I finally did it!!! New 3rd gen 4Runner for me :)

ShooterMcGavin

ShooterMcGavin

New member
I've been drooling over the ideal starter 4x4 for months now and I finally found the one to bring home!!! I'm still a bit shocked. My options were 1) find the ideal 4Runner, have payments, and really love it or 2) find a compromise vehicle, with some must-have options, for a good deal, and just enjoy having a good truck that I can build upon. I went with the latter. It all hinged on me finding the right deal; remember, I live in the Northwest, where it is a good deal if I found your T4R for 3 times the price you paid :)

The conquest: 1997 4Runner, 262,000 miles, 5-speed, Rear Diff Lock, leather, all power options, etc. The price... $2,300. I understand that the guy had to pull the ad down after about an hour because his phone was literally ringing with a new buyer every 2-3 minutes. It has its problems. I think the front passenger shock is blown, rip in driver's seat, exhaust leak, dent in driver's door, power antenna, needs e-brake work, etc. Still, I think I did alright. I have 4-wheel drive!!! AND a locking rear differential!!!! I'm pretty happy :)

Comments? Criticisms? It is dark, so I didn't get many pictures tonight.

More pictures are down in Post 14.

 
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Congratulations. For that price you can fix what you want and you'll still come out ahead. I wish I had found a 5-speed. Make sure you do a good tune-up and you'll be good to go.
 
Yeah ya did good! Diff lock and 5speed! Hell, yer gonna lift it anyway so the shock is no big deal and yer about to get a few dents on the trail so...enjoy it and congrats.


....you did check for rust right....

Welcome to the club


Rick
 
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TXRick said:
Yeah ya did good! Diff lock and 5speed! Hell, yer gonna lift it anyway so the shock is no big deal and yer about to get a few dents on the trail so...enjoy it and congrats.


....you did check for rust right....

Welcome to the club


Rick
Click to expand...

Thanks!

Yes, I checked for rust. There is a little bit on the rear axle, but I have seen much worse.

If it will need suspension work, yeah, I'll be lifting it a little. About the dents on the trail... Yep, I kinda figure that I am fine having an imperfect body, so I won't mind going through the brush and getting close to trees :)

It has higher miles than I really want and some other little issues, but the price was just cheap. I just grabbed cash at home and it's paid off :) My first jobs are LBJs, timing belt, valve cover gaskets, and e-brake maintenance. Oil change, belts, diff fluids, and other fluids are not far behind. At least I can get that stuff done without going to a shop.

I am really excited to have found the main option that I wanted, the Rear Diff Lock. I would have been happy getting an Automatic, for trail use. For daily drives, I prefer a stick, and it's a 50/50 thing on the trail for me.

BTW, the clutch friction point is immediately off the floor. It's a miracle that I haven't stalled it yet. Is that typical?
There is no clutch slippage.
 
While you're doing your first round of maintenance, you should check out the bushings and guide on the steering rack. Really easy to do and it made a world of difference for me.
 
JBurt said:
While you're doing your first round of maintenance, you should check out the bushings and guide on the steering rack. Really easy to do and it made a world of difference for me.
Click to expand...

Ok, I'll do some reading on what to look for. Thanks!

I love that button...
 
Nice!! That's a deal! My PO said he had 5 people calling after I bought it from him. I got a manual which has been rare lately on CL. No locker but I didn't even know the manual was rare before I bought it.. I just got lucky. $5650 perfect running condition/nothing needed... right after 750$ cooper at/3's. even being 6400 into it, I wouldn't sell it for less than 7600. PNW is crazy for 4runners!
 
Is that button above the locker button a switch for the locker ground? I have mine permanently grounded, but a switch is a good idea as a second safety to not accidentally engage.
 
Very nice!
Welcome to the world of the much sought after Japanese tank that is the 3rd Gen 4Runner.
Enjoy!
 
Great job man! Get the minor niggles fixed, get the frame coated to prevent further rust, lift it and do a few mods and you'll have one of the best 'runners here.

Great work finding a 5-speed with an elocker!!

-NR
 
Definitely a good price. It remains to be seen how good this specific platform is :) It does have issues. Here are some of the mechanical problems I know of...
-Bad front shock? - there is a clunk going over bumps
-exhaust leak
-e-brake is essentially disconnected
-valve covers both leak
-head gasket might be leaking oil. It is not blowing smoke of any color.
-rust on the corners of the rear bumper

It's great to drive, and it feels cool driving a 5-speed truck. I am a manual transmission guy at heart. I own 5 vehicles now, and all have manual transmissions. Every car I have ever owned has had a manual. I just didn't expect that I would have a 4Runner with a manual :)







 
eatmorechickenx said:
Is that button above the locker button a switch for the locker ground? I have mine permanently grounded, but a switch is a good idea as a second safety to not accidentally engage.
Click to expand...

The thing above the E-locker switch is the LED light for the alarm.

That is a good idea, having a separate switch for the Diff Lock. I assume that is for when you mod it so the rear can be locked at any time? I think I want to do the blue-wire mod, as long as I have a switch that is protected from accidental turn-on - either a covered switch or a second switch like you talked about.

I love driving it, but, without knowing its history well, I feel a little uncomfortable driving it. ...if that makes much sense :)
 
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