1995 4Runner - the Alaska Rig

[Schattenjager]

Just picked up this '95 SR-5 4Runner - LOW miles - 105K with great paint and interior. I'm pulling the pant soiling, not good for much, running boards tomorrow and will send it in to the stealership for a timing belt / H2O pump service. (independent wrenches here are sketchy and totally void of the feel good vibe) Then its a wee lift and some BFG AT's, couple of LightForce and an ARB front bumper. Being here in the frozen waste of Anchorage, shipping and unreasonable local parts dealers will have me scouring the net for the best values. I've been without a rig for a few months and am excited to be moving in the right direction again.

Here she is with the previous owner saying Adios:

 

[silvElise]

Congrats on the new nice looking rig!

 

[Applejack]

Nice! I hope all goes well for you and your new ride. May you both live happily ever after.:smiley_drive:

 

[Tim A]

105K? Niiiiiice find!

 

[Martinjmpr]

I'll bet for less than the cost of an ARB you can have something fabbed up locally. With all the oil workers in AK I can imagine there are a lot of welders/fabricators who could use the work. Just a thought.

 

[Schattenjager]

I'll bet for less than the cost of an ARB you can have something fabbed up locally. With all the oil workers in AK I can imagine there are a lot of welders/fabricators who could use the work. Just a thought.

It is very challenging to find reasonably priced, quality work here. I was surprised during my first three years here.

There are many exceptions to this, of course - I just got a smoking deal on this rig and do business with many, many fine folk here. In my 40+ years and living in four states, I along with others find Alaska to be challenging in many ways. Affordably mod'ing a rig is chief amongst them.

 

[Schattenjager]

Did some 'first step' stuff to the 4Runner - ditched the running boards, painted the rusty chrome wheels with rattle can bed liner - really looks amazing - and added my gear basket. Also fixed a rats nest of wiring and got the KC's working. Can't wait for the light forces! Tomorrow is the timing belt and H2O pump!

Before:

After:

What a difference a day makes!

 

[tanglefoot]

Wow--what a great rig! I sure do like the 2nd-gens. I would save the money and just use it as it is (except for the maintenance items). It looks like it's all ready to go! The wheels look great in black, but if you're ever faced with rusty chrome wheels again, just wet them down and scrub them with balled-up aluminum foil. It rubs the rust right off without scratching the finish. You can use that trick if you have any rust showing up on the bumpers.

Have fun with it. I really like the charcoal interior--nice!

 

[CYi5]

I'm jealous of your tailgate ...I wish someone would offer a conversion for 3rd gens! 2nd gens really have a generous amount of storage space behind the rear seats.

 

[Schattenjager]

I'm jealous of your tailgate ...

Don't worry - you are not alone!
:elkgrin:

Driving the 4Runner for a few days has really been an education for me. As many of you may know I have been lucky enough to have some pretty cool rigs whose build threads are here on ExPo. The 05 Tacoma and the Land Cruiser were so nice and the LC was easily far beyond my abilities and so so cool. But a crisis hit and they are gone. Now I have the 4Runner after months of borrowing an old F-150 trash truck.

I was tempted to buy something new - a Tundra or another Land Cruiser, but did not want the debt, especially considering what I have just been through. The little 95 4Runner is very nice but I worried about my pride after always driving newer, nice cars and rigs. My, what a difference a day makes, yes? I surprisingly find myself proud of the little SUV and really enjoy driving it. It harkens to simpler times a little and everything works perfectly. I am delighted that I still have my 4x4 gear to use in this rig and am even more excited that I will NOT have a monthly payment and the operation costs of a fun, fairly capable rig are so incredibly low. It is a perfect fit and may very well have been the rig i NEEDED all along.

So, now I need a front bumper (moose country) and sliders. Maybe a rear bumper to replace the rust there now. Then I want to enjoy the rig vs. enjoy the build - which is what I have done in the past.

Any ideas for effective yet 'budget minded' bumpers / sliders?
:snorkel:

 

[corax]

Glad to hear you're enjoying the new ride! I love the pure basic driving experience from the older Toyotas - no ABS, Traction Control, Stability Program, Crawl Control or any of the other unnecessary junk that has prevented so many people from learning how to actually drive (vs. relying on the technology to do it for them).

Do you want tube or plate bumpers? It seems like, unless you build your own or find a used one, tube bumpers are generally less expensive.

 

[Schattenjager]

Further observations:

Well, of the rigs i have owned in the past, this 4Runner is certainly SMALL. But that is working out to be a plus. It is super easy to navigate and park, which is a very nice change. Storage is limited, but with the roof basket and a Sherpa cargo bag, I should not have to leave any gear behind that I had carried in the Land Cruiser. The 4Runner is getting around 17 MPG in 4X4 all the time due to the icy roads and slow speeds. This is is lower than I expected, but still better than the 7 MPG Ford truck I borrowed.

I talked with Wil at Sierra Expeditions today and ordered a set of standard rear springs. I'll dial in the front bars to level it out and see how I like that setup. The shocks seem fine for now, but will replace them with the OMEs in spring, when things start to get a little more serious.

Over all, I am happy with this one. I am getting a small tare in the drivers seat so will need to find some good seat covers. That will be all of the bling I care to do this round.

 

[E30RUNNER]

Alaska is a beautiful place! Nice Truck

 

[upcruiser]

Great find! Didn't realize you migrated north. Beautiful area for sure there, hope you are enjoying it.

 

[JCMatthews]

bumper

Since you mentioned "Moose Country" I'd go with ARB even with the expense. Read on their web site about the f250 that hit a moose at 65. It is incredibly amazing. You might be able to find someone to make you a good looking bumper, but there is no telling how it will hold up. ARB's are timed tested, and their strenght is well know. If you want to keep your 4 Runner in one piece following a moose collision, I'd go with the reputable ARB Bull Bar.