case. Thats been 10 years ago.

[IBallEngineer]

Originally Posted by JeepKiller

Depends on the area, but around here probably 3000-5000

Holy cow you could buy a clean 97 round here for that kind of money! I paid 5K for my 2000 almost 2 years ago.

[DocW8494]

I just want to know how you rolled the vehicle.
Give us the story.

[JeepKiller]

Originally Posted by IBallEngineer

Holy cow you could buy a clean 97 round here for that kind of money! I paid 5K for my 2000 almost 2 years ago.

High demand haha I paid 8 k for a rusty 02 sport edition and I got a steal haha. It's impossible to find one here.

[MVP]

Originally Posted by DocW8494

I just want to know how you rolled the vehicle.
Give us the story.

From my original Poll Post:
So, I bought a rollover here a few weeks back and its at my buddy's house. Now figure I'll ask some advice to you guys. First the background story...

I'm here in the Phoenix area, and found a clean 1997 4WD that ended up upside down due to driver error. It has some good components on it, was really clean before the owner let his teenage son drive it and he somehow flipped it on its lid on a dry paved street

The fire and rescue that greeted his son cut the lower wiring harness under the battery that contains all the starter/ground/alternator wires. I've fixed those to a large degree (backyard mechanic) and pulled the plugs. Upon attempting to start the engine, with the plugs out, it shot 5W30 out all over the hood and surrounding area.

Now I have fixed the wiring, and gotten the oil significantly out of the cylinders (it was unable to turn over prior to removing plugs and forcing the oil out). The starter spins it freely and it appears the repair job is okay on the wiring.

Checked the oil and filled the radiator and overflow. Things look okay... here is the video of it running after I got it fired up and running today

Video of the 1997 4runner Rollover Running

[B4YRunner]

Hello! I have been watching the forums for some time now, and am working on slowing building out a 97 SR5 Auto. Along the way, I ended up picking up a second 97 SR5 (5spd) that had been flipped on its right side while on the trail.

My original thought was to pull a few pieces that had not been damaged (ARB front bumper, hood, wheels), but after it successfully made the two-hour drive home without my dog freaking out (he has always gotten upset when riding in my trucks with engine issues), I'm wondering if it might be worth trying to salvage the truck as a whole? Thank you very much in advance!

[3bears]

I know it sounds funny....but I like how straight my 4runner is.....that said..I wish I had the money to take one with a rough body that I would not mind trashing more in the woods etc.
So if I had the money...and came across one like the one you did, I would make it into a serious overlander...who cares the body damage....it just makes it that much cooler in a way.....battle scars

recently there was a thread n here about a guy ( also in Cali I beleive) that put his down on its side and he is putting all the goodies into a new one I believe...ive lost track of his plans