The Death of a 3rd Gen
05-22-2005, 06:31 AM
#1
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The Death of a 3rd Gen
As luck would have it...
I'm traveling down I40 through Arkansas on a rainy day, have my cruise set to about 65mph. The road is straight and I've not had any traction issues. I'm cruising along when I notice that the kid passing me on the left has his ford focus pointed perpendicular to me, and facing me. Without much of a chance, I herd her over onto the right shoulder in hopes that I can scurry by him as he shoots across the interstate. My hopes are dashed with a very audible and feelable "BANG." The 4Runner instantly swaps ends. I'm now cruising backwards at the same speed. I'm hard on the brakes, but she's really wanting to swap ends. Anyone that's driven at high speed in reverse knows what I'm talking about, and at 60mph, you can only imagine. I'm slightly relieved to see all the cars that were behind me, and now in front of me, all shutting down and it looks like I'm not going to be run over. This view doesn't last long, as the truck whips back around and does a 360 or so. Then I feel it and kinda have to go along with physics as she heavs up and over onto the roof. Then it's a long slide straight down the interstate for 50 yards or so. It seemed like it was never going to come to a halt. All I could see was the asphalt passing beneath me. Finally it does stop. I look around for the cat that was with me. (long story, no, I don't travel with pets usually). He's no where to be found. I'm rumaging around in there, and finally figure I better get out. I kick the passenger door twice to get it open with no luck. The driver's door is sealed. THen someone opens the back passenger's side door and I walk out to assess the damage. There's my belongings strewn all down the highway. I was traveling heavy, bags, jacks, jack stands, computers.... lots of stuff. Like I said... lucky. I get out of the truck, can't find the cell phone. Finally I do and it's toast. Borrow someone elses phone to call in some backup for a ride back to Little Rock. Then I go hunting the cat that was with me about 30 seconds previously. I find him in the ditch a long way out. Apparently he was ejected out of the back window. Luckily all he needed were some stitches to make things better. I was very fortunate. I had a slight bruised muscle and slight abraison on my left shoulder. I've never been so happy that my Limited was one of the few without a sunroof!
http://rydesign.org/kyle/images/DCP04685.jpg
http://rydesign.org/kyle/images/DCP04778.jpg
http://rydesign.org/kyle/images/DCP04780.jpg
http://rydesign.org/kyle/images/DCP04776.jpg
http://rydesign.org/kyle/images/DCP04781.jpg
I was happy with the way the 4Runner held up in the rollover. They really are some of the safer trucks out there when the bad stuff goes down.
I've arranged to purchase my dad's 98 to replace my 99. It's not as "bling" but I'm saving a lot of money and will now be able to purchase a vehicle that is more "me" (RX7 TT) and have a 4Runner to get me back and forth to work reliably.
***Pics edited for size***
I'm traveling down I40 through Arkansas on a rainy day, have my cruise set to about 65mph. The road is straight and I've not had any traction issues. I'm cruising along when I notice that the kid passing me on the left has his ford focus pointed perpendicular to me, and facing me. Without much of a chance, I herd her over onto the right shoulder in hopes that I can scurry by him as he shoots across the interstate. My hopes are dashed with a very audible and feelable "BANG." The 4Runner instantly swaps ends. I'm now cruising backwards at the same speed. I'm hard on the brakes, but she's really wanting to swap ends. Anyone that's driven at high speed in reverse knows what I'm talking about, and at 60mph, you can only imagine. I'm slightly relieved to see all the cars that were behind me, and now in front of me, all shutting down and it looks like I'm not going to be run over. This view doesn't last long, as the truck whips back around and does a 360 or so. Then I feel it and kinda have to go along with physics as she heavs up and over onto the roof. Then it's a long slide straight down the interstate for 50 yards or so. It seemed like it was never going to come to a halt. All I could see was the asphalt passing beneath me. Finally it does stop. I look around for the cat that was with me. (long story, no, I don't travel with pets usually). He's no where to be found. I'm rumaging around in there, and finally figure I better get out. I kick the passenger door twice to get it open with no luck. The driver's door is sealed. THen someone opens the back passenger's side door and I walk out to assess the damage. There's my belongings strewn all down the highway. I was traveling heavy, bags, jacks, jack stands, computers.... lots of stuff. Like I said... lucky. I get out of the truck, can't find the cell phone. Finally I do and it's toast. Borrow someone elses phone to call in some backup for a ride back to Little Rock. Then I go hunting the cat that was with me about 30 seconds previously. I find him in the ditch a long way out. Apparently he was ejected out of the back window. Luckily all he needed were some stitches to make things better. I was very fortunate. I had a slight bruised muscle and slight abraison on my left shoulder. I've never been so happy that my Limited was one of the few without a sunroof!
http://rydesign.org/kyle/images/DCP04685.jpg
http://rydesign.org/kyle/images/DCP04778.jpg
http://rydesign.org/kyle/images/DCP04780.jpg
http://rydesign.org/kyle/images/DCP04776.jpg
http://rydesign.org/kyle/images/DCP04781.jpg
I was happy with the way the 4Runner held up in the rollover. They really are some of the safer trucks out there when the bad stuff goes down.
I've arranged to purchase my dad's 98 to replace my 99. It's not as "bling" but I'm saving a lot of money and will now be able to purchase a vehicle that is more "me" (RX7 TT) and have a 4Runner to get me back and forth to work reliably.
***Pics edited for size***
05-22-2005, 06:43 AM
#4
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Thread Starter
The other guy spun around again after bouncing off me, but kept his trajectory which was ditch oriented. He finally came to rest in some bushes/small trees about 75 yards to the right of the interstate with very minor damage in comparison. Most of his damage came from hitting me. The wet ground I'm sure slowed him a lot when he left the road. He however was towed out, so his car was not legally driveable (no lights, etc.)
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05-22-2005, 08:52 AM
#13
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really glad you and the cat are ok. AND that you are getting your dad's 98. Now..time for:
cupholder mod
headlight upgrade
keep those limited rims
sell off rest of parts..
cupholder mod
headlight upgrade
keep those limited rims
sell off rest of parts..
05-22-2005, 08:54 AM
#14
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Thread Starter
This happened on the 30th i believe of april. The truck was finally hauled off from the driveway about 3 days ago, and I got a check for it. The other guy's insurance paid for that as well as 3 weeks in a grand cherokee rental. They'll also be covering personal property damage - stuff that was inside the truck and was damaged.
05-22-2005, 09:31 AM
#15
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Glad to hear that you and the cat made it out ok. That sucks about the runner but it can be replaced, you & kitty can't.
05-22-2005, 11:18 AM
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Sounds like a ride I took, about a year ago, only add some ice and 2 360's on a horizontal plane. Glad to hear you and kitty lived too tell the tale. These are tough trucks, but don't forget to wear your seatbelt!
And I gotta ask...why did you have cruise turned on in wet conditions?
And I gotta ask...why did you have cruise turned on in wet conditions?
05-22-2005, 12:55 PM
#20
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Thread Starter
Originally Posted by Blair
Sounds like a ride I took, about a year ago, only add some ice and 2 360's on a horizontal plane. Glad to hear you and kitty lived too tell the tale. These are tough trucks, but don't forget to wear your seatbelt!
And I gotta ask...why did you have cruise turned on in wet conditions?
And I gotta ask...why did you have cruise turned on in wet conditions?
Because I'm that good.
I've done my time of driving stupid and have autocrossed for many years before I got this 4Runner. I'm not new to the rain, snow, ice, or dry. I know the physics behind the rubber meeting the road and can turn in some pretty good lap times at the local autocrosses (in a car obviously). I can also turn a wrench pretty well. I'm not your average driver without a clue in the world, and yes I do take offense to an ignorant comment like that. I can drive and if I didn't think cruise was a good idea I wouldn't have had it on. One can draw NO conclusion that cruise control had any effect on the cause or outcome of that situation.
Last edited by My99; 05-22-2005 at 01:10 PM.
