So I have 2 97 4runners that needed to become one. The Tan one my Mom bought new in 97 and enjoyed over 200,000 miles of pretty trouble free driving. In the fall of 2010 it started to kind of nickle and dime my parents because they are not very mechanically inclined, $800 for a new catalytic converter, it was due for brakes, suspension was wore out etc. The truck was in Connecticut where they live and they were only offered $1200 trade in for it on a new Subaru. I told them I would give them $1200 and come get it. They replied I could have it for free and they would even drive out to Montana for me as long as I didn't "jack it up and put huge tires on it." They wanted themselves, my sisters and others to be able to come visit and have something nice and stock to drive as apposed to most of my other vehicles.
When they got to MT and I did an oil change and once over on the truck I was disappointed at how rusty the frame was. I drove it for about 3 months until on of the rear links literally ripped off the severely rusted frame.
I talked to Toyota but they will only do a frame recall on a Tacoma, Tundra or Sequoia. No 4runners DAMN! So i scoured Craigs List looking for a frame and found a lightly rolled 97 for $1500. I was told it had a 2 inch spacer lift, 175K miles, auto, and it was only 100 miles away. So i fired up my diesel and went and picked it up. The seller kept his blingin 18" wheels and while swapping some spares onto it I noticed that the "2" spacer lift" was actually a complete Old Man Emu system that retails for about $900! The truck was rolled, but actually ran and drove fine, so I drove it around for about a year and a half and put about 5000 miles on it. It also had a stack of receipts including a new starter, new Power steering rack bushings and alignment and a recent trans service.
When they got to MT and I did an oil change and once over on the truck I was disappointed at how rusty the frame was. I drove it for about 3 months until on of the rear links literally ripped off the severely rusted frame.
I talked to Toyota but they will only do a frame recall on a Tacoma, Tundra or Sequoia. No 4runners DAMN! So i scoured Craigs List looking for a frame and found a lightly rolled 97 for $1500. I was told it had a 2 inch spacer lift, 175K miles, auto, and it was only 100 miles away. So i fired up my diesel and went and picked it up. The seller kept his blingin 18" wheels and while swapping some spares onto it I noticed that the "2" spacer lift" was actually a complete Old Man Emu system that retails for about $900! The truck was rolled, but actually ran and drove fine, so I drove it around for about a year and a half and put about 5000 miles on it. It also had a stack of receipts including a new starter, new Power steering rack bushings and alignment and a recent trans service.
So much for that stipulation, huh?