Keeping a 3rd Gen for the Foreseeable Future

[smallfry]

If you were to keep your 4runner for the foreseeable future to what extent would you go to keep it in good/operable conditions? Keeping finances and what you use it for in mind (DD, mall running, camping, and/or trail use, etc).

Do nothing and just run it into the ground.
Just keep up on general maintenance (body, engine, trans, suspension, etc).
Replace parts with good junkyard parts.
Slowly replace what you can with new or refurbished parts.

 

[Brique]

I'm planning on keeping my truck "forever" unless my needs change significantly. With that in mind, in addition to building her, I'm also trying to restore her as i go, too.

 

[BrianSD_42]

[x] modded
[x] paid off
[x] not my DD

Yep I'm keeping it.

 

[cdrewferd]

^^^^ Agree with Brian. Mine is paid off and not daily driver. I'm building it to wheel and explore with. I will do maintenance items as they come up, and keep building it to what I want. This thing isn't going anywhere, especially once I get my expo trailer built.

 

[sportscarfan]

Mine is a 4th vehicle in a 2 driver family with no commute, so I just fix whatever needs attention and do routine maintenance on each vehicle a couple times a year. Love having the flexibility of driving whichever suits the occasion.
The last thing I did on the 4runner was replace the heater blower motor a couple weeks ago after *ucking up the original trying to get it apart to de-squeak it.

 

[TheArkMaster]

I agree with Brian. Mine is rather built, Its paid off, and i'm about to pull the trigger on a DD. Why would I sell it? Thing is staying for the long haul.

 

[tre9er]

If the question is what would you do to it in order to make it last the longest, I'd have to say it's a combination answer. Keep up with scheduled maintenance and replace the most "likely to fail" parts with new as possible. LBJs, bushings, and other various suspension parts, timing belt/water pump, fluids, rust conversion, etc.

 

[shootmymime]

96 purchased slightly new in 97 with 10k miles from a Toyota salesman/ friend.
By doing maintenance. And replacing things that kinda broke. (Radio antenna against a tree).
Dad drove it till 2005
Sister drove till 2007
I drove it till 2009
Brother drives it currently.

It has 300,000 miles on it and still going.

Just last year we replaced the ball joints. And added a suspension lift.
Besides timing belt, water pump and head gaskets. Everything else is original.
Beside sliding off the road twice and having a fender and front bumper replaced.

It is old and looks decent it's Starting to rust out the rocker panels.
But everything else is amazing.

 

[amalik]

I would like to keep my Runner as long as possible. A blown transmission and/or engine may make me consider alternatives in the future, but sticking with it until then. At 220k miles, and the history I know of it (Since it's been in my family since new off the showroom floor), I should have a lot more miles left.

Gas mileage isn't ideal as a DD, but other than that -- no real complaints.

 

[Brique]

If my engine were to go, I might consider a different truck. But I'd be just as likely to consider an engine swap

 

[02SE]

I'm the original owner.
I have three other vehicles that I use more often.
It still runs, drives, and looks nearly as good as the day I drove it off the lot, almost 17 years ago.

Random strangers occasionally ask if I want to sell it.

Unless someone offers me too much money to refuse, I plan to keep it.

 

[UnderFire]

As long as I can still find the parts to keep it going, I'll be driving it, simple as that.

 

[habanero]

1. Just keep up on general maintenance (body, engine, trans, suspension, etc).
2. Replace parts with good junkyard parts if that's a reasonable option.
3. Slowly replace what makes sense to with new or refurbished parts.
4. Repair parts when possible (door lock actuators, blower motor switch, door jamb switch, rear latch light switch, etc etc)
5. Fabricate stuff when not otherwise available (moo box fix, couple of brackets, overflow bottle, etc)
6. Have stuff fabbed if needed (battery box, skids, etc)
7. Chase noises. Lots of noises.

It's my everythingmobile.

 

[LittleCaesar]

I am plan to keep my 99 until.....by performing general good maintenance (changing all fluids regularly for example) and by hoarding new parts I find on CL and Fleabay, especially OEM sensors. As someone who owns a 90 and 92 Ford Bronco, I am glad I have held on to the new Motorcraft injectors and sensors since 2000.

Like 02se, whose 4runner I recall only sees about 2000 miles yearly, mine also sees about 2000 to maybe 3000 per year (currently being driven by my retired father in SC).

I want to hang on to it since most SUVs these days are mostly crossovers appealing to soccer moms and families with many kids. This generation fits the bill per se.