Ripcord's 2002 4Runner Sport Ed.

[steezemcqueen]

I'm kidding of course

But really...stop

 

[UnderFire]

The IS 300 is one of the few cars I'd give up my runner for. I love that car.

 

[MattAK]

I actually sold my 2002 IS300 to get my runner. I cried when I drove away. It was a sweet car, but I was tired of getting stuck in the snow multiple times every winter. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[CdaleR4000si]

Sorry to hear that you are getting out Ripcord. Your 4Runner has served as THE model for how I want to set mine up. I've read over your build thread so many times.
It's a sad day for T4R.org.

 

[4-Ripcord]

think about buying a small economical vehicle for daily driving to save on gas and something that you can drive while your rig is down for upgrades.

I have to dip into my credit already to buy the replacement diff, no way in hell I can afford a second car.

Only option is to stay in this vehicle that is too weak for what I want to do, or trade it for a economical DD and a beater trail rig that I can make into something I am fine with breaking.

Good luck with what ever you decide to do and like i said in Moab, just give me a call if you need help sourcing a diff.

Robert already found one for me for a great price. Thanks though Dylan.

If I had the cash I'd retire my 2000 from wheeling and get a beat 1st gen. It just makes more sense since you can modify and wheeling it a lot more extreme than your DD and not having to worry about messing it up for an extended period.

Jim, GLWS and throw some links to your new builds when they begin. Also I'll get that diff out to you tomorrow so she is back on the road.

Exactly, I want something I don't have to worry about breaking. This truck is my only ride. in the last 10 months I have been without transportation for about 9 weeks total, I cant afford that kind of down time!

I'm with Dylan on this, fix the rear diff and wait a few weeks before you make any rash decisions.

Maybe it's time to scale back the trails your running and just enjoy being out on the trail? I was running the hardest trails in Colorado in my last rigs and things broke, it also became more stressful than enjoyable. So I built my current rig and made a clear choice to not run the hardest stuff, just go out and have fun!

The thing is I have thought this way for months, I wanted to sell before the gas tank thing happened. And when it did I was SO damn close. Then I drove it for a bit once it was fixed, looking at other options still thinking about selling. And now this, its a sign man, time to go.

Edit - Also, don't forget how long it took you to get to this point! It's a lot of work starting over, ask me how I know! If after a couple weeks you feel the same way, and your willing to start at page 1, then go ahead and do it. I just don't want you to regret it and and give up on the hobby.

Who doesn't enjoy the clean slate of a new project

Besides the trail rig I get will definitely be a toyota, so im not leaving for good!

I have found that the best way to get over the fact that you think the rig is "too nice to wheel" is to go beat in the body panels on rocks.

Worked for me anyway :rockon:

And I want a rig I can do that in! That isnt my DD..

I understand your decision, and support it. I would be thinking the same, if I were in your situation. Wish you all the best.

Let me know a price on the sliders/front bumper. I know mine is green and you probably won't want it =(

Sliders for real though. If you're willing to ship via fastenal, that'd be great.

Sliders are gonna stay on unfortunately. And I think I have a good lead on a stock bumper, so we can work something out for the bumper

I might be doing the same...soon... I drove a blue FR-S, I like it. I've broken the universe because my reliable Toyota is less reliable then my Dad's 23 year old Porshe. Da Fuq? In the last week my sunroof has broken and I blew the Power Steering pump as well as possibly the steering rack too.

You are one guy I would definitely not blame if you sold. You have been through as much hell as I have with it.

I actually sold my 2002 IS300 to get my runner. I cried when I drove away. It was a sweet car, but I was tired of getting stuck in the snow multiple times every winter. Good luck with whatever you decide.

I looked through the pics of your IS, I would love to find one like that.

Sorry to hear that you are getting out Ripcord. Your 4Runner has served as THE model for how I want to set mine up. I've read over your build thread so many times.
It's a sad day for T4R.org.

Means a lot, thanks. The build thread will stay though haha.

 

[jgeorg]

Sad to see you go, but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. Your truck was and still is a big inspiration for what I want my truck to become. If you decide to change your suspension set up, I'd be interested in everything except for the Bilsteins :car:

 

[t4r4life]

Ah enough sobbing like girls. Where the part list at? :bat:

 

[TCMach]

Thought I'd throw this out there as it is what my buddy did and what I will be doing once I have the cash (I'm sure others have too). Get a motorcycle. You cant beat the mileage, they are a blast to ride, a 600-650cc (what we ride) can be had for less than 4k easily, insurance costs are nothing, and most importantly chicks dig bikes. Then you can afford to have your truck down the whole spring/summer/fall without problems!

Either way I look forward to seeing what you come up with on whatever vehicle (or two) you end up with. I definitely see the desire in a trail only rig.

 

[4-Ripcord]

Thought I'd throw this out there as it is what my buddy did and what I will be doing once I have the cash (I'm sure others have too). Get a motorcycle. You cant beat the mileage, they are a blast to ride, a 600-650cc (what we ride) can be had for less than 4k easily, insurance costs are nothing, and most importantly chicks dig bikes. Then you can afford to have your truck down the whole spring/summer/fall without problems!

Either way I look forward to seeing what you come up with on whatever vehicle (or two) you end up with. I definitely see the desire in a trail only rig.

As I said above, selling the truck is the only way I can afford to buy anything else.



-----


For those interested in parts, wait for me to post the for sale threads next week. I am super busy until then so I probably wont even see your PMs.


-----



Here is a cool little GPS map of the Hells revenge run from moab.

 

[smkd13]

I don't think the 4runners are weak. I think they are more limited as to what you can do with them in stick condition. I was very sad to see your runner sitting like to was your rig was the second one I saw with ring and pinion failure.

My buddy went through a R&P, motor mount, 4 CVs, found out it isn't a submarine, dented fender, and almost rolled on Potato Salad.

He just fixes the damage as keeps going cause well that is what it takes

Keeping a clean rig in Moab is just about impossible. Actually off roading and damage/broken parts is about inevitable. It just depends on how far your will to go to play.

I hate to see it go but you now have a ton of experience from this build and can apply it to your next one

 

[MillerPKA]

No..stay...stay as long as you can!

 

[oly4runner]

For a weekend truck, I will start looking for either an early tacoma...

You are a true inspiration here at T4R but maybe it's time to come back to the darkside! Go buy yourself a 1st gen taco and call it a day. :couch2: I'm sure the TW community misses your presence, heck arn't you still hangin there? Ya know noobs :help: like me could learn so much from all your wisdom over at TW! :hail:

 

[oly4runner]

]Get a motorcycle. You cant beat the mileage, they are a blast to ride, a 600-650cc (what we ride) can be had for less than 4k easily, insurance costs are nothing, and most importantly chicks dig bikes. Then you can afford to have your truck down the whole spring/summer/fall without problems!

For some reason I can't picture ripcord chanting "I Can Get 70 Miles to the Gallon on this Hog."

 

[PaperweightNate]

Rip you brought me to this forum. It is sad your leaving. You were a great help and I still have todos off your build lined up for mine. Thanks dude.

 

[4-Ripcord]

You are a true inspiration here at T4R but maybe it's time to come back to the darkside! Go buy yourself a 1st gen taco and call it a day. :couch2: I'm sure the TW community misses your presence, heck arn't you still hangin there? Ya know noobs :help: like me could learn so much from all your wisdom over at TW! :hail:

Shit I just might. For the trail rig at least, I was thinking a 98-00 xtra cab. Then chevy v8 and rear ford 9" and front dana 60 and a roll bar and tube doors and 40's and..

Rip you brought me to this forum. It is sad your leaving. You were a great help and I still have todos off your build lined up for mine. Thanks dude.

Thanks man, Im gonna miss being a part of everything.

 

[oly4runner]

Shit I just might. For the trail rig at least, I was thinking a 98-00 xtra cab. Then chevy v8 and rear ford 9" and front dana 60 and a roll bar and tube doors and 40's and..

I'd love to see that setup! :eyebrows:

I'm sure it has crossed your mind, if you want to go a little bigger and cheaper ya know there is always the legendary T100....that is if you can still find one that someone is willing to part with. Even if the T is a bit slow, it's much more durable than the taco/4runner from what I have read. Heck the IFS on the T is built stronger than the taco and later on -while saving $ on gas driving a prius as your DD lol j/k- you can use the gas money to go full out SAS on the T or taco. I know you have a strict budget right now, just sayin.

I'd probably be driving a T100 over a modern taco if I didn't have 2 of these -> :baby: to deal with, -I'm still figuring out the whole fatherhood thing - and a nagging wife :yell: that will only allow me drive anything with 4 doors for "practicality and safety", ya whatever lol. In my case, if only they sold 4-door hilux diesels here in the states my life would be complete but I know it will never happen. ray:

 

[JWaldz]

You stated you've been looking at Lexus IS300's.. You realize the gas mileage in them is probable no better in the city than your 4Runner?

 

[farmerjon]

You can buy my '97 Chevy Lumina, Ripcord, it gets 26 MPGs on the highway! Just crossed 332,000 miles!

 

[4-Ripcord]

You stated you've been looking at Lexus IS300's.. You realize the gas mileage in them is probable no better in the city than your 4Runner?

I realized that the other night yeah haha. Im looking at other cars in the same class though, once with better mpgs. A4s, TLs, etc

 

[JWaldz]

I realized that the other night yeah haha. Im looking at other cars in the same class though, once with better mpgs. A4s, TLs, etc

I only know because I've been looking at the same vehicles you have been lol.