Official Bay Area MOD/MEET/GREET Thread

[JB_Runner]

[MENTION=102606]infamousRNR[/MENTION] seen your video in Half moon bay. Is that really your back yard or some random backroad? And whens the next mod day? I would love to get some help to put my lift on but I'm mechanically inclined.

 

[infamousRNR]

[MENTION=102606]infamousRNR[/MENTION] seen your video in Half moon bay. Is that really your back yard or some random backroad? And whens the next mod day? I would love to get some help to put my lift on but I'm mechanically inclined.

I'm confused by your statement,,,,, did you say YOU ARE in HMB?...

and where is my backyard? from the video? thats my front yard in santa clara.

I'm down to help you out... people have helped me and i intend on returning the favor.

where are you located?

 

[funstuie]

Hi Bay Area folks.

I am looking for some advice from locals on purchasing a 3rd gen in the bay area and hoping you guys can help a little.

I don't want to clog up this thread so I will wait to get my post count up and start my own thread.

 

[mtbtim]

Hi Bay Area folks.

I am looking for some advice from locals on purchasing a 3rd gen in the bay area and hoping you guys can help a little.

I don't want to clog up this thread so I will wait to get my post count up and start my own thread.

Ok, here's my suggestions:

#1) Don't be in a hurry - take your time and find a good one.
#2) Treat it as a part-time job - Search every day, multiple times if you can.
#3) Have cash money ready to go so you can run out of the house when a good one pops up.
#4) Use AutoTempest as a search engine because it can check multiple Craigslist areas, AutoTrader, Cars.com and even Ebay at the same time based on your search parameters.
#5) There are phone apps that can alert you when a 4runner meeting your search parameters pops up. This is helpful because the good deals go super fast. Within an hour or two. Haven't used them myself, but I know they do exist.
#5) Try to find an Original owned one with service records. Don't take their word for it it was well-maintained.
#6) Buy a membership with CarFax or similar site that will check the history for you. It can show accidents, dealer services, how many owners, etc.
#7) I used Kelly Blue Book as a reference to see if a 4runner was reasonably priced. Most you will find are going to be over high KBB. I bought one right at high KBB. I think most people don't regard KBB as an accurate estimate of value, but the insurance industry uses it, so i did as well. I didn't want to buy a 4runner, that if it got totaled in an accident, I wouldn't get paid anywhere close to what I paid for it.
#8) Inspect the entire vehicle. Under the hood, under the vehicle (look for rust), inside.

That's all I got. I'm sure others will have suggestions for you too. Good luck!

 

[mtbtim]

Ok, here's my suggestions:

#1) Don't be in a hurry - take your time and find a good one.
#2) Treat it as a part-time job - Search every day, multiple times if you can.
#3) Have cash money ready to go so you can run out of the house when a good one pops up.
#4) Use AutoTempest as a search engine because it can check multiple Craigslist areas, AutoTrader, Cars.com and even Ebay at the same time based on your search parameters.
#5) There are phone apps that can alert you when a 4runner meeting your search parameters pops up. This is helpful because the good deals go super fast. Within an hour or two. Haven't used them myself, but I know they do exist.
#5) Try to find an Original owned one with service records. Don't take their word for it it was well-maintained.
#6) Buy a membership with CarFax or similar site that will check the history for you. It can show accidents, dealer services, how many owners, etc.
#7) I used Kelly Blue Book as a reference to see if a 4runner was reasonably priced. Most you will find are going to be over high KBB. I bought one right at high KBB. I think most people don't regard KBB as an accurate estimate of value, but the insurance industry uses it, so i did as well. I didn't want to buy a 4runner, that if it got totaled in an accident, I wouldn't get paid anywhere close to what I paid for it.
#8) Inspect the entire vehicle. Under the hood, under the vehicle (look for rust), inside.

That's all I got. I'm sure others will have suggestions for you too. Good luck!

I forgot to mention a few things in my response.

#1) If you are looking to find one that is going to last you a very long time, try to find one in the low 100,000's. These trucks are known to go over 400,000 when they are taken care of.
#2) An older model with low miles in most cases will be more affordable than a newer one with the same miles. The trucks are similar but there were changes with the transfer cases, and other minor differences.
#3) You will occasionally see one pop up with under 100,000 miles. At first it seems attractive to get one with that low of miles but the people or dealerships selling them always want seriously stupid money for them. The worst I saw was $6,000 over high KBB.
#4) An E-Locker rear end was offered in the years up to 2000 if I'm not mistaken. That is a nice addition, especially if you're going to be doing a lot of off-roading. But, adding that in into your search criteria is going to make your search even harder.
#5) I would avoid buying from a dealership for a couple main reasons. First of all, they generally want more than a private party seller. Secondly, you won't get service records and as accurate of a history from the dealership as opposed to talking to the original owner.

Hope this helps you find a good one.

 

[mtbtim]

[MENTION=102606]infamousRNR[/MENTION] seen your video in Half moon bay. Is that really your back yard or some random backroad? And whens the next mod day? I would love to get some help to put my lift on but I'm mechanically inclined.

I'd be interested in helping out too. Just like all the repairs so far we've done at my garage, it would be great to video the job so others can benefit from it. I've never done a lift, but [MENTION=102606]infamousRNR[/MENTION] has helped with a couple. I'd be willing to offer up my garage and tools, but like I said, I would want to take some extra time to video document the modification.

What kind of lift do you want to install? Have you done all the research and bought everything you need like a panhard drop and differential drop? This might be the time to replace lower balljoints too if your rig has a lot of miles and they've never been replaced.

 

[Aznwolf118]

If it's a weekend and.I am free, I might drive down south.

Last real meet I went to was at infamousrnr place.

Think that was the throwback pic he posted

 

[funstuie]

I forgot to mention a few things in my response.

#1) If you are looking to find one that is going to last you a very long time, try to find one in the low 100,000's. These trucks are known to go over 400,000 when they are taken care of.
#2) An older model with low miles in most cases will be more affordable than a newer one with the same miles. The trucks are similar but there were changes with the transfer cases, and other minor differences.
#3) You will occasionally see one pop up with under 100,000 miles. At first it seems attractive to get one with that low of miles but the people or dealerships selling them always want seriously stupid money for them. The worst I saw was $6,000 over high KBB.
#4) An E-Locker rear end was offered in the years up to 2000 if I'm not mistaken. That is a nice addition, especially if you're going to be doing a lot of off-roading. But, adding that in into your search criteria is going to make your search even harder.
#5) I would avoid buying from a dealership for a couple main reasons. First of all, they generally want more than a private party seller. Secondly, you won't get service records and as accurate of a history from the dealership as opposed to talking to the original owner.

Hope this helps you find a good one.

Thanks mate,

I am looking to spend no more than $10k on probably a 3rd gen. At the moment I have a Ford Explorer Sport Trac (2010) - which I really like but its too small for my family and it's even smaller as a truck. So I am looking to get a new daily driver (and an older pickup for when I need it). I always liked the 4Runner.

When I first moved here (I moved to the US from the UK 2 years with my wife and kids) buying a car was a nightmare as it's so different here. So I ended up over paying at a dealership for the pickup and I was worried about going through craigslist etc for a 4Runner - I did look at a few but having no US experience I went for safety - now I am back on the market and want to get the car I originally wanted.

I don't mind something a little older but I want something reliable and comfortable for my daily drive and for family trips up and down the coast. One reason for joining this site was to hopefully find something for sale by an enthusiast which would be better looked after than whats available on the market in the bay area.

Thanks for the advice and I will be back for more.

 

[yibnj]

Might just be too short of notice there bud. That and Holiday looming in the midst of a week as well.

 

[funstuie]

hi again Bay Area peeps.

I can't start my own thread so this seems to most appropriate place for this questoin?

Do any of you bay area locals use your 3rd Gen as a daily driver? I ask because that's what I am looking to get a daily driver. I am hoping to get something with lowish miles and spends a few $$ on comfort upgrades if needed.

Another issue I am seeing is a complete bonkers pricing of 4Runners on CL. Prices are all over the place - similar mileage, similar age trucks with $3k difference in price for no apparent reasons.

I have to say buying a car in the US is a bit funky compared to the UK/Ireland. Working out a fair price for a car over there was a lot easier.

 

[mtbtim]

hi again Bay Area peeps.

I can't start my own thread so this seems to most appropriate place for this questoin?

Do any of you bay area locals use your 3rd Gen as a daily driver? I ask because that's what I am looking to get a daily driver. I am hoping to get something with lowish miles and spends a few $$ on comfort upgrades if needed.

Another issue I am seeing is a complete bonkers pricing of 4Runners on CL. Prices are all over the place - similar mileage, similar age trucks with $3k difference in price for no apparent reasons.

I have to say buying a car in the US is a bit funky compared to the UK/Ireland. Working out a fair price for a car over there was a lot easier.

I use my rig more as a secondary rig rather than a daily driver because I have another vehicle that I use for my work commute and around town driving because it gets better gas mileage.

Yes, you will find prices all over the map for these rigs. I used Kelly Blue Book as a reference to see if what the seller was asking was reasonable. Most sellers know these trucks are desirable and that's why you get the ridiculous prices they're asking. You especially get outrageous asking prices when the miles are low. So, if you're serious about finding a nice truck for a fair price, be prepared to be patient.

 

[funstuie]

I use my rig more as a secondary rig rather than a daily driver because I have another vehicle that I use for my work commute and around town driving because it gets better gas mileage.

Yes, you will find prices all over the map for these rigs. I used Kelly Blue Book as a reference to see if what the seller was asking was reasonable. Most sellers know these trucks are desirable and that's why you get the ridiculous prices they're asking. You especially get outrageous asking prices when the miles are low. So, if you're serious about finding a nice truck for a fair price, be prepared to be patient.

Thanks dude.

My patients is going to run out soon as I might be selling my current truck tomorrow so I will be without a car! We are away for a week so I will need to sort something when I get back.

my current truck gets around 15mpg on the freeway (50 mile round trip daily) and I am ok with similar mileage. Anything better would be great.

 

[mtbtim]

Thanks dude.

My patients is going to run out soon as I might be selling my current truck tomorrow so I will be without a car! We are away for a week so I will need to sort something when I get back.

my current truck gets around 15mpg on the freeway (50 mile round trip daily) and I am ok with similar mileage. Anything better would be great.

I used the search engine AutoTempest because it allows you to search multiple Craigslist areas at one time based on how far you're willing to go and includes vehicles listed on Auto Trader, Cars.com and even Ebay. Check it out. There's also phone apps that will notify you when a vehicle fitting your search parameters pops up. Good luck!

 

[mtbtim]

Between working on my truck and [MENTION=102606]infamousRNR[/MENTION] truck on a fairly regular basis over the past couple months, I think Sean and I are going to run out of things to do fairly soon unless we purposely start breaking shit on our trucks so we can fix it. I know if I was into modifications, I could stay busy for a quite a while wrenching on stuff, but I'm more into just doing repairs and preventative maintenance, at least on my rig. Sean is all about Mods.

So, I'm wondering if there's anyone out there in NorCal land that has a project they need help with. Ideally it will be something Sean and I haven't done yet so we can learn from it and then share the knowledge by videoing the repair or modification.

Let Timmy the Toolman and Sean know what you got and we'll let you know if we're interested in helping you. We could use my garage and tools so you don't have to worry about hosting.

 

[SCRunner12]

Between working on my truck and [MENTION=102606]infamousRNR[/MENTION] truck on a fairly regular basis over the past couple months, I think Sean and I are going to run out of things to do fairly soon unless we purposely start breaking shit on our trucks so we can fix it. I know if I was into modifications, I could stay busy for a quite a while wrenching on stuff, but I'm more into just doing repairs and preventative maintenance, at least on my rig. Sean is all about Mods.

So, I'm wondering if there's anyone out there in NorCal land that has a project they need help with. Ideally it will be something Sean and I haven't done yet so we can learn from it and then share the knowledge by videoing the repair or modification.

Let Timmy the Toolman and Sean know what you got and we'll let you know if we're interested in helping you. We could use my garage and tools so you don't have to worry about hosting.

How about working on a Tundra...need to install my 43" light bar behind my bumper but I'm electrical clueless. I have a complete wiring harness but was looking to tie it into the high beams.

 

[Aznwolf118]

Want to do full brakes on 1st gen

 

[mtbtim]

How about working on a Tundra...need to install my 43" light bar behind my bumper but I'm electrical clueless. I have a complete wiring harness but was looking to tie it into the high beams.

I'm electrical clueless too. I don't think I would be much help. I was also trying to find projects or repairs specific to 3rd Gens. Maybe one day I'll try to learn about doing electrical work on rigs.

 

[mtbtim]

Want to do full brakes on 1st gen

I definitely want to learn how to do drum brakes but I'd rather do it on a 3rd Gen since that's what Sean and I own. Disk brakes are really easy. No special tools needed and pretty straight forward. You can either turn your rotors at a shop to get the surfaces smooth again or just buy aftermarket or OEM new ones. I had some brake shudder and after replacing the rotors and pads, the problem was fixed.

Drum brakes have all the those springs and it looks more involved to do right. Also, special drum brake tools make it easier to accomplish. If only you had a 3rd Gen, I'd be up for it.

 

[Konkordmusk]

How about working on a Tundra...need to install my 43" light bar behind my bumper but I'm electrical clueless. I have a complete wiring harness but was looking to tie it into the high beams.

I might come visit and drop off the icons, maybe we can do the bar then as well. I'll text you

 

[Konkordmusk]

I definitely want to learn how to do drum brakes but I'd rather do it on a 3rd Gen since that's what Sean and I own. Disk brakes are really easy. No special tools needed and pretty straight forward. You can either turn your rotors at a shop to get the surfaces smooth again or just buy aftermarket or OEM new ones. I had some brake shudder and after replacing the rotors and pads, the problem was fixed.

Drum brakes have all the those springs and it looks more involved to do right. Also, special drum brake tools make it easier to accomplish. If only you had a 3rd Gen, I'd be up for it.

Drum brakes are marginally harder, but still relatively easy. If you need to do them, let me know, I can help