Saved from the Scrapyard: Ressurecting a 500$ 3rd Gen
 

Picked up a new fixer upper project a couple days ago and I figured I'd take you guys through the process of bringing it back to life with me. It's important to note, I'm gonna make this look easier than it really is. This isn't my first time, actually it's my fourth, so there's nothing here I haven't done upwards of 3 times in the past.

Let's cut to the chase. I'm always looking for the super cheap 3rd gen deal on craigslist, facebook, what have you. I'm not talking the 2500$ ones, or even the 1500$ ones... I'm talking sub-1000$ beaters. This one ties for the cheapest I've ever bought (including ones I've parted out). I paid a whopping 500$ for this 4runner.

Here's what 500$ got me.

It's a 1997 base model with a little bit of above average options, under the hood is a 2.7L 3RZ, automatic transmission and 4WD. The truck has a tick over 270K miles.

It has it's fair share of problems, the motor has seen better days, the headgasket is definitely gone, and it's generally tired from the miles. It still runs, just barely. The tires are bald, the hatch is destroyed from an accident and bodged fix long ago, and interior is absolutely covered in a mixture of dog hair and mold.

It's not all bad though with this one. Through the layers of moss and leaves I could see a pretty straight body, with some half decent paint. And even though the interior was disgusting, there wasn't a lingering smell, and it wasn't completely trashed like others I've bought in the past.

Here's how I first saw it, in what would've been it's grave. Luckily the previous owner (Also the 2nd owner since 40K miles) cared too much to let the scrapyard take it.

https://i.imgur.com/80xPSGll.jpg

I was just looking at that on Craigslist yesterday!

The first thing I do when I'm seeing if a new purchase is going to be salvagable is a thorough cleaning. With the amount of moss and leaves I started with a quick pressure wash.

https://i.imgur.com/iXg4N2Gl.jpg

At that point you can see, it's actually pretty damn good, especially for black paint. Of course it's gonna have wear and scratches, but that's no reason to count it out. Then I had to move onto the interior (kind of my specialty at this point.)

It was kind of just plain nasty, but even though the filth you can tell it's not too bad.

https://i.imgur.com/2E9cAxXl.jpg

The front seats and console come out in short order and then you can get to pretty much everything with the vacuum, dog hair was throughout so I spent a solid hour with the shop vac. It all came out of the carpet and seats for the most part, I do need to figure out the headliner. It's stuck up there too, and a lot of it.

https://i.imgur.com/Ttc8B9Nl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/S8CWzBCl.jpg

Back in with the seats and powerwashed floormats, nothing wrong with most of the interior so my list of things to get is actually pretty short. I need a driver's seat, center console (or maybe just a lid) and the front armrests for the door panels, other than that it's pretty good. There is a lot of wear on the driver's carpet in the usual spot, but not worth replacing IMO.

https://i.imgur.com/Y9lw7JSl.jpg

With the interior somewhat sorted, you can see the damage on the rear hatch. It's BAD. Rust, a gaping hole, stacks of bondo. I'm glad it's the hatch though, I can unbolt it and find a suitable replacement pretty easily.

https://i.imgur.com/eDV26sBl.jpg

While it still runs, I wanted to make sure the drivetrain was all still working. Only one way to do that. 4 Low works!

https://i.imgur.com/fIbhLSjl.jpg

To finish off the day's work (A good 5 hours) I hit it with the pressure washer again and a quick handwash, taking advantage of the unseasonably warm weather. She shines pretty decent if I do say so. Also had to do the official unofficial T4R.org running board delete.

https://i.imgur.com/zjNLGeFl.jpg

I'm on the lookout for a new heart for it now. Hoping to find just the motor, the majority of RZ motors around here are sold as full swaps. According to the previous owner there's a decent amount of new-ish parts here. The radiator is somewhat new,brakes are good, shocks are pretty new, the transmission was replaced with a used unit quite a few miles ago, and a few other odds and ends.

https://i.imgur.com/5Wg1stMl.jpg

Beat you to it! Already had it home yesterday. She's in good hands. Lots of deals been popping up local on potential projects, but I had to go with the 3RZ 4Runner, it's just right.

We need to start a rescue list.
 

I feel so bad seeing these majestic beasts go to the scrap yard. A lot of them are falling off right now.

Can't save em all, those ones at the scrapyard will help to save the ones I choose to bring back. Eventually they'll dry up, it's up to us to preserve what we can for now.

kudos to you! following your progress.

Three things make me run from most used vehicles i go check out : dog hair, rust and signs of smoking inside...

impressive progress so far!

I save them from the scrap yard, only to tear them to pieces and sell their guts all over the country. I guess I'm a 4Runner organ dealer of sorts.

I do save the frame from just getting melted down, there's no shortage of people looking for a straight frame to turn into a dune buggy or something similar.

I'm still waiting for a deal on an FJ80. Which will be hard to come by.

Nice save. These things hit scrap yards for bs reasons now. Actually had a guy in the yard tell me he felt bad having to crush what remained of a wrecked low miler.

Blame low book value, you've got to fight and find comparisons to get fair treatment from the insurance companies since the book is half what they're actually worth. Sadly LBJ failures have started totalling good 4runners since they only want to put 2,000$ into fixing them.

Good thread, thanks... it lifted my spirits. I'm just at the frame shop picking mine up. The frame got bent but it's all fixed now. I was actually getting a bit frustrated with the time it takes but I see the light at the end of the tunnel. I'm in Vancouver so garage space is premium so I have to get it roadworthy asap.

Got mine for $2000 and in the end I'll probably be in it over $5000. Limited 2000 in otherwise excellent condition, basically rust free. They go for near $10,000 in good condition so I'm definitely in the green. Except when you factor in the 3 weeks it'll take me to fix it. I'm going to keep it though with the amount of blood and sweat I put into it.

I just missed an 03 V8 tundra on Tuesday that had had the frame replaced from the recall but was in a front end accident recently. Lowish miles and all it needed was a fender, bumper, and passenger headlight. I’ve been wanting a pickup truck but need to get one on the cheap right now because I don’t want to get rid of any of my other vehicles.

Im parting out 3 4runners right now. Hit me up if you need any parts. All have tan interiors.

I just got done doing a franken seat for my driver side on my $400 craigs list truck. found a good passenger side in moon mist. I will keep looking for a decent cloth cover set in tan but until then this will do.

before/after - I removed the covers and soaked over night in a 5 gal bucket of shout, oxy clean, dish soap and hot water then washed them in the wash machine and gently tumble on dry. must be gentle on the tumble. really they turn out like brand new in you soak them overnight and wash them.

<a href="https://imgur.com/yG6L4BD"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/yG6L4BDl.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>
<a href="https://imgur.com/5R7sGZJ"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/5R7sGZJl.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

Thats a great find and save!!

I appreciate the offer, I'll have no trouble finding everything I need for this one locally though.

Those came out great. I've had good luck so far finding seats that are not too far off from good so far, so I haven't had to scavenge too bad. Interesting that you were able to find moon mist but not tan. I'd say the ratio of moon mist to tan I've seen in scrapyards and partouts over the last 5 years is like 15 tan trucks to one moonmist/gray.

For light soil, some stains and maybe a bit of light mold I can usually bring back a cloth seat pretty easily, leaving everything assembled (apart from maybe the plastic sidecovers.)

I start with a liberal vacuuming, like 3-4 passes front ad back. Then I soak with Folex upolstery cleaner, like really soak. I let it sit for a good 15 mins and scrub like hell with a pretty damn stiff bristled brush, then pat/wipe the seat off and soak up all the moisture with a regular t-shirt style rag (Usually takes almost a whole bag to do a really dirty full set). Once I've done the Folex process at least a couple times they are usually pretty good, if needed I do a soak with Tuff Stuff and scrub some more, when I'm done if it's cold out they get a heater put on em overnight to dry em out before they go in the truck.

Don't have any pics of ones I've done, but I had really good luck with this bringing back a moldy set of seats out of an 07 Tacoma.

Following progress closely!

I gotta say, though... car peeps need dudes like you. I also have a S2000 and there's a couple people in that community that buy wrecked cars and part every single piece out from their home/garage via forums and facebook. With parts becoming scarce, it's invaluable

Ain't it funny how it works. I cannot for the life of me find used seats for my moon mist interior. Pretty much decided to put some covers on some tan seats as a result.

In the shop to get some work done even though it's about 30 degrees out. Luckily we've got heaters.

Apologies for the terrible lighting.

https://i.imgur.com/zpX8mHdl.jpg

Even though the hood's up, that's not where I was working tonight... The battery did actually come back strong from the looks of it though. That's a first for me.

Tonight I installed the lift.

A simple setup, started in the back. The rears got some OME 891's I picked up used for this very type of build, along with extending the panhard bar to suit. The PO actually installed what appear to be KYB MonoMax shocks all around, the rears are actually a hair longer extended than stock shocks, so I was able to hook them back up, although they'll limit travel. I'll swap them eventually.

https://i.imgur.com/sGlW2fcl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/EaGe7ROl.jpg

Then I quickly moved to the front. I left the shocks assembled with stock springs and just installed 3" bolt on top plate spacers. This isn't the route I'd recommend at all, but being that the shocks have relatively low miles and the springs aren't sagged out, I figured I'd get away with it temporarily at least.

https://i.imgur.com/9CVuuEMl.jpg

And bada-bing bada-boom, just like that, a couple hours of work and under 150$ she sits 3" higher than when she rolled in. I know where some wheels are for cheap, but the only extra tires I have are just about bald terrains, so I'm not sure what the next move is as of now.

https://i.imgur.com/KIpqRapl.jpg

As a side note, this 4Runner actually spent some years on the east coast, and has a slight bit of rust, haven't run into anything major but I sympathize for you east coast guys, even this tiny bit of surface rust is kind of a pain when you're used to clean west coast chassis'

well if the hoods not up, are you _actually_ working on your car? haha ;)

New shoes and new tires for the $500 4runner. Did some horse-trading and a little bit of cash throwing and here we are. A set of Weld Mountain crushers, 16x10 4 5/8 backspacing. Circa 2006 with a nice new Polish job. Wrapped them with MasterCraft MXT's, 285/75R16.


https://i.imgur.com/zhcWXz9.jpg

All bolted on and looking good. Also did the 99 chrome grille and 99 headlights.

https://i.imgur.com/lUen30x.jpg

Wish I had a large back yard with covering to save all the 3rd gens i see at the junk yard. We are such a "get a newer car with all the bling electronics" country. It's crazy how cheap used cars are here that it's doesn't make financial sense to buy a 20 year old car and fix it even if it's more reliable then some of the newer crap.

Hey, somebody's gotta buy them new. Also lower demand = lower prices. That's why i specialize in high milers with some quirks. I can't wait to see if I can scoop up a 5th gen for 500$ 20 years down the road.

How do you like those Mastercrafts!? I'm always on the hunt for some good budget tires.

They're great. I recommend them to anyone looking for a budget mud tire. Thick skinned, good traction on and offroad, still light, wear smooth and ride great.

I'm building my desired fleet out of mostly cheapo vehicles needing work.

• '02 Limited, 188K, $1700, trying to save the tranny, I think it pink milkshaked the day I brought it home, didn't drive it more than 3/4 mile. It had been sitting for 2-3 years and needs a massive cleaning. Frame is decent for the NE
  
• '02 Saab 9-3 convertible for my 19 y.o. daughter, $2500, replaced the transmission with her
  
• '03 Saab 9-3 sedan, $240. This has been the most trouble-free so far!
  
• '04 Mazdaspeed Miata (turbo). Paid real money, $10K.

So for my own rides, $11,940 for 3 vehicles, average price under $4K - a generic Euro sedan for 30+ MPG highway trips, a quick & fun & tossable little sportscar, a truck for towing & maybe plowing and other such trucky stuff... My total investment for 4 cars is less than most people have in 1. My insurance costs and excise taxes are lower too. And I have exactly the right tool for any job on wheels that I need to do.

Damned Miata kills my average cost, but it's REALLY fun

Took a long hiatus, but finally back at it. I knew it would happen from the start, on disassembly I found a cracked head. For those unfamiliar with the RZ motors, when overheated they nearly always crack between the valve seats and spark plug holes. No biggie, but it took some time to find a good used head.

Around 600$ later in total she starts going back together piece by piece, good thing I can put these together with my eyes closed since i disassembled it 5 months ago! She'll be a driver in no time. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...9d39d80038.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...f13aa4849e.jpg

Sent from my JSN-L23 using Tapatalk

The 4 banger has so much more room in the engine bay than the V6. I just did a head gasket replacement on an overheated V6 only find out the rings on a couple cylinders were destroyed. Looked fine visually. The new long block should last for many years though.

How is the power difference between the 4 and the 6? Torque difference?

Nice build!

I had a engine with light scoring on cylinder wall pulled the pistons reringed homed the block it turned out great:drum:

This will be my first 4 cylinder automatic experience with larger than stock tires. The RZ motor is my choice out of the two hands down. The difference in power just does not justify the drawbacks of the V6.

I know a lot of people sing the praises of the 5vz, but I just don't see it, sure it's reliable, but doing even minor repairs is a nightmare since the dohc design makes it a snug fit into the bay, also not a fan of the front accessory drive, timing and oil pump setup. The later 2GR 4.0 is a much more refined design.

As far as power and drivability goes, I've had experience with both motors in lots of platforms, they drive very similarly, the 3RZ in my opinion gets a bad rep solely because of the highway gears they were paired with in most applications, most notably the standard cab 4x4 early Tacomas that got the 3.48 gears. Of course a v6 truck with 4.10s will outrun that.

I'd swap/R&R 5 RZ motors before I touched a 3.4, especially coupled to an auto. Fingers crossed my 270k mile bottom end holds up for at least a few more miles.

Sent from my JSN-L23 using Tapatalk

Question: what do you do when you've got a vehicle that doesn't run.

Well, you swap in a minty dash and a new head unit of course. Well, that's what I do at least. Interior still needs a bit of love to get it up to snuff, one piece at a time.

I've yet to decide if this slightly beat Grip Royal Mahogany wheel is good enough for this thing yet. Maybe it deserves nicer, or maybe it's too nice, we will have to wait and see I guess. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...7b0b68eb3c.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...a2ac17d6ef.jpg

Sent from my JSN-L23 using Tapatalk

Upper and lower ball joints if you haven't already. Some guy just recently posted about a catastrophic failure.

Oh I know lol. Just had a buddy have a failure on his Tacoma. Trying to hold out until I can find a set of manual hub spindles for the front and go through everything all at once.

Sent from my JSN-L23 using Tapatalk

Today's the day. Got it running a couple days ago, dialed in over the last couple nights and it's now good enough to give it a shot. Running a little rough at low RPM, had the same issue with my Tacoma I rescued and it went away with time so we'll see. Off to the DMV, its back on the road. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...1fd378cc54.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...4eba6c3990.jpg

Sent from my JSN-L23 using Tapatalk

Getting the quirks all worked out. She's running at the perfect temperature no issues there. Transmission was a little lazy the first couple times out but I've finally got it topped up just right and she's shifting really nicely now. The ECU threw a code for the O2 sensor so I went ahead and swapped it out. Now my idle is going down below 1k and she purrs like a kitten.

Still on the mechanical to-do list is a new set of front brakes, they're causing some pulling and wobbling. There's quite a bit of crusty rust built up on the slide pins, along with the rotors not looking hot. Gotta get the rear drums off for a checkup and adjustment too. The passenger CV already puked a bit but no tears yet.

On a very happy side note, I did the math yesterday to confirm my suspicion. The Auto 4X4 3RZ did come with 4.56 gears. At least in my case. It drives great with the 33's very happy. Need to make a trip to the junkyards and hopefully piece together the interior a bit better, and with any luck I'll stumble across a clean black hatch sometime soon. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...34f87bcd83.jpg

Sent from my JSN-L23 using Tapatalk

Great build! I just picked up my first 4runner,it's an 02 SR5 4x4,has 154xxx on the clock. It had a bad motor, I bought a crate 3.4 v6 from Kar King auto. It is currently at the mechanic getting a transplant lol. Leather interior too. Kinda weird to love a vehicle this much and only drove it 5 miles to the shop lol. I didn't get the deal you did but I'm happy with the price picked it up for $1500https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...1158bb55b7.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...be535422b3.jpg

Sent from my moto e5 supra using Tapatalk

Once she is running gotta take a trip to the body shop to get the 3M stick on bug shield off[emoji108]

Sent from my moto e5 supra using Tapatalk