Hurricanes and 4Runners

[Kyngfish]

Hi All,

Apologies for what is effectively, a spam post, but given the week I've had I just wanted to appreciate what a phenomenal car this is.

Last Wednesday night my wife told me in no uncertain terms that we were not staying in Miami for whatever was coming - so I packed up a 100 lb dog, 15 gallons of extra gas, a baby with all of his kit, clothes, and a few minor heirlooms that no amount of insurance money could replace and I booked it to Atlanta.

The 8 hour trip took 19 hours, crisscrossed major interstates to get around traffic, tackled gravel roads, dirt roads, rain, heat, traffic, wind and took my family safely to Atlanta and safely back.

My truck will be 20 years old next year - has over 150k miles, and it handled it without a single blink or hiccup. I have other cars and I've owned Hondas, Mercedes, Toyotas, and I can't think of a car I would have rather done that in.

Thanks to this forum and all the DIY videos from [MENTION=120071]mtbtim[/MENTION] and others to help me do all the preventative maintenance on the truck and the improvements since I bought it last year.

I honestly think this car could do another 20 years and be just fine.

 

[SpidermanGeek]

My truck will be 20 years old next year - has over 150k miles

Awww cute.. it's just a weee baby! Break-in period is just about done.

 

[meRockboost]

Awww cute.. it's just a weee baby! Break-in period is just about done.

Says the guy who hasn't hit 200k

 

[SpidermanGeek]

My engine purrs like a kitten.....


.. in the body of an 80 year old shipwreck at the bottom of the ocean.

#rustlife #cancer

I will not be getting another 20 years out of mine, lol. 5 at best before it becomes totally unsafe to drive. Engine will probably still purr though.

 

[Kyngfish]

My engine purrs like a kitten.....


.. in the body of an 80 year old shipwreck at the bottom of the ocean.

#rustlife #cancer

I will not be getting another 20 years out of mine, lol. 5 at best before it becomes totally unsafe to drive. Engine will probably still purr though.

Fortunately Florida doesn't have those problems - a huge Achilles heel in an otherwise fantastic machine. I guess if you do it early enough you can get it fully rust coated?

 

[Scramble]

Rust prevention is key. On any vehicle.

 

[SpidermanGeek]

Rust prevention is key. On any vehicle.

Yup. Would have been the case if I was the T4R's original owner. ..but alas.. I am not. Only bought it less than 3 years ago...damage was already done.

 

[Scramble]

Yup. Would have been the case if I was the T4R's original owner. ..but alas.. I am not. Only bought it less than 3 years ago...damage was already done.

Yea, sucks. I've taken good care of her & she's still rusting. Even parts I've put on 2 years are rusting from the salt. I have my SS panhard bar, bump stop extensions & Shrockworks FB off right now for sanding surface rust & a new coat of rust converter & top coat. Also the underside of the cargo area is starting to rust. I'm sanding that this weekend & spraying rust converter. It's a never ending battle.

 

[SpidermanGeek]

When I first got mine, I was tempted to "fix" all the rust issues because there are way worse examples than mine around here, but honestly it would be far more worth it for me to just find a clean rust-free 4runner from the Southern US.

So the current plan is to just let this one run its course. Keep fixing mechanical things that break until the frame or floors are swiss cheese.

 

[Scramble]

When I first got mine, I was tempted to "fix" all the rust issues because there are way worse examples than mine around here, but honestly it would be far more worth it for me to just find a clean rust-free 4runner from the Southern US.

So the current plan is to just let this one run its course. Keep fixing mechanical things that break until the frame or floors are swiss cheese.

I wish I could do that but I have too much money, time & emotional attachment to this truck. But yea, if it gets totalled I'm poaching from the southwest but only for a locked, manual w/ S/C. Otherwise considering an 8cyl 4th gen or a 2014+ Trail Edition.

 

[SpidermanGeek]

2014+ Trail Edition.

These give me a raging boner. I will be considering one once my '97 gets put down.

The good thing is that rust prevention on vehicles is much better and more common up here in the last decade or so, with companies like RustCheck offering lifetime rust perforation warranties with yearly applications.

I've done this with my Matrix since new and it rust is absolutely minimal on that vehicle after 8 years/110K miles.

So I wouldn't mine buying a local used 2014+ if it was rustproofed yearly by the owners since new, which again, is much more common to find than before.

Although I do have to say that for a 20 Year old vehicle like my 4Runner that has never been rustproofed, it actually held up pretty damn well overall.

I dunno what any of that has to do with Hurricanes, but there you have it. lol.

 

[Solidape]

These give me a raging boner. I will be considering one once my '97 gets put down.

The good thing is that rust prevention on vehicles is much better and more common up here in the last decade or so, with companies like RustCheck offering lifetime rust perforation warranties with yearly applications.

I've done this with my Matrix since new and it rust is absolutely minimal on that vehicle after 8 years/110K miles.

So I wouldn't mine buying a local used 2014+ if it was rustproofed yearly by the owners since new, which again, is much more common to find than before.

Although I do have to say that for a 20 Year old vehicle like my 4Runner that has never been rustproofed, it actually held up pretty damn well overall.

I dunno what any of that has to do with Hurricanes, but there you have it. lol.

I am not a big fan of my 2002 SR5 sport. Rough ride, tight quarters, uncomfortable seat, all in all, a huge change going from my 2008 tundra limited. It's a weak engine, loud (need to fix some minor exhaust leaks), and generally just isn't pleasant to drive. I'd rather drive my wife's ford explorer sport any day and with almost double the hp, it even gets better fuel economy...

 

[SpidermanGeek]

I am not a big fan of my 2002 SR5 sport. Rough ride, tight quarters, uncomfortable seat, all in all, a huge change going from my 2008 tundra limited. It's a weak engine, loud (need to fix some minor exhaust leaks), and generally just isn't pleasant to drive. I'd rather drive my wife's ford explorer sport any day and with almost double the hp, it even gets better fuel economy...

Wait... your wife's Exploder is 350+ HP? Ecoboost TT V6?

 

[I_bRAD]

Wait... your wife's Exploder is 300+ HP?

Pretty sure the ecoboost option is 360ish.

 

[SpidermanGeek]

Pretty sure the ecoboost option is 360ish.

Yeah, edited my original response after looking it up.

I can't compare. My 5VZ-FE is the highest HP output engine I've ever owned, lol. So to me, my '97 is plenty powerful (not fast, but plenty powerful none the less).
It's also my first ever V6.

My HP history:
1985 Ford Tempo - 90HP
1987 Chevrolet Celebrity EuroSport - 98HP
1984 Chevrolet Cavalier Sedan CL - 86HP
1987 Chevrolet Cavalier Sedan RS - 90HP
2001 Chevrolet Cavalier Coupe - 115HP
2000 Pontiac Sunfire GT - 150HP
2010 Toyota Matrix XRS - 158HP
1997 Toyota 4Runner Limited - 190HP

...slowly climbing upward...lol.

4runner is also probably the most luxurious vehicle I've ever owned. First one with leather and power seats, lol. Hell, it's only the second vehicle I've ever owned that has power windows, lol.

 

[Kyngfish]

I am not a big fan of my 2002 SR5 sport. Rough ride, tight quarters, uncomfortable seat, all in all, a huge change going from my 2008 tundra limited. It's a weak engine, loud (need to fix some minor exhaust leaks), and generally just isn't pleasant to drive. I'd rather drive my wife's ford explorer sport any day and with almost double the hp, it even gets better fuel economy...

Last few cars I've owned/own: an AMG (bought it cheap, still 420 HP) - 1986 911, 2015 GTI, and 4Runner.

As a "driver," the 911 takes all comers hands down, the GTI is fun, quick and can cruise at 90 all day. The AMG was powerful and at 100 felt more stable than at 60.

But for all around daily driving, with upgraded suspension and new bushings all around, the 4Runner is imposing, simple and reliable. Hurricane evacuation? No problem, roof rack and hitch platform. Flooding? No problem, just more puddles to splash in. Moving? No problem class III hitch with 5000 lb capacity. Don't want dog hair and oil all over the rear of your nice new cars? No problem, for a 5-6k cost of entry you have a truck that you can beat to shit for a millennia. No bluetooth/rear camera? No problem, for BT you can get a fantastic wireless radio adapter for 20 bucks that works with the OEM system, and for 300 you can upgrade the entire rig. Mud? No problem. Camping? No problem. Literally the only thing you can't do in a 4Runner is a track day or autocross day, but it can haul your racecar to the meet. No problem.

Newer cars are more comfortable, more powerful with better gas mileage and have a bunch of cool features. The 4Runner rides and feels like a truck, but can still do 80 on the highway and haul a trailer.

Dunno, call me an old man (get off my lawn), but I prefer simple and reliable for the daily slog. I'll get my kicks on the weekend when there's no traffic.

 

[Scramble]

I am not a big fan of my 2002 SR5 sport. Rough ride, tight quarters, uncomfortable seat, all in all, a huge change going from my 2008 tundra limited. It's a weak engine, loud (need to fix some minor exhaust leaks), and generally just isn't pleasant to drive. I'd rather drive my wife's ford explorer sport any day and with almost double the hp, it even gets better fuel economy...

And when that Ford is in the junkyard, my 4runner will still be going.
You probably need new springs, shocks, steering rack, lots of suspension bushings etc.
Don't buy a 15yo TRUCK & expect it to drive like a new uni-body soccer Mom SUV. Tundras are awesome, longer wheel base & I-Force V8, shudda kept it.

 

[IBallEngineer]

I am not a big fan of my 2002 SR5 sport. Rough ride, tight quarters, uncomfortable seat, all in all, a huge change going from my 2008 tundra limited. It's a weak engine, loud (need to fix some minor exhaust leaks), and generally just isn't pleasant to drive. I'd rather drive my wife's ford explorer sport any day and with almost double the hp, it even gets better fuel economy...

I doubt you'll say that when it has 299706 miles on it. 3rd gens do ride pretty rough, but both of mine ride better than my 89 Land Cruiser. I don't think the engine is weak at all, granted it isn't like driving a ZL1 Camaro, but it wasn't designed for that. I could point out all kinds of flaws in the 3rd gen, there is no perfect vehicle for everyone. But having said that, I'd buy another one in a heartbeat if I needed one. My wife said to me just the other day that if she won the lotto she'd feel obligated to buy a new car, but she wouldn't want to give up her 2000 2wd 4cyl runner.

 

[2ndhandyotaman]

But for all around daily driving, with upgraded suspension and new bushings all around, the 4Runner is imposing, simple and reliable. Hurricane evacuation? No problem, roof rack and hitch platform. Flooding? No problem, just more puddles to splash in. Moving? No problem class III hitch with 5000 lb capacity. Don't want dog hair and oil all over the rear of your nice new cars? No problem, for a 5-6k cost of entry you have a truck that you can beat to shit for a millennia. No bluetooth/rear camera? No problem, for BT you can get a fantastic wireless radio adapter for 20 bucks that works with the OEM system, and for 300 you can upgrade the entire rig. Mud? No problem. Camping? No problem. Literally the only thing you can't do in a 4Runner is a track day or autocross day, but it can haul your racecar to the meet. No problem.

Pretty much sums up why I went from a more roomy WJ Limited to the 3rd gen 4runner. It's just a simpler, rugged little rig. The big drop in power will keep me from doing foolish things. I'm looking forward to the first big snow when I can ram through a snow bank with the steel bumpers. I honestly think that I might be able to outfit this rig and enjoy an extended journey through the SW region of the country, and experience the Rubicon trail. That's one of the few things on my short bucket list that I really want to do.

 

[gamefreakgc]

1997 Toyota 4Runner Limited - 190HP

190HP, unless you add a supercharger, headers, smaller pulley, etc. and push upwards of 280 HP!