Which direction should I go with my imperfect 4Runner?

[ShooterMcGavin]

I wanted a certain year, mileage, and set of features which would be "the one", to begin a 4Runner build. It goes something like this: 1999-2000 Limited, diff lock, under 170k miles, auto trans, blah, blah, blah. I didn't find that for a fair price before I found a great deal on the 1997 SR5, 5-speed, diff locked, 262k miles(!), etc. 4Runner that I recently bought. I like what I have, I really do. The capabilities are great (it's my first truck), the dent in the door means that I will actually take it through some intimidating trails (someday), the lack of maintenance that it came with (sucks, but it) means that I can build things to my liking and know it was done right... It is basic, but it has its problems.

I ultimately want a rugged, reliable truck, that serves very well as a "spare", daily driver. As an option, I could own it for a while and enjoy it and sell it in the next year, as I seek out a better version to build upon (less miles, less rust, a few nicer features). However, if I start building onto this one, it will be very difficult to return it to stock or to sell the parts on it for a loss and start over. Some of the problems with it are actually pluses, like the dent in the door. These are the main reasons I am considering leaving this one stock to find "the one":
- High miles (262,000)
- A medium amount of rust
- 5-speed tranny - I love it for on-road, but I wanted an auto for my first off-road truck

Maybe, in the back of my mind is also the concern about the maintenance, simply because this is a new platform for me. I have never owned a Toyota truck, and it really needs lots done (TB/WP, LBJ, TRE, steering bushings, all fluids flushed/filled, rear brakes, full exhaust, some minor broken things). Something else worrying... When driving on the highway (60mph+) and I go over a bump, it really feels "loose". It wanders all over the lane and I need to be paying attention. The front anti-roll bar is removed; the rear is still there, I think. I'm thinking there are suspension issues because of that and because it pulls left during hard braking.

Another thought... If, for example, I put $2,000 into anything on the truck, I have basically doubled my investment. For such a cheap truck, I am hesitant to put new, full-price mods onto it. If anyone wants, I can list some of the mods/plans I have for it.

I'm rambling... What did you do when you found an "imperfect" platform to build upon? What would you do in my position?

 

[Limbwalker]

Personally, I would have a hard time sinking a lot of work and money into a rig with 262k on it unless it was super clean. With the rust, it would only be my beater (which can be a hell of a lot of fun too)
Id say if you shopped around for mostly used parts and were willing to do the work yourself, it could still be a really cool budget build!
But I wouldnt go crazy money-wise.
My $.02
Good luck!

 

[Limbwalker]

Man, do I wish I had that 5 speed tranny!

 

[GrampsT4R]

I agree. Maybe just make it safe, and drive it as a beater. It takes a long time to find the right one. There are a lot of them out there and a lot of them are not worth the investment. Especially if there is rust, I would keep looking and use this one to figure out what you like and don't like, what you need and what you don't.

Good luck.

 

[Kurtis]

I wanted a certain year, mileage, and set of features which would be "the one", to begin a 4Runner build. It goes something like this: 1999-2000 Limited, diff lock, under 170k miles, auto trans, blah, blah, blah. I didn't find that for a fair price before I found a great deal on the 1997 SR5, 5-speed, diff locked, 262k miles(!), etc. 4Runner that I recently bought. I like what I have, I really do. The capabilities are great (it's my first truck), the dent in the door means that I will actually take it through some intimidating trails (someday), the lack of maintenance that it came with (sucks, but it) means that I can build things to my liking and know it was done right... It is basic, but it has its problems.

I ultimately want a rugged, reliable truck, that serves very well as a "spare", daily driver. As an option, I could own it for a while and enjoy it and sell it in the next year, as I seek out a better version to build upon (less miles, less rust, a few nicer features). However, if I start building onto this one, it will be very difficult to return it to stock or to sell the parts on it for a loss and start over. Some of the problems with it are actually pluses, like the dent in the door. These are the main reasons I am considering leaving this one stock to find "the one":
- High miles (262,000)
- A medium amount of rust
- 5-speed tranny - I love it for on-road, but I wanted an auto for my first off-road truck

Maybe, in the back of my mind is also the concern about the maintenance, simply because this is a new platform for me. I have never owned a Toyota truck, and it really needs lots done (TB/WP, LBJ, TRE, steering bushings, all fluids flushed/filled, rear brakes, full exhaust, some minor broken things). Something else worrying... When driving on the highway (60mph+) and I go over a bump, it really feels "loose". It wanders all over the lane and I need to be paying attention. The front anti-roll bar is removed; the rear is still there, I think. I'm thinking there are suspension issues because of that and because it pulls left during hard braking.

Another thought... If, for example, I put $2,000 into anything on the truck, I have basically doubled my investment. For such a cheap truck, I am hesitant to put new, full-price mods onto it. If anyone wants, I can list some of the mods/plans I have for it.

I'm rambling... What did you do when you found an "imperfect" platform to build upon? What would you do in my position?

If you are into wheeling, then stick with this, make it mechanically sound, and wheel the piss out of it. Do all the stupid trails and flop it on it's side and all that junk. A 5 speed for wheeling is an awesome learning experience.

If you are into your 4Runner and modifying it and not really wheeling, then I'd start fresh.

 

[Kurtis]

Just realized you are from the PNW. Wheeling + PNW = Body Damage. I've done my best to keep clear with mine but I've taken a few bumps and scratches. If you are going to wheel in PNW, body damage is inevitable. Might was wheel beat the crap out the cheaper truck.

 

[MDTrailrider]

2000 Limited, diff lock, under 170k miles, auto trans, blah, blah, blah. I didn't find that for a fair price before I found a great deal on the 1997 SR5, 5-speed, diff locked, 262k miles(!), etc. 4Runner that I recently bought.

When driving on the highway (60mph+) and I go over a bump, it really feels "loose". It wanders all over the lane and I need to be paying attention. The front anti-roll bar is removed; the rear is still there, I think. I'm thinking there are suspension issues because of that and because it pulls left during hard braking.

You are lucky you have manual transmission. I do. I have a 98 with 256K miles on it and I will keep it as long as it wants to live. It's even better for off road. You'll get used to it very quickly and be glad you have it on and off road.

My 4Runner started getting unstable on bumps in the road a year or two ago just like you describe. The top bolt on one of the rear shocks broke in October when the truck was being jacked up to put a front tire back on after getting a flat plugged. The shocks were original and the bolt had rusted through. I had both rear shocks replaced for less than $300 and now the truck ride feels new again. I did nothing to the front suspension. It is still original.

I suspect the pulling is a wheel alignment issue or a brake issue. Does the truck turn to the same side if you let go of the steering wheel while driving straight? If so you probably need an alignment. If it only pulls when braking then you probably have a brake problem.

 

[ShooterMcGavin]

If you are into wheeling, then stick with this, make it mechanically sound, and wheel the piss out of it. Do all the stupid trails and flop it on it's side and all that junk. A 5 speed for wheeling is an awesome learning experience.

If you are into your 4Runner and modifying it and not really wheeling, then I'd start fresh.

I am not hoping to make this a "pretty" ride. I definitely want to wheel it, but I don't know the local areas yet. Also, the more I get into wheeling, the more money I will need to put into it to keep myself going into new territory. That is the debate.

I want to increase its capability, mainly for my own peace of mind. I got snow chains for front and back I have tire deflators on order. I'd like to get an OBA setup. Other than just buying accessories, the real improvements come from installing gear onto the truck.

Another option is buy/install parts that are easy to take off and re-install on the new ride, when I find it. For example, skid plates can't be that tough to remove.

 

[GrampsT4R]

For OBA, just get a portable compressor that you don't plumb into the truck. Then you can take it with you to the next ride. I say drive it till the wheels fall off. (Which will probably be another 100k at least).

 

[kolelt]

If you don't care so much and want it to he a trail car. You could get great deals on parts of eBay. Personally I was lucky to have a friend who is working as mechanic at a shop, so he ordered me bunch of parts for the front end at like 40% off. Got my continental timing belt for under 300$, look around on internet for parts, ask friends Maybe someone has connections, look on craiglist, such as 4runner parts, same thing on eBay. Maybe go to local dealer and find a 4runner and get parts of it...... Maybe Tacoma parts will fit to ? Btw awesome buy on manual with e locker. Just the Miles, and I feel where you coming from. Best of luck bud can't wait to see your ride

 

[Dirtco]

If you are into wheeling, then stick with this, make it mechanically sound, and wheel the piss out of it. Do all the stupid trails and flop it on it's side and all that junk. A 5 speed for wheeling is an awesome learning experience.

If you are into your 4Runner and modifying it and not really wheeling, then I'd start fresh.

This ^^^

Most peoples first wheeling rig gets pretty beat up, it's part of the learning experience (unless you really take it easy). Mistakes happen, along with dents and flops. Wheel this rig for a season or two, then decide what direction you want to go (clean expo style rig, aggressive toy, or something in the middle). Then you can make the call to keep this rig, or get what you wanted in the first place.

 

[ShooterMcGavin]

You are lucky you have manual transmission. I do. I have a 98 with 256K miles on it and I will keep it as long as it wants to live. It's even better for off road. You'll get used to it very quickly and be glad you have it on and off road.

My 4Runner started getting unstable on bumps in the road a year or two ago just like you describe. The top bolt on one of the rear shocks broke in October when the truck was being jacked up to put a front tire back on after getting a flat plugged. The shocks were original and the bolt had rusted through. I had both rear shocks replaced for less than $300 and now the truck ride feels new again. I did nothing to the front suspension. It is still original.

I suspect the pulling is a wheel alignment issue or a brake issue. Does the truck turn to the same side if you let go of the steering wheel while driving straight? If so you probably need an alignment. If it only pulls when braking then you probably have a brake problem.

Thanks. Good points. I will look into some of those topics as I fix the handling issue.
I guess I should point out that a manual is growing old in this truck probably entirely because the parking brake does not work at all. Any time I need get out of the truck, it needs to be turned off and put in gear. Hill starts used to be tough too because the throttle cable was totally out of adjustment; fixed now. Other than that, for all my other cars, I am very partial to manuals.

If you don't care so much and want it to he a trail car. You could get great deals on parts of eBay. Personally I was lucky to have a friend who is working as mechanic at a shop, so he ordered me bunch of parts for the front end at like 40% off. Got my continental timing belt for under 300$, look around on internet for parts, ask friends Maybe someone has connections, look on craiglist, such as 4runner parts, same thing on eBay. Maybe go to local dealer and find a 4runner and get parts of it...... Maybe Tacoma parts will fit to ? Btw awesome buy on manual with e locker. Just the Miles, and I feel where you coming from. Best of luck bud can't wait to see your ride

I don't want a trail-only rig, but I do want something that is capable off-road. I want something on-road friendly too, to share miles on my other cars. I have been looking mostly on craigslist for used parts, but ebay is a good option too. I'd eventually like to get a winch, which mostly means getting a bumper. Those are tough to find used and cheap I do need to start a build-thread. Not many good pictures of the ride yet.

This ^^^

Most peoples first wheeling rig gets pretty beat up, it's part of the learning experience (unless you really take it easy). Mistakes happen, along with dents and flops. Wheel this rig for a season or two, then decide what direction you want to go (clean expo style rig, aggressive toy, or something in the middle). Then you can make the call to keep this rig, or get what you wanted in the first place.

Yeah, I think I want to own it for at least a year before making a decision. In that time, I'll probably figure out just where it should be put to use. I have a nice car for on-road, so I don't need to keep it too clean. It is pretty comfortable though.

About the OBA... Is the Viair 380c something that I can just keep as a portable compressor? Or, does it need to be hard-mounted?