Just got our 97 4 runner ltd

[FLYINGLOW]

Well my wife went and got the new 4 runner today, its a 97 limited. The truck has 100000 miles on it which isn't too bad. It has only spent about 1.5 years on Vancouver Island so the body and frame are in unbelievable condition. I got my wife to send some pics but when I get home I will take some detailed ones. There is no rust on any panels or seams. The frame has all the factory paint, very few rock chips and no scrapes on the frame, axles or skid plates. The only real rust I found was on the reciever hitch next to the tail pipe. I doubt it has ever seen a dirt road. It does need front shocks, the muffler and brakes are coming due also, but its pretty easy stuff.

I would love to say that its getting treated to 3 inches of lift and some 31 muds but unfortunatly that will take some convincing... I just get reminded thats what the cruiser is for.

 

[hoch]

Congrats! Looks like a nice rig. Hopefully the timing belt and water pump have already been replaced. If not, might want to look into that. Also, check to see if the end links on the front aren't broken. My old 98's endlink broke at about 100k miles.

If they are broken, I highly recommend getting WabFab quick disconnects. Not only are they much cheaper than OEM, but they are STOUT (OEM's are really flimsy and break easily). Here is a pic of it installed on my old 4Runner (also replaced the sway bar bushings. OEM's are cheap and fit well, so just go with OEM)

www.wabfab.org is the address, I believe. Great company.

 

[FLYINGLOW]

Congrats! Looks like a nice rig. Hopefully the timing belt and water pump have already been replaced. If not, might want to look into that. Also, check to see if the end links on the front aren't broken. My old 98's endlink broke at about 100k miles.

If they are broken, I highly recommend getting WabFab quick disconnects. Not only are they much cheaper than OEM, but they are STOUT (OEM's are really flimsy and break easily). Here is a pic of it installed on my old 4Runner (also replaced the sway bar bushings. OEM's are cheap and fit well, so just go with OEM)

www.wabfab.org is the address, I believe. Great company.

Thanks p nut, I remember looking at the p/s link and it was worn but not broke. I'll check them out a little close when I get home. Might be worth replacing sooner than later though.

I have been thinking about the timing belt and water pump, I hope they gave my wife all their recipts when she picked it up.

One more pic.

 

[hoch]

One more thing. My 98 Limited had a rear spring recall. I believe it applied to all of the 96's through 98's. Call up your local dealership to verify this. They will replace the rear springs for free, because of the sagging issue on some of the springs.

I really miss my old 4Runner...

 

[FLYINGLOW]

One more thing. My 98 Limited had a rear spring recall. I believe it applied to all of the 96's through 98's. Call up your local dealership to verify this. They will replace the rear springs for free, because of the sagging issue on some of the springs.

I really miss my old 4Runner.

Thats a nice looking truck man. Thanks fot that, I asked the p/o if they had taken care of any recalls and they said that it was part of importing and the inspection before registering it. My friend had it done a couple months before he installed his lift springs so he kept the stockers cause they were new. He said I can have them if our truck is sagged at all but I don't think it needs them.

 

[Happy Trails]

Nice find!

 

[VA Runner]

Nice 4-Runner. 97's are awesome. I like the color!

 

[FLYINGLOW]

Thanks guys, I peeled the carpet up today and vacumed it out. I don't think the jack has ever been removed, let alone used. The paint on it still perfect. I also washed the engine off a little. I also sprayed out the wheel wells and took a tooth brush to the lip on rears. You could almost eat off the frame. I will post pics later.

 

[FLYINGLOW]

I thought I'd taken more pics today, but I guess not. Heres a couple. I'm so used to dealing with rusty stuff, this ones a real treat.

 

[FLYINGLOW]

Sorry I haven't had time to add more pics, life kinda happened. Heres a couple quick pics, the engine shot isn't the best but I had to shield the camera from the downpour of rain.

What is the rubber mount under the tcase with the red arrow? Sorry if its a rookie question...

I did get into the brakes on the weekend, wheelin fell through so I took an afternoon in the shop instead. The e-brake didn't work and there was a little too much pedal travel. I figured it was related so I pulled the drums and found the spring on the d/s adjuster missing. $17 spring kit later and all was good. E-brake now holds the truck on our steep driveway in D.

 

[FlatlandTRD]

What is the rubber mount under the tcase with the red arrow? Sorry if its a rookie question...

The hangy-down-thingy? That's a vibration damper that smooths vibrations in the transfer case. If you remove it, you may or may not notice the vibrations when traveling down the highway. It's different for each vehicle. Nice 4Runner btw, like the color.

 

[FLYINGLOW]

Thanks FlatlandTRD. I would have scratched my head for a long time wondering about that. I need to track down a set of manuals for this thing.

 

[toy_tek]

Hey FL - congrats. I've got 144k on my 97 4runner, and a couple mod things as well.

As far as manuals, check ebay - I got the 97 FSM for about $15 or $20 on a cdrom.

 

[FLYINGLOW]

Thanks 11db. I have been looking online for free manuals but haven't found any. I may just stop wasting time and check ebay.