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Hello everyone.
Just wanted to take a moment to introduce myself and my '97 SR5 4Runner. Funny story about this one. I was just going to use it as my winter vehicle and not put any money into it. But read on....
I've had five LHD 4Runners (a first gen, a second gen, and three third gens), as well as a '96 diesel Surf from Japan. And two FZJ-80 Land Cruisers (both thirsty gassers!). My current 4Runner began its life as a V6 (petrol) auto transmission SR5. It was completely stock when I bought it from the original owner in August 2021, with 331,000kms on the odo. Mileage is typical for the is region, but most 4Runners here are used pretty hard. This one was only used as a daily commuter and occasional tow for the previous owner's boat. Thankfully, but inexplicably, he chose the locking rear diff option. Here in BC rust isn't typically an issue, but one has to do a close pre-purchase frame inspection just in case. This one was corrosion-free except for the rear bumper, axle housing, and wheels (presumably as result of the occasional dip in the ocean while loading the boat). Usually, older 4Runners around here are thrashed by years of overlanding and day-trips deep into the wilderness. It's rare to find one without bashed panels, broken side-mirrors, or at the vey least the "West Coast Pinstriping" that comes a consequence of repeatedly rubbing against trees and boulders. This one has probably never been off-road. Another plus was the factory fabric seats, which are far less common in this market than the leather ones, which don't last more than a couple of years without completely disintegrating.
Everything was stock and original, so my first task was to baseline all fluids, do the timing belt service, rear axle service (including seals, bearings, and new brakes)take precaution with the lower ball joints, and address the saggy rear springs. And shop for new tires to match my planned suspension upgrades.
To upgrade the suspension I went with a 2" OME medium spring lift with Bilstiens in the back, and 2" Dobinsons springs and struts up front. That necessitated a larger tire so I opted for a slightly more aggressively-treaded 255 85 R16 which I wrapped around a set or restored "limited" OEM wheels. Heavier wheels generally necessitates bigger brakes, so I upgraded the front brakes to a larger set of rotors and calipers from a 2001 V8 Tundra pickup (direct fit after a little trimming of the dust shields!).
Welded on some rock sliders to replace the pointless running boards, picked up a rear bumper/tire carrier combo from a neighbour who had just rolled his own 4Runner, added a snorkel I had left over from another project, upgraded the stereo to something made in the 21st Century, and replaced some of the interior components from a 1999 donor 4Runner (here in North America the 99+ 4Runners benefit from better interior storage and comfort options including cargo area 12v outlets, useable cup holders, etc). I then added a front bumper from a Texas company called Shrockworks in order to hang my 9500lb winch.
Next up was the addition of a "multimode" transfer case from a 2000 4Runner limited. Multimode wasn't offered in North America in 1997, so my 4Runner had the basic "J-shift" t-case. That's fine, but where I live - in an area with alternating stretches of rain and light snow in the winter - true push-button AWD is a godsend. Somewhere along the way I found and installed an overhead field monitor unit - which I guess are commonplace for you blokes but hen's-teeth-rare here. It's just a novelty, of course, but a fun one.
And most recently - because I cannot leave well-enough alone - I decided to chuck my perfectly good drivetrain in favour of a VW 2.0 TDi from a 2005 Passat. And that, or course, required swapping my auto transmission for a R150F from a 1999 Tacoma (Hilux) pickup. The BHW motor was upgraded with a larger turbo and injectors, a state 2 camshaft, and a stage 2 Malone tune. And full instrumentation to keep an eye on boost, oil pressure, fluid temperatures, etc. As luck would have it, most of the suppliers required for the swap and build are within my vicinity, meaning I was able to throw my money away locally! Ever get into something well over your head? This experience was one of those, but it's all done after four months of skinned knuckles, maxed credit cards, and filling my swear-jar to overflow. No regrets - it's a fantastic upgrade. And I think I'm done spending money!
About me: British by birth, retired Canadian Army, now a Teamster in the film/TV industry. Happily divorced with no kids. Aside from the 4Runner, the stable includes a '77 Triumph Bonneville and an '06 Thruxton. And, in a perpetual state of never-actually-running-or-even-getting-worked-on, a mid-restoration 1966 Mustang fastback awaiting a 2019 V8 Mustang drivetrain. One day....
And why am I here? Hopefully to find some used parts not readily available here, like a diesel Surf tachometer.
Just wanted to take a moment to introduce myself and my '97 SR5 4Runner. Funny story about this one. I was just going to use it as my winter vehicle and not put any money into it. But read on....
I've had five LHD 4Runners (a first gen, a second gen, and three third gens), as well as a '96 diesel Surf from Japan. And two FZJ-80 Land Cruisers (both thirsty gassers!). My current 4Runner began its life as a V6 (petrol) auto transmission SR5. It was completely stock when I bought it from the original owner in August 2021, with 331,000kms on the odo. Mileage is typical for the is region, but most 4Runners here are used pretty hard. This one was only used as a daily commuter and occasional tow for the previous owner's boat. Thankfully, but inexplicably, he chose the locking rear diff option. Here in BC rust isn't typically an issue, but one has to do a close pre-purchase frame inspection just in case. This one was corrosion-free except for the rear bumper, axle housing, and wheels (presumably as result of the occasional dip in the ocean while loading the boat). Usually, older 4Runners around here are thrashed by years of overlanding and day-trips deep into the wilderness. It's rare to find one without bashed panels, broken side-mirrors, or at the vey least the "West Coast Pinstriping" that comes a consequence of repeatedly rubbing against trees and boulders. This one has probably never been off-road. Another plus was the factory fabric seats, which are far less common in this market than the leather ones, which don't last more than a couple of years without completely disintegrating.
Everything was stock and original, so my first task was to baseline all fluids, do the timing belt service, rear axle service (including seals, bearings, and new brakes)take precaution with the lower ball joints, and address the saggy rear springs. And shop for new tires to match my planned suspension upgrades.
To upgrade the suspension I went with a 2" OME medium spring lift with Bilstiens in the back, and 2" Dobinsons springs and struts up front. That necessitated a larger tire so I opted for a slightly more aggressively-treaded 255 85 R16 which I wrapped around a set or restored "limited" OEM wheels. Heavier wheels generally necessitates bigger brakes, so I upgraded the front brakes to a larger set of rotors and calipers from a 2001 V8 Tundra pickup (direct fit after a little trimming of the dust shields!).
Welded on some rock sliders to replace the pointless running boards, picked up a rear bumper/tire carrier combo from a neighbour who had just rolled his own 4Runner, added a snorkel I had left over from another project, upgraded the stereo to something made in the 21st Century, and replaced some of the interior components from a 1999 donor 4Runner (here in North America the 99+ 4Runners benefit from better interior storage and comfort options including cargo area 12v outlets, useable cup holders, etc). I then added a front bumper from a Texas company called Shrockworks in order to hang my 9500lb winch.
Next up was the addition of a "multimode" transfer case from a 2000 4Runner limited. Multimode wasn't offered in North America in 1997, so my 4Runner had the basic "J-shift" t-case. That's fine, but where I live - in an area with alternating stretches of rain and light snow in the winter - true push-button AWD is a godsend. Somewhere along the way I found and installed an overhead field monitor unit - which I guess are commonplace for you blokes but hen's-teeth-rare here. It's just a novelty, of course, but a fun one.
And most recently - because I cannot leave well-enough alone - I decided to chuck my perfectly good drivetrain in favour of a VW 2.0 TDi from a 2005 Passat. And that, or course, required swapping my auto transmission for a R150F from a 1999 Tacoma (Hilux) pickup. The BHW motor was upgraded with a larger turbo and injectors, a state 2 camshaft, and a stage 2 Malone tune. And full instrumentation to keep an eye on boost, oil pressure, fluid temperatures, etc. As luck would have it, most of the suppliers required for the swap and build are within my vicinity, meaning I was able to throw my money away locally! Ever get into something well over your head? This experience was one of those, but it's all done after four months of skinned knuckles, maxed credit cards, and filling my swear-jar to overflow. No regrets - it's a fantastic upgrade. And I think I'm done spending money!
About me: British by birth, retired Canadian Army, now a Teamster in the film/TV industry. Happily divorced with no kids. Aside from the 4Runner, the stable includes a '77 Triumph Bonneville and an '06 Thruxton. And, in a perpetual state of never-actually-running-or-even-getting-worked-on, a mid-restoration 1966 Mustang fastback awaiting a 2019 V8 Mustang drivetrain. One day....
And why am I here? Hopefully to find some used parts not readily available here, like a diesel Surf tachometer.