Young and Broke (BUILD)

[James Perez]

What up guys, i've been on the site for a few months and have posted a few times, what i have learned on here has helped alot. I have made the choice to keep my 4Runner even though its 2WD (I was gonna look for a 4WD one)
So i got it from my sister on my birthday in august, who didn't treat it very well. (She's a teenage girl LOL) Notice how i only have the back centercap for the rims. Lol.. ghettooo.

I'm 16 and its my first car and im lovin' it.
I want to start doing mods but money is tight obviously being a young guy still in highschool.

So here is how she sits today. 1996 Toyota 4Runner Base Model 2WD

What i've already done:
-Removed Running boards
-Tinted taillights
-All around window tint
-10'' KICKER with 500W Amp
-blacked out front grill
-TRD Decals
-AVS Bug Deflector

What i want to do in the future:
-Paint Rims Black
-Paint front and back bumpers black
-Window Weather Visors
-Clear corners
-Flowmaster
-K&N Filters
-Bigger tires, preferably 33's (Black Rims)
-3 inch Toytec lift.
-Rola Roof Rack
-TRD Off-Road decals
-BudBuilt Skids

Any suggestions or tips are welcome!!
Thanks!

 

[Tucson4runner]

this site is definitely going to make sure you stay broke. the body looks pretty good for being abused. is she running well? id focus my money on maintenance before you start modding.

 

[kman55]

Sounds like a great start! I agree with maintenance first then mod! Just enjoy it brother! This is a great place to be! Everyone here is super helpful and we all share the love of our runners!

 

[Suprareal]

this site is definitely going to make sure you stay broke.

X2 i truthfully had a healthier bank account before i joined this site.

But I don't regret any of the spending!

 

[James Perez]

Yeah she runs like a champ. i got the honor of doing my first oil change on her which was cool!

A little backstory, my dad did usually do maintenance for her.. which im now realizing is good. so it was just the interior of the car that isnt very great. torn seats, stains, etc. I've tried shampooing the seats and it worked alright so im gonna do the floor and see how it turns out. of course when it heats up.. its like 30 degrees still so yeah haha.

 

[Atreyus]

If you do end up lifting I'd probably go with 31's than 33's. I had 33's and my mileage and power suffered, as well as my braking. 31's still look pretty good with a lift too, I have a 2.5" spacer lift on mine right now.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

When I bought my '97 (see Budget Build in my sig) I spent 11 hours one day detailing the interior. It was a mess. But it was a day well spent, felt like a new vehicle when I was done. I still haven't done the exterior yet, that'll be sometime in the spring.

Good luck with her. Definitely stay on top of the maintenance, you can always do mods as maintenance. Go with better shocks and springs when they're needed, Taco LBJ' and OTRE's when needed, Tundra brakes when needed, bigger tires when needed, etc.

 

[Hepar]

Great first ride! My only suggestion is to be patient. Save up for good mods. Don't try to do any and every little thing you can do. Will end up making it look tacky. Just my two cents.

 

[James Perez]

Thanks guys! Yeah i'm gonna be smart about it. im only 16 so i got plenty of time lol. Glad i started young haha!

 

[1985taylor1925]

Great first ride! My only suggestion is to be patient. Save up for good mods. Don't try to do any and every little thing you can do. Will end up making it look tacky. Just my two cents.

^ What he said. And maintenance first as stated. And by the way, good job on being a 16 year old who actually writes coherent sentences and uses some punctuation. Thats not typical

 

[4Running Daily]

^ What he said. And maintenance first as stated. And by the way, good job on being a 16 year old who actually writes coherent sentences and uses some punctuation. Thats not typical

Dear Brother-in:

You have forgotten a period and apostrophe after, "Thats not typical." Apostrophe obviously between t and s in "Thats".

Sincerely,

A 15 year old

 

[SQ.MD]

<a href="http://photobucket.com/images/meme%20damn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t33/neutralface/fck.jpg" border="0" alt="meme damn Pictures, Images and Photos"/></a>

 

[99 sr5 highlander]

<a href="http://photobucket.com/images/meme%20damn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t33/neutralface/fck.jpg" border="0" alt="meme damn Pictures, Images and Photos"/></a>

Please, watch your language.

Sincerely,

Another 15 year old.

Aren't teenagers just great! Haha.:biggrin2:

 

[James Perez]

I didn't know there was so many youngins on this site!
That's awesome lol.

 

[SQ.MD]

Please, watch your language.

Sencerely,

Another 15 year old.

Aren't teenagers just great! Haha.:biggrin2:

I was saying fuzzy! "FFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU-zzy."

Oh, and by the way, it's spelled sincerely. :hatsoff:

 

[99 sr5 highlander]

I was saying fuzzy! "FFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU-zzy."

Oh, and by the way, it's spelled sincerely. :hatsoff:

Dang it! I criticize you, and then I go and misspell a word. :ybrick: Sorry.

 

[James Perez]

Performed my first oil change! (this was about a month ago, just thought i'd share)

Without the help of my dad (he doesnt know THAT much about cars)
soo youtube helped me and i did just fine. heres some pics!

The oil filter was freakin hard to get off especially without an oil filter wrench. ended up using my belt and it worked like a charm.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Please, watch your language.

Sencerely,

Another 15 year old.

Aren't teenagers just great! Haha.

Pretty sure he is in Med-school. They don't let 15 year olds in unless they are Neil Patrick Harris

I assume you are joking about the swear words. I try not to cuss in my professional life but I will always swear like a sailor (well x-sailor now) when I feel like it.




OP, welcome and don't pour too much money in that 2WD. If you want a 4WD just save up and buy one.

:spider:

 

[99 sr5 highlander]

Pretty sure he is in Med-school. They don't let 15 year olds in unless they are Neil Patrick Harris.

I assume you are joking about the swear words. I try not to cuss in my professional life but I will always swear like a sailor (well x-sailor now) when I feel like it.

Yup I was totally joking. I was adding on to 4Running Daily's post as I believe he is also 15. I wasn't trying to say that SQ.MD is 15. Sorry for the confusion.

P.S. James, cool rig. Good job for having the desire to learn how to work on your own truck!

 

[Jon]

Dude I wish I was 16 again! I'd still have my 91 Toyota 4x4 P/U on 33's. I was of course 16 and had/have a lead foot. I blew two 22RE motors being stupid, they didn't believe in tachometers back then.

So I'll just agree with everyone else,

--Maintenance before mods
--Save the $ for worth-while mods
--Treat her nice and never get rid of it! I'm still kicking my own a$$! But I also didn't have internet 10 years ago!

If you really want a 4X4, it can be swapped (not cheap)

Check out some more forums, T4R popped my cherry and I'm still a reg but there's also Yotatech, TTORA, Tacoma World, Pirate 4X4.... you'll figure em out.

How many miles?

Nice start and congrats