Firstborn10
New member
Hi all!
I am very excited to say that after around a year of searching I finally found the perfect 4runner! Some of you may know it as 2002tii's 4runner. His build thread for it can be found here http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/138168-2002tiis-2002-4runner-sport-edition-4wd-thread.html He decided to move on to bigger and better things (GX470), and i came out the lucky owner of a 2002 Thundercloud Toyota 4Runner 4WD Sport Edition.:roll:
About myself.
I'm 19, live in East Texas, and love the outdoors. What got me interested in getting a 4runner was actually my girlfriend. She is the owner of a '96 White 2wd 4runner. My very first car and the car I drove when we started dating was a 2004 Grey Dodge Ram 1500 2wd.
(Those are 33's! It swallowed them!)
I loved the truck, but it limited me in numerous ways. First off it was a 2wd which of course sucks. Second, and the main reason i sold it, the gas mileage was AWFUL! i live in a part of Texas where all my driving is 50/50 city and highway, and I managed to get 12mpg if i was lucky. I'm by no means afraid to buy a little gas, but it got to the point where i could barely afford to put gas in it, let alone upgrade it like i wanted to. The truck and I ended up parting ways around a year ago.
Ever since selling it I could tell that my mood really changed. Having that truck to upgrade was a part of me, and losing it really sucked.
At first after selling it i thought i wanted a car. I considered a Tc, Altima, and i even got the chance for a Prius! That changed slowly overtime as i realized I hate cars. I drove my dads 2004 convertible mustang, and it was the devil. It was tiny (I'm 6' 1"), loud, and had NO carrying space. It's a nice car, just not for me.
I realized that i was going to go back to something bigger, but I wasnt sure what. That's when it dawned on me. My girlfriends 4runner is AWESOME!:doh:
Since around October of 2013, I've been glued to this website and glued to every possible car selling website imaginable trying to find the right 3rd gen 4runner. being that the last model was made in 2002, it was incredibly hard. Around January of 2014 is when i found my 4runner on the classifieds of this website. I was lined up to meet 2002tii, but due to an unfortunate set of cirsumstances which caused him to take it off the market, I was unable to meet him. However, around a week and a half ago, i get a message from him that he was putting it back up for sale. I met him, tried it out, and without hesitation bought it
About the 4runner.
When 2002tii purchased it, it was darn near stock.
Since then he added to and changed quite a few aspects of the car.
Acquired 11/28/2012 with about 118,000 miles.
Done So Far
December 2012
- removed bug deflector
- removed vent visors
- removed running boards (sold!)
- removed faux front skid plate (sold!)
- decent detailing job
- installed grab handle on driver's side roof
- wheels balanced, alignment performed
- new front rotors (AC Delco)
- HVAC fan motor greased with white lithium grease
January 2013
- new front sway bar end links and bushings
- 99 springs acquired
- new KYB shocks and mount acquired (will install soon)
February 2013
- 99 springs, KYB Gas-A-Just shocks, KYB front strut mounts installed.
- GM auto dim mirror with compass/temp installed
- cleaned OE roof rack using Mr. Clean Magic Erasers... oxidation gone! Much easier than expected.
- clay bar and wax (least fun thing I have done so far!)
- lubed driveshaft
- oil change with Valvoline 5w30 Max Life
- got the factory remote fob to work again (apparently my RS3200 setup is still functioning despite the remote starter!) Tip: GO SLOW with the instructions found in the sticky at the top of this forum.
- AndyMod 2.0. Got the switch from my local Toyota dealer for $8 - part #PT297-89013-SW. I like that the bag says "Made in United States," but the switch says "Assembled in Mexico"
- Hubcaps/wheel centers repainted
- Added FJ-style 4 Wheel Drive badge
- Mild off road trip to Bridgeport OHV park
March 2013
- Power steering flush. I used these instructions, but I used a siphon I got from O'Reilly instead of the baster. I took me probably half as many "tries" as it took him, probably because the siphon is more effective than the baster. Definitely a messy job either way.
- Added an aux input to the factory audio system using these instructions. I have it exiting through the ash tray, so the wires can be hidden when not in use.
- touched up surface rust on brake drums with POR-15 semi-gloss.
- put grease on driver's window track. Quieter, but still kind of loud. Sounds like a regulator might be in my future.
- Automatic transmission flush (did not replace filter at this time)
- Throttle body cleaning
- Throttle cable adjustment
April 2013
- Highland mudflap install
- Rubber mats acquired
- Isuzu Rodeo/Honda Passport center armrest mod - detailed here. Works great, might be too tall for me, though. Because the 99+ 4Runners have the "shelf" armrest, I had to use longer screws than he did.
May 2013
- removed Passport armrest - too high for me.
- Acquired Husky liners
- new Sylvania light bulbs (front headlamps)
- Moog rear sway bar end link install (both sides)
June 2013
- Hit 120,000 miles (told ya'll I don't drive it often! 2,000 miles in 6 months)
- JVC Bluetooth head unit install
- Replaced scuffed front passenger side wheel with clean used wheel (from 65,000 mile wrecked 4Runner)
- New blower motor (TYC 700061) - bought online for $45. Works great. No more squeaking on low. I tried lubing the old motor, but it never got substantially better.
August 2013
- Alignment
September 2013
- Swapped out crummy Auto Zone front brake pads for Wagner ThermoQuiet pads. Stopping power is excellent!
October 2013
- hit 121,000 miles
- Replaced dented bumper with straight, good shape one acquired from forum member.
- Replaced cracked LH tail lamp with clean used OE unit.
- Ordered steering rack bushings and door check for driver's side.
December 2013
- Replaced driver side door check/stop.
- Swapped stock wheels/tires for 17" GX 470 wheels and Goodyear Wrangler AT/S take-off tires (from new 2013 Silverado). Sits a little higher, seems to ride a little quieter too.
February 2014
- Replaced steering rack bushings. HUGE difference.
- Bought Weathertech rubber floor mats.
This is where I come in!
I've owned the runner for about a week now and absolutely love it.
I am very excited to say that after around a year of searching I finally found the perfect 4runner! Some of you may know it as 2002tii's 4runner. His build thread for it can be found here http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/138168-2002tiis-2002-4runner-sport-edition-4wd-thread.html He decided to move on to bigger and better things (GX470), and i came out the lucky owner of a 2002 Thundercloud Toyota 4Runner 4WD Sport Edition.:roll:
About myself.
I'm 19, live in East Texas, and love the outdoors. What got me interested in getting a 4runner was actually my girlfriend. She is the owner of a '96 White 2wd 4runner. My very first car and the car I drove when we started dating was a 2004 Grey Dodge Ram 1500 2wd.
(Those are 33's! It swallowed them!)
I loved the truck, but it limited me in numerous ways. First off it was a 2wd which of course sucks. Second, and the main reason i sold it, the gas mileage was AWFUL! i live in a part of Texas where all my driving is 50/50 city and highway, and I managed to get 12mpg if i was lucky. I'm by no means afraid to buy a little gas, but it got to the point where i could barely afford to put gas in it, let alone upgrade it like i wanted to. The truck and I ended up parting ways around a year ago.
Ever since selling it I could tell that my mood really changed. Having that truck to upgrade was a part of me, and losing it really sucked.
At first after selling it i thought i wanted a car. I considered a Tc, Altima, and i even got the chance for a Prius! That changed slowly overtime as i realized I hate cars. I drove my dads 2004 convertible mustang, and it was the devil. It was tiny (I'm 6' 1"), loud, and had NO carrying space. It's a nice car, just not for me.
I realized that i was going to go back to something bigger, but I wasnt sure what. That's when it dawned on me. My girlfriends 4runner is AWESOME!:doh:
Since around October of 2013, I've been glued to this website and glued to every possible car selling website imaginable trying to find the right 3rd gen 4runner. being that the last model was made in 2002, it was incredibly hard. Around January of 2014 is when i found my 4runner on the classifieds of this website. I was lined up to meet 2002tii, but due to an unfortunate set of cirsumstances which caused him to take it off the market, I was unable to meet him. However, around a week and a half ago, i get a message from him that he was putting it back up for sale. I met him, tried it out, and without hesitation bought it
About the 4runner.
When 2002tii purchased it, it was darn near stock.
Since then he added to and changed quite a few aspects of the car.
Acquired 11/28/2012 with about 118,000 miles.
Done So Far
December 2012
- removed bug deflector
- removed vent visors
- removed running boards (sold!)
- removed faux front skid plate (sold!)
- decent detailing job
- installed grab handle on driver's side roof
- wheels balanced, alignment performed
- new front rotors (AC Delco)
- HVAC fan motor greased with white lithium grease
January 2013
- new front sway bar end links and bushings
- 99 springs acquired
- new KYB shocks and mount acquired (will install soon)
February 2013
- 99 springs, KYB Gas-A-Just shocks, KYB front strut mounts installed.
- GM auto dim mirror with compass/temp installed
- cleaned OE roof rack using Mr. Clean Magic Erasers... oxidation gone! Much easier than expected.
- clay bar and wax (least fun thing I have done so far!)
- lubed driveshaft
- oil change with Valvoline 5w30 Max Life
- got the factory remote fob to work again (apparently my RS3200 setup is still functioning despite the remote starter!) Tip: GO SLOW with the instructions found in the sticky at the top of this forum.
- AndyMod 2.0. Got the switch from my local Toyota dealer for $8 - part #PT297-89013-SW. I like that the bag says "Made in United States," but the switch says "Assembled in Mexico"
- Hubcaps/wheel centers repainted
- Added FJ-style 4 Wheel Drive badge
- Mild off road trip to Bridgeport OHV park
March 2013
- Power steering flush. I used these instructions, but I used a siphon I got from O'Reilly instead of the baster. I took me probably half as many "tries" as it took him, probably because the siphon is more effective than the baster. Definitely a messy job either way.
- Added an aux input to the factory audio system using these instructions. I have it exiting through the ash tray, so the wires can be hidden when not in use.
- touched up surface rust on brake drums with POR-15 semi-gloss.
- put grease on driver's window track. Quieter, but still kind of loud. Sounds like a regulator might be in my future.
- Automatic transmission flush (did not replace filter at this time)
- Throttle body cleaning
- Throttle cable adjustment
April 2013
- Highland mudflap install
- Rubber mats acquired
- Isuzu Rodeo/Honda Passport center armrest mod - detailed here. Works great, might be too tall for me, though. Because the 99+ 4Runners have the "shelf" armrest, I had to use longer screws than he did.
May 2013
- removed Passport armrest - too high for me.
- Acquired Husky liners
- new Sylvania light bulbs (front headlamps)
- Moog rear sway bar end link install (both sides)
June 2013
- Hit 120,000 miles (told ya'll I don't drive it often! 2,000 miles in 6 months)
- JVC Bluetooth head unit install
- Replaced scuffed front passenger side wheel with clean used wheel (from 65,000 mile wrecked 4Runner)
- New blower motor (TYC 700061) - bought online for $45. Works great. No more squeaking on low. I tried lubing the old motor, but it never got substantially better.
August 2013
- Alignment
September 2013
- Swapped out crummy Auto Zone front brake pads for Wagner ThermoQuiet pads. Stopping power is excellent!
October 2013
- hit 121,000 miles
- Replaced dented bumper with straight, good shape one acquired from forum member.
- Replaced cracked LH tail lamp with clean used OE unit.
- Ordered steering rack bushings and door check for driver's side.
December 2013
- Replaced driver side door check/stop.
- Swapped stock wheels/tires for 17" GX 470 wheels and Goodyear Wrangler AT/S take-off tires (from new 2013 Silverado). Sits a little higher, seems to ride a little quieter too.
February 2014
- Replaced steering rack bushings. HUGE difference.
- Bought Weathertech rubber floor mats.
This is where I come in!
I've owned the runner for about a week now and absolutely love it.
. 
:banana:
