Bought my 6th 3rd Gen...

PitbullRescuer

New member
Bought another 3rd Gen. 97' SR5, 5 speed, 4x4, eLocker. Thats really all the good I can say about it though. It's pretty rough. And that's exactly why I'm starting this thread. Not sure what to do with this one.

It's hit in the hatch. Quarters are good and I have a replacement hatch and rear glass for it already. (picked it up on the way to pick the 4R up. It's also hit in the front a bit and the right front fender. Not horrible but it's there. Also needs the hood and roof repainted. And the exhaust is shot to sh*t. All 4 tires are super bald.

So here are my options I guess.

1.) do the body work, paint what needs painted put a front bumper on it, put 4 tires on it, fix the exhaust and resell it.

2.) part it out. Keep the eLocker for myself for my '99. Maybe keep the 5VZ and 5 speed for a future project. Try to make some money back the part out.

3.) (not very feasible because I don't have a garage) Cut the roof off it, weld a roll bar in it, cut the doors in half, lift it, and wheel the sh*t out of it.

4.) offer it for sale again now and see what comes of it.

I'm sure everyone will say option 3 which is my favorite too but let's hear it. Between buying it, the hatch, trailer rental, 3 tanks of gas,mtolls and my time I'm into it for about $2500 now. Problem with 1 & 3 is that I think I'll be into it for a lot. 2 is probably the most profitable and 4 might give someone else who wants a project the opportunity to take one on.

Opinions?
 
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I say part out every single piece of it except the elocker axle, sell the drivetrain as a whole. After swapping axles you could come out even.

OR just swap axles and resell as a whole used truck.
 
All i can input is that you have invested way too much for Option #3 to make sense in this case. $500, maybe. Free? Even better.
 
I'd vote parting it out. You'll make some money back and you'll have an e-locker for yourself...

I don't think it's worth fixing it up - especially with rust bubbling - I wouldn't want my truck bubbling with rust, I want a truck I can drive for years and years. Rust makes me antsy...
 
You need to call Dr. Drew and see if you can get on the next season of celebrity rehab. Doesn't matter if the general public doesn't know you, you're a celebrity around here.

Or you can keep the elocker, and part the rest...it'll take some time to get your money back, but by the time you do, you'll find something else to buy.
 
I should mention, been thinking about a 5th option. We go down the shore a lot (me, wifey, son and 2 dogs.) Been also thinking about chop topping one, mild Mall Crawler lift, beach cruiser. Take the eLocker for my 99 and Beach Cruiser this one. I don't know. Odds are all I'll clean it up and flip it but we'll see.
 
part it and swap the rear.... I'd love to get my hands on a 'locked' rear end myself... however, its a shame to see any 4runner 'put down'... its such a ignominious end to such an awesome truck...
 
I vote to put it on Craigslist for $3500OBO while you decide what to do with it. If you decide to keep it, just take the ad down. If somebody gives you 3g's for it, you made a cool $500.
 
Put it on Craigslist and see what happens.
You do have a sickness. You need therapy;)

I can't believe you would get your money back out of it if you part it out if it's in that rough of shape. I say, fix what you can for cheap and flip it. Fix the hatch, get a cheap exhaust, and some cheap used tires then sell it. I also don't think it's worth using as a beach cruiser if it's that rough already unless you know it's been well maintained up until the point it was wrecked.
 
It wasn't wrecked really, a flat bed backed into it slowly and pushed it into another car. I'm going to pull the bumpers off tomorrow and take a better look. We'll see.
 
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