Meet Aren, the Desert-Runner

[Voltan73]

Hi folks. I work the back counter for Auburn Toyota's parts dept. Been there for 17 years and counting. Back in 2005, one of our shop techs sold me his 1988 4Runner. He had just finished rebuilding a fresh 22RE, and dropped it in the rig before selling it to me. I've put 111,000 miles on it so far. She's got 301,000 and counting overall.
13 years later, she's still going strong as my daily driver. I just had the new bumpers I bought, as well as the shell-top, rhino-coated; and had her painted too. Next up will be getting the seats re-done.
I've named her "Aren the Desert-Runner." Aren comes from her model number; RN61. Desert-Runner comes from our annual camping trips to Pyramid Lake in the Nevada high desert.

Here she is shortly after I got her in '05...(at Folsom Lake)

<a href="https://imgur.com/2n61JTH"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/2n61JTHh.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>


My Pyramid Lake Hotel...

<a href="https://imgur.com/FuNfh14"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/FuNfh14h.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>


And, all restored up and looking pretty...

<a href="https://imgur.com/ZDAOZrU"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/ZDAOZrUh.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>
<a href="https://imgur.com/7RcOnlu"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/7RcOnluh.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>
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<a href="https://imgur.com/HtnigMn"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/HtnigMnh.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

 

[4runner_kid]

The top doesn't look to bad like that.

 

[OzSurf]

Beautiful truck. I wish mine was that clean!

 

[ddonovan48]

thats the dream! beautiful truck

 

[Voltan73]

Thanks guys. I think I want this rig to be my casket when the time comes...


<a href="https://imgur.com/IkA7goF"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/IkA7goFh.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

 

[RAD4Runner]

Clean and tastefully-done!

 

[4RunnerAquasport]

No "like" button lately, so here is a big "THUMBS UP"!!
Nicely done Sir!

 

[Jimmy Two Dogs]

I like this one a lot. Tell me about that rear tube bumper, please. Where's you get that?

 

[Voltan73]

I like this one a lot. Tell me about that rear tube bumper, please. Where's you get that?

Thank you!

It's the Trail Gear Rock Defense; I got it from 4Wheel Parts. I had it Rhino coated along with the front bumper and shell top.

 

[Jimmy Two Dogs]

Thank you!

It's the Trail Gear Rock Defense; I got it from 4Wheel Parts. I had it Rhino coated along with the front bumper and shell top.

Thanks for the information!

 

[chbarnha]

That thing is clean! Wish mine was half that clean. Looking at one like this shows me just how much work I really have to do on my new project


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Voltan73]

Thanks again guys.
[MENTION=125379]chbarnha[/MENTION], $3000 got it all done; I was able to stretch the cash pretty far.

Here's a few interior improvements I've made since my last post...

<a href="https://imgur.com/m8grAL4"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/m8grAL4l.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>
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<a href="https://imgur.com/ZHTXQCD"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/ZHTXQCDl.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>
<a href="https://imgur.com/TEUcdNp"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/TEUcdNpl.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

 

[bdjcl]

wow! looks really great for over 300k

 

[Voltan73]

Scored a set of SR5 alloys! They were pretty grimy and pitted, but they cleaned up fairly well...


<a href="https://imgur.com/vaI9yUN"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/vaI9yUNh.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

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<a href="https://imgur.com/BdSEEKu"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/BdSEEKuh.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>


Took her for a cruise up to the hills yesterday, from Auburn to Foresthill and back.

<a href="https://imgur.com/TemAf5v"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/TemAf5vh.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/vlw1UWj"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/vlw1UWjh.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/HnXVosg"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/HnXVosgh.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/PLj8sZ1"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/PLj8sZ1h.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/n8VCnRJ"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/n8VCnRJh.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/YqOGdPl"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/YqOGdPlh.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

 

[riverstonefly]

Looks great,[emoji106]

Sent from my moto z3 using Tapatalk

 

[Voltan73]

Well, after fourteen fantastic years, her days as a daily-driver are done. I picked up an '03 Avalon XLS at the shop right after the guys did a t-belt/w-pump. It's a super clean trade-in with only 147k on it. With my employee discount, they made me an offer I couldn't refuse.
My beloved 4Runner is getting a well earned rest, and an extended lifespan! Weekend fun and showing off now...

 

[onemanarmy]

Thanks again guys.

[MENTION=125379]chbarnha[/MENTION], $3000 got it all done; I was able to stretch the cash pretty far.

Here's a few interior improvements I've made since my last post...

<a href="https://imgur.com/m8grAL4"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/m8grAL4l.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>
<a href="https://imgur.com/oN2Vfd6"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/oN2Vfd6l.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/ZHTXQCD"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/ZHTXQCDl.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>
<a href="https://imgur.com/TEUcdNp"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/TEUcdNpl.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

Ever get a new shift boot? They are cheap on Ebay.

 

[Voltan73]

Ever get a new shift boot? They are cheap on Ebay.

Nah, I like the "open" look. Plus, I lined the whole area in black leather, and attached one of my old B-pillar badges in between the shift levers. Look under the sunglasses...