DreadPirateJon
New member
I was reluctant to make a build thread as I dont currently plan on doing anything crazy to this vehicle (atleast until I have it back running) but I though having some expert eyes look at what I am working with and a place to bounce ideas off of people who have been here before might be a good idea. (unlike impulse buying a truck off of craigslist)
A few months ago a picked up this 4Runner on a whim because it was being sold for so cheap and the owner didnt know what they had or didnt care what they had, the guy just needed some quick cash and the truck was just sitting.
This is a 97 5spd with the factory eLocker. Im calling this the Nantucket Rust Bucket because of the beach pass on the bumper. The beach pass theory helps explain why from rockers up its practically flawless but rockers down needs a good bit of attention.
So a synposis of the condition of the vehicle. The truck is just shy of 220,000 miles. But seems to run well, although after doing a compression check, i have decided to rebuild the engine as some of the numbers were less than awe inspiring
But the insides of the engine look very clean. So i think really just the piston rings need to be redone.
The truck had weak brakes when i got it, basically there were no brakes until the pedal was matted, so I havent taken the truck over 25 mph. The previous owner had stated that he had in on the highway and you just had to give enough stopping distance.
The reason it didnt have brakes was because they were broken. The hardline going to the passenger side front brake caliper had snapped off of the caliper
So within 24 hours of towing it to my house, it had taken over the garage as I started tearing it down.
The good news is that except for a few minor rust holes that I have currently found in the frame, it is in surprisngly good shape. Its just that pretty much all of the ecoat on the frame has fallen off. I've been wire wheeling the flaky coating and surface rust off and been treating the frame with Eastwood Rust Encapsulator.
My current plan for the truck is to get it back roadworthy by the June. A guy at work gave me the stock suspension off of his 99. I have picked up the big brakes from a Tacoma. I have been ordering replacement parts for the wear items and been restoring everything I can.
I have almost finishined taking apart the engine and will send the block and heads to be inspected and decked by a local recommended machine shop.
My biggest hindrance right now is that my job keeps sending me out of town for months at a time.
I have already tested the most important feature. The dog really likes the truck.
A few months ago a picked up this 4Runner on a whim because it was being sold for so cheap and the owner didnt know what they had or didnt care what they had, the guy just needed some quick cash and the truck was just sitting.
This is a 97 5spd with the factory eLocker. Im calling this the Nantucket Rust Bucket because of the beach pass on the bumper. The beach pass theory helps explain why from rockers up its practically flawless but rockers down needs a good bit of attention.
So a synposis of the condition of the vehicle. The truck is just shy of 220,000 miles. But seems to run well, although after doing a compression check, i have decided to rebuild the engine as some of the numbers were less than awe inspiring
But the insides of the engine look very clean. So i think really just the piston rings need to be redone.
The truck had weak brakes when i got it, basically there were no brakes until the pedal was matted, so I havent taken the truck over 25 mph. The previous owner had stated that he had in on the highway and you just had to give enough stopping distance.
The reason it didnt have brakes was because they were broken. The hardline going to the passenger side front brake caliper had snapped off of the caliper
So within 24 hours of towing it to my house, it had taken over the garage as I started tearing it down.
The good news is that except for a few minor rust holes that I have currently found in the frame, it is in surprisngly good shape. Its just that pretty much all of the ecoat on the frame has fallen off. I've been wire wheeling the flaky coating and surface rust off and been treating the frame with Eastwood Rust Encapsulator.
My current plan for the truck is to get it back roadworthy by the June. A guy at work gave me the stock suspension off of his 99. I have picked up the big brakes from a Tacoma. I have been ordering replacement parts for the wear items and been restoring everything I can.
I have almost finishined taking apart the engine and will send the block and heads to be inspected and decked by a local recommended machine shop.
My biggest hindrance right now is that my job keeps sending me out of town for months at a time.
I have already tested the most important feature. The dog really likes the truck.
