New T4R owner.

W

w650gb500

New member
Hey gang, I'm new to the forum and a new 4Runner owner. I just purchased a 2001 T4R SR-5 with 151,000 miles. It is 100% stock and just purchased from its second owner who bought it with 40,000 miles. It is all original but probably won't stay that way for long. Perfect body, not a single "door ding", dent or piece of rust and runs well for the 20 miles I've driven it so far. Time will tell. I just sold my 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee which I had since 1999, so I keep vehicles for a long time and I hope that the T4R is another on that I can keep for 10 years. I know that this will sound funny and probably get me "flamed", but my Jeep was 100% reliable for all those years and never once left me stranded. I hope that the Toyota is as reliable as my Jeep was.

I own a small race-prep and fabrication shop, so I'm sure that there will be some custom tube bumpers on it eventually. First It will need to be put on the lift to give it a good look-over from the bottom up and see what I need to do. I'm guessing brakes and shock first, then a trans fluid/diff fluid service.

I look forward to learning all of the different items available from the aftermarket for my 3rd Gen T4R, so bear with me thru some of the stupid questions that I'm sure will follow.

Thanks,

Dan

t4r.jpg~original
 
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Welcome to the "lighten your wallet" club! You got one fine looking platform there. :naughty:
 
I just drove it 200 miles on its maiden voyage and all seems good. It needs front rotors and shocks/struts, but all in all a good running truck. Everything works except for the rear wiper. I'll search and see what the deal is, but a new motor is $125, so no biggie if it has to be replaced.

I was thinking that while the shocks are being replaced, I might as well do a small lift. I will be using it 99% on-road and the extent of my off-road will be taking it on the beach towing my jetski. No woods/rocks to navigate over, just a couple sand dunes and the beach. Any advise on springs that will retain the stock "feel" but get me an inch or so more than stock? Maybe just new '99 stock coils and Bilsteins? I knew all of the "lingo" about Jeep aftermarket, but I'm new to the T4R so I'm not sure what to get. Any advise would be greatly welcomed.

Dan
 
GUYS GUYS GUYS did u read what he just said?!!!!

I knew all of the "lingo" about Jeep aftermarket, but I'm new to the T4R so I'm not sure what to get.
Click to expand...

w650gb500 did u used to own a jeep!?!
if so... ahhhhh we won one over to the dark side! hahaha
good to have ya Dan
 
I wouldn't worry too much about a lift but I would ditch the running boards...

Also, look at replacing your plugs (and maybe wires) at a minimum, no telling how long they've been in there and it's a chronic problem at that age. Do you know when the timing belt was last done? Probably needs that replaced, too.

Here's sorta what it could look like w/o the running boards...

IMG_2261.jpg~original
 
Yep, owned a 1997 Grand Cherokee for many years and i was great. 4.0 6-cylinder that was the most underpowered vehicle I've ever owned. It didn't tow for $hit! This will be much better than the JGC. Here's the old rig and one with the jetski on a hitch hauler. I hope the T4R can carry the ski as well though on the receiver.

IMG_1673.jpg~original


IMG_1677.jpg~original


IMG_1675.jpg~original
 
Hey Dan, how much did those wheels cost you - the ones on top of your truck that are used for the jet ski? I have been looking for years for beach/sand tires that I can use to transport my '14 Ocean kayak. I live two blocks from the beach and I just want to be able to get my kayak to the water by myself and was thinking I can make some type of cart with those big balloon wheels...
 
WELCOME ABOARD! You have a really nice starting point to work with! The 99 tall coils will be great, but you may want to find something a little beefier for towing. The rear of these rigs like to sag while towing. I went with a full 3" lift in the front and 4.5" in the back. I like the lifted stance though, but with some rake, when I have some load in the back, the rig sits pretty level.

You can maybe get away with just replacing the back with some 99 coils. Then your front setup will be lower, and give you some rake???? Just a thought!
 
Well in my usual OCD way, I went a little overboard the last two days and spent a bunch on pieces/parts for the new 4Runner. Even though the truck ran great, the upgrades has to begin sometime and what better time than now.

Here goes the list:

- Bilstein front struts, part #F4-BE5-F332-H1.
- Bilstein rear shocks, part #F4-BE5-2451-H0.
- radiator seemed to be a bit discolored at the bottom so out it came and an
aftermarket replacement was purchased.
- front brakes pulsated a little bit, so on went new front rotors and pads.
- Mobil 1 5w-30 motor oil and a K&N oil filter.
- front diff, rear diff and transfer case fluids changed with Mobil 1 synthetic.
- transmission pan gasket was "weeeping" a bit so it got a filter & gasket.
- transmission fluid changed with Castrol Import ATF.
- left rear axle seal had a bit of a leak and you could see moisture when I
pulled the rear drum, so I replaced the seal.
- rear brake shoes were replaced because of a bit of diff fluid present.
- new fuel filter.
- new DuraLast flex windshield wipers.
- brake fluid changed/system flushed.
- greased all driveshaft zerk fittings.
- one pint of SeaFoam in a tank of 93octane to clean the fuel system.
- left valve cover is also a bit wet, so I replaced the gasket just to be safe.

Tomorrow I'll change the plugs and wires then clean the throttle body and call it quits. Everything that I replaced seemed decent, but the OCD and little voice in my head told me to change everything and start the maintenence clock ticking from here. It should go another 150,000 miles. We'll see.............
 
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