jbrentd
New member
Hello, I'm new to the forum and wanted to introduce myself and start a maintenance and mild build thread for my new (to me) 4Runner. My name is Brent and I live in NE Oklahoma with my wife and two boys. I'm a longtime fan of Audis, but have recently found that I prefer the ability to take my DD off-road...if the opportunity presents itself. I like to hunt and fish and got tired of dodging potholes and worrying about ground clearance issues. I've been in a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee for the past year, but recently sold it off to purchase this one. The WJ was in great condition, but wasn't what I wanted for the long term.
As I bought it...
It's a '97 SR5 with 224k miles on the clock. Sunfire Red Pearl with gray cloth interior. I found it online at a Subaru dealer in Wichita, which is about 3 hrs from me. I normally do not like to buy from dealers, but the salesman knew the previous owner and it was clear that this one was really well taken care of. Most new car dealerships that take a 20 year old car with 224k miles in on trade would send it off to auction in a heartbeat. So, the fact that they took the time to clean it up and keep it on their lot made me think it was worth a closer look. They put it on a lift and sent me a ton of pictures of the under carriage. After negotiating over the phone, I went to Wichita to bring it home last Friday (11/10/17).
It had been serviced at the dealership and came with a list of regular maintenance records. Out of all those maintenance records, I’m not sure when the timing belt was last changed. So, that will be on the list of to-dos. It has nearly new wheels (KMCs) and tires (BFG KO2s) on it. They are 265/75-16 tires and 16”x8” et0 offset wheels.
Questions
Most Current Picture
Maintenance & Mods To-Date
Future plans
As I bought it...
It's a '97 SR5 with 224k miles on the clock. Sunfire Red Pearl with gray cloth interior. I found it online at a Subaru dealer in Wichita, which is about 3 hrs from me. I normally do not like to buy from dealers, but the salesman knew the previous owner and it was clear that this one was really well taken care of. Most new car dealerships that take a 20 year old car with 224k miles in on trade would send it off to auction in a heartbeat. So, the fact that they took the time to clean it up and keep it on their lot made me think it was worth a closer look. They put it on a lift and sent me a ton of pictures of the under carriage. After negotiating over the phone, I went to Wichita to bring it home last Friday (11/10/17).
It had been serviced at the dealership and came with a list of regular maintenance records. Out of all those maintenance records, I’m not sure when the timing belt was last changed. So, that will be on the list of to-dos. It has nearly new wheels (KMCs) and tires (BFG KO2s) on it. They are 265/75-16 tires and 16”x8” et0 offset wheels.
Questions
- I noticed that the license plate surround is a silver color. Not sure it matters much, but I’ll probably dip it black. I wonder if this means the hatch came from a limited model and isn't original?
- It’s got a case of the saggy butt and the rear springs will need to be replaced (at a minimum). I am thinking of a 2-inch lift, but not sure which one to go with yet. My VIN is eligible for the recall and I was wondering if they are reimbursing for the labor for owners that have upgraded the rear springs?
- Anyone got a DIY on swapping the front seat bottoms?
Most Current Picture
Maintenance & Mods To-Date
- Removed the running boards
- Swap the front seat bottoms
- 99+ center console swap with ECT/rear window switch relocation
- Husky floor mats (Thanks 2017 Secret Santa!!)
- OME 880/906 2" lift kit
- Diff drop kit
- Front mud flaps
- New battery
- Removed and painted the chrome flares and bumpers
- Proclip iPhone mount
- Gentex 313 review mirror with Homelink, Temperature and Compass
- Front row window tint
- Bypassed rear heater (will install new hoses in the Spring)
- Pioneer head unit with hands-free calling and Bluetooth audio
Future plans
- Timing belt
- Projector retrofits
- I'm sure this list will grow...
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