Thinking (heavily) of rejoining the family

[johnsonnate]

I've missed my 99 so much so, that in the last couple of years I've started thinking and then eventually really started thinking about picking up a Limited, preferably in the 2001-2002 years. Just needing people to point me in the right direction on a few things - I am not planning on modding it too much for off road. I already know about frame rust and related issues - my 99 didn't have a frame replacement, but we did rebuild it, but it rusted out again fairly quickly (think 5ish years).

I currently drive a 2019 BMW X5, and I love it, and so the 4R would just be a second vehicle for fun. However, I want to try and keep a lot of the nicer features from some newer vehicles.

Namely the following:

Power fold mirrors - I vaguely recall somebody on this forum about 5 years ago talking about using Prado (?) mirrors from the same years because they did have factory stock power fold - is that true?

Apple Carplay, with Rear Camera, and Phone Mic - I found a handful of decent units, but I've never figured out where people mount the rear camera, up on the rear spoiler, or somewhere else?

Not in the X5, but I'm kinda thinking about a digital mirror, and I know that there are ones out there that just mount over the physical mirror, any other things out there?

Already thinking about picking up a set of projector headlamps from TEQ or SRQ, not concerned about those, but it did get me thinking about LED Fogs. I spent a couple hours searching this morning about for any new things that I didn't know about over the last few years, and not much has changed as far as I can tell. Anybody fabbed a 2in LED pod, and mounted it in the factory spot?

Any good places to find black interior trim? The one I'm looking at has woodgrain and I'm not a huge fan.

I'm sure that there are other things I'm not thinking about right now. Thanks in advance y'all.

 

[Robb235]

I used a camera mount from Amazon that replaces one of your license plate light lenses. It's intended for a 4th gen I believe, but I went to Ace Hardware and bought a couple bushings to lower the lens down even with the other stock lens. Hardest part was running the wiring into the rear hatch, through that big rubber grommet. Best thing you can do is attach your wiring to a metal coat hanger and spray it down real good with silicone spray (I used the liquid wrench brand).

Here is the camera mount I used from Amazon:
8 LED Adjustable Angle Car Rear View Camera for Toyota 4Runner/Hilux Surf 2002~2010

I did not use the camera that came with the kit, but bought a better camera instead:
HD Backup Camera,Metal Housing 170 Degree Wide View Angle

If you look at the picture below, look at the screw head, then look directly above it. You'll see the stainless bushings I used to drop the lens down.

 

[3bears]

I would take a 99 or 2000 b4 a 2001 or 02. cant answer your question about folding mirrors. my back up camera mounts to the license plate. Installed by p.o.

 

[96RedRunner]

01-02's 200k+ mi odds on your replacing/rebuilding ABS/VSC/Trac module, ABS/MC, Throttle body, Transmission.
Have replaced all but Trans with some out of the norm Trans maintenance between 200-236k mi.
Bought 01 2017 knowing some of this looked for good body/interior paint no rust priority, hit that mark.

Market had/has what it has things to consider, this sub-gen's quirks start say $350 - $7k worse case all 4.
How bad you want back in the family how long you staying. The quirks you fix good for 200k+ mi.