New to Site, Not to Toyotas

[gptoy96]

Hey everyone. I've been hanging around for quite some time and finally decided to sign on and say hey. I'm not sure if I should post on the 3rd or 4th gen as I'll be yakking about both of mine. Once I figure out how to post multiple pictures I'll include some more (I'm still a newbie).
I'm from Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada, where the winter is nice and balmy right now. We were up to a whopping -37 celcius last week, warmed up to single digits now.
Anyways, I've searched a lot of forums and although there are a lot of good ones out there, this one seems to have the most people on it that have similar ideas about their trucks as I do. I look forward to learning and helping where I can and meeting some of you.
I bought my '96 4Runner almost 6 years ago, best vehicle decision by far. Has never let me down and barely nothing more than regular maintenance. I've since bought another 96 (which I sold way too early). Then on to a '98 Tacoma (which Toyota recently bought back as part of the frame perforation warranty) and have now settled on my 04 SE Runner. Although I miss having a bed I have a family so need the room for the new runner and the old runner has been way too good to me to think of selling it.
Well, a bit long winded but wanted to say hi. Here's a few pics (although they're both versions of very familiar ones maybe the snow around them will make them unique).

 

[gptoy96]

here's my 96 on a little road trip

 

[gptoy96]

And here's the 04, the replacement after Toyota bought my Tacoma back.

 

[Cape 4RUNNER]

I got mine after my Tacoma buy back- paid only $23 dollars for it to get the keys handed to me after I signed over my check. GOOO TOYOTA :awais:

 

[YotaConvert]

Welcome!!! Good to see another Albertan on here :bigok: I'm just south of you in Oil Town...GO OILERS GO! sweet fleet by the way...

 

[gptoy96]

Sounds like the same story as me cape 4runner, the 04 cost me $193.95 out of pocket. Not bad trade from an 98 tacoma w/ 225K to an 04 4R with 65k. Not only are toyota's indestructible and reliable, but the company definately knows how to take care of their customers the rare times they do make a mistake.

Thanks Yotaconvert. It's great to know there are other toyota'ers nearby. Always looking for new people to go 4x4'ing with.

 

[YotaConvert]

As bad as this sounds I've had mine for almost 8 months and have only been out once and to me it didn't qualify as 4x4ing.
That's not to say I have a lot of experience its just that it wasn't for very long and the difficulty level wasn't very high even for a newby like me...#!*&%!! I need to find some cool places to go!!! oh, and some cool people to go with! Gotta play safe...

 

[gptoy96]

What yota do you have convert?

I really like 4x4'ing, but haven't done much so far. I couldn't before much as the 96 was the family mobile so couldn't really take it out much. Now that we have a new family mobile I'm looking forward to getting out more. This summer I plan on exploring more. I went on a couple of small trips last summer, but always hard to find people to go with so I was solo (not a good idea) and couldn't really try anything fun for the risk of getting stuck in the middle of nowhere alone.

I really like that about Grande Prairie, an hour drive and we can get into some pretty good hills with old forestry roads and such. Can't wait to go and see where they lead to.

 

[YotaConvert]

GP,

I have an 03 Sport V8...and I'm a little envious of your locale. I was a little west of you in Grande Cache a few years ago and almost transferred there just for the many outdoor options at your door step and for the scenery...alas, the wife wasn't too keen on the amenities so here I am. beautiful country up there though...I wonder if we could put together some kind of mini jamboree or something...and not necessarily for yota's only either, afterall the Jeep people will need someone to pull them out right! JK

 

[YotaConvert]

sorry, I meant to ask you...what mods have you done and do you have any planned for the future?

 

[gptoy96]

Nice 4R convert, is it lifted? I like the tire/light/color combo. It has a good look to it. What tires are those?

The jamboree sounds fun. I know of another 4R here ('00 I think) that's fairly stock that would probably be in. Would be a good time I'm sure. There sure are alot of heeps around, they'd be fun to practice towing with!

Grande Cache is a sweet spot. When I'm looking to get away it's either there or straight west to Tumbler Ridge that I look to go to. Nice hills and trails. So many trails to find it would take a long time to try to find them all, and I'm definatley willing to spend the time to do so!

I know I've just skimmed the surface but if you're in the area and need someone to go with you just let me know.

 

[gptoy96]

Missed the second reply, must've happened while I was doing my own reply.

The 04 will probably remain pretty stock for family duty. I'm on the verge of adding a video system in it but nothing functional for 4x4'ing.

I have dreams for the 96, just have to wait as funds become available. My plans are a OME 880/906 lift (it has the saggy-butt) disease as of now), ARB bumper/winch, rear bumper w/ tire carrier, and I'm sure more will add to the list later.
As of now it's pretty stock, the locker is on the fritz (I'm thinking because of lack of use between myself and previous owner, will try cleaning it up and see if that helps) once it's going again I will do the grey-wire mod. I have PIAA fogs on it too. The rest is pretty much as she came from the factory. What I love about the Runners is that they're fairly capable right out of the box.

Have you done much or have a wish-list?

 

[YotaConvert]

no lift...yet...I think that will be the next 'big' purchase. I was going to go with spacers but having asked a few guys here and reading other posts I think I'm going to end up ripping out the xreas and going with coilovers etc. etc. What brand I don't know but the OME's seem to have quite the following...we'll see, need to figure this out asap. I figure if I'm going to lift it I might as well do it without loosing and travel and compression. the tires are BFG's 265 70 17 A/T KO's...I see we have similar dreams for our rides, I too want a lift, bumper/winch although I think I like the Shockworks more than the ARB, rear bumper and of course sliders. I would also love to get a rooftop tent (correct name?), better/second battery, fridge and eventually have it fully outfitted for expedition. The list is a long one and it never seems to end! I haven't really done much yet, other than the PIAA light mounts, tires, Silverstar high/low bulbs, tint and the head unit. The money I could spend is just sick but I'd love every second of it! I really should write it all out one of these days. So I guess I need to get out just to make sure everything stays in working order?...what is the grey wire mod? I think my favorit mods though are the DIY ones that don't cost much and make your ride more your own. Yes, the runners stock capability is one of the reasons I bought it, that and the available upgrades seem endless! G.C. seems like it would be a great place to hold the jamboree or Tumbler Ridge too...hmmm something to think about...and let me extend the invitation right back at you, although I don't have a clue where we could go around here

being that your in GP, are you in the oil industry? I'm in the supply end of things myself...

 

[gptoy96]

Nice, maybe it's the lack of running boards but it looks higher than stock. Looks really good. I have the same tires on my 96 and love them. Good all around tire.

Sound very similar for dreams for sure, I like the expedition style mods, good all around use for everything. The grey wire mod makes it so a person can engage the rear locker without having to be in 4-lo only. But useless mod for me right now until i get the locker working again. But it's a free mod and I like free.

I agree, I love the look of the Shrockworks, the money issue for me would probably hold me back as they're pricey but would be my first choice. Right now I got myself an issue I don't know what to do with. I found a smoking deal on a video system for the new truck, but it's not exactly what I'm looking for so I'm kind of on the fence, but because it's such a good deal I'd feel foolish for giving it up. But it would be for the new one and the money I'd spend on that I could probably get the lift I've been wanting for a long time for the 96. I've been struggling with this the last couple of days and still not sure what I'm going to do. If I do go lift I sure wish I would've done it a year ago when our dollar was alot better, as it's from the states. Speaking of which do you know of any good 4x4 stores around?

Thanks for the invite also. I'm half tied to the oil industry. I work for an survey/engineering firm and work on the engineering side (Focus is the company). So for me I'm mostly in the office. I'm a civil engineering technologist which I mostly deal with designing subdivisions and commercial/industrial sites. Although a good chunk of our business is oil and gas surveying.

 

[YotaConvert]

I think you're right about the boards...within 30 minutes of having her home I ripped those things off and in my opinion improved her looks dramatically. thanks bud...before I bought her I was actually looking for a silver one like yours but then this one fell in my lap and I couldn't resist! We have an 09 Matrix as well and its the same color. Yup, I love the tires too, although I was looking for the 255 75 70's from the Jeep but these were easier to get my hands on. Costco was the cheapest place I could find them.

i haven't compared pricing on the two, how big a difference is there? I've also heard that Shockworks service is lacking big time and delivery times are a nightmare. I think the ARB looks really good on the 3rd gens though...I'd take either one as long as the price is right:biggrin2: I'll chime in on the video system but keep in mind I don't have kids...if its not what you want than don't get it, there's ton's of 'deals' out there but just because its a good price that doesn't necessarily make it the right move. If it were me, I'd hold out for now for what I want and get that lift ordered! Soon enough you'll find what you're looking for...what are you looking for by the way? something simple or headrest moniters etc?

I haven't had work done by these guys but they were helpful when I called...Interior Offroad 780-451-0030 / Fourwheel Performance LTD 780-454-2223 ( these guys have been around for a long time, not sure on the first company) And actually, the guy at FPL asked me to come out to a little jamboree(not sure what else to call it ) at the local offroad park (Safari Offroad park www.safarioffroad.com ) I really need to get out and check this place out!!!

I've seen Focus trucks driving around and I think once and a while we sell to you guys...I'm with Midfield Supply, we have a pretty big location in GP. Sounds like a sweet gig, do you enjoy it?

 

[gptoy96]

Costco is a good price for tires, but they won't put tires on the 96 as they're upsized from factory (265/75 vs.265/70's). Normally I would shop there.

I haven't done any serious shopping for the front bumper, but just surfing around these sites it seems that there's a good price difference and yes the delivery time part of the shrockworks isn't fun if you want it now (I'm pretty impatient when it comes to new toys!).

I appreciate your opinion. The only part I don't like is the one I'm looking at is one of those in-dash dvd's that has the flip out screen (single-Din with the screen that comes out). Since we have the space I like the look of the double-din better. Looks more clean and factory. This one I'm looking at also comes with the Nav, bluetooth and siruis add ons which when new cost the guy $2500 altogether but I can get for $700. It's a smoking deal but then again the stereo in the new truck is just fine as is. I can easily live without it so maybe the lift is the way to go. Decisions decisions....

I've seen your company all over here too. Seems to be a pretty big company. It's a pretty good job, things are slowing (like alot of people) but overall they've been good to me and been here a while. Just waiting for things to pick up again hopefully soon.

Thanks for the ideas for the shops too. I'll get in contact with them, might be cheaper than american now. You'll have to let me know how that jamboree goes if you get out to one and if they're open to new people coming in. I know my wife would love it if I dumped her at the mall to shop around all day while I go out and get the truck dirty!

 

[YotaConvert]

Ya I'm impatient too, I see something I like I want it now and I wnat it installed shortly there after!

i put a double din in myself but its just a CD player w/ bluetooth and Ipod control. I almost bought the indash dd dvd but the wife suggested the other one instead...I wasn't happy at first but then with the money saved I was able to get the PIAA's too so all good. my only complaint is the lighting is blue whereas the dvd had adjustable colors so it would have matched the factory color.

Canadian operations have around 600 employees and about double that in the US. I think we're now the largest oilfield/industrial suppliers in North America.

No worries on the shops, I hope they can help! I'll be giving them another call soon as well but first I need to check with the stealership. The do lifts as well and I need to see if removing the xreas will void the warranty I bought when I got her.

You should check out the website for the offroad park www.safarioffroadpark.ca , you don't need to wait for a meet or anything as long as there are two vehicles or more. there are also other safety items you need to have in order to go out on your own. I think I'm going to check out the course they have since I'm fairly new to offroading. Otherwise, I think pretty much any weekend is good to go although it does cost a few bucks to use their trails...let me know if you're interested...the names Chris by the way...

 

[gptoy96]

Honestly, the whole stereo thing started as my CD player is finally dying in the 96 so I started searching for something that sounds similar to what you got. Double-din CD w/ iPod controls. All of a sudden, next thing I know I completely abandon my truck and about to buy a whole system for the new one! Maybe I should re-organize my thoughts and go back to my original idea for the 96 and a lift instead! (There's just so many cool toys out there).

I've checked those two shops and sounds like I'm pretty much out of luck with them, for a lift anyways. Appreciate the connection though, I'm sure they'll be useful for other things.

I usually head down to Edmonton to check out the car show every year. I think it's the end of February or something, maybe we can set something up? I'll have to check the site to make sure I have what I need. Oh, and my name is Sandy. Good to meet you Chris.

 

[YotaConvert]

If you're looking for dvd players for the kids I think the one's that hang off the back of the head rest are fairly affordable. That way you're not out too much cash and will still be able to do something with your truck.

that's too bad, sorry they weren't of any help this go round. If I find any others I'll be sure to pass it on...

I usaully hit the show as well every year so sounds good to me...lets see what we can put together! I too will have to double check what I need because I really don't have anything in the way of recovery gear etc. Time to spend some more money! :biggrin2:

It was good to meet you as well Sandy, keep in touch...