Inherited a beat off 4Runner that I want to fix up

[ChampagnePapi]

Hey guys!

Let me start off by saying I have frequented this forum for years, since I have owned a 4Runner before and I knew what was waiting for me when I came back from college was another 4Runner.

So.... I just inherited a 2003 4Runner SR5 after coming back from college. This thing is BEAT UP! I took it to the shop already to replace the tires and bumpers, because the thing was not driveable. There is still so much to be done, both inside and outside).

Exterior:
Right flare (not sure if it's considered a flare or a fender, but it's the body part that is basically the painted part of the wheel well, if that makes sense) is completely gone! The buckles are exposed and it definitely needs to be fixed

The trunk door has dents all over the bottom left corner, as if it was involved in some sort of collision that involved fire (I know that sounds weird but the metal is all mangled and there are some rust spots). There is also a pretty decent-sized dent on the top left corner.

The cargo boards up top are intact except for the casing of one of the corners. It is cracked off. Looks like it was kicked or hit with something hard.

There are some scratches and dents all over this thing, from the hood, to the doors.

Interior:
Aside from smelling funky, this 4Runner has a serious case of cracked dash. I know this is a common problem among 4Runners, but this one is cracked so much, the foam under is exposed in some parts.

There are scratches and cracks all over the plastic parts in the trunk, as if heavy equipment had been being hauled and moved around back there.

There is also a cigarette burns on the driver seat.

There are also seems to be an issue with the map lights, the clock memory, and the FOB key. The FOB does not work. The map lights inside the car does not work. And the clock resets to zero every time I shut off the truck. It seemed like a fuse, but all the fuses are fine. I replaced all of them. The only thing I can think of is something with the wiring contacts? i honestly am not certain what the problem is there and it is driving me crazy

I don't make a ton of money but I do make enough where I can make this baby a little project and make it look nice. I don't have to make payments on this truck and it is real convenient.

And the best part is, mechanically, this truck is flawless. The drive is smooth, comfortable, and overall amazing. A/C works, radio works (but I want to replace it)

I would like to take this time for apologizing for such a ridiculously long post....

Now,
My strategy to fix this car is to first work on the practical stuff. Get the FOB, clock, light situation handled first and foremost.

Then, I would like to save enough money to fix all of the exterior problems at once.

Once that is done, I would like to fix the cigarette burns and dash cracks.

After that is when the magic begins! I would like to get a grille guard, new break and headlights, new radio, fog lights, and stuff like that.

Well thats my 4Runner story! I hope you liked it haha! If you can offer any ideas, help or advice it will be welcomed! If you would like to laugh at my expense, that is also welcome! Looking forward to being an actual part of this forum.

Again, sorry for the long post.

 

[Dusty Driftwood]

Welcome, first, go ahead and post a couple pics so we can laugh at your expense. Next steps are usually the easy/practical ones.

this 4Runner has a serious case of cracked dash. I know this is a common problem among 4Runners, but this one is cracked so much, the foam under is exposed in some parts.

I don't know if these can be fixed, but THIS thread should be able to get you started and help a little bit.

There are scratches and cracks all over the plastic parts in the trunk, as if heavy equipment had been being hauled and moved around back there.

There is also a cigarette burns on the driver seat.

I'm not really sure anything can be done about these issues. I've seen some burn repair kits, but if the burns are deep (to the foam) then they really don't do anything. I good solution may be to get some seat covers.

There are also seems to be an issue with the map lights, the clock memory, and the FOB key. The FOB does not work. The map lights inside the car does not work. And the clock resets to zero every time I shut off the truck. It seemed like a fuse, but all the fuses are fine. I replaced all of them. The only thing I can think of is something with the wiring contacts? i honestly am not certain what the problem is there and it is driving me crazy

This might be something totally screwy. I'd try disconnecting and reconnecting the battery to see if that does anything. The map lights could just be burned out. Which, if you're going to replace those, you may as well do so with one of the many LED kits that are available. I ordered mine from PFran LED's and have been happy with the product. I think [MENTION=67365]Whitebeauty[/MENTION] (another member here) also sells LEDs if I am not mistaken. If the 4Runner was sitting while you were away at college, something could have crawled in there and chewed through some wires, which could explain the clock issue (but who knows - that is weird)

Exterior:
Right flare (not sure if it's considered a flare or a fender, but it's the body part that is basically the painted part of the wheel well, if that makes sense) is completely gone! The buckles are exposed and it definitely needs to be fixed

The trunk door has dents all over the bottom left corner, as if it was involved in some sort of collision that involved fire (I know that sounds weird but the metal is all mangled and there are some rust spots). There is also a pretty decent-sized dent on the top left corner.

The cargo boards up top are intact except for the casing of one of the corners. It is cracked off. Looks like it was kicked or hit with something hard.

Honestly, you're probably right about doing all the exterior stuff at once to save money. However, if you can find parts at a scrap yard, you may be able to save even more. Unfortunately, there isn't a scrap yard w/in 500 miles of me that had 4Runner parts, but there seem to be a lot in Cali. Not sure what FL has to offer though.

 

[Jumpkix]

Beat off? Did you mean beat up? :rofl:

 

[ChampagnePapi]

Thanks Dusty. i will post pics once I resize them and get good ones. That way you can laugh haha. But all in all I am pretty excited as I have always liked 4Runners

 

[Parrotheadrob]

There is a place near Tampa...actually I think it is either Largo or Clearwater called Magic used auto parts, they specialize in used Jap parts..Im sure they will ship to miami...but it is a place to start. Not 100 % sure of the name but its something like that.

 

[ChampagnePapi]

Thanks Rob. I will contact them to see what they have. As far as the pictures, I have to wait until I get home to post them. Which will be a couple of hours.

 

[ChampagnePapi]

Pics

Sorry it took so long, but here are the pictures. You may have to rotate them, as I took them rather quickly and on my iPhone 4, which has a pretty crappy camera. I posted the most notable blemishes of the car. There are other little scratches here and there.

 

[Tayzorz]

welcome!
and ouch, hurts to see a 4th gen looking like that
but a great excuse to upgrade!

 

[Ol'Blue]

I don't see an issue here. She is well loved. This is reasons to have Mods done!

Welcome