Well, I got tired of watching the big boys and their 4WD toys do things my rig could not. That, and the reality of converting my 2WD diminishing (time, space, etc) I got discouraged and antsy and after a few years of "faking before making it" I caved and bought one.
After skulking several sites for months, responding to ads, looking at overpriced rust heaps and talking to many sellers that weren't transparent over the phone or stopped responding when asked specific questions. I finally found exactly what I was looking for: my year and color 4runner in 4WD with fewer miles - and the best part, 5-speed manual transmission.
The truck was located in Santa Barbara, originally from Oregon, not registered in CA. I drove up with a buddy ready to buy if it panned out, and after a thorough inspection, test drive and "a serious conversation" with the seller I drove it home to LA (1.75 hours) without issue. My buddy followed behind me in my 2WD.
The good
Everything works. Like everything. Running the VIN I knew the factory equipment package and was able to validate everything on the truck was stock except for 1 thing...
I wonder what that button is?
The better
One of the pictures showed a button on the dash with orange letters right next to the interior light brightness knob - an e-locker switch! Yep, the previous owner's brother had an e-Locker installed for me. TBU, too.
Also, originally sold in Idaho, and being a 48 state vehicle it's federal emissions, only 1 catalytic converter. My OBDII scanner showed no codes, no pending codes and all tests complete. TorquePro showed nothing troubling either. With no trans cooler, there was no threat of a pink milkshake thanks manual transmission - but someone switched out the gear shift knob with something awful (it had to go ASAP)
The best
Although the truck was filthy, had mild surface rust on a few undercarriage items and several suspect oily/greasy spots, she cleaned up great. No leaks! No worn suspension components about to fail, and most importantly, no actual rust.
Test driving it we found a dirt road and I was able to test 2-Hi, 4-Hi, 4-Low and Rear Locked. All gears performed flawlessly. The clutch pedal bushings need replacing and the helical spring is probably eating into the pedal shaft, but we can fix that.
The obvious
Ball joints and radiator appear to be original. Timing belt was done but the sticker was bare, not noted when and mileage. Although the seller claimed to have done "all required maintenance" they had weak records to support that claim. Badly leaking VGCs and messy fluid changes made things look potentially troubling. The truck was filthy inside and out and all bushings are old and tired. There is work to be done but nothing major appears to be looming.
The bad- The rear hatch was damaged in a rear-end bike rack incident that caved the rear hatch skin between the licence plate and wiper blade. The hatch seals and works, the wiper works but the rear window does not roll down more than 1/2".
UPDATE: swapped hatch from 2WD 03/2022
- The license plate bezel and handle is smashed, but functional with "the right touch." The lock cylinder works to lock, unlock and activate the window in both directions. One of the license plate bolts is rust-frozen in place.
UPDATE: self resolved will hatch swap w/ lock cylinders exchange
- Minor electrical gremlins; interior dome lights flicker. All 4 corners are out. The alternator was recently replaced and a new battery installed - TBD exactly why. The wire harness actually looks really good. No rodent damage or excessive aging found, yet.
- The power antenna "works" but no mast is present. Someone stuffed a manual conversion mast in and then it was broken off. Gear needs inspection.
UPDATE: installed replacement mast 03/2022
- Out of state registration and title, plus, the truck had never been smogged; Oregon doesn't do emissions testing. With a signed title I went to the DMV website, downloaded and filled out the required docs and went to the DMV.
The DMV
I really expected a nightmare and didn't post about this truck before the title transfer and registration was behind me, but it was pretty painless. Only 1 form was required, and with a signed title and Oregon registration I started the process of transferring title and bringing the car into CA officially. Easy peasy, but I needed to pass a smog test, and a visual inspection, and then I would be home free.
Smog test & inspection
I scanned the truck for the days in advance of the test to make sure no codes popped up and on Saturday morning I was first at the smog test shop. She passed with flying colors before I did any work. The inspection went pretty much the same way on Monday. With both done, I finalized the title transfer, registration and moved my "specialty license plates" to the new rig.
Now comes the real work: repairs, maintenance and mods.
First order of business was figuring out some of the bugaboo issues: electrical, lights and the rear hatch. Parts for all maintenance have been ordered so time to address what I can while I wait for UPS.
I replaced all the bulbs on the exterior and interior except the headlamps. There are a few lights on the dash not working, like cruise control, so an LED dash kit is waiting to be installed which should resolve all but one of the lighting issues (the rear cargo light off the rear hatch latch).
Troubleshoot rear window. Well, it was getting hung up on the wiper motor. I decided to sacrifice the working wiper for a working window, so I removed the wiper arm and motor. Window now works 100% but a complete replacement hatch is needed.
All the door checks need to be serviced.
@
JZiggy
to the rescue! I'll be sending my checks out for R&R soon.
UPDATE: installed rebuilt door checks 03/2022
Aside from the typical 245K maintenance items, the majority of mods from my 2WD will be transferred over with few exceptions. This will be mostly a swap-grade, as well as some of the typical 4WD upgrades like a body lift, rock sliders, bumpers, etc.
Trail radio/coms will be added as well as a field monitor/inclinometer and finally my winch!
Another super significant mod will be the
@
eimkeith
fuel tank crossmember, F-150 fuel tank and PCK finished off by a rear-swing out bumper. Jury is still out on which bumpers will be used, but it's happening. A new front bumper will be ordered, the ARB is staying on the 2WD.
Cosmetics will be addressed, too.
I really like the Jade Mica Green, but the paint has seen better days. Lots of rock damage but ZERO clear coat hazing. The hood and roof paint is actually in better condition than my 2WD's paint. I will have some decisions to make regarding paint, but it looks good from 5 yards.
The truck came with those steel wheel well liners that I would dare to call flares. I found a set of SR5 flares identical to my Sport flares and they will go on the truck with the tacoma flare liners ala
@
phattyduck
and many others.
The steel flares and running boards were the first things to go!
Rims and tires are on the agenda. The truck has 285/75 R16 Cooper Discoverer tires that are actually not in bad shape, I'm sure they will rub under full stuff but they do not appear to have. The 6-spoke rims the truck came with are in terrible shape so I will replace them with my 17" Sequoia rims and fresh rubber, maybe pick up another set of 5-star rims and move the Coopers over. Either way, spacers are happening.
Here are a few NOW pics taken after passing the smog test, and before any 'serious work' begins
Linear Mode
