4Runner-Dan's 96 SR5 Project

4Runner-Dan

4Runner-Dan

New member
This is actually my 3rd 4Runner in almost as many years. Previously had a 98 Limited and 07 V8 SR5. I missed having a 3rd gen and found this one on my local Craigslist. Bought on a whim. 1100 bucks later and it was mine.

It's definitely a project....

Good: New Tires
Accident Free
Rear E-Locker
Minor Rust (Been In VA its entire Life)

Bad: PO said the headgasket was blown around the #4 cylinder and basically did not want to put in any extra time or money. (Not that I have any of that either....)

Ran and drove, so I took it home and put in my garage to get started. Obviously, HGs are the first thing on the to-do list. It will be a slow process between school and life, but I'm doing it myself and getting that satisfaction.

Now, let's get to the pics...

Nestled in the garage on jackstands. Paint is decent; minus the hood.




Pretty clean!






Just getting broken in?




Pre-Teardown


Getting there...


Valvetrain shot....


More to come!!
 
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Had to take a break from wrenching and finish my finals, but I've been back at it for the last few days.

Got the heads off.... :party:







Valve Covers. Passenger side on the left and driver on the right. I think we can all tell which one was over the bad bank. :eek:



This is where the bad news started. I thought that was going to be it. Take the heads down, have them cleaned up, and BOOM. Done. No such luck, though.

Looks like one of the freeze plugs is leaking too...


So the whole motor is coming out. :mad2: I'm still debating whether or not to take everything to a local machine shop or buy a rebuilt motor off Ebay. :noidea:

Also if anyone has some good threads on engine removal stashed away somewhere...I'd appreciate getting those! :bigok:
 
4Runner-Dan said:
So the whole motor is coming out. :mad2: I'm still debating whether or not to take everything to a local machine shop or buy a rebuilt motor off Ebay. :noidea:

Also if anyone has some good threads on engine removal stashed away somewhere...I'd appreciate getting those! :bigok:
Click to expand...

I'm in the same situation as you with the valve covers. I plan on driving my motor into the ground and once it's totally done, putting a JDM in there. I'm in Virginia Beach and there's a JDM dealer in the North Western Virginia area.

After doing research on rebuilt, reman, or JDM, I feel JDM is the way to go.
 
which freeze plug is that?
i once changed a freeze plug on a buddies 5vz while still in the car.

Got a punch and pushed on side in and used pliers to pull it out.
then got a big socket and slowly tapped it in.
 
awpsome said:
which freeze plug is that?
i once changed a freeze plug on a buddies 5vz while still in the car.

Got a punch and pushed on side in and used pliers to pull it out.
then got a big socket and slowly tapped it in.
Click to expand...

It's the last one on the passenger bank. I have already mentally committed to taking it out and just starting fresh. With almost 300K on the clock, I'd hate to have to do this all over.
 
BIG milestone today! Got the motor out...

First, got some shiny stuff and everyone likes shiny stuff...


Got a killer deal on it. Normally $279.99 and walked out the door with it for only $120.

There she is in all her glory...


Shell status...



Anyone ever powerwashed their engine bay in this state? Yay/Nay? What's your verdict T4R.org????
 
Update Time:

I sent the engine out to get rebuild and that has given me some time to finish a lot of little projects and acquire some goodies.


It's like Christmas all over again!!!


I set out to cleaning the almost 20 years of crap out of the interior. It was DISGUSTING! And I only found like 50 cents.




The rest of the interior in the back.


Also got a 99 center console! SCORE!


The actual cup holder part was scratched and had seen better days.


I scuffed it up a bit and shot it with a few coats of this.


Half of it done. Pretty good. We'll seen how the rest of it turns out.
 
Thanks for the compliments! Feels good to bring it back to life. Hopefully it be up and running in the next couple of weeks. I'm tired of seeing it only in my garage...haha.
 
How much did you end up paying for the center console? I'm trying to gauge what a fair price is for one at the junkyard.
 
Run 4 Fun said:
How much did you end up paying for the center console? I'm trying to gauge what a fair price is for one at the junkyard.
Click to expand...

I got that one off ebay for $99 shipped. I thought it was a fair price. As always though, buyer beware. The rear cupholder was broken and the arm rest is fairly junky on mine so I'll have a little more into it when it's completely finished.
 
Went and dropped off some head gaskets and other little things at the machine shop today. While there, I got to peek at my block and its guts. Guys said that everything on the bottom end looked great. A light hone on the cylinder walls and she is good to go! (And that's with almost 300K on it!)



Clean and freshly painted parts always make me feel warm and fuzzy on the inside. :madgrin:


If anyone in the 757 reads my thread and wants their engine rebuilt, I would HIGHLY recommend these guys. Have been completely upfront for price, extremely knowledgeable, and inclusive (took time to show me the shop, other work they had, and my parts).
 
4Runner-Dan said:
The rear cupholder was broken
Click to expand...

The rear cupholder can be taken apart. I've done it to replace a broken arm on mine.
Maybe check to see if what's broken on the one can be replaced with parts off the other one you already had? Haven't checked to see if the 96 parts will work with the 99, but that shouldn't be hard for you to do.


Loving all the pics, looks like great fun!
 
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Hey Dan, do you know if the clicking/locking mechanism for the e brake is in the base of the handle? I saw you had your console all taken apart. I finally got my e-brake to move and engage the rear brakes, but it doesn't click or lock in place, and im trying to figure out where the clicking/locking takes place.
 
LookAtThatDog said:
Hey Dan, do you know if the clicking/locking mechanism for the e brake is in the base of the handle? I saw you had your console all taken apart. I finally got my e-brake to move and engage the rear brakes, but it doesn't click or lock in place, and im trying to figure out where the clicking/locking takes place.
Click to expand...

The "locking" mechanism is actually integrated into the handle. As you push the button or trigger on the handle in and pull the handle up to engage the parking brake, a pin retracts away from gear like teeth. When you release the trigger or button, that pin engages those teeth holding it in place.

I haven't had mine apart, but I would check to see if that pin is stuck in the retracted position. It could just be filled with crap. Hope that helps!


**EDIT: I just went out to look at it again. If you're looking straight on at the handle and work your way down to the base, it should be the first thing you see.**
 
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Got the engine back from the machine shop today!! So freshy! Can't wait to get a free day or two to throw it in.




Until that time comes around, I'll have plenty of clean up to do. The mental list keeps getting longer and longer; valve cover gaskets, intake plenum, throttle body, front transfer case, miscellaneous tabs and brackets. :pout:

Thinking I may do the TB/WP, starter, and alternator while still out of the truck...

And a follow up to the cupholder insert on my console. All freshly painted...I think it turned out well.


A close up of the shifter cover for comparison.
 
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