Red Leader
New member
Hey guys/gals,
First of all, I know hardly anything about vehicles. I've done simple stuff like replacing output seals and water pumps/radiators/alternators/starters, but never rebuilt an engine, pulled a tranny, or done body work. Therefore, this thread is going to be great reading for those that know about the same, and probably great laughing for those that know a little more. We're going to be a journey down the beautiful path of busted knuckles, greasy elbows and sweaty brows.
Now that that is out of the way, a little history: We've been a Toyota family for the past 4 years now, starting with a 1998 4runner 3.4 5-speed. We got it with 236k on the clock and it has around 270k now, with absolutely ZERO problems, other that routine maintenance. We're sold.
So when it came time for a 2nd vehicle, I naturally wanted to look at 4runners. I remember before buying our 3rd gen, we test drove a '94 4cyl 5 speed and it was great. I just couldn't understand why it was so expensive! Due to the relative rarity of the that combo, they usually demand a premium, especially here in Colorado.
We wanted another 4runner, but we're also on a budget. This was going to be mine, so it didn't need to be as pretty or comfy as the wifes - just 4 doors for kid-hauling when needed. I was checking everywhere that sold vehicles (craigslist, ebay, cars.com, autotrader.com, carsforsale.com, local auctions, etc), probably 10-20 times a day, for the past couple months. I was getting ready to pull out the very little hair I had when I came across a jewel, a diamond in the rough (maybe a rough diamond?)
I'm totally jazzed, so without further ado, let me introduce you to 'Rusty Jack':
It is a 1990 with the 2.4 4cyl 22RE, 5-speed tranny, and 4x4 hi/low. 243k miles on what I believe is the original engine (PO was 2nd owner bought in 1993). It has a white exterior with a blue interior. Purchase price was $1000
Now, as for the name, it is not without meaning. 'Jack' just seemed to fit. The other part of the name...
...fits pretty well too I'm hoping once I get the rust taken care of and get somewhat of a track record of reliability we'll go from 'rusty' to 'trusty':lmao:
The goal for this project is to take care of some deferred maintenance, tackle a cheap/mild restoration, and the do some upgrades/modifications that will turn it into a more capable driver/camping/light adventure vehicle (I was going to say 'expedition', but let's not get too far ahead of ourselves)
Here is the good: It runs? Haha, well, it does! The frame is in awesome condition, with very little rust. Never been in an accident that I can tell (front panels have matching VINs), interior is relatively clean, it drives tight and smooth, and just about everything works! PO did say that he would take it to grease monkey every 2k miles or so. Had a sticker in the top left corner of windshield that says next service 12/15/13, which I consider is a VERY good thing.
Here is the bad: RUST, some dents on the top from a roof rack, windshield replacement looks nasty, some valve noise from engine, lack of maintenance records, tailpipe is busted at end, cat has a rattling shield, smells like smoke, drivers door hingers are way loose, door gaskets have some tears, oil leaks probably everywhere, a rebuilt tranny that grinds a tiny bit if you slam it into 1st too fast and just recently, had a bit of a hard start issue.
And now the wierd: When I stopped at the relatives house last night, I saw I left the headlights on as I was getting out (no warning light), so I open the door and turn them back off. But then to test them, I put the key in ACC mode and hit the lights and I get nothing. Huh? Also, about 4 hours later, I go out to start it and I turn the lights on first (they come on just fine) but then I hit the key and absolutely nothing happens. I turn the lights off and then try to start and that is where it took some coaxing to get it going. I don't know how old the battery is so I'm sure that is a good place to start.
I have never had a project vehicle before. It should be 'fun', in all meanings of the word. I already have a TON of questions, some of which I'm sure I'll answer myself along the way. For the (many) rest, I will be in your care.
First order of the day: clean out that engine bay, change the oil + seafoam, and get rid of the running boards.
And here we go!
First of all, I know hardly anything about vehicles. I've done simple stuff like replacing output seals and water pumps/radiators/alternators/starters, but never rebuilt an engine, pulled a tranny, or done body work. Therefore, this thread is going to be great reading for those that know about the same, and probably great laughing for those that know a little more. We're going to be a journey down the beautiful path of busted knuckles, greasy elbows and sweaty brows.
Now that that is out of the way, a little history: We've been a Toyota family for the past 4 years now, starting with a 1998 4runner 3.4 5-speed. We got it with 236k on the clock and it has around 270k now, with absolutely ZERO problems, other that routine maintenance. We're sold.
So when it came time for a 2nd vehicle, I naturally wanted to look at 4runners. I remember before buying our 3rd gen, we test drove a '94 4cyl 5 speed and it was great. I just couldn't understand why it was so expensive! Due to the relative rarity of the that combo, they usually demand a premium, especially here in Colorado.
We wanted another 4runner, but we're also on a budget. This was going to be mine, so it didn't need to be as pretty or comfy as the wifes - just 4 doors for kid-hauling when needed. I was checking everywhere that sold vehicles (craigslist, ebay, cars.com, autotrader.com, carsforsale.com, local auctions, etc), probably 10-20 times a day, for the past couple months. I was getting ready to pull out the very little hair I had when I came across a jewel, a diamond in the rough (maybe a rough diamond?)
I'm totally jazzed, so without further ado, let me introduce you to 'Rusty Jack':
It is a 1990 with the 2.4 4cyl 22RE, 5-speed tranny, and 4x4 hi/low. 243k miles on what I believe is the original engine (PO was 2nd owner bought in 1993). It has a white exterior with a blue interior. Purchase price was $1000
Now, as for the name, it is not without meaning. 'Jack' just seemed to fit. The other part of the name...
...fits pretty well too
I'm hoping once I get the rust taken care of and get somewhat of a track record of reliability we'll go from 'rusty' to 'trusty':lmao:The goal for this project is to take care of some deferred maintenance, tackle a cheap/mild restoration, and the do some upgrades/modifications that will turn it into a more capable driver/camping/light adventure vehicle (I was going to say 'expedition', but let's not get too far ahead of ourselves)
Here is the good: It runs? Haha, well, it does! The frame is in awesome condition, with very little rust. Never been in an accident that I can tell (front panels have matching VINs), interior is relatively clean, it drives tight and smooth, and just about everything works! PO did say that he would take it to grease monkey every 2k miles or so. Had a sticker in the top left corner of windshield that says next service 12/15/13, which I consider is a VERY good thing.
Here is the bad: RUST, some dents on the top from a roof rack, windshield replacement looks nasty, some valve noise from engine, lack of maintenance records, tailpipe is busted at end, cat has a rattling shield, smells like smoke, drivers door hingers are way loose, door gaskets have some tears, oil leaks probably everywhere, a rebuilt tranny that grinds a tiny bit if you slam it into 1st too fast and just recently, had a bit of a hard start issue.
And now the wierd: When I stopped at the relatives house last night, I saw I left the headlights on as I was getting out (no warning light), so I open the door and turn them back off. But then to test them, I put the key in ACC mode and hit the lights and I get nothing. Huh? Also, about 4 hours later, I go out to start it and I turn the lights on first (they come on just fine) but then I hit the key and absolutely nothing happens. I turn the lights off and then try to start and that is where it took some coaxing to get it going. I don't know how old the battery is so I'm sure that is a good place to start.
I have never had a project vehicle before. It should be 'fun', in all meanings of the word. I already have a TON of questions, some of which I'm sure I'll answer myself along the way. For the (many) rest, I will be in your care.
First order of the day: clean out that engine bay, change the oil + seafoam, and get rid of the running boards.
And here we go!
