New Owner!!!

[offthebeatenpath]

I'm changing this to a build thread, see latest post for updates. (don't know how to change the title though)

Just picked up my first 4Runner this week- pretty stoked about it.

Also have an '03 DC Taco, we'll have to see which one gets to stick around.
I couldn't pass up the deal we got on the 4R. It's a '99, with the 3.4, base model as far as I can tell. It's got 215k miles on it, so by Toyota standards, just broken in

It needs a bit of work, mostly maintenance stuff, but for $2200, a running driving 4R is a steal!

arty:

It needs: 2nd timing belt job, both inner TRE's, new tires, a tune up, windshield, and a few other minor cosmetic odds and ends. It has a few dents and dings, but nothing crazy. I can't wait to get 'er on the road!

Suspension seems to be in good shape, actually both sets of springs seem decent- no real sag to speak of. Looks like first up will the the TRE's so I can get an alignment and a new set of treads. Probably going to go with General Grabber AT2's- I like them, and a good price to boot on Discount Tire Direct. Looks like about $730 to my door.

 

[MattDyer94]

:worthless
Let's see it!

 

[fightman80]

I second that....we love pics!

 

[kman55]

Heck yeah! X3 on pics! That's a great deal!

 

[offthebeatenpath]

Jeepers guys..... it's like 10pm out here.....

Not exactly ideal picture snapping time.
I'm finishing up some auxiliary wiring in my Taco, but the 4R will be in the garage tomorrow. I'll get some pics. I promise.

 

[offthebeatenpath]

Here, this will have to hold you over,
This is a pic of the auxiliary rear lights/back up lights I just wired into my Taco.

 

[Hepar]

That's one amazing deal! Definitely post pics when you can.

 

[offthebeatenpath]

Okay here we go, the moment that you all have been waiting for. (I really hope that's not true)

Suspension sits pretty level, it measures 20.5" at all four corners. From what I've read, that seems about normal, but a bit low right? Suspension will have to wait, too many other odds and ends first.

Have the front end up, need to replace both inner tie rod ends. The pass side has a solid 1/8" play in and out of the socket- kinda scary. Driver's side is about half that. Then brakes, then tune up, and we'll go from there. Oh yeah, the running boards are already off

 

[MattDyer94]

Somethings wrong with it...Oh, I KNOW! You're running boards are still on. Get those things off!

P.S. Sweet 4runner! I love white 4runners. She's gonna be a beauty after some clean up.

 

[combatmedic]

Congrats! and yeah yank those runningboards off!

 

[l3igl3ang]

thats the same price i got mine for but mine was a 97 limited 4x4 with 252K miles and only need plugs and wires for starters. o and both rear seals and punkin was leakey which i fixed for like 20 bucks but other then that its a awsome 4r for a steal of a price.

was that after u haggeled them down on price or was that just the asking price? cause the dude who sold me mine wanted $2,450

 

[fightman80]

Great looking rig man! Needs a little TLC...but nothing a little paint, and some new parts can't fix!

 

[offthebeatenpath]

It was kind of a weird deal because I called on an ad in the paper actually, it wasn't even Craigslist! Who uses the paper anymore? Anyways.... ad in the paper said- "1999 4Runner, 215k miles, needs work $3500." So I called and asked her to expound on the "needs work" part. She said it needed brakes, a windshield, tires an alignment, and a few other odds and ends. I did some research, it also needed it's 2nd timing belt project. I asked her if I could stop by and look at it, so I did, and the For Sale sign she had in the window said $2500!? I called her back asked her about it, she said she figured it needed at least $1000 in work, so that was the price difference. I haggled her down a bit more because of the timing belt, and we had a deal! She took the cash and gave it to her bank for a deposit on her 2007 4Runner

 

[offthebeatenpath]

So here's the list of what needs to be done, my progress so far, and what I've got in it for parts.

Needs:
-Tires
-Inner tie rod ends
-Front brake pads and rotors
-Timing belt/water pump/thermostat
-Tune up (plugs, wires, filters)
-E-brake is seized
-Front windshield
-Rear brakes need to be inspected
-Side mirrors need new glass
-Radio has a short and antenna doesn't go up and down
-A couple dents in front and rear bumpers
-Hail damage on body panels

Progress so far:
Here's the passenger's side inner TRE. Doesn't look too bad at first glance, but there's A LOT of play here, almost 1/8" in and out, which translated to about an inch of movement at the wheel. No wonder she thought it needed an alignment!

I have the truck in the garage, blocked up and torn apart. Front end is apart, waiting on TRE's among other things. Front pads were shot, and they scored up one of the rotors pretty good. I was able to get them turned and still have a good amount of life left until minimum thickness. I know they'll probably warp quicker after being turned, but I've got other things to spend on first.

I tore into the timing belt project while I'm waiting for other parts. Wasn't too bad, but still kind of a pain. I was hoping to not have to pull the timing belt tensioner (the hydraulic piston), as the bolts are nearly impossible to get to, but had to after all in order to get the new belt on. Took a bit to get all the timing notches lined back up, but that was easier than trying to not move any of the shafts at all. It's also comforting knowing that the 3.4 is NOT an interference engine, so no worries about damaging something inside while resetting the timing.

I've ordered all of my parts from RockAuto, which has saved me a tremendous amount, even over buying from O'Reilly's. It's been nice, as this T4R is a 3rd vehicle for us, to not NEED parts. I can wait on them and it's no big deal. Shipping can be kind of a hassle from them, as they seem to have 3-4 or more warehouses, so if you order four different parts, you could pay shipping four times. Just something to keep in mind.

-Timing belt kit (idler pulley #1 and #2, and belt) - $99 (O'Reilly's wanted $217 for the EXACT same part) It's a Gates kit number TCK271
-Water pump - Asin WPT100 - $52
-Stant thermostat - $10
-Had the rotors turned at O'Reilly's, ran me $30 for both rotors, they turned them down to about .850, minimum thickness is like .760.

 

[offthebeatenpath]

Any ideas on the stuck ebrake?

It seemed stuck as it sat and I had to pull the center console out to get at something else, so I pulled the ebrake and now it's really stuck!

I sprayed all the linkage down near the drums with PB blaster, but that was 6 days ago.... and it hasn't moved yet. I might try heat next. Any ideas?

 

[offthebeatenpath]

Anybody out there? All I hear is crickets......

So much for asking questions and getting some feedback....this sort of feels like the conversations I have with myself while I'm in the shop......

Looks like my parking brake issue is that the front cable is sticking. The rear linkages at each wheel operate just fine. Might replace the cable if I can figure out which one I need. Rock Auto/O'Reilly's/Napa each have four different options and it's not real clear what the difference is. I have aftermarket wheels on my rig, and I bought it that way, so I have no idea if it came factory with 16" wheels. I'm not sure why that would make a difference in what cable I need.

Question about fender flares-
My rig doesn't have any, I've noticed some do. What trim packages came with or without them? What's the general opinion on them? What would I need to install a set on mine- is there more to it than the flares and some plastic fittings?

 

[tylerbaird]

Question about fender flares-
My rig doesn't have any, I've noticed some do. What trim packages came with or without them? What's the general opinion on them? What would I need to install a set on mine- is there more to it than the flares and some plastic fittings?

Yours most likely came with the chrome strips that went along the fenders and screwed in underneath them. I hated the way mine looked so I ended up taking them off. You can always add the black SR5 trim or Bushwhacker Extend-A-Fender Flares.

 

[offthebeatenpath]

Well, there's no chrome strips on the rig right now, and no sign that they've been on there for a long time.

Does anybody have a source for the black plastic SR5/sport fender flares? Doesn't have to be OEM, I just want to stay way under the price tag for Bushwhacker's.

I've gotten just about everything put back together, still waiting on a few small parts- namely the boot for one of my inner tie rod ends.

I managed to put a big dink in the center of my radiator while doing the timing belt job. Didn't think much of it until I was filling it back up and it starting pissing on the floor
So, $60 later, I now have a repaired and steam cleaned radiator. Done at a local radiator shop.

Nobody has any thoughts on the parking brake cable either huh?

 

[offthebeatenpath]

So, uh, what do I need to do to get some interaction around here?

I got the tie rod ends in, did a rough alignment with a tape measure and took it out for a bit of a drive. Steering is waaaaaaaay better! I know, big surprise right?

Still probably need to replace the sway bar links and bushings in the front.

Also having an issue with the brakes - I can depress the pedal and it slowly just sinks pretty much to the floor. Feels like a master cylinder issue to me, am I right? I might just go ahead a bleed all the brakes first and see if that does anything, but that might be a waste of time if I need to replace the MC because I'll have to do it all over again. Opinions?

 

[twa318]

nice find! i like those wheels, are they tundra rims?

Does anybody have a source for the black plastic SR5/sport fender flares? Doesn't have to be OEM, I just want to stay way under the price tag for Bushwhacker's.

any local scrapyards? that may be a solution

So, uh, what do I need to do to get some interaction around here?

sry about that, its the thread title. There are so many New Owner!! threads that no one really looks twice. maybe try starting a true build thread.

keep up the good work, that truck will clean up real nice :hello: