More 3rd Gen Questions

[clinte234]

I'm still looking at buying a 3rd Gen pretty soon...I have a few more questions for the experts:

1. If the 4Runner has an after market cd player is it possible to find a stock stereo and have it re-installed? I just like the look better and feel like it is less likely to get broken into.

2. If the 4Runner has gold emblems all over it can is it possible/easy to replace with chrome?

3. If I get a pre-1999 3rd gen and want to swith out the center consoles, how hard is it to find a '99 console?

4. Is there a way to easily check the rear seals or is that something I would need a mechanic to go over?

Thanks again for all of your help.

 

[brian2sun]

I'm still looking at buying a 3rd Gen pretty soon...I have a few more questions for the experts:

1. If the 4Runner has an after market cd player is it possible to find a stock stereo and have it re-installed? I just like the look better and feel like it is less likely to get broken into.

Definitely possible, but it will be easier if they didn't cut the factory wiring harness/plug off when they installed the aftermarket unit. You'll have to take it out to see.

2. If the 4Runner has gold emblams all over it can is it possible/easy to replace with chrome?

I replaced my gold with chromes that I found cheap (used) on ebay. You could just paint yours black (I may even paint my chromes black one of these days). Best way to take them off is with a blow dryer and dental floss.

3. If I get a pre-1999 3rd gen and want to swith out the center consoles, how hard is it to find a '99 console?

Depends on if you have any toyota yards around your area. Maybe someone on here that's done it will know a good place. JohnsD90 has a good thread on his console swap.

4. Is there a way to easily check the rear seals or is that something I would need a mechanic to go over?

Is there gear oil on the inside of your rear tires/brakes. If no, you're good.

Thanks again for all of your help.

^^^^

 

[TheDurk]

Good answers by B2S. Just let me add that Toyota sells a replacement pigtail called a 'theft kit' for when someone has their factory wiring ripped out along with their HU--at least they did in 1999. (I used one to install the factory HU I took out in a family member's car.) It would work for a reconversion, too, if the car side plug is gone.

 

[clinte234]

Thanks for the help guys...I really appreciate it.

What type of paint would be best for the emblems? Trying to decide how black would look on a maroon exterior...

 

[RonMAIDEN]

for the most part the 3rd gen stereo options were limited and not very good sounding and by now are very dated and would suggest keeping the aftermarket unit in place (if it's a good unit) or replace it with one (which almost all do) with a detacheable face which when removed thieves move on.

 

[LakeRunr]

I'm still looking at buying a 3rd Gen pretty soon...I have a few more questions for the experts:

1. If the 4Runner has an after market cd player is it possible to find a stock stereo and have it re-installed? I just like the look better and feel like it is less likely to get broken into.

Buy mine, which has an Alpine CD head unit, and I'll throw in the OEM stereo for free.

2. If the 4Runner has gold emblems all over it can is it possible/easy to replace with chrome?

Mine has chrome emblems.

3. If I get a pre-1999 3rd gen and want to swith out the center consoles, how hard is it to find a '99 console?

Mine's a 2000.

4. Is there a way to easily check the rear seals or is that something I would need a mechanic to go over?

Mine has new rear seals.

[end selfish self-promotion]

 

[98_4runnerSR5]

Answers

I'm still looking at buying a 3rd Gen pretty soon...I have a few more questions for the experts:

1. If the 4Runner has an after market cd player is it possible to find a stock stereo and have it re-installed? I just like the look better and feel like it is less likely to get broken into.
-I've actually got a stock 98' 4runner head unit sitting in my garage from when I replaced mine. It works perfectly fine, I just wanted to add a unit that had navi :biggrin2: PM ME IF YOU'RE INTERESTED!

2. If the 4Runner has gold emblems all over it can is it possible/easy to replace with chrome?
- Yes, as stated above. You can easily paint them

3. If I get a pre-1999 3rd gen and want to swith out the center consoles, how hard is it to find a '99 console?
- Been wondering the same thing! I hate my console without cupholders!

Welcome to the T4R

 

[clinte234]

Thanks for the suggestions...I still haven't found "the one"...I thought I might this weekend.

LakeRunr: I looked at your thread on the classifieds board...love your 4Runner, but it is definitely out of my price range.

 

[clinte234]

I'm looking at a '96 that needs a new front bumper. Is it best to just go with the stock bumper or our there other options out there?

 

[brian2sun]

There's a bunch of different off road style bumpers. ARB, Shockworks, Armorology, TJM, and Allpro to name a few. If you want to keep the stock look, certifit.com has good prices on salvaged parts.

You might be able to find someone on here that lives close that has a winch bumper now and may be willing to sell you their old stocky.

 

[clinte234]

Thanks Brian...

I got a few more pictures from the seller and the damage seems to be a little more than I originally thought...here are some pictures. Does anyone have a guess as to how much it will cost to fix the bumper/turn signal cover/fenders?

 

[auxiliary]

Thanks Brian...

I got a few more pictures from the seller and the damage seems to be a little more than I originally thought...here are some pictures. Does anyone have a guess as to how much it will cost to fix the bumper/turn signal cover/fenders?

There are so many 4runners out there that I wouldn't settle on one that has been wrecked or damaged like that. Unless of course it is in amazing price. If they are asking right around what most 4runners are then skip it and just wait! Buying a 4runner takes patience... There are always ones for sale but either to damaged/high mileage or out of your price range.

 

[clinte234]

That is exactly what is going on...I believe I can get a good deal on this 4Runner...and apparently the damage is all cosmetic, no frame damage. So I thought if it only cost me $500 to fix it up I would be getting a steal.

Would I need anything other than a front bumper and a turn signal cover?

 

[drinknmolson]

That is exactly what is going on...I believe I can get a good deal on this 4Runner...and apparently the damage is all cosmetic, no frame damage. So I thought if it only cost me $500 to fix it up I would be getting a steal.

Would I need anything other than a front bumper and a turn signal cover?

it looks a little twisted so you may need bumper brackets, I bought my '97 with bumper damage, cost 250 for a black paintable bumper and valance, get your turns and corners from ebay for cheap. I had to bend my pass side bumper bracket to get everything to look straight but other than that it was a quick and easy fix. hope your getting a good deal. the fenders look damaged, if so that's another story.

edit: center console mod is easy, try to get the ebrake and mounting bracket out of the donor. Are you going to pull the running boards? the pass side is missing the end cap. you'll want '99+ headlights to while you are at it, then a lift and so on. looks almost identical to mine when i bought her!

 

[clinte234]

it looks a little twisted so you may need bumper brackets, I bought my '97 with bumper damage, cost 250 for a black paintable bumper and valance, get your turns and corners from ebay for cheap. I had to bend my pass side bumper bracket to get everything to look straight but other than that it was a quick and easy fix. hope your getting a good deal. the fenders look damaged, if so that's another story.

edit: center console mod is easy, try to get the ebrake and mounting bracket out of the donor. Are you going to pull the running boards? the pass side is missing the end cap. you'll want '99+ headlights to while you are at it, then a lift and so on. looks almost identical to mine when i bought her!

Thanks molson,
I'm new to a lot of this stuff so I have to ask...what do you mean by turns and corners? Also, where did you find your '99 console? Did you do all of the bumper work yourself? Trying to decide if I could do it or if it would be better to take it to a body shop.

 

[Maxil]

I am no expert, but as I have worked with a body man before I know the cost of that fix is over $500. Unless you know somebody that can handle it cheap, I wouldn't take less that $1000 off a good price, probably more like $1500. Hard to say until you get a closer look at it.

Had a lady at work do some damage to her car, estimate was $1000 and only one section was damaged, front corner panel. It was a bit worse than one of your sides but not a ton. The bumper wasn't even touched either.

Just my $.02
Maxil

 

[clinte234]

Thanks for the input Max. I really appreciate it. I think I'm going to be able to get it for $2500. It is a '96 with 160K miles on it. I have a little room in my budget to do some body work. Still not for sure I'm going to do it though.

 

[JohnsD90]

Thanks molson,
I'm new to a lot of this stuff so I have to ask...what do you mean by turns and corners? Also, where did you find your '99 console? Did you do all of the bumper work yourself? Trying to decide if I could do it or if it would be better to take it to a body shop.

Salvage yards is where you get them, or parts yard, i got mine out of the scrapyard my dad works at. And no they don't have any other 99+ 4runners.

 

[clinte234]

Well...the truck sold before I was able to pull the trigger. Time to go fishin' again...