New 97' Limited Owner

[Stgo2019]

New 97' SR5 owner

Hey all. I introduced my self in the new member section but wanted to say "Hi" to the 3rd Gen crowd.

The truck is in really good shape, I shouldn't have to do much to get it up to primo condition. The crappy wood applique is in pretty bad shape. I'm going to peel some of it off to see if it damages the plastic underneath.

So far I've found a corroded battery cable which causes intermittent starting problems and a few missing skid plate bolts.

I'm sure a few other issues will pop up over the next few months.

I'm planning on a lift and, if I can find them, some five stars.

I don't plan on doing any hard core off roading, just some desert exploring, Big Bend, and mountain fire roads.

Does anyone know of a reputable Toyota shop in El Paso or Las Cruces?
Thanks,
Matt

Crappy cell phone pic. BEFORE

 

[kball]

Welcome to the forum. That's a good lookin truck!

 

[Stgo2019]

Thanks!
The previous owner took pretty good care of it. Regular oil changes and the 100K service done at the dealer.
I don't think it's ever been waxed, the interior smells kind of stale but the leather has been covered most of its life.

It has a little red button on the dash left of the steering wheel.. Is that the rear locker button? It's not labeled and kind of looks after market.. like an afterthought.
Having owned VW's for the past 16 years, Toyota ergonomics are quite different.

 

[awdjunkies]

:bravo: Congrats on the purchase!!! You know, you have a perfect :artist2: Canvas to start your project from..

 

[A.Wilson013]

Take those running boards off and buy these!

http://trdparts4u.com/Scripts/prodList.asp?vmanufacturer=Toyota&ModelId=-2&modelname=4Runner%20(pre-01)&modelyear=1999&catalogid=1&catalogname=Accessories&idCategory=28

PT413-35966-DF
PT413-35966-PF

 

[awdjunkies]

Thanks!
The previous owner took pretty good care of it. Regular oil changes and the 100K service done at the dealer.
I don't think it's ever been waxed, the interior smells kind of stale but the leather has been covered most of its life.

It has a little red button on the dash left of the steering wheel.. Is that the rear locker button? It's not labeled and kind of looks after market.. like an afterthought.
Having owned VW's for the past 16 years, Toyota ergonomics are quite different.

I could be mistaken but isn't that the OEM/Factory alarm/keyless entry light? take a quick pic so that others can chime in and let you know for sure.

 

[Stgo2019]

Yes. The running boards will be coming off, much to my wife's chagrin.. she's 5'0".

It's got 116K miles. I got it for $4K from a coworker. I think I may go buy some lottery tickets. haha

I think my first trip will be the Potrillo Volcanic field. I've been wanting to check it out.

 

[Bigmikelakers]

Nice truck man. I love that color on the 4runners. Make sure you get a tranny cooler for added piece of mind.

 

[Stgo2019]

AWDJunkies, I think your right. I just went out and looked, it was blinking.

I was considering the tranny cooler. It seems like inexpensive piece of mind.

I've read about the deck plate mod. What does it do? Just increases air flow?

I can't wait to do the lift and tires. I've seen some awesome looking Limiteds, 96743runner has a nice rig.

 

[BigFishAllDay]

Congrats on the purchase! You'll enjoy that vehicle a lot. '

Where are you located exactly? El Paso or Las Cruces?

 

[bolantej]

if that wood applique bugs you, it can be sanded and painted. that would be a nice, inexpensive mod. nice to have clean leather seats. I gotta scrub mine a little to make them purdy.

 

[Stgo2019]

Congrats on the purchase! You'll enjoy that vehicle a lot. '

Where are you located exactly? El Paso or Las Cruces?

I'm in El Paso. I really like it here. The general attitude of people and the atmosphere are really chill. The news gives EP a bad rap. The weather is really nice, and the crime rate and cost of living are low.

Here are a few recent pics I took.

 

[BigFishAllDay]

Right on, nice pics! You should look into 4wheeling in the area around Cloudcroft. It's maybe an hour or two from you and it'll feel like you're in Colorado... Big Aspens, Pine Trees, and mountainous terrain. I'd like to get down there someday, but I'm up here in ABQ, so there's already alot of areas that keep me busy.

 

[Hepar]

Welcome! Much better to introduce yourself here. I for one never check out the new members section.

 

[Stgo2019]

Right on, nice pics! You should look into 4wheeling in the area around Cloudcroft. It's maybe an hour or two from you and it'll feel like you're in Colorado... Big Aspens, Pine Trees, and mountainous terrain. I'd like to get down there someday, but I'm up here in ABQ, so there's already alot of areas that keep me busy.

I love Cloudcroft, we go up there all the time just to visit trees. Haha
Great mountain biking up there too.

A fire road around Cloudcroft was as close as I ever got to going off road in my old Touareg.

I read about an FJ event up there sometime around September. Hopefully I'll have my lift and new tires by then so I can go play.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

Congrats on the buy, $4K is a steal. I don't believe that is a Limited though. It has SR5 Flares (later SR5 flares) and SR5 running boards. Regardless, great buy and good luck with it.

 

[Stgo2019]

Congrats on the buy, $4K is a steal. I don't believe that is a Limited though. It has SR5 Flares (later SR5 flares) and SR5 running boards. Regardless, great buy and good luck with it.

I stand corrected.... Again...

The guy I bought it from said it was a Limited. Oh, well. Still a good deal in my opinion.

On a side note. I noticed that skid plate was loose so I took it off. It seems to be missing 4 bolt. Are these bolt available at any autoparts store of home depot? I don't want to have to go to the dealer just for a few bolts.
Thanks!
Matt