Let me start out by saying I absolutely love my 4Runner. The engine, while solid, has lower compression and some power loss. However, in 1997, my father (2nd owner) planed the heads and replaced the blown HG. Now, 210k later, its still going strong . Anyway, recently, I've been obsessed with putting it back to OEM. This 4Runner was totaled in 1994, passenger side frame was bent. Insurance company paid to get it running/rolling. My dad bought it and eventually handed it down to me. Its covered in 'love dents', especially on hood and tailgate. In 2011, a tree branch fell and broke the window and dented the crap outta the hood. Today, I pushed most of the dent out and bondoed the hood. Tomorrow, the final coat of bondo is going on along with some black rattle can (supposedly Toyota black). I chose rattle can because the cash flow is low, and its better than a rusted dent on my hood.

After I killed the rust and pushed the dent out:



Painting the grille and windshield wiper arms:



Bondo layer numero uno:



I PROMISE the grill and bumper look better, the flash really highlighted the smudges:




If the hood paint turns out fine, then I'm sanding the passenger side down and redoing. Someone pressure washed the side with train degreaser. Bye bye clear coat, hello (now dead) rust under the windows.

 

Excellent. One step at time. Each small improvement adds up. I share your OEM passion.

 

I figure there is no need to use large, inefficient tyres that don't match the 90s styling . Anyway, I need a new side sticker too. While I'm painting the hood, I can fix the chips in the front. Does someone have a high-res scan of the side sticker?