3rd gen lifespan
- Thread starter shoota
- Start date
Roc Doc
New member
I have a hard time keeping a vehicle stock, in fact my 2015 Ram Eco Diesel is the only one I've ever been able to keep my hands off of.
Now the Runner is a different story, I want to customize it with a good sound system, 2m and CB radios, finish the suspension mods, brakes, etc., . Once I get all that done, I'll want to keep it for a long time as it will be "mine". I did all that stuff to my 2000 F250 and kept it for 13 years with trips to the Grand Canyon, Death Valley, Baja, the Sequoia's, the Rubicon, Moab, and so on.
I had a 96 FZJ80 that I though was going to be my next long term vehicle, but the poor range and some relocation difficulties made me sell it. The Runner has acceptable range and power, and is the right size to wheel with Jeeps and not be the trail tampon. I can see keeping this one for the next 10 years easy.
Just under 200k, and zero rust, so it should be maintenance only.
Now the Runner is a different story, I want to customize it with a good sound system, 2m and CB radios, finish the suspension mods, brakes, etc., . Once I get all that done, I'll want to keep it for a long time as it will be "mine". I did all that stuff to my 2000 F250 and kept it for 13 years with trips to the Grand Canyon, Death Valley, Baja, the Sequoia's, the Rubicon, Moab, and so on.
I had a 96 FZJ80 that I though was going to be my next long term vehicle, but the poor range and some relocation difficulties made me sell it. The Runner has acceptable range and power, and is the right size to wheel with Jeeps and not be the trail tampon. I can see keeping this one for the next 10 years easy.
Just under 200k, and zero rust, so it should be maintenance only.
mtbtim
Elite Member
Back in the 80's, when I first started wrenching on vehicles, the vehicles were much simpler to work on but you didn't have YouTube and forums like ours with a plethora of information at your disposal. You had to rely on what your buddy, dad or older brother knew or maybe you bought one of those shitty Chilton manuals.
Now, the vehicles are more complicated, but we have way more information due to the internet. If you are willing to take the time to learn and invest some money in tools, you can do a whole lot of repairs yourself. You probably won't be tearing apart engines and transmissions to rebuild them, but you can do quite a bit to save yourself some big coin.
There are legitimate reasons why people don't do their own work, like being super busy with career and family obligations or maybe you're disabled and can't physically do the work. But, if you have the time and aren't physically limited, it comes down to motivation whether you want to learn about auto mechanics. I guess I'm a sort of cheerleader when it comes to motivating people to do their own repair/mod work. You end up saving yourself lots of money while gaining knowledge and the satisfaction of doing your own work.
Ok, I'll step off the soapbox now.
Roc Doc
New member
If you have a set of metric wrenches you have what you need, hell, you really only need three or four of them.
As far as know-how, google, youtube and forums like this are your friend.
I suppose I was thinking more along the lines of when parts break or wear out. Engine trouble, suspension trouble, wheel problems, things of that nature. I've replaced several items on the two 4Runners I've owned and with a good video I'm mechanically adept enough to figure out the little stuff, it's the big stuff looming down the road that is worrying.
Hey you're preaching to the choir
I'm the same way (except my experience lies more with bicycles). I'm picking up the vehicle thing slowly but surely. And I have tools so that's a good start.
mtbtim
Elite Member
Hey you're preaching to the choir
I'm a bicycle mechanic too. Been riding and racing bicycles for 30 years.
Cool! Glad I'm not the only one. Road or mtb or ?
edit: omg your name says mtb right in it lol
I suppose I shouldn't be surprised with the amount of "forever" responses given the forum we're in
Sometimes it's mind boggling how much information and know-how really exists on communities like T4R and Youtube. I wasn't wrenching in the 80s becaues I was a toddler, but I can only imagine it'd be way different from a confidence perspective if all you had was a damn manual (And a shitty one at that).
But, there is a catch to it all.
For as many people that exist who wrench on their vehicles even with the info out there, just as many or more exist that don't have the interest, desire, or time.
I think it comes down to those 3 factors with some exceptions.
Just take a personal poll of your friends/family, how many wrench and how many pay the dealer or a shop? My ratio is like 10 to 1 of friends/family that pay for stuff VS do their own stuff.
Honestly, I often pay for stuff I know how to do myself just because of work time and family/etc.
Gender plays in a role as well, this is one of the exceptions.
Example, I have two different female cousins, both who drive Benz's. Realistically, why would they ever wrench on them? Totally a 'guy' thing
-- and it's one thing if they have a husband or brother someone in their life who can wrench, but how many women dont? A LOT!My female cousins with the Benz's also introduce exception #2 on top of exception #1 (gender) -- working on cars is often seen as a very blue collar thing, a lot of people simply have the $$$money$$$ to pay mechanics and shops for work.
A lot of my coworkers drive BMW's and I noticed they all take them to the dealer. As if the price of that vehicle isn't getting $hafted enough, lol. You generally find the German luxuries are harder to DIY on. A lot of special tools required.
I will agree with you that with the amount of info out there on Domestic and Asian imports, tearing into an engine or tranny is pretty much the only job you CANT DIY these days.
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Sean K.
New member
Do you foresee being able to take the 4Runner on trails like you ran/run in your modified Toyota pickup?
Just curious as that's what I have planned for mine, but I've yet to see any full bodied 3rd Gen on a really hard trail here in AZ.
Gotcha. The cool thing is that even things like ball joints and bushings and suspension really isn't so hard. The front suspension is probably something you can hand off, but the rear is pie. There are countless YouTube videos on the other stuff.
Good to know, thanks!
I asked my "mechanic" buddy if he would be able to install a lift and he said no because he doesn't have a coil compressor. So stuff like that.
St Runner
Member
I don't think I would ever sell it because there is nothing I would replace it with that is not real expensive to buy and maintain. The 4runner is a combination of quality parts and manufacturing, good styling and modern comforts without being overly computerized. Go back further in time and you can find quality vehicles that stand the test of time but most are very basic. Modern cars have every feature you want but the quality of parts and materials sucks for the long term and everything is computerized which makes it difficult for the layman to work on. As our friend StreetCreeper,who stalks russian mail order brides says, parts are everywhere. Not hard to work on and keep upgrading!
Yeah, and you should be careful with anything having to do with the coils. I think on the front you can remove the entire assembly and pay like 20 bucks for a midas or someone to compress the coil and put it together or back together or whatever for you. The rest is DIY. Not sure if it's the same for the rear or not.
FrankieJoe14
New member
I was thinking about this the other day. Since i already have a new Tundra TRD Pro and the 4runner is just for fun/offroad/going places I don't want to bring a 6000lb 20' long truck its going to stay in the fleet a while.
The ONLY thing I think would change that is the Northeast's old friend. RUST.
However - think about this. Most of us bought a 15-17 year old vehicle. I paid $3300 for mine.
I imagine that around 2025 (only 9 years people) we can be looking for clean 5th gens that are going to be around the same price.
The ONLY thing I think would change that is the Northeast's old friend. RUST.
However - think about this. Most of us bought a 15-17 year old vehicle. I paid $3300 for mine.
I imagine that around 2025 (only 9 years people) we can be looking for clean 5th gens that are going to be around the same price.
GangsterOfLove
New member
4wd six cylinder Limited models do for sure. 2wd Base model 4 bangers like mine - not so much. I see this as a good thing.
I expect to get close to what I paid for it even with 100K more miles on it.
Why do you want the 2wd model?
Roc Doc
New member
Not a chance. Too much bodywork, not enough room for big tires. Been there, done that, bought the Runner more for exploring, and to help keep the miles off my Ram 1500. I want my AC, and to go to old mines, and go shooting and such.
