Road Bull's 2002 SR-5 timeline.

[Road Bull]

As of 02/19/18:



I purchased a 2002 SR5 with ~179K on the clock March 01, 2015 for $7K. Overall, it was pretty clean, not perfect, but frame was solid and not rusted, no noticeable leaks and drove well. I had been driving a 1994 Toyota extended cab V6 4WD manual DX since 2002. So this felt like a huge upgrade for me in terms of power, luxury, and ride smoothness. I had caught T4R fever from surfing this forum too much. I already had designs for what I wanted to do when I bought it.

It took me a while to find something that I liked that was in good shape. Everything out here on market in the PNW is usually either beat to hell, or very expensive. I really wanted something that I could safely transport my drums with. I could have bought a canopy for my pickup, but I also liked the idea of having more seats for when family comes to visit. A canopy would not fix that issue.

Pics upon purchase: 03-01-15

2002 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4WD

Engine / Transmission:
-Stock 5VZ-FE 3.4L V6
-B&M 70264 Transmission Super-cooler.
-4.88 Gears (added 09-10-18)
-Rear ARB Air Locker (added 09-10-18)

Wheels / Tires:
-ProComp 7069 Series, 16x8, 4" BS removed
-SCS F5 16x8" 3.5 BS in Matte Gunmetal
-Cooper STT Pros 315/75/16 E-rated

Suspension Front:
-King 2.5 Coilovers w/ 600# springs (about 23" H to F)
-MStudt's Sway bar extension links (standard type)
-Sonoran Steel Front Differential Drop Spacers
-SPC Light Racing Upper Control Arms (on G) setting

Suspension Rear:
-Sonoran Steel 1.2 Rear Lift
(2)-Toyota 80 Series Land Cruiser Coils (7 wraps) >>Removed<<
(2) ARB / OME 861 Coils w/original isolation cones >>Added<< (~25")
(2)-Genuine Toyota Tokico Black Rear Shocks & Supporting Hardware
(1)-Sonoran Steel Adjustable Trac/PanHard Bar
(2)-Sonoran Steel Extended Bump Stop Adapters with
(2)-Daystar "Competition Style" Bump Stops
(2)-Sonoran Steel. Rear Sway Bar Adjustment Brackets
(1)-Sonoran Steel Braided Stainless Steel Extended Brake Line
(1)-Sonoran Steel Parking/Emergency Brake Bracket
(2)-Sonoran Steel Rear 4Runner Polyurethane Body Mounts (for stabilizing the rear bumper)

Armor:
-Addicted Offroad front plate bumper
-Stubbs Welding HD-SKO rock sliders
-Savage Off-Road full skids
-4X Innovations Rear bumper with tire carrier (added 07-31-17)
-Lotus Rear Trailing Arm Mount Skids

Recovery Gear / Offroad Upgrades:
-Warn M8000 with Master Pull 5/16th Superline
-Factor 55 1.5" Hawse Fairlead
-Factor 55 Flatlink Expert shackle
-ARB Twin Air Compressor

Lighting :
PIAA 510 Crystal Plasma Ion Yellow 4" (waiting to be installed)

Brakes:
-13WL 231mm Tundra Brake Upgrade
-Toyota OEM Tundra Rotors
-Toyota OEM Tundra Pads & Shim Kit
-NAPA Remanufactured Calipers
(Front)
-Wheeler's Off-Road braided performance brake lines for TBU upgrade (SKU: TF BLINE-06X)
(Rear)
-Sonoran Steel Braided Stainless Steel Extended Brake Line
-Sonoran Steel Parking/Emergency Brake Bracket

Interior Upgrades:
-Weather Tech digital floor mats front & rear passenger (black)

Exterior Upgrades:
-Tint front only @ 15%
-Tacoma whip antenna mod (power mast delete)
-Car Alarm
-Hella Supertons horns

Maintenance / Replacements:
-OEM LBJs
-OEM ITRs
-OEM OTRs
-NAPA Max Drive CV axles
-Lower O2 sensor

Fluids:
-Mobil 1 Full Synthetic 5W-30

In the beginning...

 

[Road Bull]

Soon after I purchased it, I decided to add an alarm and tint the front windows. Not having these things bug me. While I hate car alarms, I hate replacing car glass and stolen items, and or cars more...

Got the car alarm first. I went with a Clifford alarm with auto locks. Fancy, smanchy! Which is nice, because I realized that I missed the fact that someone had performed a "rear hatch door lock delete". (Still need to address.) So, I can open the rear by unlocking all locks and lifting. and lock with the alarm fob.

The day I was scheduled to go get the windows tinted, a rock, or something, busted out my left rear window. Major bummer. I had the rig for a week and was adding insurance THAT day. Technically I was still covered for up to two weeks, but I knew this would not be ideal.

Window drama... First place I was recommended to by my mechanic was a nightmare. They used non OEM glass. The gasket that comes with the window was less than an ideal fit. I had to pay out of pocket to get things rolling until my insurance caught up with me in the system. Once the job was complete I noticed about five 10+ inch scratches on the outside of the window. Manager insisted the glass was new... I had some words. I had them remove the glass and refund money. I had somewhere else install OEM glass and they did a FAR better job. One pic, hard to see, but was the growing hole in my rear window, then the better of the two fixes.

The fronts were tinted 15%. I dig it.

Yes!!! I got the window replaced between rain storms. And in this part of the country, that is saying a lot!

 

[Road Bull]

On the horizon as time and money allow.

Shrockworks front bumper with fog lights ordered as part of the group buy, due July 20th or so!

To do:
-Trans cooler and or new radiator
-New tires/ I am digging the Cooper St Maxx. Going back and forth between 265/75/16 and 255/85/16s. I might have to put off the 255s till I can afford to lift. This might push me more towards the 265/75/16s for now.
-LBJs... no problems, yet, but I am not sure if they had ever been replaced, and we are going on 180K miles.
-waiting to take running boards off till I get the new tires.

Want:
-SS 1.2: I could swing it if I decide to sell my truck, but I am on the fence about that. It would make my life easier in a lot of ways, but I also love that truck.

Some pics of my truck:

 

[Hesk11dog]

the only thing I like more than 3rd gen 4runner is a clean 90's toyo pickup. had a 93 pickup with 250,000 and was amazing. nice rigs!!

 

[Road Bull]

the only thing I like more than 3rd gen 4runner is a clean 90's toyo pickup. had a 93 pickup with 250,000 and was amazing. nice rigs!!

I agree. I love all the contours and curves of that design. It's weird, but the door on the truck seems far more substantial compared to the 4runner. Not sure why that is. That truck has been very good to me. Great size for a truck too.

 

[Road Bull]

NTD!! New Tires Day.

Yesterday I picked up some tires at Discount Tire and got the lifetime alignment at Firestone.

BF Goodrich KO2s 265/75/16.

So far, no rubbing on stock suspension. I have not had a chance to put it in the dirt yet though. I have only had a chance to do some highway driving and some around town pavement driving. They are pretty quiet. I think BFG did a great job there, and I like the new look. I had talked to a lot of people that had been using the new KO2s and had asked a lot of questions. They had used them in rain, snow, dirt, mud, and so on and gave very positive reviews. Now... its my turn.:banana:

I am looking into a mild lift. I think I decided that I don't want the standard 3" lift. I am looking into a 99-tall suspension lift, or maybe 2" lift. No body lift.

I have not had a chance to see how much of a hit my mileage has taken going from 265/70/16 Michelin LX to 265/75/16 KO2s , but I don't think it will be too much. I wonder how much my speedometer is of now? lol..:suspicious:

 

[SoSoJeff]

looking good... did you have the factory alarm on yours already? and if so, were there any issues with the new alarm working with the factory door locks and electronics?

 

[Road Bull]

looking good... did you have the factory alarm on yours already? and if so, were there any issues with the new alarm working with the factory door locks and electronics?

I kind of side stepped this issue. I got an aftermarket alarm.

My truck has a factory alarm switch, but I didn't get any fobs when I purchased the vehicle from the PO. I sometimes have to park in some sketchy areas. I have learned the hard way years ago that alarms can save you money in the long run. I came to the realization that although I hate alarms and carrying extra crap on a key chain, I hate replacing locks, door handles, and or glass more.

I just sucked it up and had an aftermarket Clifford 3806X alarm installed. Its much nicer than my previous alarms and has a great range, ~1000ft or so. It unlocks and locks the doors and has a bright blue LED light in the top corner of the windshield. Someone told me once that in the criminal world, red LED security alarms means factory and is less of a bother than blue LED security alarms can be more trouble than its worth. Of course, no security alarm will protect you from smash and grab dirtbags, so don't leave anything too tempting in sight.

If you get an aftermarket alarm, get the insurance that covers the key fob. If you have to replace those things, you will make your money back and then some.

 

[SoSoJeff]

yeah i too had just gotten the runner not too long ago but the the PO didn't have the key fob alarms. how much did it run you with install and everything if you don't mind me asking....

 

[BrianSD_42]

Glad to see you created a build thread. Subscribed!

15% in the front - wow. When driving at night I suspect you will be rolling down the window to change lanes.

 

[Road Bull]

yeah i too had just gotten the runner not too long ago but the the PO didn't have the key fob alarms. how much did it run you with install and everything if you don't mind me asking....

Let me check later when I get home, but if I recall correctly, somewhere around $300 or so. But, left me double check later. They have lots of different options at different price points to choose from.

Glad to see you created a build thread. Subscribed!

15% in the front - wow. When driving at night I suspect you will be rolling down the window to change lanes.

Thanks Brian. I can see just fine. I am used to far darker on my 1994 Extended Cab. I grew up in Florida so it feels really weird to me not to have some dark tint. I don't do a lot to get pulled over, but should that ever happen, I would open the sunroof, roll down windows, and turn on dome light to make them feel better about approaching the vehicle.

It is ever so slightly darker than the rear privacy glass. I am OK with that. I am not a fan of getting fried by the sun. LOL.

 

[absalom]

If you don't want to bend over the proverbial log to afford SS 1.2 lift, you could always piece together your own using used springs, etc.

 

[Unner]

Let me check later when I get home, but if I recall correctly, somewhere around $300 or so. But, left me double check later. They have lots of different options at different price points to choose from.



Thanks Brian. I can see just fine. I am used to far darker on my 1994 Extended Cab. I grew up in Florida so it feels really weird to me not to have some dark tint. I don't do a lot to get pulled over, but should that ever happen, I would open the sunroof, roll down windows, and turn on dome light to make them feel better about approaching the vehicle.

It is ever so slightly darker than the rear privacy glass. I am OK with that. I am not a fan of getting fried by the sun. LOL.

I had the same percentage tint on the front of my 4Runner when I bought it from the previous owner. I loved the look especially on my black truck, but backing up at night was a pain without the windows down, turning into dark roads was difficult, and I eventually got pulled over for it. My city has ALOT of cops though for it's size. I've actually head we have a cop dedicated to window tint. Not sure if that's true or not... I ran across town for maybe 30 minutes, saw the cop sitting in a parking lot at a 3 way stop so I knew he would be there when I came back through. I came to a full stop, but he still pulled out behind me and turned his lights on. I pulled over and rolled the windows down right away. He walked up with the little meter and asked me to roll the window up a bit so he could check it... Got a fix it ticket for that and it was the only thing he pulled me over for. It kinda pissed me off because I see cars with no mufflers, no brake lights, no tailights, tinted headlights, all kinds of stupid stuff like that all the time here because Alabama doesn't have a state inspection but they aren't getting pulled over.

 

[Road Bull]

yeah i too had just gotten the runner not too long ago but the the PO didn't have the key fob alarms. how much did it run you with install and everything if you don't mind me asking....

OK, Just looked at the invoice from Car Toys. It was $199 for the unit, $130 for the install. I added the $90 insurance. I like the unit I went with, but you might be able to find a better deal on the unit or the install elsewhere.

If you don't want to bend over the proverbial log to afford SS 1.2 lift, you could always piece together your own using used springs, etc.

LOL, I am going back and forth on this one. I am just happy that I am not rubbing during normal driving at the moment.:whoo: I am comparing mild lift options that don't necessitate a lot of other mods, or start to immediately stress the rest of the components.

I have just started considering the 99 tall route. I have yet to price, lets say, 99 tall springs with Bilstine 5100s, (or Tokico) shocks. I also need to start to research the various 880, 881, 883 / 906, 890, 891 pieced-together combos.

I am currently prioritizing my truck's needs. I have a CEL that I need to start trouble shooting, P0420. (already cleaned the MAF sensor, plan on replacing the rear 02 sensor next). Then LBJ replacement and B&M transmission cooler, maybe a new radiator. Then at some point, maybe a TBU. I would love to do the fun stuff first, but we will see. I might sell my 1994 truck to make my life a bit easier.

I had the same percentage tint on the front of my 4Runner when I bought it from the previous owner. I loved the look especially on my black truck, but backing up at night was a pain without the windows down, turning into dark roads was difficult, and I eventually got pulled over for it. My city has ALOT of cops though for it's size. I've actually head we have a cop dedicated to window tint. Not sure if that's true or not... I ran across town for maybe 30 minutes, saw the cop sitting in a parking lot at a 3 way stop so I knew he would be there when I came back through. I came to a full stop, but he still pulled out behind me and turned his lights on. I pulled over and rolled the windows down right away. He walked up with the little meter and asked me to roll the window up a bit so he could check it... Got a fix it ticket for that and it was the only thing he pulled me over for. It kinda pissed me off because I see cars with no mufflers, no brake lights, no tailights, tinted headlights, all kinds of stupid stuff like that all the time here because Alabama doesn't have a state inspection but they aren't getting pulled over.

That sucks. I suppose there are so many bad drivers here that the police have their hands full just dealing with them.

Hell... just today I got to use my horn a healthy bit on two different occasions! One clueless lady in a Subaru thought nothing of making a right hand turn from the center lane without visually clearing her turn and without so much as a turn signal. Thank you good breaks, ABS, and new KO2s! A block later she stops in front of me on the on-ramp to I-99! There is NO OTHER CHOICE! At that point in your directional selection, you are fully committed. Just drive! LOL. I was beginning to think that she was an assassin sent to kill me, playing the clever ruse of the hapless driver in all her spectacular buffoonery.

Sorry, back on point...

Out of all my windows, only the front two are at 15%. So it doesn't stick out that much. Worst case scenario, I could have to change the front to something less to my liking.

 

[jlbdh]

Nice runner where are you located in WA?

 

[Road Bull]

Ha! O2 sensor conquered! I had to up the ante in my bitter fight with a stubborn bolt locking the sensor in place. I initially hit it a couple times with WD-40. But I think jumping to the big guns with PB Blaster gave me the edge I needed to make that damned bolt budge. I will give it a bit, but I am hoping this kills my P0420 CEL issues. Fingers crossed.

 

[Road Bull]

Kind of early to say, but it looks like my CEL, along with the VSC, VSC/TRAC lights are finally taking a rest after being on for about a month or so now. Since replacing my O2 sensor, I have driven ~60 miles today. I filled up, and when I turned the engine on, the CEL did not come back on! WOOT! Hopefully they stay off for a while. I hate annoying dash light driving distractions. If this holds up I will be very happy.

 

[Road Bull]

So... I got rearended today in stop and go traffic on I-5. I was stopped, had been stopped when some Jackwagon in a Nissan Pathfinder with a bull bar hit me. He wasn't going too fast, thank god. But both myself and my passenger have the usual post accident funk. I feel badly for my passenger. She just got a cortisone shot into her neck this morning for all her neck pain. What are you gonna do...

My rear hatch looks like its toast. Bumper is also toast and has a hole in it. Man... I am super glad both of us are OK, but bummed that I just cleared my CEL by replacing my O2 sensor this weekend to be knocked down a few pegs.

But I am a firm believer of what Dave Brockie (aka Oderous Urungus) said. He was playing a show after just getting off a plane. He had food poisoning the night before, woke up puking on himself and they lost his luggage. After explaining this to the audience, he quickly added, nevermind... you don't want to hear about my problems. Nobody cares...Just remember folks, no matter what kind of shit day you are having, somebody, somewhere else, has it worse than you. LOL.

 

[4-Ripcord]

Ouch man that sucks. What is the plan for it then?

 

[Road Bull]

Ouch man that sucks. What is the plan for it then?

Well... His insurance is supposed to call by Thursday. I hope it's not a lot of drama. Not sure about the extent of the damage, but I would say the rear hatch and rear bumper need to be replaced. I wonder how much more an aftermarket rear bumper wold cost. But hey, a new hatch should come with a rear door keylock that mine was missing when I bought it from the PO.