Eulogy for My Old Friend Who Died Today
I have had my Gen. 3 - 1996 4Runner 2WD SR5 for 24 years, bought her new when they first came out in late 1995. I have put 190,000+ miles on her with no serious mechanical problems--except that a head gasket broke at <2,000 miles. Toyota had her for two month waiting for the re-engineered, replacement head gaskets. She has faithfully pulled my sailboat to and from the river; took me to and from work regardless of the weather; and carried the family and a ton of cargo on Florida vacations in the summers. Today my mechanic told me her head gaskets are cracked and the engine has locked up. A sad day, I think I am going to let her go.