Found my 3rd Gen 4R

trailbikerider's 2002 4R Limited Build

Current Modification List

Suspension/Wheels/Tires/Brakes
  • 231mm TBU
  • 265/75/16 Hercules Terra Trac AT2
  • Level 8 MK6 16x8 ET0 Matte Bronze
  • Bilstein 5100s
  • OME 881s (Front)
  • OME 906s with 10mm Trim Packers (Rear)

Performance
  • Differential Breather Mod
  • B&M 70268 External Transmission Cooler

Exterior
  • Running Boards Removed
  • 20% Front Tint
  • LED Reverse Lights
  • LED Front Marker Lights
  • LED License Plate Lamps
  • AVS Bug Deflector
  • TRD Badge

Interior
  • LED Dome Lights
  • JVC Bluetooth Stereo

Maintenance
  • NGK Wires & Plugs
  • Air Filter
  • Transmission Drain & Refill
  • Driver's side Valve Cover & Both Gaskets
  • Fuel Filter
  • A/C, P/S & Alternator Belt Replacement
  • OEM Toyota Lower Ball Joints
  • Front Swaybar Endlinks
  • Driver's side ITRE
  • Denso Radiator, Aisin Tstat & Seal, Both Radiator Hoses
  • OEM Toyota PCV Valve, Grommet & Hose




October 16th, 2016: After scouring Craigslist, eBay, autotrader etc since July, I have finally found my truck. I bought it on eBay yesterday in Philadelphia, and won't get it until probably the week after next. It's an '02 Limited with 145,xxx miles on it. Looks to be only Toyota serviced with the exception of a few things, and only two owners. The only thing I think I will be doing for some peace of mind is replacing the LBJs (they were replaced only about 7,000 miles ago according to Carfax, but they were replaced at a Midas so I'm sure they aren't OEM LBJs) and putting in an external transmission cooler. I might replace the suspension too depending on how it looks/rides.

Here's a few photos from the eBay ad, I'll add a few once I get the truck.

















January 18th, 2017: Current mileage --> 149,3xx

January 21st, 2017: Finally removed the running boards and ordered Bilstein/OME lift stuff from Wheeler's.

February 4th, 2017: Bilstein 5100s with OME 881/906 suspension installed

February 12th, 2017: OEM Toyota LBJs & Front sway bar endlinks

March 5th, 2017: Original radiator and components replaced with a Denso radiator, Gates radiator hoses, and an Aisin thermostat and seal

March 24th, 2017: PCV Valve, Grommet & Hose all replaced with OEM parts
 
Last edited:
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plastic underbody cladding.... fuel filter is behind it.

Good buy. Truck looks pretty clean and the frame seems to be rust free.
 
IKR! Driver's seat looks better condition than front passenger seat... recovered maybe? I want fresh front seats in original SR5 cloth if poss.
Why clothe? Keep the leather!

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plastic underbody cladding.... fuel filter is behind it.


Good buy. Truck looks pretty clean and the frame seems to be rust free.

Awesome! I'm glad it's not rusted out metal, although there is a rust hole in the front skid plate, but no biggie, but thanks! The guy I bought it from is ALWAYS selling clean rust free New England 4Rs, I'm not sure how he finds them in this condition.

Agree serious lack of frame rust for Philadelphia. Nice find. They are getting rarer and rarer.

That cover protects your fuel filter and lines. Looks like it may have taken hit at some point.

Since ride is stock with external trans cooler added. Check trans fluid level and quality HOT 158-176 before getting on the highway. Ext cooler implies towing duties or terrified of pink milkshake but my bet is on the former.

Actually this is a New Jersey truck, but that's just right across the river. The reason for the trans cooler is actually due to the second reason. I'm moving to Phoenix in January and I'm losing my place to wrench on my vehicles. Therefore I want to make this as reliable as possible.

IKR! Driver's seat looks better condition than front passenger seat... recovered maybe? I want fresh front seats in original SR5 cloth if poss.

I wouldn't be surprised if it has been recovered, but that has yet to be determined until I actually get it.
 
Looks like the sway bar links got replaced as well. New exhaust, must be a California truck or someone got duped into buying more than they needed at Midas.

Very clean. Congrats!
 
I looked at all the pics, quite nice. I am guessing owned by an elderly couple who garaged it and really only used it on trips in its later life. They must have balked at the dealer replacement cost of the exhaust and went to Midas.

I'd replace the shocks, definitely the LBJs, possibly the radiator as well. Oh yea, also perform the rear breather diff mod, or at least replace the rear diff breather on the axle housing.
 
That thing looks sweet, couldn't have spent it's whole life in Jersey unless they never drove it in the Winter.
 
I looked at all the pics, quite nice. I am guessing owned by an elderly couple who garaged it and really only used it on trips in its later life. They must have balked at the dealer replacement cost of the exhaust and went to Midas.

I'd replace the shocks, definitely the LBJs, possibly the radiator as well. Oh yea, also perform the rear breather diff mod, or at least replace the rear diff breather on the axle housing.

We'll see how she rides when I get it. If I do end up having to replace the shocks, I may just go the Toytec 3" lift route. If you gotta replace it, might as well upgrade! It's also going to get a B&M Trans cooler just so I can sleep at night.

That thing looks sweet, couldn't have spent it's whole life in Jersey unless they never drove it in the Winter.

Thanks man! If you look closely at the pictures that are on the photobucket link, it does have some rust around where the body mounts are welded to the frame, so I think he may have done some frame touching up, but regardless as long as there isn't a hole in the frame when I get it, I think I'll be happy. This guy assured me that he won't buy 4Runners to sell if they have soft frames.
 
After like 3 weeks, I finally have it. Just got here on the truck today. From what I can tell, it looks very clean for being a NJ truck. Some surface rust on the frame but other than that it's very nice.

It needs a few maintenance things to be up to par for myself and my impending move to Phoenix in January, but nothing too bad.

14910535_10154147955343247_8414900264165814162_n.jpg
 
That's a damn clean 4runner. That broken plastic cover looks like someone probably put it on a lift and one of the arms took it out. I always remove it before putting my 4runner up on jackstands...
 
That would actually make sense.

Looks like for some reason the photos from my first post are no more, so I'll grab some more photos as I do more work to it.
 

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