Finally an introduction! 99 Black Limited 4WD

[LexusFTW]

Hey guys, finally an introduction thread

I'm not sure if anyone saw it but I had a thread in the classifieds hoping someone would trade their 3rd gen for my 97 SC300. Well, as you know, that didn't happen (not like I was expecting it to)...

I sold the SC and started looking for 99-00 Limiteds. I had a VERY strict criteria. Must be Limited in black, green/green or silver/silver. Must be 4WD and must have the rear locker.

I bought an unlimited autocheck and must have called/checked on ~50 vehicles.

I never found anything that fit my criteria. Did I mention my budget was <$8000?

Every second of every day for two weeks I was on autotrader, cars, carsforsale and craigslist. With the help of my dad, we finally found what I had been looking for.

It's a 99 Limited 4WD with 155K miles.

I drove 4.5 hours to pick her up. The car looked even better in person and exceeded my expectations.

On the test drive, the car had a hesitation issue and wouldn't accelerate... but I bought it anyway

I wasn't sure I was going to make it home as the problem got worse, when I got to my house, the truck felt like it just died in the driveway. I guess there's something to be said about Toyota reliability. That, or she knew she had to get us home

After a new set of plugs and wires, she ran like a dream.

Then, it was all downhill from there. I jumped on the internet and went on a shopping spree.

I ordered an 01 OEM black grill, Tacoma aluminum skid plate, Depo LED tails (red), 5000k HIDs, OEM rear trim panel and I'm looking for a rear bumper. The trim panel and bumper have a couple defects.

On to the pics!

Original spark plugs vs new OEM plug

 

[ric]

very nice, make sure that Locker works :thumb3:

 

[ryanr623]

This is the very spitting image, down to a T, of my 4runner. Interior, exterior, even the year made. Very nice!

As long as you are shopping, i'd invest in an external tranny cooler, to avoid the dreaded strawberry milkshake.

 

[004Gunner]

very nice, make sure that Locker works :thumb3:

:iagree: The locker gets lazy and doesn't want to engage if you don't use it often enough. Once a month is a good habit to get into to operate the entire 4WD system. All these balck runners are coming out of the woodwork now! I guess it takes 10 years before people start letting them go because when I bought mine in '04, it was the only one for sale in the entire area

Edit: I ordered a rear finish panel from here. With shipping it was less than half the price of a new one. Not the best deal but the site was the best I had seen for auto wrecking

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Nice find.

 

[LexusFTW]

very nice, make sure that Locker works :thumb3:

Thanks. I'm 100% positive the locker has never been engaged on this truck. The owner didn't even realize he had it.

I am also 90% positive the truck has never been put into 4WD. They said they never messed with the second lever and always pushed the Multi-mode button...

This is the very spitting image, down to a T, of my 4runner. Interior, exterior, even the year made. Very nice!

As long as you are shopping, i'd invest in an external tranny cooler, to avoid the dreaded strawberry milkshake.

I knew I forgot something on my list. I ordered a Tru Cool tranny cooler before I bought the truck. It should come in tomorrow. Hopefully it stays together for the another day. :knockonwood:

:iagree: The locker gets lazy and doesn't want to engage if you don't use it often enough. Once a month is a good habit to get into to operate the entire 4WD system. All these balck runners are coming out of the woodwork now! I guess it takes 10 years before people start letting them go because when I bought mine in '04, it was the only one for sale in the entire area

Edit: I ordered a rear finish panel from here. With shipping it was less than half the price of a new one. Not the best deal but the site was the best I had seen for auto wrecking

This weekend I was going to change all the fluids before I started testing the locker and 4WD system. I'm pretty sure it's never been changed.

What happens if the locker doesn't engage? To test it, do you think it would be best to get it on jack stands?

Edit: I picked up the finish panel from a junkyard on the east coast. The dealer wanted $148 for it

I'm having a hard time finding a rear bumper center section. Especially painted Topaz. I'll keep this thread updated.

Nice find.

Thanks! Cheers :beer:

 

[004Gunner]

What happens if the locker doesn't engage? To test it, do you think it would be best to get it on jack stands?

Edit: I picked up the finish panel from a junkyard on the east coast. The dealer wanted $148 for it

I've been looking for a decent junkyard on the East Coast. Let me know who you used and if you would recommend them.

On jack stands would be good but you need to have the entire vehicle on jack stands unless you did the blue wire mod already. If not, then the rear locker can only be turned on in 4Lo. Listen for the motor engaging when you hit the switch, if you hear that, it's good news. Then just look for the "rear diff lock" light to go solid on the dash. You may have to shift between R, N, and D on the tranny before it actually locks. Mine had to be "exercised" for several days before it would actually lock when I swapped out the entire rear. The rear diff should be warmed up too, trying it when cold tends to delay it

 

[LexusFTW]

I've been looking for a decent junkyard on the East Coast. Let me know who you used and if you would recommend them.

On jack stands would be good but you need to have the entire vehicle on jack stands unless you did the blue wire mod already. If not, then the rear locker can only be turned on in 4Lo. Listen for the motor engaging when you hit the switch, if you hear that, it's good news. Then just look for the "rear diff lock" light to go solid on the dash. You may have to shift between R, N, and D on the tranny before it actually locks. Mine had to be "exercised" for several days before it would actually lock when I swapped out the entire rear. The rear diff should be warmed up too, trying it when cold tends to delay it

Sure, I'll let you know when it comes in. I actually forgot the name of the one I used because I had called several before I ordered one. His quote was the cheapest at $50 shipped.
We'll see what kind of condition it's in though...

Thanks for the tips, I'll report back over the weekend.

In the meantime, if anyone can help me find a Topaz Metallic center bumper section, I would really appreciate it!

 

[Justin727]

Looking good sir! Glad you finally got a nice one!


You should swap in the 1uz in it! Hell you are familiar with that engine ya might as well.
I couldn't drive myself to sell my Supra so I can say I'm happy with both vehicles although the 4runner was suppose to be just my DD and not another project. Guess I spoke too soon

 

[LexusFTW]

Looking good sir! Glad you finally got a nice one!


You should swap in the 1uz in it! Hell you are familiar with that engine ya might as well.
I couldn't drive myself to sell my Supra so I can say I'm happy with both vehicles although the 4runner was suppose to be just my DD and not another project. Guess I spoke too soon

Thanks! She's everything I've wanted.

I've been trying to find motor swap threads but haven't had any luck. I know there are a few forums out there so I may not be seeing the right one.

LOL I think I'm in the same boat. I couldn't sell the SC400 and now I browse for 4Runner parts daily

 

[Brian Keeler]

Nice find! I know what you mean, took me 3 months looking everyday to find my Son's specific wants= Black sport 4wd.
To test the locker find a gravel parking lot and spin em up!

 

[zcruiser]

Try looking for two T4Rs, one for each daughter... Same story, constantly on craigslist, autotrader, carfax, etc. Also $8K budget.

Got your twin right here (exc '00):

 

[LexusFTW]

Nice find! I know what you mean, took me 3 months looking everyday to find my Son's specific wants= Black sport 4wd.
To test the locker find a gravel parking lot and spin em up!

Thanks! It was exhausting but worth it

Try looking for two T4Rs, one for each daughter... Same story, constantly on craigslist, autotrader, carfax, etc. Also $8K budget.

Got your twin right here (exc '00):

Unfortunately I can't view the picture here at work. I'll check it out later when I get home.

I couldn't imagine looking for TWO!

I found one in Oklahoma City for $6500 that I thought was going to be THE one. I got there and the owner COMPLETELY misrepresented the vehicle. It was trashed to say the least. It looked like they drove it next to a brick wall for 100 feet!

Good thing that deal didn't go through because the one I got was cheaper, better taken care of, less miles and black :thumb3:

The aluminum skid plate will be one tonight. Hopefully it will be light enough outside to take pictures

 

[LexusFTW]

So I've got good news and bad news.

Bad news: I didn't get the skid plate mounted. Hopefully doing it this weekend.

Good news: I got the transmission cooler mounted

 

[Justin727]

So um when ya gonna lift it?

 

[LexusFTW]

So um when ya gonna lift it?

I doubt I'll lift it. I'm pretty sure it's got the taller coils on it. Plus, my gf is already complaining about how hard it is to get in and out of :frog:

 

[Justin727]

I doubt I'll lift it. I'm pretty sure it's got the taller coils on it. Plus, my gf is already complaining about how hard it is to get in and out of :frog:

BAH my ol lady is 4"9" and she complains but laughs about it! :zoom:

 

[LexusFTW]

BAH my ol lady is 4"9" and she complains but laughs about it! :zoom:

HAHA! I'll mention this to her later

 

[Mauzer]

It looks like you also have the remote start! (according to that "WARNING" sticker on the radiator support) I have it on my runner and love it.

And nice install in the tranny cooler

 

[LexusFTW]

It looks like you also have the remote start! (according to that "WARNING" sticker on the radiator support) I have it on my runner and love it.

And nice install in the tranny cooler

HAHA! Yea, the owner didn't mention the remote start until I looked under the hood and asked about it. He actually didn't know how to work it and only used the Toyota fob.

After some digging around under the dash, it's a fully installed Clifford Matrix RS. Excellent system and works great. Everything works like it's supposed to

After I took the picture of the tranny cooler, I modified it a little bit. The brackets on the left side now sit behind the trans cooler. The cooler itself sits an inch away from the condenser. I'm going to hook up the lines tonight when I get home.

Also ordered a set of Hella fog lights. Mine don't work and the driver's side lens is busted but from what I've been told, the Hellas are the way to go.

The 01+ black grill also came in today so hopefully, I'll get the trans cooler finished up and the grill on and take some new pictures for you guys.

I'm also hoping the LED tails and HIDs are waiting for me at the house