Offered Jeep for 4Runner
- Thread starter TannerW
- Start date
Too many unknowns to say whether it's worth it. It has a 350? which 350? What spec was it built to? How well was it built? What is the rest of the drivetrain? (transmission, T-case, axles) Are they new, or of unknown condition as well. How well was the swap done: Professionally, or amateur hack?
In one of the pics it looks like it's missing two lug nuts. The omission of such critical fasteners, makes me wonder what else it might be missing.
Without a lot more info, I wouldn't even consider the trade.
In one of the pics it looks like it's missing two lug nuts. The omission of such critical fasteners, makes me wonder what else it might be missing.
Without a lot more info, I wouldn't even consider the trade.
TannerW
New member
The owner is a mechanic at a local transmission shop and he did all the work. He told me more about the Jeep I just couldn't remember all of the specifics. Where do you see the two lug nuts missing?
vm_boy
New member
I've owned two CJ-7s (an '83 and an '84) and an '05 Wrangler. Just this past January, I sold my '05 Wrangler for $15k and bought a '99 4Runner for $4.6k. I loved my Jeeps. I drove my CJs all through high school and partially through college. I drove the Wrangler through the second half of college all the way to pre-fatherhood. CJs are fun and hold their value quite well, especially in good condition. They're EXTREMELY easy to work on....if you have the money and the tools. In high school/college, I didn't have the money or the tools and it was always a headache dealing with issues. I decided I needed a new Wrangler because the CJ caught fire while on a roadtrip and without any money to maintenance, but with my parents paying the first half of the payments, I could go on worry-free.
This year, I decided to get a 4Runner because 1) storage space, 2) quieter (because the wife likes it and wouldn't ever ride in the Jeep), 3) nicer interior (because the wife cares) , 4) 4 doors (new baby), 5) multi-mode 4wd, 6) e-locker, 7) $15k - $5k = $10k appreciating in the bank rather than depreciating in my garage.
Jeeps are fun and unique and easy to work on, but you've gotta have the money and the time to work on them. If you (or your significant other!) prefers creature comforts, or if you prefer storage capacity, then it's probably not a good fit and you're better of keeping the 4R. If you have the time, money, and freedom then go for it, and maybe later on you can get the storage and luxury from a 2nd vehicle.
That particular Jeep appears to be in pretty good shape. Things are quite a bit different with CJs than our 3rd gens. They have solid front axles and leaf springs making suspension quite a bit different. The interior will be minimalistic, barebones, 80's-quality stuff: levers and knobs, rather than electronic buttons. When something does mess up, it's pretty easy to find and fix the culprit. Also, everything is bare steel, so it's no big deal if you just drill a hole through something. Also drain plugs in the floor board are fun. Also finding extra parts and accessories is really easy because everyone sells Jeep stuff.
Keep us posted on your decision. Maybe you can find out what kind of specs the Jeep has: rear differentials, any lockers, or other mods, etc.
This year, I decided to get a 4Runner because 1) storage space, 2) quieter (because the wife likes it and wouldn't ever ride in the Jeep), 3) nicer interior (because the wife cares) , 4) 4 doors (new baby), 5) multi-mode 4wd, 6) e-locker, 7) $15k - $5k = $10k appreciating in the bank rather than depreciating in my garage.
Jeeps are fun and unique and easy to work on, but you've gotta have the money and the time to work on them. If you (or your significant other!) prefers creature comforts, or if you prefer storage capacity, then it's probably not a good fit and you're better of keeping the 4R. If you have the time, money, and freedom then go for it, and maybe later on you can get the storage and luxury from a 2nd vehicle.
That particular Jeep appears to be in pretty good shape. Things are quite a bit different with CJs than our 3rd gens. They have solid front axles and leaf springs making suspension quite a bit different. The interior will be minimalistic, barebones, 80's-quality stuff: levers and knobs, rather than electronic buttons. When something does mess up, it's pretty easy to find and fix the culprit. Also, everything is bare steel, so it's no big deal if you just drill a hole through something. Also drain plugs in the floor board are fun. Also finding extra parts and accessories is really easy because everyone sells Jeep stuff.
Keep us posted on your decision. Maybe you can find out what kind of specs the Jeep has: rear differentials, any lockers, or other mods, etc.
Saying he's a Mechanic, doesn't mean much to me. Having been in the business, I've seen many so-called Mechanics that were no-talent parts-changers, at best.
On the other hand, he could be very skilled.
In the very first picture it appears that the right front wheel is missing two lug nuts. The picture isn't great, so I don't know that for sure.
TannerW
New member
He did some work on my transmission in my 4Runner and it is still running haha
TannerW
New member
I will keep everyone posted!
BlackCat914
New member
I briefly owned one a few years ago. It was the worst idea ever. They ride like they have no suspension, the heat sucks (mine had a hard top), and it was in every way, shape, and form a terrible daily driver.
What were you expecting a Lexus? :lol:
BlackCat914
New member
I was expecting it to not be such a POS.
TannerW
New member
I think I have decided to just keep my 4Runner. It would be sweet owning a cool Jeep one day but it's not very practical for a DD. Thanks again for all of the information. The awesome community this site has is also a very big reason I decided to keep my Runner. And plus I love my Runner!:yo:
paddlenbike
Member
Good decision. Everytime I go wheeling with a Jeep, this happens:
and we have to try and figure out how to get it off the trail. Sometimes we get lucky and they breakdown before we ever get to trailhead. That saves us a lot of effort.
and we have to try and figure out how to get it off the trail. Sometimes we get lucky and they breakdown before we ever get to trailhead. That saves us a lot of effort.
LittleCaesar
New member
It look like the head is cracked on that Jeep if it is a 00-01. Cracks between cyl 3 and 4 I think. Replaced two. Not too hard. Those engines stock run too hot IMHO to be trail worthy.
Good decision Tanner; I knew a guy at my high school who flipped one and is now in a wheelchair for life.
Good decision Tanner; I knew a guy at my high school who flipped one and is now in a wheelchair for life.
I had a yj basically the same as a cj It broke something like every week. I dumped so much money in to that thing on repairs but it got me so much tail during the summer. you would not believe and im a ugly mf. It was great off road you could hear every lil thing on the road it was bouncy.It was not too practical as a dd but i was in highschool. do I miss it yes but i would only drive it as a weekend toy. just my 2 cents
Glad to see you made a decision. I was going to chime in, I guess I will in case someone else ever comes across this thread:
I've owned 3 Jeeps (2 YJs and 1 XJ). I enjoyed the top off cruising my YJs offered, but I hated constantly having to work on them to keep them going. My XJ's engine/transmission seemed like it was bulletproof. Never had an issue and was super easy to work on (tune up, oil change). The suspension, however, was a whole other beast. I dumped a lot of change into it trying to find the various demons and never did. I eventually got tired of wrenching with it too, so I got rid of it.
Bought a 97 4runner w/ e-locker. Relatively low miles for its age. The first thing I did to it was change the LBJ and inner/outer tierods (and fluids, of course). Fast forward a year after ownership and all Ive done is some brake work. That would've been within a two week period with the Jeeps.
I was asked if I ever would get another jeep. I would, but only for trails/weekend/fun...never as a DD. They're just to unreliable.
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