Airmapper
Inactive Member
Yeah, its the obligatory, cliche, build thread for my latest vehicle. In other words a place to post my ramblings on what I'm working on in the slim chance anyone cares. But if I do something technical, you might find something useful if I document it.
After much thought as to what make and model vehicle I'd like as a secondary vehicle, the more I looked I kept coming back to the 4runner. I considered several vehicles, but the older 4runners were consistently in my price range, I found it interesting, and looked easier to maintain and fix on my own. I just wanted something inexpensive and fun to drive besides the Xterra which was on call for every time I wanted to go from point A to B.
While I didn't need another 4x4 as my backup vehicle, it is appealing to my interests which should keep me enthused about it. Plus I'll have fun mixing it up and gaining experience driving different 4x4s. I've never wheeled an automatic, so I think that will be interesting. I understand these are quite capable stock as well. I have my Xterra in a place I'm quite happy with it's setup, and I have a several more mods planned for it but that is winding down into a point where I'm content with it and just want to use it. I can take it slow and have some fun with the 4runner, maybe even experiment a bit without messing with what I have and like in the Xterra. The idea is between the 2 I won't rack up insane miles on my Xterra like I am now. This 4runner already has lots of miles and with some TLC hopefully can stand many more, hauling me back and forth to work 2-3 times a week won't bother it much. (Probably drive the Xterra a day or two so it's not sitting, oh the joys of multiple vehicles...)
I thought I found a 4runner back in December but turned out it had a disintegrating frame under it, so I went about my business and not long after one popped up literally on my way to work at one of those "buy here pay here" used lots. I looked it over, it has it's rough spots and needed some TLC, but when it came down to it all the important bits appeared to be in good shape. Frame was clean, minimal rust on everything, engine ran smooth and quiet, it drove well, most if not all the doo dads work, 4x4 systems worked, so I felt good about it's condition. There are many out there in better shape I'm sure.
Some "buy here pay here" guys get a bad rap, and many probably deserve it, but I actually liked the folks running that place. They didn't give me a lot of BS, I was just going to cut a check for the vehicle so they shot me the price they wanted for it, lower than the sticker price, and I thought it was fair so I bought it. Probably the least strained interaction I've had with buying a vehicle.
On to the details:
2000 Toyota 4runner
Limited trim
Multi-mode 4x4 (Center diff type)
No rear locker. (Bummer...)
What I know about it:
Dealer had no maintenance records, so I bought it based on what I could see. I pulled a carfax before I paid for it and found some maintenance logs, but the surprise came when I was nosing around inside after I bought it, and found the glove box stuffed full of papers. I had seen them before when I was inspecting it and thought it was old road maps, but when I pulled them out it was full of receipts for what looked like everything the 2nd (last) owner had done to it. I skimmed through, going to go back to it later. At first glance I don't think this guy was too involved in maintenance, but at least he changed his oil on a regular basis, good for him (and me.)
I also seen on the carfax where it had been totaled, and seemed to be why the last owner no longer owned it. After some looking I found the damaged area, it appears to have been in a fender bender on the passenger front. I found where the fit of the front fender and bumper area is warped, but actually it was hard to tell it had been in an accident, the only obvious evidence is under the hood, and a few places they got a bit sloppy masking the paint job. For a vehicle this age and what I want it for, not a problem.
My immediate fix it list before I start driving it around:
Probably one at a time jobs over the coming months:
It's been mostly dark since I've had it, I work during the day so what time I have been around it I've been looking it over for stuff to fix before I trust it to drive. So here is the only photo I have of it from the dealer lot, cheesy antenna flag and all.
After much thought as to what make and model vehicle I'd like as a secondary vehicle, the more I looked I kept coming back to the 4runner. I considered several vehicles, but the older 4runners were consistently in my price range, I found it interesting, and looked easier to maintain and fix on my own. I just wanted something inexpensive and fun to drive besides the Xterra which was on call for every time I wanted to go from point A to B.
While I didn't need another 4x4 as my backup vehicle, it is appealing to my interests which should keep me enthused about it. Plus I'll have fun mixing it up and gaining experience driving different 4x4s. I've never wheeled an automatic, so I think that will be interesting. I understand these are quite capable stock as well. I have my Xterra in a place I'm quite happy with it's setup, and I have a several more mods planned for it but that is winding down into a point where I'm content with it and just want to use it. I can take it slow and have some fun with the 4runner, maybe even experiment a bit without messing with what I have and like in the Xterra. The idea is between the 2 I won't rack up insane miles on my Xterra like I am now. This 4runner already has lots of miles and with some TLC hopefully can stand many more, hauling me back and forth to work 2-3 times a week won't bother it much. (Probably drive the Xterra a day or two so it's not sitting, oh the joys of multiple vehicles...)
I thought I found a 4runner back in December but turned out it had a disintegrating frame under it, so I went about my business and not long after one popped up literally on my way to work at one of those "buy here pay here" used lots. I looked it over, it has it's rough spots and needed some TLC, but when it came down to it all the important bits appeared to be in good shape. Frame was clean, minimal rust on everything, engine ran smooth and quiet, it drove well, most if not all the doo dads work, 4x4 systems worked, so I felt good about it's condition. There are many out there in better shape I'm sure.
Some "buy here pay here" guys get a bad rap, and many probably deserve it, but I actually liked the folks running that place. They didn't give me a lot of BS, I was just going to cut a check for the vehicle so they shot me the price they wanted for it, lower than the sticker price, and I thought it was fair so I bought it. Probably the least strained interaction I've had with buying a vehicle.
On to the details:
2000 Toyota 4runner
Limited trim
Multi-mode 4x4 (Center diff type)
No rear locker. (Bummer...)
What I know about it:
Dealer had no maintenance records, so I bought it based on what I could see. I pulled a carfax before I paid for it and found some maintenance logs, but the surprise came when I was nosing around inside after I bought it, and found the glove box stuffed full of papers. I had seen them before when I was inspecting it and thought it was old road maps, but when I pulled them out it was full of receipts for what looked like everything the 2nd (last) owner had done to it. I skimmed through, going to go back to it later. At first glance I don't think this guy was too involved in maintenance, but at least he changed his oil on a regular basis, good for him (and me.)
I also seen on the carfax where it had been totaled, and seemed to be why the last owner no longer owned it. After some looking I found the damaged area, it appears to have been in a fender bender on the passenger front. I found where the fit of the front fender and bumper area is warped, but actually it was hard to tell it had been in an accident, the only obvious evidence is under the hood, and a few places they got a bit sloppy masking the paint job. For a vehicle this age and what I want it for, not a problem.
My immediate fix it list before I start driving it around:
- + battery terminal is buggered and loose, found replacement.
- Right front turn signal wire is cut, probably in accident, must find new plug and splice it on.
- New bulbs in license plate lights.
- New air filter
- New oil filter
- Oil change
- Brake fluid flush (looks like pea soup or something in the reservoir, I bet it's never been changed. The level is low making the brake light come on.)
- A good clean up on the interior, it's kinda icky...I'll just feel better in it once it's clean.
- See if the spare tire mounts up where it's supposed to, currently riding around in the back.
Probably one at a time jobs over the coming months:
- Brake job. (Fluid low, thus assuming pads are worn...will know when I flush the fluid.)
- Obtain and program a second set of master keys, also research and see if I can get a door lock fob as it didn't come with one, but is likely equipped for it.
- Drive line fluids. (TC & Axles, for the AT I'm not sure, if the drain doesn't give me issue I'll just drain and fill several times until it's mostly fresh fluid, I think that will be better than goofing with it too much.)
- Timing belt (Last change I know about was in the 60k mile area, it's at 239k now...it could have been changed since then, but I'll plan to do it when I get time.)
- Running boards = gone.
- I got to do something about those tires....I have some not quite worn out Duratrac's off my Xterra before I went to 33's, they are 265/75/16, be a shame to let those not get used all the way up...
- Rear hatch struts.
- The fog lights were not replaced after the accident, after pricing them I know why....going to see if I can find some at the junk yard to clean up and install, all the wiring is in place just need to bolt them on. I am worried about the alignment with the holes in the bumper since it's warped a bit, I'll need to look into that.
- Maybe a new radiator to head off strawberry milkshake. Coolant needs a flush anyway. Wondering if it got replaced in it's little accident though...
It's been mostly dark since I've had it, I work during the day so what time I have been around it I've been looking it over for stuff to fix before I trust it to drive. So here is the only photo I have of it from the dealer lot, cheesy antenna flag and all.
