joseywales
Renaissance Redneck
I’m not much for build threads, but it seems to lead to hijacks when I mention my new ‘Runner in other threads, so I figured I’ll start this thread to minimize that, and allow others to hijack mine.
My plans are to have a light (easily towable) rig to do easy wheeling with while on road trips, topless fun in the summer and hunting and fishing. I have a ‘14 Dodge 3500 with a ‘17 Northern Lite camper on it for basecamp duties, and a mildly modified 100 that is the wife’s daily and would be great for the road trip rig, except it’s not ideal for flat towing (although I’ve heard Christo and a few others do it) and it’s too heavy for my trailer.
The 4Runner is an ‘89 with 3.0 and an auto trans. The auto is undesirable for a lot of people, but I was ok with it as my wife doesn’t drive manual, and if I bought a 5 speed it would open the Pandora’s box of selfish purchases again. I would have bought a 5 speed if that was the best deal, but the auto saved me the issue.
The previous owner dumped a ridiculous amount of money into this thing over the past 20,000 miles doing TREs, idler arms, OME suspension, BFG ATs, wheels, timing belt and associated bits, rad, brakes, engine seals and a ton of other stuff totalling $13,000. He was the second owner, and he and the previous owner did almost all service work at the dealer. The only mechanical issue it has, is a rear main seal leak (which apparently was fixed as part of the $13k). It has typically rusty rear fenders, but the frame is mint.
Since I bought it for $2,000, I feel like I’m way ahead. I have given it a good bath, done shifter bushings and replaced all the dash lights and console shifter lights. I also sold the BFG ATs and black steelies yesterday (for $800) and replaced them with 17” Tundra wheels and 255/75-17 BFG MTs. I’m getting tires mounted tomorrow. I will be ordering some replacement panels to weld in and patch up the fender rust tomorrow as well. I already have factory red paint to spray the new bits with. The question on the table still is what to do with the top. I’m torn between re-doing the red, or going black. That will wait until it’s off for summer though, so I have a few months to think on it. I’m also toying with fabbing a front bumper with receiver, or just doing a receiver mount up for a winch mount and keeping the stock bumper.
Pics below are from the trip home, with new wheels and tires mocked up.
Points will be awarded to those who know what Mr Wilson has to do with anything.
My plans are to have a light (easily towable) rig to do easy wheeling with while on road trips, topless fun in the summer and hunting and fishing. I have a ‘14 Dodge 3500 with a ‘17 Northern Lite camper on it for basecamp duties, and a mildly modified 100 that is the wife’s daily and would be great for the road trip rig, except it’s not ideal for flat towing (although I’ve heard Christo and a few others do it) and it’s too heavy for my trailer.
The 4Runner is an ‘89 with 3.0 and an auto trans. The auto is undesirable for a lot of people, but I was ok with it as my wife doesn’t drive manual, and if I bought a 5 speed it would open the Pandora’s box of selfish purchases again. I would have bought a 5 speed if that was the best deal, but the auto saved me the issue.
The previous owner dumped a ridiculous amount of money into this thing over the past 20,000 miles doing TREs, idler arms, OME suspension, BFG ATs, wheels, timing belt and associated bits, rad, brakes, engine seals and a ton of other stuff totalling $13,000. He was the second owner, and he and the previous owner did almost all service work at the dealer. The only mechanical issue it has, is a rear main seal leak (which apparently was fixed as part of the $13k). It has typically rusty rear fenders, but the frame is mint.
Since I bought it for $2,000, I feel like I’m way ahead. I have given it a good bath, done shifter bushings and replaced all the dash lights and console shifter lights. I also sold the BFG ATs and black steelies yesterday (for $800) and replaced them with 17” Tundra wheels and 255/75-17 BFG MTs. I’m getting tires mounted tomorrow. I will be ordering some replacement panels to weld in and patch up the fender rust tomorrow as well. I already have factory red paint to spray the new bits with. The question on the table still is what to do with the top. I’m torn between re-doing the red, or going black. That will wait until it’s off for summer though, so I have a few months to think on it. I’m also toying with fabbing a front bumper with receiver, or just doing a receiver mount up for a winch mount and keeping the stock bumper.
Pics below are from the trip home, with new wheels and tires mocked up.
Points will be awarded to those who know what Mr Wilson has to do with anything.
And your shifter cover? In the interior? How'd they manage that?!
