Sunk my 4Runner... can it be saved?

pjbrownva

pjbrownva

New member
So... yesterday I was launching my boat at the boat ramp when I heard a "pop", and my 4runner rolled down the ramp and into the Potomac river!

It spent at least a 1/2 hour fully submerged... roof racks and all.

The horn was blowing, the windshield wipers were running, and my favorite (and only) truck was sunk.

I got it recovered, but the two tow truck drivers and my local mechanic all said I should call insurance and have the truck totaled -- it will never be the same and if I do get it running, I will be haunted for years with problems as computers and electrical items fail down the road.

It's an '04 with 117K miles, and lots of personal upgrades.

Does anyone else have experience with a sunken 4-runner? Are there tricks to saving it, or is totaling it and letting it go truly the best advice.

This happened at the boat ramp at the Columbia Island Marina, in Arlington, VA. It's part of the Potomac river. The water at that point is mostly fresh water (I tasted it, and I couldn't taste any salt... and yes... I didn't swallow!)

Thoughts? Experiences?

-Phil :Cry:
 

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Sorry man! Hate to see that. I've never sunk a runner so not sure I can help. A buddy of mine sunk his (actually his friend did) Bronco II. I know he totaled it but that was probably a good thing if you remember the Bronco II. Did you figure out what the "pop" was ?
 
regardless feelings on the vehicle, its gone man. I wouldnt even attempt to get it saved. I wouldnt want it back.
 
Its probably totaled, however if you had a lot of time and space on your hands and wanted kinda of a cool project, you could completely disassemble the 4Runner into pieces in your garage or work area. Thoroughly dry all the components, squirt ATF in every hidden space within the body panels, and dry out all the electrical components using desiccants and a dehumidifier. You would have to start on this right away to get all of the water out.

The daunting task would be putting it all back together. so, is it really worth it and would be guaranteed a good runner with no problems in the future? Nope... but boy would it be fun to put a truck of this age completely back together.
 
Did you have emergency brake set? the Pop was mostly likely and unfortunately the parking pin in the transmission. breaking or just disengaging under stress. Also, if I were you id total it.. get the money and find another. great trucks we have, but they aren't rare collectable cars..
 
I will also agree on letting insurance total it. What the tow truck driver said was probably right, it won't be the same. Was it running when it rolled into the water? I also think the park pawl may have broke or slipped. It happens from time to time. Anytime you are parked on a slope like that, always engage the parking brake and if you are towing, it may not be a bad idea to also use some wheel chocks. Just be glad it didn't take you down with it. One of my co-workers was run over and killed by his own truck a few years ago because the transmission slipped out of park on a hill while he was closing a gate.

On another note, I have seen a Tacoma get submerged like that, get pulled out, chick driving it opens the door, fires it up and drives away. She was from out of state and basically changed the oil and drove it back some 1000 miles. Not sure how long it lasted after that or if she had issues with it. So there is a 1% chance you could dry it out and it be ok.
 
M1911 said:
On the bright side, you were that guy at the boat ramp, providing entertainment for everyone else...
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Yes. I was... and many people enjoyed the show quite thoroughly.

I actually was in a pretty good mood too. After all, trucks *can* be replaced... and I *do* have insurance. Thank god no one was hurt.

Did you have emergency brake set? the Pop was mostly likely and unfortunately the parking pin in the transmission. breaking or just disengaging under stress. Also, if I were you id total it.. get the money and find another. great trucks we have, but they aren't rare collectable cars...
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I don't recall 100%, but I'm thinking that the emergency brake must NOT have been set. I guarantee you that in the future it will *always* be set, not only on a ramp, but also when parked on any steep hill.

Its probably totaled, however if you had a lot of time and space on your hands and wanted kinda of a cool project, you could completely disassemble the 4Runner into pieces
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How true... but I know I wouldn't have the time. I've decided to let the insurance company total it... based in large part on the common wisdom and great advice from everyone here. I loved that truck. I'm gonna miss it.

Anytime you are parked on a slope like that, always engage the parking brake and if you are towing, it may not be a bad idea to also use some wheel chocks. Just be glad it didn't take you down with it. One of my co-workers was run over and killed by his own truck a few years ago because the transmission slipped out of park on a hill while he was closing a gate.
Click to expand...

That's great advice, and I think I will take it. That's AWFUL to hear about your co-worker dying. Once my wife got over the shock (she wasn't there)... and also established that I wasn't just yanking her chain over the phone when I told her what happened, she stated that she was glad I wasn't killed. I shrugged it off like... sure... whatever... but I guess the danger is real. Just like I *never* would have though that my beloved 4runner would end up submerged at the boat ramp.

I don't know what the pop was. It was definitely something breaking, or just a pop from the truck slipping out of park. It was running. I won't know if anything broke. It'll be towed to a salvage yard later today. The insurance adjuster met with me today around noon and said he should have a tentative quote for my payout by the end of the day.

C'est la vie! At least no-one was hurt or killed.

Anyone got a nice, white 4th gen with low miles that you wanna sell?

I'm in the market. :car:



-Phil
 
im going to go against most everyone else, and say its not totaled.

in the wheeling world, that type of thing happens a LOT, and often times on purpose.

assuming it wasn't running at the time, the engine should be fine.

obviously change ALL the fluids. flush everything.

pull the interior, and seats so everything can dry fully.

pull all removable electronics, ECU's and such, and put them in rice, and get them fully dry.

this was clean, fresh water. not some nasty mud hole. it may take a bit of work, but I think it would be just fine.


worst case, let insurance total, it, then buy it back. as I believe it an be saved.
 
nevada said:
im going to go against most everyone else, and say its not totaled.

in the wheeling world, that type of thing happens a LOT, and often times on purpose.

assuming it wasn't running at the time, the engine should be fine.

obviously change ALL the fluids. flush everything.

pull the interior, and seats so everything can dry fully.

pull all removable electronics, ECU's and such, and put them in rice, and get them fully dry.

this was clean, fresh water. not some nasty mud hole. it may take a bit of work, but I think it would be just fine.


worst case, let insurance total, it, then buy it back. as I believe it an be saved.
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Thanks Nevada. I'm definitely gonna get it totaled, but I'll see what the buy-back salvage price is. Unfortunately, I don't have a garage where I live, so I think I'll just let the insurance company keep it. Plus, today it's already starting to smell pretty bad inside...

Not to mention that the insurance adjuster said that it could have spontaneous problems down the road. Anything as simple as a window occasionally not working properly, to as serious as an airbag spontaneously going off while I'm driving down the road.

I was at the truck earlier today, taking some of my soggy belongings out. I took the time to show the insurance adjuster some of my upgrades (like a 1000 watt Rockford Fosgate Amp to power 4 aftermarket infinity speakers plus an Alpine Type R subwoofer)... or the OEM-quality aftermarket rear view mirror with a monitor built in, that I hooked up to a rear view camera.

Anyway, as I was moving the mirror around, the windshield cracked. Not that it matters (since I'm totaling it). But this truck was my daily driver, so I've had to (unfortunately) make peace with the idea that it's gone.

Question: Anyone know if the LIMITED model is a good long-term buy?
If I get another one, I want a white 4th gen, and maybe I'd consider a Limited with a V8. Is the consensus that a Limited would be a smart move, or is it just more stuff to break, and would I be better off looking for another SR5 with some nice options on it?
 
Damn man, sorry to see that. Like others mentioned, I would hope they total it. Save you some headaches down the road.
 
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