New to us '97 4runner Limited, 250kmi. Eek, what a project

MonsterMaxx · 2017-01-24T21:07:39+00:00

A little backstory Wifey had a '15 F150, but the pmts were killing us so we sold it just before Christmas. Then she wrecked my F350 :( Not her fault, but still... Not totaled, but rearended pretty bad. Geico (the other driver's ins co) is screwing us over and who knows how long it'll be before they have it jury rigged back together with cheap chinese parts. I'm going to put it back to stock and sell the wreckage. Maybe buy a new one, maybe just sell off the parts and be done with it. I loved that truck. I'm driving my old '94 (details in sig) It's a 5spd and wifey can't drive stick. So we bought her a project. A 1997 4runner w/ 250kmi on it for $4.2k out the door. Did a compression test in the lot and it's 175-185psi which I consider to be pretty good. Tires are good for 20-30kmi. Brakes are pretty well done. Shocks are gone. Motor is leaking from at least the valve covers. Body and frame are rust free clean SC/NC life. Paint is rough as are the seats. It's not a rat, but it's not clean either. I'm going to try to turn it into a sweet ride like my '94 is. I built those tube bumpers on my '94 back in the late 90s and will do something similar on the 4runner. Had wifey all convinced on my stage 1 plan; and decided I need to add a winch since it's a one time deal - now or never. Stage 1 plan is: Sororan Steel 7.2 suspension kit 4crawler 1" body lift EBC cross drilled and slotted rotors, Wagner pads and shoes, stock drums. Fix the massive valve cover leaks that make me want to name it 'stinky'. Custom F&R bumpers, Warn VR8-S winch and custom sliders. Trans cooler and eliminate the radiator portion of trans cooling All fluids flushed and replaced w/ synthetics Stage 2 plan will be: Paint job replace misc window trim pieces recover seats and re-pad the fronts Wheels and tires - Nitto TG2 LT305/65R18 and IDK on wheels yet, but 9" wide w/ I'm guessing a -12 offset. Put the outside of the tire even w/ the fender flairs. Probably paint to match. Stage 3 gets a rebuilt motor and trans valve body rework, maybe rebuild the trans entirely - TBD. Stage 4 is a supercharger, headers & exhaust as well as stereo/nav I'd like to get thru stage 2 this year and I think that's feasible. As long as it doesn't turn into a money pit. All advice is welcome and input on my plan. Please help me avoid any pitfalls.

Thread starter MonsterMaxx
Start date Jan 24, 2017

97FR_brad

New member

Dec 3, 2017

Wet okole seat covers have been on my list for a while. I have not personally seen them, but they sound nice. My 20 dollar Costco seat covers have had better days.