Goal: Increase power, capability and utility of the donor to achieve at least 10 to 15 years of reliable performance for daily driving, towing (up to about 4,000 lbs), camping excursions and moderate off-road use. Avoid turning it into a bro-dozer or utilitarian rock-crawler.
Why: I need a new truck. Prices for most modern candidates I would consider suitable are outrageous. I just can't justify spending $40k plus on a vehicle that isn't setup the way I want anyway. Plus the scope creep of modern vehicles has led to an explosion in service bulletins and recalls. I am also disappointed with the reliability of modern Toyotas and the cost to maintain and upgrade them. So I'll just turn my 4runner into a truck that performs like new. It's the perfect shell already. Easy...right?
History: I had a 1989 Toyota Pickup Deluxe 4x4 Extended cab my parents bought new. It was ok, but ultimately too small for what I wanted, and due to aftermarket upgrades, had a lot of nagging issues I couldn't track down. I like Toyotas and read good things about the 3rd gen 4runner so I bought one several years back as a project truck. Then life hit and I hurt my back. I couldn't really do much wrenching anymore (another reason I got rid of the pickup) so the project idea shifted to drive it till it dies or I get tired of it, and put as little money in it as possible. For the sake of my health and sanity, I traded a life in the office for an active entrepreneurial venture to keep me moving and my back has improved substantially. I feel good enough to give this a real shot.
The Donor: 2000 4Runner Limited
It has about 205,000 miles on it when I bought it, now about 230k. Like a wise buyer I searched high and low and bought the first 3rd gen 4runner I could buy within a week. It featured an amazing pedigree including the current owner who had it for less than a year and a string of former owners that was apparently too long to list. The service history was beautifully non-existent, but I needed a 2nd vehicle, wanted a 3rd gen, and overall it looked very good after a thorough inspection (that part I did get right).
Issues: The front driver's seat looks like Freddy Kruger fought a saber tooth tiger while trying to drive. The rear axle seals have leaked since I bought it. I tried replacing the seals once to no avail. I have all the parts to completely replace the bearings and such but haven't got around to it. Valve covers leaked a bit but I stopped this by torquing the valve cover bolts, which were remarkably loose. I plan on replacing that gasket now that I'm keeping it. The front steering at low speed and close to lock has been groaning a lot in the past few days. I fear LBJ failure. I'm going to check out the play tomorrow but I'll probably replace either way. They are leaking a bit and, I suspect, going dry. The clock doesn't work, which this is the replacement clock I bought to replace the clock that didn't work. The center vents are damaged, there are exterior flaws including a couple of small dents and thrashed wheels. There is heavy rust on the exhaust but the rest of the truck has only light rust spots.
Like I said, I haven't given her much love because, for the last few years, I didn't intend to keep it. But she's done a great job towing, performing DD duties and mild off-road functions. She deserves better.
Oh and I painted the cladding, fender flares and bumpers black, but I still hate them. They gotta go at some point.
