SkiRunr - My 3rd Gen Saga

KingPrat

KingPrat

New member
Just snagged a 3rd gen tonight. 2000 SR5 with the Sport package. Pumped to be back in a 4Runner, even for a few months a year.

Will need the timing belt done, came with the parts for the job. Will also likely need a full exhaust system. BUT the frame is very clean and the body is very clean. Paid $2800, looking forward to putting some time and miles on it! Will add more pictures once I get it home



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Hmm. Well the excitement was short-lived, as it were.

Found a soft spot on the frame when I got it up on the lift and got some serious lighting underneath it. Not nearly as bad as I've seen on the forum at times, but frustrating. Spent 10 minutes under this damn thing two separate times and missed it both times...

:moping:

Pics to follow. Making an appointment with the mechanic to get it checked out.
 
Took some time up on the lift and actually wire brushed the frame near the perforation. Becoming increasingly more disappointed in myself that I missed this.

But, this is the bed I've made, and I'm going to have to lay in it.

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Looks like about a 12" section that will need to be repaired. Not good, but definitely not the worst I've seen on this forum. Hopefully this won't hit the wallet too hard. First step is getting the truck safe, then I can spend time in getting it road-worthy. Appointment with the mechanic this week.

Gave the rest of the frame a thorough inspection, and all looks well. We shall see what the mechanic says Tuesday.

Will also be replacing front swaybar end links and the bracket bushings, along with LBJs. They're cracked and noticeably leaking. (Something on my list already, as it were)

Couple little projects that turned into big ones yesterday: Replacing headlight and license plate bulbs. Driver side bulb was, somehow, fully in the housing. When I unplugged, it just fell right in. Turned into a grille and housing removal. Was wondering why the D/S beam was so far off...

Then moved to the back of the truck and the screws on the license plate bulb housing were so corroded that the screwdriver ate away the head of the screw. Have some tools to deal with buggered screws, so hopefully there's enough good metal left to get it removed. Of course the one screw I couldn't get out is on the side of the failed bulb. Lovely.

:reddance:
 
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Looking at LBJs - looks like I can get Toyota LBJs off of Amazon for a total of $190 with free shipping via Prime.

Has anyone seen better prices?
 
Good news: frame is repairable, rest looks good. Mechanic willing to do the work.


Bad news: Head gasket is blown.


:frusty:

So far beyond frustrated. Disappointed in myself.


The debate this week, once I get the quote for the repairs: Keep and fix, or part out?
 
KingPrat said:
Good news: frame is repairable, rest looks good. Mechanic willing to do the work.


Bad news: Head gasket is blown.


:frusty:

So far beyond frustrated. Disappointed in myself.


The debate this week, once I get the quote for the repairs: Keep and fix, or part out?
Click to expand...

Dang that sucks. You'll take quite a hit parting it out. I say fix it and see how you like it. In my experience when you get such a bad taste in your mouth you'll never fall in love with the truck but I'd at least fix it and maybe it'll end up being nice! Good luck! I think at that price you could still come out alright
 
KingPrat said:
Good news: frame is repairable, rest looks good. Mechanic willing to do the work.


Bad news: Head gasket is blown.


:frusty:

So far beyond frustrated. Disappointed in myself.


The debate this week, once I get the quote for the repairs: Keep and fix, or part out?
Click to expand...
I'd be more mad at the seller than myself! How can you, in good conscience do that?
 
ray k said:
I'd be more mad at the seller than myself! How can you, in good conscience do that?
Click to expand...

Oh, I'm thoroughly pissed at the seller. Gave me a damn story and I bought right into it.

However, I should have been smarter with my inquiries and followed up on some of the things that raised concern. I took him at his word (he is a 'yota guy) and definitely got burned for it.


Oh well. Will have to assess pros/cons and get it sorted. Will continue to update.
 
KingPrat said:
Oh, I'm thoroughly pissed at the seller. Gave me a damn story and I bought right into it.

However, I should have been smarter with my inquiries and followed up on some of the things that raised concern. I took him at his word (he is a 'yota guy) and definitely got burned for it.


Oh well. Will have to assess pros/cons and get it sorted. Will continue to update.
Click to expand...
Don't beat yourself up, we've all been screwed over at least once...or will be. We fall in love at first sight and then think we know everything to look for when it's impossible to look at everything in a matter of minutes.
 
KingPrat said:
Took some time up on the lift and actually wire brushed the frame near the perforation. Becoming increasingly more disappointed in myself that I missed this.

But, this is the bed I've made, and I'm going to have to lay in it.

Looks like about a 12" section that will need to be repaired. Not good, but definitely not the worst I've seen on this forum. Hopefully this won't hit the wallet too hard. First step is getting the truck safe, then I can spend time in getting it road-worthy. Appointment with the mechanic this week.

Gave the rest of the frame a thorough inspection, and all looks well. We shall see what the mechanic says Tuesday! :cool:

...

Then moved to the back of the truck and the screws on the license plate bulb housing were so corroded that the screwdriver ate away the head of the screw. Have some tools to deal with buggered screws, so hopefully there's enough good metal left to get it removed. Of course the one screw I couldn't get out is on the side of the failed bulb. Lovely.

:reddance:
Click to expand...

If I someday ever happen to cross paths with "Rusty" in some dark parking lot — I'm gonna kick his ass for you.

Love those solid black runners on those wheels too! Congrats on your new toy...even with a little rust.
 
I'd be more pissed about the head gasket than the rust, but yeah, that guy is a fiddlin ben

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
 
SkiRunr - New 3rd Gen Purchase

Timing belt is 1/3 the head job anyway. These engines are cake. At almost 200K I'd almost expect to see a head gasket need. Think if it like this:

Dump a couple more grand into it and you'll have a very reliable vehicle and you can pretty much baseline everything from THAT mileage. Starting fresh just about. If the rust gets fixed I'd totally fix the motor and then the engine too. Plus you get the pride in keeping it alive. $2800 original price is cheap.

My 95 (2nd gen) I bought 13 years ago for $5500 at 185,000. You'll have a better, newer vehicle for cheaper than I paid 13 years ago.

Either way, bummer but silver linings.

Good luck.
 
Don't stress the rust too much - the northeast dumps road salt like nobody's business so it's hard to find a vehicle up here without rust. If the rest of the frame looks good, fix/patch the weld, clean and coat the inside/outside of the frame and be happy you have a solid base.

I haven't done a HG so I can't comment but for reference - I spent 5,500 last year for a 99 Limited with 150k miles and I have spent quite a bit over the year in new parts to catch up on maintenance so you're doing well price wise. :thumb:
 
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