The Red Headed Step Child build

[Jayzero911]

So I bought a 91 v6 4x4 5 speed with 208k miles for $900. I intended to fix it and sell to try and make some money. However my roommate and I slowly blew the repair budget for this truck and its sitting (relax its only been 2 weeks lol). The more I look her over the more I want to keep her. The interior is awesome and the paint may be faded but will buff up nicely.

More of a reason than anything to keep this runner around is well the '02 is not legit. The '02 "Honey" is still in my roommates mothers name who just passed on Halloween. That truck is in the owners will to be sold and the money split between her son and daughter. Her son is at least being cool for once in his life and said he doesn't care if its sold to me for $5. Still the '02 will be in limbo tell her will kicks in, and thats after she is in her plot back in Ohio next to her husband. The trip to Ohio is going to take place in April or May, and we plan to use some of the insurance money to get the step child (the 91 4x4) ready for that trip, and we will decide if we are keeping her after we get back.

Anyways on to the actual truck we are talking about. I picked her up with a blown head gasket and have all that work to do. the front wheel bearings need replaced. I have to install the replacement side mirrors that came with it cuz the PO broke the drivers side. The rear axle looks like it just started leaking and I'm 90% sure it was from the breather plug being caked in mud, the leak in the 02 is much worse. PO removed the plastic from the front bumper "for ground clearance" the owner before that removed the rear bumper in all. Idk who did the black out but I don't like it. the steering gear leaks. In short the PO had this truck a month and put 1k miles on it and probably didn't take care of it at all, the owner before that loved this truck and you can tell.

The good stuff, one rip in the drivers seat thats from getting in and out and the dome light cover is missing but the rest of the interior looks new. CD player installed, dont know if speakers where upgraded yet. Full K&N intake. Full custom exhaust, headers and all with hi-flow cat. Few scratches and dings in driver side doors (think the PO got too close to a tree and thats what took the mirror out while dinging the doors) but rest of the body in great shape. Finally the paint should buff up and look brand new.

This is the step child after we bought her, waiting on insurance money to come and fix her lol

Awaiting new Photo.... she looks the same atm :/

 

[brifri01]

So what kind of plans do you have for her?

 

[Jayzero911]

Planning on restoring her the best I can, and really upgrading the radio. You know replace the bumpers and fix that crappy black out, new deck, speakers ,amp for speakers, pair of 12's, and amp for 12's. She will end up being the DD to keep the miles off the 3rd gen, unless we end up selling her after we get back from Ohio. I doubt we will tho.

 

[Jayzero911]

Couldn't sleep. So I spent and hour with the TB, a tooth brush, shop rag, and half a can of TB cleaner.

Dirty TB. I already cleaned the other half in this pic, if I hadn't all you would see is a black hole. Imagine what the intake chamber looks like.

and thats with a flashlight right in it.....

Cleaner TB, same side.

CAN YOU SEE ME NOW?!

 

[bills86e]

Needs a better job around the plate edges, if ya don't like my critt'n sysm. Hold it up to sun-light behind it. Needs good reveal flow when its fully closed.

 

[Jayzero911]

Needs a better job around the plate edges, if ya don't like my critt'n sysm. Hold it up to sun-light behind it. Needs good reveal flow when its fully closed.

Hence why I said "cleaner TB" and not "clean TB" I'm not done lol. I pulled the TPS off so I didn't damage it with TB cleaner, So the butterfly will be in the fully closed position "no gap w/o TPS".

 

[Jayzero911]

Did a more thorough walk around today and got inside for the first time seance it got to my house (Its been locked cuz someone keeps trying to get into it). Found more little things that I didn't notice before. Guess I was more excited than I thought when I bought it, at least its in better shape then the 94 2wd I looked at on the same day.:shrug:

Swing away tire rack is missing the locking pin to hold it away from the truck, and the license plate light needs to be rewired.

Passenger rear doors window switch is falling in the door.

Center and rear dome light covers are missing, along with the drivers side kick panel, and the bottle jack & tire iron.

Drivers side arm rest is cracked and falling apart, and a lot of dust is making in into the truck.

50% of the windshield chrome is also missing, and the drivers side headlight is yellowing and cracked.

The passenger side fender is a little mashed from the bumper, and the aftermarket antenna is broken.

My roommate and I have decided that if she gets 5k or more from her mothers life insurance we are going to keep the step child after all. Got plans brewing for steel bumpers now, window tint, and I think I will just re-do the cheap black out lol

 

[Jayzero911]

So and interesting day, tare the truck down to the crank pulley when I finally remembered I needed a crank pulley puller. Also undid all the wiring to the 4" round lights on the bumper. It was all brittle and shot, the relay had melted, and I don't know if this is normal but they tied into the hi-beams. I personally don't like that and would rather wire them (well a new set) to a factory rocker switch on the dash.

After all that I ran to autozone and bought a crank pulley puller. Then to wally world for a pair of buckets to drain the gas into, since I don't know how long she will have to sit. When I got back and was getting out of my other truck, the guy from across the street who was liquored up started yelling to me from his driveway asking me questions about the step child. I was thinking he was going to make me a offer on it cuz he owns a Taco and Rav4 and was gushing over it the night it came home. However he started saying his friend is looking to get something for his son. He continued yelling the guy had cash in hand and was vary interested. I finally just told him to send him over to talk about it and I will see how interested I am to sell. So we will see if this guy comes by or not, but its funny to know that not running ppl still want it something bad. :dance:

Mite turn out this is not the 2nd gen 4x4 for us and we move on down the line.... I did just look and see the 94 2wd auto that I passed on to buy the step child (the same day, the same color, motor, mileage,problem, and 10min away from where I bought this one) was still for sale. I was thinking of picking it up for parts but I could flip it....

 

[giro]

If you are thinking of selling soonish, clean up some of the cosmetic things. While not a priority otherwise, they do make it look much nicer. I don't think there are any pick-n-pulls, but there should be something like it. You can pick up some of the little interior things for cheap.

On the driver's seat, stitch it up a little with some grey thread. Spending 5 minutes fixed mine up. Or you can spend $10-$20 and put a seat cover over it.

You didn't mention if you needed/wanted 4WD for anything. It's nice to have on some of the trails around there, though you can make it into the woods or trails quite a ways. When I lived in Phoenix I had a honda prelude, though that was when we used a friend's toyota PU and land cruiser to get further into the woods and away from it all. Anyways, if you want 4WD for anything you should consider keeping the 91.

Otherwise, with an 2002 with only 64k miles, unless your weekly commute is over 1000 miles I really wouldn't worry about keeping the miles off of it. Your call, but the extra insurance and upkeep adds up if your only reason is to keep the miles off an otherwise good DD. It would be one thing if it had a mileage limit of 100k, but I know I see a lot around with 200-300k on them. Stay up on the upkeep and it will last a long time. But that's once the 2002 is fully legit. I can see trying not to drive it much when it's not yet in your name.

BTW, on the fuel, if it's fresh I wouldn't worry about it unless you plan to not drive it for more than 6 months. I drained the fuel on a 3000gt, and it was just a pain and you always get some on you. It's one thing if you're going to leave it on jacks for a few years, or if it was unprotected and going to be in the Phoenix sun all summer long. But under a cover and going into winter, in an area that's dry, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Jayzero911]

I personally don't what to sell it and mentioned I want to keep it, its my roommate who elbows me in the ribs and says go make that money lol. I have a pick a part not 10min from me, but I rather buy this 94 for $700. Take the front and rear bumpers, grill and headlights, side mirrors, both drivers side doors, the factory air box(lets face it the K&N will hydro-lock the motor in any deep water), any little bits I can get, pull the motor and put it aside for a rebuild, and sell off whatever I don't use like the auto trans. Would really get my $700 out of it. However if this guy shows up (doubt it) and offers me something that I cant refuse (really doubt it) then I would have to say goodbye to it.

I have taken the '02 in a lot of things I really shouldn't be taking a 2wd, case and point I found out the rear end floats the last time I took it to four peeks. Who would have thought the narrowest stream that day was the deepest lol. Had she stalled she would have been taken down stream. Plus my roommate has 3 desiccated discs in her back. So having to burn out all the way up a dirt trail at a 20% incline in the snow is dangerous for her. If i hit a bump wrong with her in the truck she can be paralyzed, having the 4x4 would be much safer. As far as what car is the DD I would much rather it be the one with the most miles (I mean the '02 blue books for about 8k, more miles = less value). That and I really need to park the '02 and give her the attention she needs lol.

Edit: O yeah and I forgot to mention the 4x4 came with a set of red and black plether seat covers lol

 

[giro]

Makes sense. If you have the space and time, go for it!

I hadn't seen anyone put roof rails on the front of the roof before like you have on the 91. My 92 just has the shorter rails in the back, which is slightly shorter than I would prefer for some things, and much too short for others. When moving a 32' ladder, instead I put it inside. If I did that weekly (or canoe/kayaka/paddleboard), I'd put a set of rails on the front like that. Nice

BTW, when you keep typing 02 I think O2 when talking about fixing it. It might work better to say 2002 or '02.

 

[Jayzero911]

I hadn't seen anyone put roof rails on the front of the roof before like you have on the 91.

BTW, when you keep typing 02 I think O2 when talking about fixing it. It might work better to say 2002 or '02.

.... Funny that it took you pointing it out for me to notice the roof rack lol, I had to go look and make sure it wasn't some funny algae on the pic.:lmao: Thanks for pointing that out, will go back and fix the 02's lol.

On a side note... dose anyone know if the factory 6 spoke 15's from my '02 will fit the '91 w/o any problems or spacers? Wondering for the long run, when I have to get 16's or 17's (forget witch it is) to fit the taco front brakes on the '02. I will be sticking with the 31x10.5 sized tires and I believe no lift.

 

[541joseph]

.... Funny that it took you pointing it out for me to notice the roof rack lol, I had to go look and make sure it wasn't some funny algae on the pic.:lmao: Thanks for pointing that out, will go back and fix the 02's lol.

On a side note... dose anyone know if the factory 6 spoke 15's from my '02 will fit the '91 w/o any problems or spacers? Wondering for the long run, when I have to get 16's or 17's (forget witch it is) to fit the taco front brakes on the '02. I will be sticking with the 31x10.5 sized tires and I believe no lift.

Yes they should swap no problem.

 

[Jayzero911]

Wow, over 300 views now..... who would have guessed it lol

Hope that money comes in soon and I can give some cooler updates, and not just "O I am slowly getting her down" and "I wish I may, I wish I mite" lol

And I had an evil thought today when I saw a rolled 3rd gen 4x4 for 1k..... don't think I feel up to a swap yet tho.... will just have to see what this 2ed gen has to offer when its on the road.

 

[Jayzero911]

This is why we can't have nice things!

So and interesting night I am having. Its almost 2:30AM and I just got to beat the **** out of someone.

Like I said before, I noticed someone has been trying to get into my '91. Well I finally got the bastard in the act. Every week about 3 houses down there is a party and that normally means lots of cars on the street and sounds of cars coming and going at all hours. That and that blue 2nd gen that I suspect, will be back on the block.

I just got tired of sitting here at the computer and went to watch TV. Before I sat down I got a soda, and after I closed the fridge I look out the carport window (I can see my '02 right there and the '91 is to its right) and see the carport lights are on. Not a big deal the cats we feed set them off some times, but the big deal was I could see a large shadow of a person being cast on the '02 and it was moving around. I walked into the laundry room and looked out the carport window to see the hood on my '91 is up (I leave it down when I'm not working on it) and someone is standing there at the front. I watched him for a sec thru the window just in shock. That shock quickly turned to rage and I grabbed my crow bar off my workbench in front on me and step outside the carport door. The vary second the door handle made a noise the guy looked back to see me opening the door and took off like a bullet out of a gun (leaving his little tool kit). I dropped the crow bar at the door and ran after this guy in my boxers. I managed to jump on his back at the end of my driveway and the rest is history.... bet he will go to the pick-a-part next time, and this crap stops.

Not 100% sure what he was after but it looked like he was trying to get my side markers off (not sure if that is there name, the lights to the side of the headlights on the fenders) or maybe even my grill... The off-road lights have to come off to get the grill out and it looked like he was messing with them too.

 

[Chuckles89]

So and interesting night I am having. Its almost 2:30AM and I just got to beat the **** out of someone.

Like I said before, I noticed someone has been trying to get into my '91. Well I finally got the bastard in the act. Every week about 3 houses down there is a party and that normally means lots of cars on the street and sounds of cars coming and going at all hours. That and that blue 2nd gen that I suspect, will be back on the block.

I just got tired of sitting here at the computer and went to watch TV. Before I sat down I got a soda, and after I closed the fridge I look out the carport window (I can see my '02 right there and the '91 is to its right) and see the carport lights are on. Not a big deal the cats we feed set them off some times, but the big deal was I could see a large shadow of a person being cast on the '02 and it was moving around. I walked into the laundry room and looked out the carport window to see the hood on my '91 is up (I leave it down when I'm not working on it) and someone is standing there at the front. I watched him for a sec thru the window just in shock. That shock quickly turned to rage and I grabbed my crow bar off my workbench in front on me and step outside the carport door. The vary second the door handle made a noise the guy looked back to see me opening the door and took off like a bullet out of a gun (leaving his little tool kit). I dropped the crow bar at the door and ran after this guy in my boxers. I managed to jump on his back at the end of my driveway and the rest is history.... bet he will go to the pick-a-part next time, and this crap stops.

Not 100% sure what he was after but it looked like he was trying to get my side markers off (not sure if that is there name, the lights to the side of the headlights on the fenders) or maybe even my grill... The off-road lights have to come off to get the grill out and it looked like he was messing with them too.

Good thing you caught him! Hopefully that won't happen again. Next time, close your hood completely and lock the doors!

 

[Jayzero911]

Good thing you caught him! Hopefully that won't happen again. Next time, close your hood completely and lock the doors!

Yeah I have kept the doors locked sense the first night, but you are right about the hood... I only had it latched and not closed so I didn't have to unlock the truck each time I go out there.

 

[Jayzero911]

So it turns out that the money I have been waiting for is not even on its way yet... My roommates brother is the POA for there mother and told us about a 2nd insurance policy that is to be split and sent out to the 2 of them. He told us "Its on the way, not sure when, but its on the way." Turns out he is full sh!t again. He hasten even got her death certificates, he wanted to wait tell his x-mas bonus came in to get them. So that means if this policy is even real it will be February before we see any money. Don't know what we are going to do now... maybe I can get someone to take it off my hands for 1,200..... just a thought.

 

[Jayzero911]

If anyone local is interested in my K&N intake and my brand new side mirrors, plz PM me. Mirrors are "Kool-Vue" brand, power, black, still in boxes, set. (would rather have factory air box and chrome mirrors)

 

[Jayzero911]

So when sitting at our local shop waiting on my roommate to get our meds. The security guard for the shop came out and looked over the '02 with me sitting in it with the windows down. He started to ask me questions about it like what year, is it 4x4. I sorta gave him a quick run down on how the owner just died and the truck is about to change hands. So he then asked what the plans are with it. I told him we are keeping it. So he told me to let him know if we ever want to sell it. I told him thats not going to happen and what the blue book was. His jaw just about put a hole in my floorboard lol. He then started talking how he can find them all day on CL for 2500. I just returned with "yeah but how many are '02s with 64k". His only reply was "I am not saying anything about how many miles or what condition they are." I am on CL a lot and know what sorta fixer upper early-mid 90's trucks he is talking about. So I mite just have get the step child running and dangle it out in front of him, try to get 3k off him lol.

I love how sought after these trucks are, I remember someone trying to trade us there 4th gen 4x4 out in front of a smoke shop a few years ago. He missed his 3rd gen.... lol