Resurecting Tonya the Big Purple B****

Rhino Line the bottom half?

  • Yes

    Votes: 3 27.3%

  • No

    Votes: 8 72.7%
  • Total voters
    11
T4R_Fanatic

T4R_Fanatic

New member
Hey guys, So a little back story on Tonya she's my 1999 Toyota 4Runner 3.4 v6 4X4 5 Speed in Horizon Blue Metallic (8N1). The rig has been in my family since 1998 it was purchased pretty much right off the truck. My mom and step dad went to look at a Celica and she caught there eye. She has been off-road plenty in her life and has always remained stock. Fast forward to my 15th birthday and the truck was gifted to me. I moved to Massachusetts for school and decided to see just how bullet proof and hard to kill this thing really was. I drove it from 2013 till 2016 with its last oil change being in 2013, a leaking valve cover, and a bad passenger rear axle seal. In 2016 I parked it since I had bought a new car and planned on rebuilding the 4Runner since it didn't die. about a week ago I put fresh plugs and wires, took care of the valve covers, and threw in a new battery, she started up first crank with almost an empty tank of 3 year old fuel and the same oil from 2013. I love this rig. It was originally bought in Arizona and wasn't undercoated so the Massachusetts winters took its toll on the body. Here is a picture of when it first became mine versus how it sits now.

Thanks taking the time to read this and I look forward to posting updates as they happen. Don't hesitate to ask questions.

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also if anyone has any recommendations on mod I should or how I should go about some of these rust repairs it would be greatly appreciated
 
T4R_Fanatic said:
also if anyone has any recommendations on mod I should or how I should go about some of these rust repairs it would be greatly appreciated
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An entire donor vehicle with no rust(No joke, this is likely cheaper than individual panels). A good welder. Lots of epoxy primer and Horizon blue paint. Lots of Fluid Film.
 
T4R2014 said:
An entire donor vehicle with no rust(No joke, this is likely cheaper than individual panels). A good welder. Lots of epoxy primer and Horizon blue paint. Lots of Fluid Film.
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I have been thinking about a donor their are a few around that I have had my eye on the whole truck needs repainted. I'm not exactly sure what caused the paint damage, I'm guessing the Arizona sun ill have to post pictures of that.
 
Bro, the rust doesn't look that bad, but I can't see the frame so idk for sure.
I would just turn any rust into a cool project.
Rockers rusted?

Cut them out, and weld up some killer integrated stealthed sliders.

Front core FUBAR'ed?

Do a front chop, tube it up with flared fenders for the obvious wider SAS you're gonna be doing.

But that's just my two cents. If its not a super clean 4runner, I don't see much sense in trying to make it one again. It not like these things are 1st gen Broncos or anything collectable.
 
Quantumkiwi said:
Bro, the rust doesn't look that bad, but I can't see the frame so idk for sure.
I would just turn any rust into a cool project.
Rockers rusted?

Cut them out, and weld up some killer integrated stealthed sliders.

Front core FUBAR'ed?

Do a front chop, tube it up with flared fenders for the obvious wider SAS you're gonna be doing.

But that's just my two cents. If its not a super clean 4runner, I don't see much sense in trying to make it one again. It not like these things are 1st gen Broncos or anything collectable.
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Its really the sentimental value the frame is fine its just the rockers that are rusted out the driver side is way worse than the passenger. other than that the rest isn't that bad. this is the most body work I have ever attempted the thing is really a learning tool for me now.
 
gonna take some pics later when I'm home and its done raining but I started the body work and rust wasn't as bad as I thought so rather than cutting and welding I decided to just fiberglass it since I'm doing sliders anyway.
 
T4R_Fanatic said:
Thanks! I'm not in Massachusetts anymore I moved back to Maryland a while back. I was a careless kid and didn't take proper care of it while I was up their luckily the frame is all good
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Yeah in the salt regions we all have to have the pain of rust damage to learn what to do. Either we give up and keep buying and then rusting out vehicles or we fight it out and win with prevention. But for sure, we all have to learn the hard way. I found out its pretty easy, I only spend 1 hour per year on rust prevention for 100% effectiveness.
 
dogtail said:
Yeah in the salt regions we all have to have the pain of rust damage to learn what to do. Either we give up and keep buying and then rusting out vehicles or we fight it out and win with prevention. But for sure, we all have to learn the hard way. I found out its pretty easy, I only spend 1 hour per year on rust prevention for 100% effectiveness.
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its definitely a good tip if I ever find my self back up there I have a bunch of friends so I visit from time to time
 
Honestly I'd buy some new rockers online POR-15 the inside have someone cut the old rusties off and POR-15 the outside of them as well. The rest I'd just clean with descaler and wire wheel and then degrease and once again POR. I've started the process on mine and it's amazing stuff it truly is. For the inside of my frame I've cleaned it out by creating a custom tool with PVC pipe a wire and chains connected to the end of it. Hooked it to a corded drill and let her RIP inside the frame rails. Blew it out washed it out then washed it out again and again and I'm ready to coat. Also drilled a 3/4 inch hole right in front of the upper control arm mounts in the rear as those are settling points and I just had to have a frame repair done from rot on the passenger side because of the muffler being so close to the frame rail and in the Michigan winters the dang thing was always soaking wet because of the heat of the muffler with no drainage (Toyota didnt put holes in the biggest settling spot on the frame, thus my 3/4 inch ones). Rest of my truck is amazing looking. Considering its 20 years old and has lived in every climate America has to offer lol. Theres a pic of the POR-15 I've started to apply from the axel back. Theres a proper way to apply it. Let me know if you wish to know more.
 

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P.s. dont listen to that guy above. Make your rig amazing again. These are going to be collectables one day. True Toyota classics everyone's gonna want when the only thing being produced are hybrid and pure electric vehicles. Well have the grandfathered in best generation 4runners. Then they'll be worth some money. Fords are honestly poop anyways. If they werent I'd be on a Ford forum instead. Oh well.

Edit: got on my silver lake sand dunes page this morning and saw this pic of a bronco on fire hahaha
 

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