Just picked up a '98 Gen3 4Runner Limited

Finally had a day to take this in and have it looked over properly by a Toyota shop that is NOT a dealership. Having 217k miles, they're really digging into it. So far, this is what will definitely be replaced:

- Steering rack and pinion, full swap (was completely ****ed)
- LBJ's, upper and lower
- Shocks all the way around (all were original)
- Tires: Nitto Grapplers a size up

Will likely have the radiator done soon. And plan to have it de-badged as well. Just a few stickers and maybe a Japanese Toyota badge.

Have front and rear cup holder mods on the way from BHicks too. :)

More to come, and updated pics later this week.
 
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if your doing shocks, might want to think springs too. they yotas tend to sag in the rear with age

of course there is tons of options out there
I personally went with the OEM Talls (99 highlander ?) and KYB shocks and am very happy and you will get just a slight lift with the talls and a nice ride.
 
another note about springs, very few aftermarket pay attention to the weight distribution of the 4 runners. OEM and some others have specific springs left and right
otherwise in time, others not only get the typical rear sag they also get a lean left to right
 
Going with Bilsteins all the way around, adjustable up front. Have springs on backup if the ride isn't where it needs to be. Trying to keep it pretty close to stock.
 
Wife spends time in the ride with me, so I'll stick with the bolster I have and just put seat covers on it.

Will knock out the radiator soon enough. The shop I'm using does nothing but Toyota and they say the radiator is good to go. Got a link to the one everyone recommends?
 
I've had really good luck with IGGEE seat covers. Found them in a Jeep thread a few years back. They molded really well, and kept me from having to get neoprene fart holders.
 
Just pulled mine off the 2007 and the 1998. Why did I wait so long on the 2007, I don't know...

af0761532628ac1fb37d3da4ccd49d30.jpg


Nice!! Looks just like my son's looked when we first got it (@230k mi)

Here's how it looks now;
IMG_1137.jpg
 
Nice!! Looks just like my son's looked when we first got it (@230k mi)



Here's how it looks now;

IMG_1137.jpg


That looks great. I'm not going to lift mine much, if any, but it will be leveled and I'm bumping up one tire size. Need to find a good paint guy to change it over to desert tan, and I'll have him debadge it and rhino line the flares as well. Maybe... :)
 
Got her back today: new steering rack & pinion, tie rods, upper and lower ball joints, Bilstein shocks, and Nitto Grapplers. Rides like a completely different vehicle, even better than my 2007, which is saying something. Either way, I'm pretty happy with the work, and just need to get my cup holder upgrades in to be complete, for now.

Might do some IGGEE seat covers soon, but that's all for the moment.
 
Got her back today: new steering rack & pinion, tie rods, upper and lower ball joints, Bilstein shocks, and Nitto Grapplers. Rides like a completely different vehicle, even better than my 2007, which is saying something. Either way, I'm pretty happy with the work, and just need to get my cup holder upgrades in to be complete, for now.

Might do some IGGEE seat covers soon, but that's all for the moment.

Aaaah ok I missed that part :) Hey, the rad is easy! May as well replace hoses and thermostat while you are at it, plenty of writeups on that here; I cleaned out my system w/ white vinegar, I replaced all the fluid w/ white vinegar, ran it to get it hot, then let it sit overnight. Drained, then ran 4 cycles of distilled water (getting it hot every cycle) then filled w/ Toyota red and my temps went from 204-215 down to 184-186 :)
 
Noob here... Happen to have a pic or link to these cup holders? The stock ones are terrible! Just picked up a '98 myself.


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