We bought a 3rd gen 4runner!

Meet, Lindsay. Jill's new (to us) 1997 4runner... We've got a few fun projects planned to bring her back to her former glory so I thought I would introduce her to the channel in this quick update.

[@FissionChips1983]

Very nice! I will say that given the color of the radiator plastic, it's a safe bet to replace it. Glad to hear you're doing it. Solid rig!

[@arischreiber2213]

That's pretty clean. I have the exact same one with 208k kms I picked up just before lockdown. I got it from an old guy original owner and it was showroom inside. Everything works and I only had to replace the shocks and she was perfect. Runs like a top and not a squeak or rattle at all. Remarkable build quality. Hope you get yours going soon and enjoy for a long time. These are the best Runners ever made. If it's not a 3rd Gen it's a Turd Gen. Happy travels and safe motoring.

[@WastingTimeInTheWoods]

Turd gen!!!! Love it.

[@arischreiber2213]

@@WastingTimeInTheWoods Haha yeah buddy. One other thing I did was Tundra brake upgrade. Way better than stock for sure. Had to grind a little off the caliper to fit smaller wheel but no one will ever notice. Highly recommend it.

[@jeremyledbetter8022]

Wow! Very clean rig you have! I bought a ‘99 same model and color scheme as yours back in June 2021. I had to replace valve cover gaskets, timing belt and fuel pump. Also ordered a magnaflow overland exhaust. Have fun with the project.

[@smoketheartist9501]

I had that gremlin of a oil leak. Replace valve covers gaskets and if you are serious about it do timing belt / water pump and replace crank seal and from cam seals. That should fix pretty much all oil leaks. My engine would smoke insane but VCG fixed that, then I had a leak coming from front of engine and crank seal / cam seals fixed that.

[@lukemarvin]

The groans when getting in/out of the truck are very relatable.

[@WastingTimeInTheWoods]

I'd like to think my groans give me an air of wisdom and gravitas... But I think it's just people staring at me thinking "WTF is wrong with that old man?" 😅

[@Squisheyy]

I'm looking forward to seeing how it goes, It's a beauty for the price these days.

[@Mcevoy91]

Good thinking about the camry. We did the same and made a small profit.

[@willblake72]

SMOD is what killed my xterra. Strawberry milkshake of death. Looks like a beaut though, good luck with it!

[@Br1anuk]

Exact same thing happens with the Automatic Prado 90 series. The manual cars don’t have a gearbox cooler so don’t suffer the milkshakes. I’ve heard some people convert the gearbox cooler to a separate unit but I believe a whole new radiator isn’t that expensive.

[@spriot]

I feel like you did some research, love my third Gen. Definitely a money pit though.

[@LogisticusMaximus]

With 200k + miles and the broken valve cover I would highly recommend pulling the heads and replacing the head gaskets. This is a common failure on the 3.4 wit that kind of mileage. My 96 had a cracked valve cover replaced at 275k and the head gasket failed at 287k. If I replaced the hg when the vc was replaced it would have saved me a lot of time and work

[@WastingTimeInTheWoods]

Did the leaking oil foul the head gasket somehow?

[@LogisticusMaximus]

@@WastingTimeInTheWoods No, it’s just that if you are going to repair/replace the valve cover yourself, you’ve already done about half the work to get to the heads.

[@LogisticusMaximus]

@@WastingTimeInTheWoods Here is a link to a very good series on replacing the head gaskets kzbin.info/www/bejne/rKCvc4V6j7FsnKc

[@gabrielmillien7439]

It is a nice truck

[@Br1anuk]

That’s a Toyota Hilux Surf Rest of World. Basically a Hilux pickup with a suv body. Same as the one Topgear tried to destroy.

[@WastingTimeInTheWoods]

Love that episode! The best was when they drowned it in the sea for 24hrs and then started the next day.

[@Br1anuk]

@@WastingTimeInTheWoods you’re 4Runner looks in amazing condition besides the oil leak. Can’t wait to see how it develops.

[@Alex-rl4uy]

Replace lower ball joints with Toyotas, 125 a piece give or take. Steering rack bushings should need replacement. Good luck man I have a 98 sr5 with 195k miles. Btw my starter just went out, easy swap though

[@WastingTimeInTheWoods]

Got all toyota ball joints and uca/lca bushings ready to rock. Just waiting for my 5100’s to come : )

[@ChrisGarcia505]

Looks like that radiator needs replacing

[@ricksmith7659]

My advice for suspension is don't do the commonly used Bilstein setup too stiff. I have Icon stage 1 on my 99 and Elka coilovers on my 02. Love them both especially on the trails

[@WastingTimeInTheWoods]

Did the Bilstein’s. Yep, a lot stiffer now. I don’t love it but Jill likes it that way…

[@Sophos1964]

What’s the latest on your Gen 3 4 Runner project?

[@WastingTimeInTheWoods]

Been done for 6 months but no time to make the videos : ( I have the suspension video shot, just need to edit it. Those will be my next videos likely in a few weeks. I also did valve covers/half moons, plugs /wires and flushed everything. I sho it all and will post it as I have time.

[@jamesmolenaar6750]

Nooo don’t take away our gx videos!! Lol I really like the gx videos you make.

[@WastingTimeInTheWoods]

Sorry, just behind on editing. New videos about gx ironman fcp lift coming soon…

[@jesusmarquez4093]

What’s the color on it ?

[@WastingTimeInTheWoods]

Desert Sand Metalic. Not my favorite aspect of the rig but Jill likes it.

[@yha7627]

Keep both of the cars

[@smoketheartist9501]

Replace radiator.

[@huichungyinkenny1575]

Can I buy your bumper?