Ripcord's 2002 4Runner Sport Ed.

[rickashay]

Everyone's "Perfect" rig is going to vary, and there's nothing wrong with moving onto a different project. My point was that there is a lot to be said about a rig that you can drive comfortably to the trail and wheel some fun, moderate to harder trails. Once you start talking 40's, full width axles, and hardcore trails the game changes.

Would you really want to drive this all the way to Moab and back? And that's if it doesn't get impounded somewhere along the way!

I completely agree with your comments Jeremiah, in fact if I had to do my 4Runner all over again it would end up exactly like yours. Like you said, you've already "been there, done that" and know what the crawling game is all about. Though everytime I look at your red 1st gen 4Runner and the truck pictured above, I get excited inside. I'd love to have a rig one day that I don't worry about beating on but my "new" LX, will NOT be that vehicle. haha

 

[42s on u]

I went the buggy route first, and don't get me wrong I've had a great time with it but it's hard realize the expense that goes with it till your in the game. Not to mention the small weekend spur of the moment camping/wheelin' trips that you miss out on because it's a pain in the ass to load everything and tow.

That's why I'm building a 3rd gen....just like yours.

 

[4-Ripcord]

Since its a few pages back and buried in text ill say it again.

I refuse to wheel my DD, I cant afford to have it down for weeks at a time like it is now. This rear diff is gonna be a two week downtime once its done. Also my truck is too nice and I get scared every time I take it offroad. I also cant afford a second vehicle right now.

So im getting a fuel efficient car and finding a piece of junk to wheel instead.

 

[42s on u]

I hear ya, I don't like wheelin' my DD either. It just sucks to see it go, you have such a nice rig. It's definitely been an inspiration to quite a few folks to build their rig like yours.

 

[4-Ripcord]

I hear ya, I don't like wheelin' my DD either. It just sucks to see it go, you have such a nice rig. It's definitely been an inspiration to quite a few folks to build their rig like yours.

Thanks. its gonna be tough

 

[masphx]

Sell the SC. Down size the tires a little. Use that cash to buy a cheap DD or Trail Rig. Keep your enhanced 'fuel efficient' 4Runner.

 

[4Running Daily]

Sell the SC. Down size the tires a little. Use that cash to buy a cheap DD or Trail Rig. Keep your enhanced 'fuel efficient' 4Runner.

Why though. Then the 4Runner is just a 18 mpg gas guzzler daily driver. There is no point if he isn't going to wheel it.

I think Ripcord is making the right decision here.

 

[4-Ripcord]

Sell the SC. Down size the tires a little. Use that cash to buy a cheap DD or Trail Rig. Keep your enhanced 'fuel efficient' 4Runner.

As Connor said, then I'd have a hog of a DD, id rather have a fuel effecient car and a dedicated offroad rig. It could still be a 4runner, I havent ruled that out. It would be a base-as-F*ck 4x4 though.

Why though. Then the 4Runner is just a 18 mpg gas guzzler daily driver. There is no point if he isn't going to wheel it.

I think Ripcord is making the right decision here.

Thanks man.

 

[BrianSD_42]

It could still be a 4runner, I havent ruled that out. It would be a base-as-F*ck 4x4 though.

Use the money to buy a beater trail rig and a used Prius or maybe a Camry.

There really is nothing else out there where the reliability and gas mileage will justify the downgrade.

The IS300 you mentioned gets terrible mileage for a car. I think it is 22-24 MPG on a good day. I was all excited about getting one until I found out about the mileage and I ended up getting a Lexus/Prius CT-200h.

For the money though the IS300 can't be beat. You can find one in great (near mint) shape for $10-$12 at about 100k miles. There are cheaper options as well of course.

I think it sucks to see you go. I never realized your issues were as big as you now state but to be honest I haven't followed the build threads as much in the last few months. I read the last several pages and remember your rear suspension failure. Still I thought that was a fluke and most of the failures you mention came from that single incident.

Whatever you decide ... good luck. :zoom:

 

[4Running Daily]

Use the money to buy a beater trail rig and a used Prius or maybe a Camry.
:

You clearly didn't hear him say FUN daily driver. The only fun with a Prius is watching one crash and burn.

 

[LittleCaesar]

There was a nice $2500 97 4runner on Ebay as of yesterday in Santa Fe. 185,000 miles. 4wd. Looked good. Salvageable title. It would be in my driveway by the weekend if I was within 500 miles of it.

Even though I don't use my 4runner as a DD, I still have a hard time using it offroad. Maybe one day my Autumn Mica Blaze could look like Dirtco's ride.

 

[steezemcqueen]

The more i think about it, the more i understand your reasoning. Your 4Runner is a helluva lot nicer than mine and i would probably feel the same way about beating up a clean rig on the trail.

I know this may not be the best situation for you but I just picked up a 95 Jetta. Its just the 2.0 4 cylinder so it will never be fast. However with a cam, some nice coilovers and a short shift kit, you can bet its gonna be fun to drive and that 2.0 will still pull 40 mpg if i'm nice to it.

If i were in your situation, sell the runner and pick up a nice 4000-5000 car and throw the rest at a fair condition 1st gen Taco or another 3rd gen runner.

BTW, I'm also a VW guy so i'm a little biased towards VW/Audi's. My sister picked up a 01 Passat 1.8T for $4000 a couple year ago. Thing is really comfortable and they can be pretty darn quick with a chip. The Passats are also the same platform/drivetrain as the A4's but usually a few grand cheaper.

 

[fightman80]

Man.... sorry to hear you're selling your rig man! I've had mine for 9 years now, and can't see myself selling it.... ever! lol! Eventhough, I get offers almost regularly.... I can't bring myself to sell something, I've grown so attached to.

My goal, is to keep it til I die.... or unable to get into it anymore...

Ultimately, you gotta do what is best for you though. If you really want to wheel that bad, then it might be best to sell it, and buy a beater to build up and wheel.

I don't like wheeling mine either.... so I don't. Get's too costly when stuff breaks.

You've built a beautiful truck man.... Good luck with finding what you want!

 

[Kurtis]

Since its a few pages back and buried in text ill say it again.

I refuse to wheel my DD, I cant afford to have it down for weeks at a time like it is now. This rear diff is gonna be a two week downtime once its done. Also my truck is too nice and I get scared every time I take it offroad. I also cant afford a second vehicle right now.

So im getting a fuel efficient car and finding a piece of junk to wheel instead.

You really are stubborn aren't you?

 

[Dous]

Since its a few pages back and buried in text ill say it again.

I refuse to wheel my DD, I cant afford to have it down for weeks at a time like it is now. This rear diff is gonna be a two week downtime once its done. Also my truck is too nice and I get scared every time I take it offroad. I also cant afford a second vehicle right now.

So im getting a fuel efficient car and finding a piece of junk to wheel instead.

Well I will start off by saying I sent out your diff today, with a little swag bag to go with it.

Secondly, it's an 11 year old truck....it's not too nice to wheel, get over that fact. And what are you going to do hand it over to some guy who is going to destroy it himself, through neglect, or MAYBE by wheeling?

Buy some little hoopty and drive it as a daily, that is what I am doing next month. The 4runner is an awesome trail rig, I rarely break anything; I know you have not had the same luck...but it may turn around. And you are STILL going to break stuff in your cheap truck, you will just not look as cool doing it. And you still will have to worry about getting it home.

The whole situation makes no sense, and I worry that you will feel the same way soon after selling your 4runner. I cannot even fathom doing the amount of work to your 4runner and then selling it because a couple things broke. You have to pay to play, that is the name of the game.

 

[4-Ripcord]

The more i think about it, the more i understand your reasoning. Your 4Runner is a helluva lot nicer than mine and i would probably feel the same way about beating up a clean rig on the trail.

I know this may not be the best situation for you but I just picked up a 95 Jetta. Its just the 2.0 4 cylinder so it will never be fast. However with a cam, some nice coilovers and a short shift kit, you can bet its gonna be fun to drive and that 2.0 will still pull 40 mpg if i'm nice to it.

If i were in your situation, sell the runner and pick up a nice 4000-5000 car and throw the rest at a fair condition 1st gen Taco or another 3rd gen runner.

BTW, I'm also a VW guy so i'm a little biased towards VW/Audi's. My sister picked up a 01 Passat 1.8T for $4000 a couple year ago. Thing is really comfortable and they can be pretty darn quick with a chip. The Passats are also the same platform/drivetrain as the A4's but usually a few grand cheaper.

I cant get a diesel, they arent fun enough.. unless you get a 1 ton truck with a diesel bigger than my bed.

Good to know about the VWs, but I like the leather in the Audi

Man.... sorry to hear you're selling your rig man! I've had mine for 9 years now, and can't see myself selling it.... ever! lol! Eventhough, I get offers almost regularly.... I can't bring myself to sell something, I've grown so attached to.

My goal, is to keep it til I die.... or unable to get into it anymore...

Ultimately, you gotta do what is best for you though. If you really want to wheel that bad, then it might be best to sell it, and buy a beater to build up and wheel.

I don't like wheeling mine either.... so I don't. Get's too costly when stuff breaks.

You've built a beautiful truck man.... Good luck with finding what you want!

Thanks man

You really are stubborn aren't you?

yes

Well I will start off by saying I sent out your diff today, with a little swag bag to go with it.

Secondly, it's an 11 year old truck....it's not too nice to wheel, get over that fact. And what are you going to do hand it over to some guy who is going to destroy it himself, through neglect, or MAYBE by wheeling?

Buy some little hoopty and drive it as a daily, that is what I am doing next month. The 4runner is an awesome trail rig, I rarely break anything; I know you have not had the same luck...but it may turn around. And you are STILL going to break stuff in your cheap truck, you will just not look as cool doing it. And you still will have to worry about getting it home.

The whole situation makes no sense, and I worry that you will feel the same way soon after selling your 4runner. I cannot even fathom doing the amount of work to your 4runner and then selling it because a couple things broke. You have to pay to play, that is the name of the game.

Thanks for the stickers!

As I said before I can barely afford this diff, no way I can afford to just get a second car out of nowhere. And I dont want to keep wheeling this truck, it isnt strong enough for the stuff I want to do. Events have been set in motion that cannot be undone! Its being sold!

 

[smkd13]

Well I will start off by saying I sent out your diff today, with a little swag bag to go with it.

Secondly, it's an 11 year old truck....it's not too nice to wheel, get over that fact. And what are you going to do hand it over to some guy who is going to destroy it himself, through neglect, or MAYBE by wheeling?

Buy some little hoopty and drive it as a daily, that is what I am doing next month. The 4runner is an awesome trail rig, I rarely break anything; I know you have not had the same luck...but it may turn around. And you are STILL going to break stuff in your cheap truck, you will just not look as cool doing it. And you still will have to worry about getting it home.

The whole situation makes no sense, and I worry that you will feel the same way soon after selling your 4runner. I cannot even fathom doing the amount of work to your 4runner and then selling it because a couple things broke. You have to pay to play, that is the name of the game.

Well you pegged it pretty good there. Have about the same prerogative when it comes to wheeling.

Btw did he order a full diff or just the gears???

 

[4-Ripcord]

I have no problem getting body damage, just not on THIS truck. Get me another one that I only dropped a few grand into and ill smash it into rocks all day long.

 

[Dous]

I have no problem getting body damage, just not on THIS truck. Get me another one that I only dropped a few grand into and ill smash it into rocks all day long.

You just have to get past that initial body damage....no body wants to be the one to ruin a perfect body! Once I initiated that first dent it was game on!

 

[steezemcqueen]

I cant get a diesel, they arent fun enough.. unless you get a 1 ton truck with a diesel bigger than my bed.

Good to know about the VWs, but I like the leather in the Audi

Mines a gasser. I do wish i got a diesel though. TDI's with a chip and exhaust can be very fun IMHO.

Crap now i sound like [MENTION=44831]JohnsD90[/MENTION]