Welcome to my pavement pounder. (for now)
I figured i'd start this for a few reasons. One of them being theres not a thread like it that i've seen....and two, there seems to be a serious lack of interesting 3rd gen (& Tacoma) threads w/pics.

So I'm putting lots of effort, time, and $ into my 4runner that im gonna share.
As some of you know, i bought this '96 after my '92 was totaled. After much ongoing dilemma, i've decided to keep it "stock" but we'll see how long that lasts.

The paint was in BAD shape when i got around to finally waxing it. I used Meguiar's "ScratchX" paint cleaner followed by 2 coats of Meguiar's "NHT Tech Wax". I wish i would of taken before pics because it made a HUGE world of a difference that i'm happy about...












This was taken on the shaded side:

 

Beautiful color. Nice!!

 

Another wax + new wheels post?? Nice Rig tho!!! Remember, you don't need mods to have fun off road.... Keep it up.

 

Dig it.

 

Did you check out my link, been up for about 6 mos. now, it has many pictures, and many stories I wrote while I was bored, including the complete list of mods I have done beginning with stock. HERE You can't post questions there, but I am very good about answering PMs. By the way, I like the Sequoia rims, hot!

 

nice wheels, where are the other mods? the lights? looks nice though

 

Thanks for the comments. I forgot to say that i'll be adding pictures of everything i'm doing as time permits. JHupp, your 4runner looks awesome!

Vinylex works wonders:


I sold my OEM hitch and bought an aftermarket hitch that i liked a little more:

Makes a good step too:


Added a hood deflector to help keep flying rocks off my windshield:

 

swap those running boards for sliders and put some 33" MTR's on and it will look perfect!! but as is it looks sweet too! I dont think Iv seen a 4runner that color before

 

It looks better in person. Even on a cloudy day before he buffed it like crazy.

 

f-f-finally we get to see it! Looks great and I dig those wheels. For some reason I was under the impression your new 4runner was white..

I told myself when I bought my newest 4runner that I was gonna start one of these ongoing progress threads but I ran out of motivation and money to make it worthwhile..

Good work finding that, hope you keep it!

 

Bought a MIT Airaid intake tube, Trueflow air filter, replaced some hoses, cleaned the MAF sensor, thottle body, and airbox. The gains in performance were unbelievable!






I used brass fittings from Lowe's on the intake tube.

 

Before:


After:

 

clean engine comp!!

 

Man, that engine sure did clean up nice!

I like the idea of your thread. Allows you to keep adding to it and allows us to see your ride transform.

Nice runner. I've always like that red on the '96s. You don't see it too often.

 

It's really hard to keep that sucker shiny. I have the same color and after getting it about a year ago, I've put some time and dollars into getting her to shine more.

If you're interested, I had a detail shop do the whole nine yards on her and for preventative maintenance, do the following:

1. Only wash her once every three weeks or so;
2. Dust her off every morning w/ a California duster;
3. Once a week, go over the paint w/ a quick-detail spray and clean the windows;
4. Once a year, I'll have her detailed again. The paint has become pretty smooth but in no means does she look brand new. Since I have her washed at the car wash, I'll always have those swirl marks...

 

thats sounds funny to me...to wash the car 1 time every three weeks and once a week hit it with a quick detail spray. did you mean once a week wash it and every three hit it with quick detail?
the duster isnt going to "clean" your car 100% and i feel like you are adding to the swirl marks by whipping it without being washed. maybe im wrong but it sounds strange to me.

 

Awesome, looking good! I just had 2 questions for ya,

1: Did you just wash down the engine with degreaser, or did you power wash it, or a combination of both. I want to do mine, but, I was seeing if anyone had any tips, you definately want to leave the engine off right?

2: Did you have to add the ifttings for the vacuum lines on the air raid? Were the holes pre-drilled or did the air-raid tube offer no holes, and no fittings?

Thanks for the compliments before, my only suggestion would be to ditch those running boards, the 4Rs look sooo much better without them, and at least you can get front mudflaps for your body style. Lookin good,

 

It sounds weird to me but that is what the detail guy recommends. By dusting it everyday, you're really not letting dust build-up, which ends up being the dirt on the truck. The quick detail is done after a wash but also between washes to take off any excess dirt.

I've been doing this for about 8 months and the truck stays clean and smooth. I even took it to the detail guy to ask when should I come back in and he said I really didn't need to.

Swirl marks do not come from the quick detail spray b/c I only wipe off the spray, not rub it in. Swirl marks were there before I got the truck and until I start doing true hand washes, they will stay.

 

huh! it works it works!! just thought you would be rubbing in some dirt when whipping away.

 

I read it is a 96? did it come with the 99 bumper? how hard is it to switch the 96-97 bumper to a 99'???

good job!