This morning as I was driving to class on Kellogg (a major highway in Wichita), my windshield wipers started going, and they didn't stop no matter what I did with the stock that controls them. I thought that was annoying, but didn't think anything of it because, after all, what can you expect from a 28 year old truck that has seen its better days.

I kept driving, and about 30 seconds later, plumes of dark grey smoke start pouring out of the right front hood/fender area, so naturally, I pull off the road and get out and see where it's coming from. It was the wiring harness just after the battery.

I call 911, and, kudos to the fire department, they arrive in 1 minute and 30 seconds FLAT even though it was gridlocked traffic. They put out the fire with 2 Massive fire engines blocking the entire right-hand side of Kellogg at the 135 (Another very major highway that goes through Wichita) interchange to keep cars away from mine, and stay briefly to make sure the fire doesn't restart.

At the height of the traffic, there was 1 and a half MILES of traffic at a dead stop trying to get around the whole group, plus several more miles of slow-going traffic, and for my city, that's a TON of traffic. I was also on KFDI (the biggest local radio station we have here), they were saying to avoid that area because there was a car that had caught on fire that was holding up traffic... Oops. Anyway, after sitting in a cop car for several minutes to keep warm, some friends showed up to tow me off the highway and take me to class.

Right now, it is at my brother's house waiting to know what to do with it. I'm sure it's totaled because the entire right side of the engine compartment is melted to all hell. I may part it out, or collect on insurance, I'll think about it. Just wanted to let you know what's up. I'll definitely start a thread it I decide to part it out.

 

Man, that SUCKS! Just happy you're ok, fires are no joke. Was there any "Custom" wiring on it?

 

This scares me because my 89 in just bought has plenty of "custom" wiring on it. If it wasn't -15 I would of fixed bit already .....hoping for decent weather soon.

 

Pics!

Sorry man , I got a lot of 'custom' wiring on my junk heap , makes ya' wonder ...

 

It can always be fixed just weather you want to or not .

That is why a good fire extinguisher can be a life saver.

Good luck!!

 

Nice work dialing 911 promptly.

 

Wiring is nothing to fear, if its done correctly. ( everything needs to be fused, relayed and connected )

Poor truck. glad you're safe.

 

Yes, there was a decent bit of custom wiring, but what ultimately caused it was the wiring harness where it enters the wheel just after leaving the battery. There was a short from water being kicked up into it. I'll post pics as soon as I can, but it is at my brother's house right now.

 

You could probably go pull a wiring harness and need parts at a pick and pull for the same year and model rig

 

Tell the insurance company you still wish to keep (if they pay out or not) the carcass and look for another and swap and partout.

 

Sorry to hear... get insurance money, swap with new engine!!

 

UPDATE: I sold the 4Runner to my brother to use as parts for his '85 pickup, and I am looking at an AMAZING looking extended cab '94 pickup tomorrow. I'll tell about it after I see it, but I'm hoping for the best!

 

Sorry about the runner but that's awesome if you get a pickup

 

God deal bud, hope it goes well with the 94. Best year IMO!