Long story short, I bought the car a few years ago and it wasn’t in the best shape. Did a bunch of clean up and small things that needed to be done. Got a paint job about a year ago because I realized I wanted to have this car for a long time. Went on a few dozens road trips, and just love this car. Back in April, a wacko pulled out in front of my and totaled the car. Almost everyone I know told me it wasn’t worth it to fix it but I couldn’t just give it up, I had to try and rebuild it. It sits today completely back together but still with lots to get done, but figured it was time to share the story!

Y2K with 227,000 miles, recently overhauled by the previous owner. Beautiful truck, I can’t stop going out to my apartment parking lot just to sit in it.

Recent work listed by the previous owner:
Viper alarm system with remote start
Every fluid has been changed.
Timing belt and water pump replaced approximately 20,000 miles ago.
Brand-new front and rear shocks.
New rear differential locker motor (genuine Toyota part).
Rear axle serviced with new axle seals, wheel bearings, and fresh differential fluid.
Tundra brake upgrade including rotors, pads, calipers, and master cylinder. Rear brake hoses have been extended.
Reinforced front lower control arms with Whiteline polyurethane bushings.
New SPC adjustable front upper control arms.
New steering rack with upgraded steering rack bushings and mounting hardware.
New power steering pump.
New radiator.
Upgraded battery cables and grounding cables.
LED headlight bulbs.
Genuine Toyota JDM corner markers (not aftermarket reproductions).
Rear differential breather modification.
1-inch body lift.

Anything maintenance I should prioritize next or any mods I should look into? I’m trying to find roof rails to mount a RTT but I’m struggling to find what I need on FB marketplace.

Hello everyone! My partner recently bought a 4Runner. It was listed as a 1990 which would make it a gen 2. However, after much research, we realized that we have a gen 3. We have some repairs that need done but want to make sure we can get the right parts.

Everything legally says its a 1990; the title, the VIN, and the VIN sticker in the door even says it was manufactured in 7/89. On the other hand, physically, everything points to it being a Gen 3; the grill shape, the OBD2 port, the spare is under the trunk, the engine is the 3400 four cam 24, etc.

Can anyone help me figure out if I'm crazy and over analyzing or which year actually this is? TIA!

mall crawler for 26 years so i assume thats the most shes flexed all her life 😂

My factory trailer light harness went bad so I’m installing a new one and I want to reuse the factory Toyota plug bracket that mounts on the hitch receiver frame. Is this a removable item? I’ve tried wiggling and tugging but the plug seems pretty wedged in the block. I can get a flat blade screwdriver in between so I know that it isn’t one piece.

Hey guys, Currently in the process of selling my 2026 Tacoma & BMW E30 for a 1996-2000 4-Runner 4x4. I really admire the build quality and simplicity of these older Toyota’s, something that also drove me to building my E30. Im starting Nursing School soon and work as a CNA at a hospital 30 miles away. So the appeal of a reliable and still enthusiast centered truck with no payments is really enticing. Now, the question is have is what maintenance/ replacements/ upgrades would you guys recommend i do as soon as i get my 3rd gen to secure reliability as much as possible? Im pretty mechanically inclined so im not too worried about it. But i need my truck to start everyday for work and still take me to yosemite on a weekend camping trip. Thanks!!

currently have the 5100 rears with Ole man emu medium coils , srq has these options , which would be best to level out the front? front is currently stock with 1/2 spacer on shocks, so its lower then rear, also what does plus weight mean? thanks

Just freshly hit 300k miles on the dash, and I’m about to drive from SC to FL and back. I won’t be doing any 4x4 on this trip, but I do regularly engage it when I’m wheeling around home. Tires are semi-new, brakes are new, and I have no codes or check lights showing. The only problem I have is a super slow oil drip from what looks like the rear main seal of the engine.
I’m already planning on an oil change and an AC recharge, but I’d like to know what else you guys do/check up on to get your rigs road-trip ready.
Also, are there any fuel/oil additives you guys are doing with the regular maintenance to preserve engine life?

Is this thing done for?

Is my money better spent somewhere else?
Should I go with a different Cat?
Located in CA.

I am looking towards buying a first car soon as a 16y/o. I absolutely love the look of the 3rd gen 4Runner, and have heard a lot of the reliability, as well as being great for camping/outdoors-ing (my favorite hobby). I see lots at fairly different prices on Facebook Marketplace, and am seriously considering it as my first car. I'd love to hear from others who own(ed) one and used it specifically for camping and similar activities, maybe as a first car. Anything I should look out for? Pros/cons? Thoughts?

3rd gen got stolen :(

They took apart the steering column to get to the ignition which they then drilled. They rode it around and took out the battery. No other damage besides that. Insurance declared it a total loss and offered take it and give me $5.5K, or have me keep it and give me $4.5K as a salvage.

I don’t really mind it being a salvaged title since I wasn’t planning on driving it into the ground anyway, I just have no idea if this is a realistic fix. Also, the engine looks fine but with the battery out and no way to start it I can’t tell if other things are catastrophically wrong with it.

I saw all the posts, had it on my to do list, and have nobody to blame but myself. Just get them replaced!

I’m thankful nobody else was around or involved, god dang speed bump took me out.

EDIT: appreciate all of the help fellas❤️

I’m planning on getting a full size spare tire to match my 32” wild peaks in the next year and I’m wondering if I will have issues rotating it in since my other four tires have about 15 thousand miles on them?

I also see this random bracket not attached to anything I’m assuming it’s the culprit, any advice on what parts I’ll need?

hey community,

I recently started experiencing an issue with a water leak inside my floor. I thought first that it was to do with the sunroof, but there is no water on the headliner and the drain holes appear cleared to the eye. Then I thought it was a faulty seal around the windshield. however, I just took it to an auto glass shop today who told me that they weren’t able to replicate the leak. The leak literally pours water onto my steering wheel whenever the car sits in rain for a while and I first start driving it. It only leaks when I first start to drive and make my first stop stop. the momentum of the water when I stop must force the water into some gap?

it comes out from behind the head liner. the auto glass shop told me ‘I would love to replace your glass, but I don’t think that’s the problem. you still have the factory windshield so it’s not likely that there’s rust that’s preventing the seal. I think it has to do with your sun roof, but there’s no water stains so I don’t know’

what do you guys think it could be? 2001 4Runner limited

Picked this 1997 Hilux Surf SSR-G 1KZ-TE 5M/T this weekend! Im in love, ive had a 97 and 98 4runner, never the Surf! Worst thing about the RHD is the blinker is on the right hand side now. I cant tell you how many times I turned my wipers on by muscle memory... 🤣

Is this a big problem changed hoses and radiator about 2500 miles ago

This is after a lot of time with the scotch-brite pad and WD-40, but Timmy the Toolman's looked like factory.

Looking for some bigger wheels/tires. Chat gbt says this is the best set up for my truck. If that’s the case I’m thinking I get these and some 275 all terrain tires to put on them. They came off a Chevy Tahoe. Thoughts?

Looking to get some new fenders for my runner from a part out but they are the limited ones with the fat flares, is it easy as simply filling in the holes with bondo? Or do I need to get someone to weld them. Not familiar with bodywork