New guy with some questions about a recently acquired 1997 4Runner.

[talisman]

Hi there. My name is Eric, and I live in Arlington, Texas. After a roadtrip to several National Parks this last August I decided I wanted to get a vehicle I could road trip and take off road on mild trails here and there. After much looking around, I decided I was looking for a 4Runner, 96-02. I picked one up earlier this week, a 1997 Limited 4x4, with a 2 inch lift, TRD wheels, ARB front end and roof rack, and 189k on the clock. Previous owners pic:

It was a North Carolina truck that spent a lot of time in New England, so I got it for fairly cheap since most Texans are scared of a little rust. Since Monday, I've got it inspected, titled, an Alpine Cd player with iPod and USB installed, and the darkest legal tint, which is limo all the way around aside from the doors. Now that some of the easy basics are covered, I want to address the suspension. Looking underneath, it looks to have been awhile since anything was replaced. It doesn't ride too horrible, however, I have a lot of back problems and neck problems from a bad wreck over a decade ago. I'm looking for advice on what I can do to make it more comfortable. Seeing as I won't be going outrageous offroading it, but still want to be able to drive around a mountain to a camp site here and there, what would you gents suggest? This is my 28th vehicle, but the first 4x4 I've owned, having mostly been interested in racing Mustangs in the past. As I've gotten older my interest in that has waned and I'm hoping a more useful vehicle will help me pick up some new hobbies, while still staying automotive centric. Anyways, I'll shut the hell up now, and thanks in advance for any advice you can give a newb. Here's one more pic of it in my garage:

 

[Lecoq]

Nice Runner! I hear lots of good things about Icon suspension in terms of comfort and offroad capability. My friend just install Icon coilovers and rear shocks on his 2nd Gen Tacoma and it's a really nice smooth ride. I'm sure you'll be happy with your 3rd gen.

 

[talisman]

Cool, I'll look into that, thanks! I've also been looking at the Baja XRS Seats from Corbeau, but they don't make them in tan. I've inquired about special ordering them but they haven't responded. I'd hate to buy some expensive seats that need to be recovered out of the box. Has anyone on here upgraded their seats to anything suspension or aftermarket at all? Opinions? Someone told me I should try some older Lexus seats, and that remains in the realm of possibilities. Thanks again.

 

[enzo]

Nice rides man.

 

[talisman]

Nice rides man.

Thanks!

 

[rickashay]

Nice 4Runner!! Same color as my old 98' which I dearly miss. (build thread if your interested: http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/60951-98-4Runner-Dirt-Duster-Build)

You definitely can't go wrong with Icon suspension, it's pricey compared to other options but they do make quality stuff. Do you plan on loading up the rear with a lot of weight? I'd look into Toytec superflex rear coils. Another common option is to put 80-series Land Cruiser FRONT coils into the rear of the 3rd Gen 4Runner. They are super soft springs and ride very nice.

Seats: I know you can swap in Scion Xb and Tc seats. I would assume you could do FRS seats too with some work. I was thinking of putting IS300 seats in my 4Runner, no idea if they would fit, but dimensionally I thought they were worth a look.

As for common maintenance items (you seem to be a gear-head so you've probably already done your research but here goes..)
- make sure you have an external transmission cooler or check the condition/last replacement of the radiator (you want to avoid the "pink milkshake" - where the transmission cooler in the lower portion of the rad. fails, causing the trans fluid to mix with your engine coolant)
- Lower ball joints should be replaced, especially on lifted trucks, every 100-120K miles. If your still on the originals, I would replace them asap as they are known to break with age, sending the front end into the ground! (search Lower "ball joint failure")
- timing belt and water pump every 120K
- extend those diff breathers before you start taking it into the bush!

You've started with an excellent platform and when outfitted they are surprisingly capable, especially with the rear E-locker in your Limited. Your going to enjoy it!

Cheers

 

[talisman]

Nice 4Runner!! Same color as my old 98' which I dearly miss. (build thread if your interested: http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/60951-98-4Runner-Dirt-Duster-Build)

You definitely can't go wrong with Icon suspension, it's pricey compared to other options but they do make quality stuff. Do you plan on loading up the rear with a lot of weight? I'd look into Toytec superflex rear coils. Another common option is to put 80-series Land Cruiser FRONT coils into the rear of the 3rd Gen 4Runner. They are super soft springs and ride very nice.

Seats: I know you can swap in Scion Xb and Tc seats. I would assume you could do FRS seats too with some work. I was thinking of putting IS300 seats in my 4Runner, no idea if they would fit, but dimensionally I thought they were worth a look.

As for common maintenance items (you seem to be a gear-head so you've probably already done your research but here goes..)
- make sure you have an external transmission cooler or check the condition/last replacement of the radiator (you want to avoid the "pink milkshake" - where the transmission cooler in the lower portion of the rad. fails, causing the trans fluid to mix with your engine coolant)
- Lower ball joints should be replaced, especially on lifted trucks, every 100-120K miles. If your still on the originals, I would replace them asap as they are known to break with age, sending the front end into the ground! (search Lower "ball joint failure")
- timing belt and water pump every 120K
- extend those diff breathers before you start taking it into the bush!

You've started with an excellent platform and when outfitted they are surprisingly capable, especially with the rear E-locker in your Limited. Your going to enjoy it!

Cheers

Just read that whole thread, great looking truck and pictures! To answer some of your questions and suggestions:

I manage an auto parts store, so I'm okay with mechanical knowledge, though these days with the back problems I typically farm work out instead of doing it myself unfortunately. It does have a new radiator and external trans cooler that were recently done. Balljoints have been replaced, and the tbelt was done 90k ago. Got a lot of service records with the truck that give me good peace of mind. Nice to hear from someone other than the seller that the major potential issues have already been addressed, though I imagine I'll want to tackle that tbelt job again before too long.

I wouldn't plan on loading up more than 2-300 pounds probably. I REALLY like the bed setup you made for the back of your rig and would like to do something similar for road trips. I'm currently on a mission to grand road tour the entire 49 continental United States, and have taken 5 of 8 trips to get it done, including a trek across British Columbia to Alaska by way of the AlCan last summer. I've got the western half of the country finished, aside from North Dakota. I typically travel pretty light, but I would like to bring a bike, and find a nice rear bumper spare tire carrier set up that is ready to go. Any suggestions on that? Thanks a ton for the info.

 

[rickashay]

Just read that whole thread, great looking truck and pictures! To answer some of your questions and suggestions:

I manage an auto parts store, so I'm okay with mechanical knowledge, though these days with the back problems I typically farm work out instead of doing it myself unfortunately. It does have a new radiator and external trans cooler that were recently done. Balljoints have been replaced, and the tbelt was done 90k ago. Got a lot of service records with the truck that give me good peace of mind. Nice to hear from someone other than the seller that the major potential issues have already been addressed, though I imagine I'll want to tackle that tbelt job again before too long.

I wouldn't plan on loading up more than 2-300 pounds probably. I REALLY like the bed setup you made for the back of your rig and would like to do something similar for road trips. I'm currently on a mission to grand road tour the entire 49 continental United States, and have taken 5 of 8 trips to get it done, including a trek across British Columbia to Alaska by way of the AlCan last summer. I've got the western half of the country finished, aside from North Dakota. I typically travel pretty light, but I would like to bring a bike, and find a nice rear bumper spare tire carrier set up that is ready to go. Any suggestions on that? Thanks a ton for the info.

Oh great, sounds like the PO had a good grasp on the few issues that 4Runner owners sometimes face. That's great to know it has all been addressed! Awesome trips planned too... BC and Alaska are AMAZING. I'll be heading to the Yukon and Alaska again sometime in the next few years.

I'd probably look into the Toytec rear coils pretty closely, and my Tundra Bilstein 5100's and TRD Tundra coils in the front rode magnificently. Lots of good sleeping platform ideas out there, but mine worked great for my needs and I loved that I could fold it away and use the rear seats if i wanted. Rear bumpers, I'd look at CBI offroad. Mine was a CBI "Hybrid" without the swing out but any of their models can have a swing-out as an option. Some of them even have fold-down tables which are pretty cool.

Just lemme know if you have any more questions!

Addison

 

[Kole]

I saw that runner on Craigs list. I actually contacted the seller to see if I could buy just the bumper... He said NO haha.

 

[talisman]

Oh great, sounds like the PO had a good grasp on the few issues that 4Runner owners sometimes face. That's great to know it has all been addressed! Awesome trips planned too... BC and Alaska are AMAZING. I'll be heading to the Yukon and Alaska again sometime in the next few years.

I'd probably look into the Toytec rear coils pretty closely, and my Tundra Bilstein 5100's and TRD Tundra coils in the front rode magnificently. Lots of good sleeping platform ideas out there, but mine worked great for my needs and I loved that I could fold it away and use the rear seats if i wanted. Rear bumpers, I'd look at CBI offroad. Mine was a CBI "Hybrid" without the swing out but any of their models can have a swing-out as an option. Some of them even have fold-down tables which are pretty cool.

Just lemme know if you have any more questions!

Addison

I'll check out that bumper set up, thanks again.

Here I'm entering Yukon from BC off Highway 37, which is every bit as desolate and crazy as the AlCan.

My Favorite picture from the AlCan:

And here I am at Mile Zero in Dawson Creek. What an incredible stretch of road that is.

I saw that runner on Craigs list. I actually contacted the seller to see if I could buy just the bumper... He said NO haha.

hahaha, that's awesome. the internet sure has made the world smaller.