NwRunners 4Runner Resurrection
 

Craigslist find. 1999 4Runner Limited, 197k Miles, original owner, no rust anywhere.

From his own words. "I had an irritating cooling leak (8oz every 100 miles). I tried to solve the problem by adding stop-leak to the engine. BAD IDEA! the leak was in the headgasket, stop-leak found its way into the engine. Ran fine until the engine froze when it got cold."

I dont know what happened exactly, but he took it to a mechanic who told him he needed a new engine. He didnt want to put any more money into it so he put it on CL for a redic price... and i bought it.

This thread will cover me bringing her back to life, ill grab some pictures of the mangled motor in the morning. Im currently planning on getting a re manufactured motor. I dont know anyone local/reputable that sells them so im keeping my eye out for a low mileage pull.

Just got it off the flatbed, here are the best pictures i could grab.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y17...t/4runner2.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y17...t/4runner3.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y17...t/4runner1.jpg

Nice find. I will be following along on this. What about rebuilding the motor your self?

sweet find.

Not cheap, but a reputable rebuilder across the state, I just got a performance 22re (if there is such a thing) from them and love it.

http://www.sunwestautomotiveengines.com/lb-toyota.html

ouch, just looked. 3 grand. A lower mileage pull would be your best bet, just gotta keep scanning CL.

Looks like its definitely worth saving though. Good luck

Im not confident in my abilitites enough to rebuild the bottom end, ive done the top end in my Tacoma and thats about as far as my comfort zone goes.

More pictures. The mechanic stopped dead in his tracks when the PO didnt want to put any more money into it, i was left with this and a box of parts. Notice the milkshake on the back of the head and in the intake manifold.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y17...t/100_2095.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y17...t/100_2094.jpg

Interiors not bad. The leather is in great shape for 200k miles, just minor tears. The "woodgrain" makes me feel so sophisticated. :roll:
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y17...t/100_2086.jpg

Damn. A basket case. You sure everything is there? A low mileage donor or a rebuilt sound like the way to go.

This is the pile of parts i got along with it. I know the timing belt isnt there, other than that my this is the 2nd time ive been this close to a 3.4 so i have no idea.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y17...t/100_2085.jpg

First day it hasnt rained here in the lovely PNW, and i find a spot under the drivers rear drum is soaked in brake fluid, along with a low master. The PO had just gotten new rotors and pads in the front but i guess neglected the rear. It looks as if its been leaking for awhile. Im going to throw a new wheel cylinder in there soon.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y17...t/100_2104.jpg

Motor Update
Found a local JDM Import shop with about 6 5vzfe with less than 50k, so im waiting for a weekend off and running out there to go pick one up.

so.... when are we supercharging it?

GD it.

This guy contacted us about buying it from him, and he would never call us back.

How much did you buy it for?

Also, we have engines at Nix99 if you don't feel like spending 3 GRAND on an engine. call me Monday, and I will get you the Yotatech price.

eh.. comrade josh... this comrade.. is eh.. comrade of comrade... Is good man!

Ill supercharge when we cut the IFS off your new taco!

PM sent DC

lol, so u are the one that got that... good to see someone got it that is going to get it going and not just part it, i had also contacted the guy about that 4runner but price was over what i had saved up...

what was the price on it?

http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/cto/2223307563.html

Heres a guy in lake stevens with a rolled runner. You could pull the engine from that and part the rest out.

Good luck!

what that guy doesn't tell you is that it has 245xxx on the clock. er.. about that much.. i forget. But it does have an elocker.

score! and subscribed!

If you haven't already, check that the fluid isn't from a REAR DIFF SEAL FAILURE. This happened to my 3rd gen and is one of the most common failures on 3rd Gens. It often goes unnoticed for a long time until someone takes off the wheel.

BTW: What price did you pay for the 4Runner. I would like to know. From the pics it looks VERY clean; nice find!

Thanks

too much if he hasn't posted the price yet

I paid $1600 big ones for it.

Im pretty sure its brake fluid. its the same color/smell/consistency as the stuff in the master, just need to get some time to change em. Working overtime so i can get a motor!

poor water on it.. if it dissolves... brake fluid..