jlstick2's 2002 'CascadeRunner' Build-Thread

[jlstick2]

About a month ago, my parents 'gifted' me with my first car; a 2002 4runner. Here's about how it went. -

My dad walks in the door and tells me, "I need you're helping unloading some groceries out of the back of the truck, we went to Costco." We walked out to his truck and he lifted the tonneau cover but there was nothing there. For a second I was confused, that's when I see headlights turning into my driveway with my mom behind the wheel of a 4runner!

After the crazy excitement of that night, my parents sat down and went over the 'contract' they'd come up with.

They had payed nearly $10,000 for the car, I would have to give them $3500 before it is officially mine, until then, I am free to drive it whenever and wherever I want; but no heavy modifications I'm okay with this however, $3500 is a steal for this thing and I look forward to making many memories in it in the years to come, as well as making it my own once I have payed off their 'loan'.

Now, the details:

- 2002 SR5 4x4

-140,000 miles

- Center Diff Lock, Cloth Seats

- No rust whatsoever

-Extremely clean interior

-Power antenna still works!?

-Over 40 service records (1 owner)

-3.4 V6 (TB and WP done at 78,000)

 

[jlstick2]

First Pictures!

I went up to my high-school and took my first pictures of it the following day. To anyone wondering, the color is Dorado Gold; it seems to be a fairly rare color.

 

[CoupeSprinter]

Looks like the previous owner took care of it. Clean 4Runner.

 

[FizzleStixs]

Wow that is a clean 4runner, and 3500 is a steal. Congrats!

 

[jlstick2]

A Bad Choice

After getting the truck, I was very excited to try it out off of the pavement. I decided that I'd head East on I-90 to Snoqualmie Pass and then take the exit for Tinkham Road. The drive started off great, I was loving the way the truck handled off-road. stopped along the Snoqualmie River to take a few pictures. After a few more miles of driving down the road, it began to get icy, the amount of snow was also increasing. Once I could hear the snow and ice scraping against my skid plate I decided that I'd better turn around. There was a bridge about 90 feet in front of me with what looked like a suitable place to turn around. Just before the bridge however, I got high-centered. For the next 3 hours or so I attempted to dig myself out from underneath, it was to no avail. The snow and ice was too hard, it was trying to dig through concrete. I spent the next half hour assessing my options, I knew my dad wouldn't be off of work for another 6 hours. In desperation, I posted on 3rd Gen 4runner Mafia to see if anyone was in the general vicinity and could offer some assistance. Unfortunately, everyone nearby seemed to be preoccupied. That's when Bonnie (Meema Yota) called me saying that she could come to help if need be. Even though she lives an hour away in Graham, she selflessly hopped into her 4runner and was on her way. About 20 minutes later I received another call from a fellow 4runner owner named Robert, he told me he was also going to come up. Meema and him would be meeting up in North Bend and then convoying up together. About an hour later I saw Robert's built 2nd Gen in my rear view mirrors. He attached his winch up to my tow hitch and 10 minutes later I was out of my predicament. We turned around and headed back down the road, I made sure to keep my speed up so that I wouldn't get stuck again. After reaching the end of the road, we conversed a bit and took some photos. I am so amazed that two complete strangers would take time out their days to come assist me over an hour away. I truly feel that I've made two genuine friends. Lesson learned: NEVER SNOW WHEEL ALONE!

 

[jlstick2]

More Pictures From the Recovery

Thanks again Meema and Robert!

 

[jlstick2]

Timing Belt/Water Pump Change

The last timing belt and water pump change was done at 78,000 so I figured it was about time to get it done. The job was fairly simple and went well. The only issue I had was I didn't have the Camshaft Holding / Lock Tool. Instead, I fabricated my own. I used a steel beam and welded 2 grade 8 bolts on. It did the charm! This was my first time ever doing this job and I was pretty proud of myself for doing it! Sorry no pics

 

[jlstick2]

Lighting

Both of my corner lights were out, as well as my license-plate bulbs. One trip to Napa and I was golden. I believe the part number was 194. Eventually I'd like to upgrade to LED's but for now it'll do.

 

[jlstick2]

SAR Trip Middle Fork Snoqualmie

I am a member of King County Search and Rescue in Washington State. It takes up quite a bit of my free time but I absolutely love it. On the weekend of 3/4-3/6, I headed down the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Road. I volunteered to help out with helping out with the training for this year's new trainees. The road down was littered with potholes, very rarely did I get above 15 MPH. After about 12 miles or so on the Middle Fork, the road crosses the Snoqualmie River and essentially ends. There is a turnoff to the right however, it will lead you down to Goldmyer Hot Springs. I decided I'd head down the road, I had an awesome time. There were a couple technical spots which made it exciting, but never did I feel out of my comfort zone of my rig's capabilities. I reached the Goldmyer property, turned around, and headed back up. One odd thing I did notice, every once in a while while going through a pot-hole, I hear a loud "clunk" noise. Could this possibly be a blown shock? Overall, the weekend was great, I always enjoy participating in SAR events. To anyone located in King County, I highly suggest joining, they even have a 4x4 Unit where you get to drive your rig around!

 

[jlstick2]

Looks like the previous owner took care of it. Clean 4Runner.

It sure looks like they did. I'm excited for the future with this truck.

 

[jlstick2]

Wow that is a clean 4runner, and 3500 is a steal. Congrats!

Heck yeah it is! Just a couple months and I can get to work on it!

 

[Stephens.T4R]

[MENTION=133421]jlstick2[/MENTION]'s hey buddy! Great looking rig! I got stuck on Tinkham in my lifted 4th gen about two weeks ago at that SAME spot..... I had to get tow strapped out twice by a huge Jeep JKU. The sun was setting fast and that same desperation kicked in for me. I never posted anything but right when I was about to give up digging with an old chopped log this monster keep on 37's came floating by on the same snow I was buried in. I live in the Issaquah highlands and I'm always heading down to those exits off of I90 to try and explore and mess around. I was all over the exits off i90 from Tinkham to Lake Easton yesterday. Today I was off of exit 38. Was that your rig I saw on the way down??? I was in a silver 03.

 

[jlstick2]

[MENTION=133421]jlstick2[/MENTION]'s hey buddy! Great looking rig! I got stuck on Tinkham in my lifted 4th gen about two weeks ago at that SAME spot..... I had to get tow strapped out twice by a huge Jeep JKU. The sun was setting fast and that same desperation kicked in for me. I never posted anything but right when I was about to give up digging with an old chopped log this monster keep on 37's came floating by on the same snow I was buried in. I live in the Issaquah highlands and I'm always heading down to those exits off of I90 to try and explore and mess around. I was all over the exits off i90 from Tinkham to Lake Easton yesterday. Today I was off of exit 38. Was that your rig I saw on the way down??? I was in a silver 03.

Haha yeah, it's a horrible feeling! That wan't me you saw today, I was home. I live up on the plateau too! Over by the Sammamish/Pine Lake QFC, I love exploring all those exits along I-90 as as well, I'd love to hit up exit 38 soon. Let me know if you ever want to head out. Even though my rig is stock right now, I still enjoy wheeling and exploring!

 

[Stephens.T4R]

The worst!! I was trying not to panic but then you know... Lol Nice! I live in Boulder Creek on Pine Lake. We'll definitely have to hit some trails sometime. My rig isn't fully built or anything. Stock rig with a new suspension. I take it really easy on her (seeing as how I only have one rig and not enough money for any hefty repairs) so it would all be in good fun, nothing too crazy.

It was cool to hear you talking about the KCSAR because I wanted to join a longggggg time ago (before I got into wheeling) but now that I'm more involved and always out in the middle of nowhere (alone a lot) I think it would be majorly beneficial to have the training to assist in a search and rescue and furthermore have that know how for myself.

 

[jlstick2]

The worst!! I was trying not to panic but then you know... Lol Nice! I live in Boulder Creek on Pine Lake. We'll definitely have to hit some trails sometime. My rig isn't fully built or anything. Stock rig with a new suspension. I take it really easy on her (seeing as how I only have one rig and not enough money for any hefty repairs) so it would all be in good fun, nothing too crazy.

It was cool to hear you talking about the KCSAR because I wanted to join a longggggg time ago (before I got into wheeling) but now that I'm more involved and always out in the middle of nowhere (alone a lot) I think it would be majorly beneficial to have the training to assist in a search and rescue and furthermore have that know how for myself.

Yeah, I'm so happy that I ended up doing it. I've met so many awesome people through it and it's just so cool getting Valley out to missions to go evac and assist people! I'd really suggest looking into it. This summer I'm going to apply to be in 4x4 SAR as well, where you basically get to use your truck to go on what are normally closed roads and go wheeling looking for people! Does life get any better!? I'm pretty much bare-bones stock as well, other than no running boards and some off-brand AT tires that came with the truck when it was bought. Mostly I just like to get out an explore places, I can do with the rock crawling and body damage. Snoqualmie and North Bend have some pretty good places to go. You ever been up the North Fork? I've got a buddy (he's actually the guy that pulled me out) who lives by us as well who likes to go.

 

[Stephens.T4R]

Oh I bet. That's awesome! I'm definitely interested. What steps did you take to get involved? Any monthly meetings/ or orientations anything I can come sit in on? Oh man.... Now THAT is tempting. What's not to enjoy about that?! That's one thing that always bums me out is seeing all of the locks on all of the gates (but obviously with you being SAR I'm sure you know your job would be that much more frequent if they were all open... Presumably?) I don't think I have been there? I've done Quarts Mountain, Manastash Ridge and some other places in Eastern Washington. I haven't found too much locally on my own yet. Except today off of 38 I went way back in the hills and I gained so much elevation that the monsoon I was in turned into snow once my altitude increased (that was where I turned around). I'm always down to go get out and explore. I feel like there is a lot of hierarchy in SOME of the offroad clubs... And understandably so. I don't want to be anyone's liability or hold back a group... But I think a lot of those people forget that they were new to wheeling at one point too. Easy to forget I guess!

 

[jlstick2]

Alright next time you're going out, let me know. Essentially, King County Search and Rescue Association is the broad name given to the entire group of subunits that it is composed of. For example, the entire organization is composed of units like King County 4x4 SAR, King County Explorer Search and Rescue, K9 SAR, Seattle Mountain Rescue, etc. I'm in King County Explorer Search and Rescue. It is the group that responds to the highest number of yearly missions. A typical mission is something along the lines of... 27 year old female, broken femur, Snow Lake. To join, I'd check out our website. Just search KCESAR in Google. Every year there are multiple orientations held in August in Bellevue. The training lasts until February and isn't to difficult, prepare to spend lots of time walking in the rain through the brush though! I believe applications for 4x4 are accepted year-round, if you are accepted, you have to complete some trainings and you're in. I'll be applying this summer. Yeah, eventually I'd like to join an organized group of wheelers but I feel that my rig isn't capable enough yet and that I'd be judged for my inexperience. I'll let Robert know that I found someone who'd be interested in some local trips. I'd like to get over to some Eastern Washington ones as well. During the summer I'm interested in going over the Colockum Pass in Ellensburg, it's supposed to be a pretty fun trip.

 

[jlstick2]

I don't know if you're free this weekend, but on June 24 - 25 a bunch of 4runner owners from Washington and Oregon are meeting up at Browns Camp in Oregon. It's a pretty cool offroad park with trails for all types of rigs. I'll be heading down on the 22nd or 23rd and taking a short detour to visit Cannon Beach. You're welcome to come if you want.

 

[Saintnick]

Yeah, I'm so happy that I ended up doing it. I've met so many awesome people through it and it's just so cool getting Valley out to missions to go evac and assist people! I'd really suggest looking into it. This summer I'm going to apply to be in 4x4 SAR as well, where you basically get to use your truck to go on what are normally closed roads and go wheeling looking for people! Does life get any better!? I'm pretty much bare-bones stock as well, other than no running boards and some off-brand AT tires that came with the truck when it was bought. Mostly I just like to get out an explore places, I can do with the rock crawling and body damage. Snoqualmie and North Bend have some pretty good places to go. You ever been up the North Fork? I've got a buddy (he's actually the guy that pulled me out) who lives by us as well who likes to go.

This is so cool. We're both high schoolers with 4runners as our first cars.
Sub'd

 

[jlstick2]

This is so cool. We're both high schoolers with 4runners as our first cars.
Sub'd

Holy crap Dude. $1200 bucks for your 4runner!? That's insane! Our trucks are practically identical. Mine is a 2002 SR5 4X4 with 144,000 miles. I subbed to you as well. Nice to meet you!