First 4Runner

[eatpasta]

Eatpasta's 3RZ

*** Edit ***

After a couple of months with this thing, I have a ton of plans for it. I'm just going to keep updatin this thread

*** /edit ***

After getting caught up in the whole VW TDI debacle, we are selling out Passat back on saturday. It's a shame because the car is nothing short of awesome - 800 miles per tank, 45+ mpg highway and 250 ft lbs of torque....anyways the car goes back this weekend.

We talked long about what we wanted to replace it with. Another 4 door? Well we go camping a lot and want to bring motorcycles and things. Wife has a truck but side facing, teeny tiny back seats. CRV? 4WD, but kind of small...hmm
4Runner seemed to fit the bill perfectly.

The same day we agree to try and find a 4Runner, I went on CL and found a 2wd, 2.7 stick, went to see it. Very clean and gave the guy a deposit.

We finally got it yesterday

I'm already planning a Tundra spring lift, bull bar, lights.... maybe grill mod.

Excited though! this is my first 4Runner, first Toyota, first SUV. It's going to need some love with 200k on the clock but it should last us a long time

 

[cordoza]

Congrats on the pick up! I just got my first one last week.

Your picture isn't showing up, FYI.

 

[zoombyu86]

Welcome! That's quite a difference from the VW in evert possible way. No power, horrible mpg, space isn't vast but isnt horrible. However, I enjoy driving mine every day over my newer 2014 mazda6 and my motorcycles.

 

[3rzrunner]

horrible mpg.

Compared to the VW yeah, but compared to the v6 auto's the 4cyl infront of a standard gives very acceptable mpg's for an suv... especially since his is 2wd and has got smaller tires.

I got about 23-24mpg on my trip down to cali


Nice truck! you are going to love the 3rz/5speed combo! I would recommend you do a valve adjustment ASAP if they haven't been done already, and its kind of a pain because its shim over bucket style. Would also recommend changing the shifter seat bushings or installing a short shifter if yours is a bit sloppy, it changes the whole driving experience.

Shoot me a PM if you have any questions with your truck, i'm pretty handy with the 3rz trucks.

Good luck!

Edit: fyi there is also a thread called '3rz runners only' that has a lot of knowledgeable people in it

 

[zoombyu86]

Compared to the VW yeah, but compared to the v6 auto's the 4cyl infront of a standard gives very acceptable mpg's for an suv... especially since his is 2wd and has got smaller tires.

I got about 23-24mpg on my trip down to cali

Good call, I missed the 3rz and manual trans...

 

[eatpasta]

Compared to the VW yeah, but compared to the v6 auto's the 4cyl infront of a standard gives very acceptable mpg's for an suv... especially since his is 2wd and has got smaller tires.

I got about 23-24mpg on my trip down to cali


Nice truck! you are going to love the 3rz/5speed combo! I would recommend you do a valve adjustment ASAP if they haven't been done already, and its kind of a pain because its shim over bucket style. Would also recommend changing the shifter seat bushings or installing a short shifter if yours is a bit sloppy, it changes the whole driving experience.

Shoot me a PM if you have any questions with your truck, i'm pretty handy with the 3rz trucks.

Good luck!

Edit: fyi there is also a thread called '3rz runners only' that has a lot of knowledgeable people in it

Right on - thanks for the quick advice!



I had certainly planned on doing a valve adjustment within pretty short order. I have never done a valve adjustment on a car before (only bikes) but how hard can it be, right?

I need to do some research already - there are lots of little things that it needs. For instance, it feels a little like the slave cylinder needs to be bled on the clutch.... if there is one...? heh - things that I need to know!

The shirt action isnt too bad, but certainly not as precise as our Passat with the Short Shift. It's acceptable.

I'm taking it camping next weekend to put it through its paces.

Drone footage to come

:juggle:

 

[MK_98]

Right on - thanks for the quick advice!



I had certainly planned on doing a valve adjustment within pretty short order. I have never done a valve adjustment on a car before (only bikes) but how hard can it be, right?

I need to do some research already - there are lots of little things that it needs. For instance, it feels a little like the slave cylinder needs to be bled on the clutch.... if there is one...? heh - things that I need to know!

The shirt action isnt too bad, but certainly not as precise as our Passat with the Short Shift. It's acceptable.

I'm taking it camping next weekend to put it through its paces.

Drone footage to come

:juggle:

Congrats! I just picked up my first 4runner as well

Could be the slave cylinder, the one on my 98 Tacoma use to give me issues in the morning or on the trails when I clutch in a lot. The fix ended up being just replacing it to a Aisin one never had a problem again.

 

[eatpasta]

The driving experience is interesting; its not a truck, its certainly not a car - its a Toyota!

Cant imagine driving it with an auto though....gotta have that stick

 

[rallypoint_1]

Congrats on your Runner!!! Take care of the maintence first and then if the "mod" bug kicks in..go for it. Nice to have another 2wd aboard. There are some purists who say no point in a 2wd runner. I have had the opposite experience here! Most said "you will be surprised what a 2wd 3rd gen can do". Anyways have fun camping and report back on how she handled. Oh ya...we love pics so......

 

[eatpasta]

Congrats on your Runner!!! Take care of the maintence first and then if the "mod" bug kicks in..go for it. Nice to have another 2wd aboard. There are some purists who say no point in a 2wd runner. I have had the opposite experience here! Most said "you will be surprised what a 2wd 3rd gen can do". Anyways have fun camping and report back on how she handled. Oh ya...we love pics so......

Oh I already have my go-anywhere vehicle.

I'm not sure that I want to go anywhere that this CJ can't get me....and I've had it a couple places it probably should have been.

The 4Runner is going to be our daily/family camp/Desert racing rig. It will see lots of dirt but little to no 'wheeling'

:bounce:

My wifes' Ranger has been out go-to desert truck for years. It's done an amazing job and has seen more dirt than most trucks but with kids, it's just not viable anymore.

For two people it's fine....I'm just going to have to get a small dirt-bike trailer

 

[Gen3mrd]

Nice pickup, I have a 2002 that I am just starting to make mods to myself... This is a fantastic site with lots of great info, especially on lifts, etc...

 

[amalik]

Nice pickup, I have a 2002 that I am just starting to make mods to myself... This is a fantastic site with lots of great info, especially on lifts, etc...

the best of its kind out there... welcome.

 

[3rzrunner]

I had certainly planned on doing a valve adjustment within pretty short order. I have never done a valve adjustment on a car before (only bikes) but how hard can it be, right?

I need to do some research already - there are lots of little things that it needs. For instance, it feels a little like the slave cylinder needs to be bled on the clutch.... if there is one...? heh - things that I need to know!

The valve adjustment isn't too bad if you've done the shim style on bikes, needs a special tool, and shims from the dealer.

iirc, the clutch bleed valve is on the slave, just bleed it like you would the brakes.

:tongue1:

 

[eatpasta]

The valve adjustment isn't too bad if you've done the shim style on bikes, needs a special tool, and shims from the dealer.

iirc, the clutch bleed valve is on the slave, just bleed it like you would the brakes.

:tongue1:

I'll need to dive into it soon. Biggest problem is that this thing is going to be our daily driver and cant be down for too long.

Need to bleed the clutch first for sure. I really need to replace all the fluids. Gunna need to have a 4 Runner day

 

[eatpasta]

I have been really digging this thing - very enjoyable to drive and very much looking forward to a solo camping weekend in it.

SUPER frustrated though as my wife now wants to get rid of it and get something else !

:frusty:

She test drove it and liked it, not sure what happened but now I have all these plans for it....

ugh

 

[eatpasta]

Have had two awesome camping weekends with the 'Runner now - Really enjoying this thing.

It's like a puppy!

The front rotors are very much warped and I was on Amazon the other day looking for something and I stumbled across a brake kit. Ordered it on a whim.

Looked pretty dammed good. Man I love getting parts in the mail

of course, the rotors didn't fit... but at least they look good

Just going to head down to O'Reilys on my way home and get them the old fashioned way.

I have already picked up a free set of FJ springs for the rear - Blisteins are on the way.

Bought a set of '99 'tall' springs for the front.... just need to order the front shocks!

 

[eatpasta]

Keepin my truck thread up to date -

Got new rotors and pads installed - what a snap. I think it took 45 minutes for the entire job.

In this pic, the spring perches are upside down. I took the shocks out and rectified the problem...



Here is the thread for the FJ/Moog spring lift

Next planin on paintin the wheels. By accident I ordered some paint from amazon that was to be delivered "within a month"



and eventually doin a grill mod too