New owner - some pics and questions

[riffman12]

Hi guys,

I've been a long time 3rd gen 4runner owner but I've always wanted an LC. Bought a '97 today with 153k on the clock. Over $8k in service records in the past 40k miles.

Recent service items:
- Valve cover gasket, crankshaft seal, Transmission/engine seal (is this the RMS?)
- Radiator
- Shocks
- 02 sensor and oil level sensor
- new coolant hoses under intake manifold - is this the PHH maybe?
- new rear calipers and pads
- new master cylinder
- new fan clutch

Here's some pics:

She's bone stock and drives really nice. That being said I have a few questions as a first time owner:

1) The white paint is pretty rough to the touch and not shiny at all. It feels to me like its a single stage paint and not clear coated - almost like a chalk board! Is this paint salvageable? I'm pretty handy with an orbital. Was wondering if a clay bar, compound, polish, and sealant would bring the paint back to life

2) My front heater doesn't really work. It gets slightly lukewarm but not hot at all. The rear heater is much hotter. I checked the heater valve at the firewall and it is not being actuated by the lever in the car. However, when I disconnected the cable and moved it by hand, it still didn't get hot. Is there a chance the unit is dead and needs replacing all together?

3) although the car has been in California its whole life and is very dry, there is a small patch of bubbling paint at the bottom of the rear right corner of the car. Is this likely water coming all the way down from the rear sliding window seal? See pic:

4) One of the service records is for a "120k mile service" but its not from a Toyota dealership. I've heard of the importance of servicing the front axle. Was this likely done with this service or should I have this done by a dealer? See the record below:

Thanks a lot!

 

[SUMMIT CRUISERS]

Looks nice and welcome to MUD! I would just use a wax/cleaner like Mcguriers and hand do it. An orbital buffer unless its the vibrating kind could buff through what paint you have. It will shine up and look great. Just be careful on the the edges. The paint "bubbling" looks like some sort of painless body repair where it was creased/dented. As far as the heater, open the valve manually all the way with the cable unhooked and check for heat. You can also feel the hoses and check for hot water flowing through. On the diff's it appears they just changed the fluid. Take a close look at the "balls/knuckles" on the inside of the front wheels. They should look greasy but not slobbering or dry. If the later, a front axle service would be due.

 

[Hornd]

Great Looking Truck and Nice Find!

The 2.6 hour labor is not nearly enough time to do a front axle.

Front heater is looking like it could be heater core???

Check the eyeballs of the front axle and see if they have grease on them.
Check the front differential too (pumpkin shaped piece hanging off axle); if you stick your finger in fill hole you should feel oil or it needs filled. You will need a big socket to get plug out.

 

[Hornd]

What comprises the $8K? I can see why they probably wanted rid of it

 

[LINUS]

Nice looker!

The paint on my black one is single stage (I want to say all non-mettalics are single stage, not 100% on that though) -my green LX & sage 40th were both basecoat/CC'ed.

I'd hit it with the clay bar first before going to the orbital, my personal way.

Rust in a corner is more normal than not, I'm 2/3 on a rusty corner of the rear glass.

It doesn't look like it had a FAS according to the receipt, but you have what - another 5-6-7 grand in receipts?

No matter, that low miles it's still a 'new' truck by the metrics of milage around here!

Attaboy & welcome !

 

[HardyDanger]

Hey. Welcome. I'm over in Alameda. I just posted a giant Baseline list on my '97.
Been learning the ropes here, all good stuff.

 

[riffman12]

What comprises the $8K? I can see why they probably wanted rid of it

The PO literally took it to a mechanic EVERY time something came up. He even spent a couple hundred bucks to have bulbs replaced haha.

Thanks for the comments guys. I'm really happy with the purchase. Just a few nagging issues - seat motors, heater etc.

I took a couple of quick pictures of the front hubs to show the knuckles. What do you guys think? And what should I expect to pay to have the front axle service?

What do you guys think?

 

[KLF]

I think that axle looks fine, I wouldn't touch it unless you hear the dreaded clicking going around turns.

Try some clay on the paint, maybe up on the roof in a small spot, see how it goes.

That rust is awful, OMG the truck is falling apart. (kidding)

 

[Mighty690]

Nice find! Welcome.
Knuckles look good to me too.
I know you've probably read this before, but I consider an oil analysis to be the first step in a "baselining" particularly when the new owner does not know of the history/condition of the HG. My $0.02

 

[nigelsiam]

First thing you should do is go to your bank, get a loan, look through the vendors here for:
1. lift kit
2. big tires
3. new front and rear bumpers
4. sliders
5. etc. etc.

Let is sit in your driveway and feel good.

But really it looks sweet. Take it on some forest roads and you will feel giddy for sure.

 

[ToothDr]

Nice low mileage truck. Congrats. Get that aftermarket radiator cap off of there and get yourself a Toyota oem one.

 

[riffman12]

Nice find! Welcome.
Knuckles look good to me too.
I know you've probably read this before, but I consider an oil analysis to be the first step in a "baselining" particularly when the new owner does not know of the history/condition of the HG. My $0.02

Yeah I figured I should do that. Do you know what it usually costs to have done? The PO said there were some overheating issues in the past but it turned out to be a gummed up radiator. He replaced it and said there have been no issues since (in the past 10k miles or so)

Since he said that, I made extra sure to check the filler cap as well as the dipstick for any signs or smells of coolant. Looked pretty clean to me.

First thing you should do is go to your bank, get a loan, look through the vendors here for:
1. lift kit
2. big tires
3. new front and rear bumpers
4. sliders
5. etc. etc.

Let is sit in your driveway and feel good.

But really it looks sweet. Take it on some forest roads and you will feel giddy for sure.

Haha as much as I would love to do all that at once... I need to let my bank account "equalize"

On that note, can the factory suspension support an ARB front bumper or will I need stiffer springs?

Nice low mileage truck. Congrats. Get that aftermarket radiator cap off of there and get yourself a Toyota oem one.

hm good catch - I didn't even see that. Is there a big benefit to the OEM cap or jus better quality?

 

[ToothDr]

Much better quality and correct opening pressure specs. Mostly a higher quality part for such a critical job.

 

[Mighty690]

Yeah I figured I should do that. Do you know what it usually costs to have done? The PO said there were some overheating issues in the past but it turned out to be a gummed up radiator. He replaced it and said there have been no issues since (in the past 10k miles or so)

Since he said that, I made extra sure to check the filler cap as well as the dipstick for any signs or smells of coolant. Looked pretty clean to me.




Haha as much as I would love to do all that at once... I need to let my bank account "equalize"

On that note, can the factory suspension support an ARB front bumper or will I need stiffer springs?




hm good catch - I didn't even see that. Is there a big benefit to the OEM cap or jus better quality?

Blackstone Labs

 

[jatree]

Nice find - mind telling us how much you got it for?

edit: Yup - went back and confirmed. This is the same truck I contacted the owner about as soon as it was posted but I guess you beat me and of course being local doesn't hurt. I'd be starting the same exact thread if I had gotten it. Good luck!

 

[Hornd]

The PO literally took it to a mechanic EVERY time something came up. He even spent a couple hundred bucks to have bulbs replaced haha.

Thanks for the comments guys. I'm really happy with the purchase. Just a few nagging issues - seat motors, heater etc.

I took a couple of quick pictures of the front hubs to show the knuckles. What do you guys think? And what should I expect to pay to have the front axle service?

What do you guys think?

Looks good, but we have no idea what is inside and if knuckle is properly filled 3/4 full with Pallidum grease. Remove that square plug and stick a wire or zip tie in and gauge how much grease is present and how it looks. Easy 5 min job that can save thousands.

 

[riffman12]

Blackstone Labs

ah yes I've heard of them. Will check it out - thanks!

Nice find - mind telling us how much you got it for?

edit: Yup - went back and confirmed. This is the same truck I contacted the owner about as soon as it was posted but I guess you beat me and of course being local doesn't hurt. I'd be starting the same exact thread if I had gotten it. Good luck!

so you probably know what I paid then. Sorry to beat you to it, but keep refreshing that CL browser! I've been looking for months.

The market is nuts out there. He had one buyer wanting to fly out from Florida to buy it

Looks good, but we have no idea what is inside and if knuckle is properly filled 3/4 full with Pallidum grease. Remove that square plug and stick a wire or zip tie in and gauge how much grease is present and how it looks. Easy 5 min job that can save thousands.

ok thanks. I'm having the car fully inspected tomorrow by a local independent toyota mechanic that I trust, so hoping the news is good from him. Also hoping he can get my heater to work! Either way I'll stick a wire in there and check it myself as well.

 

[Comet]

ARB will fit up front without stiffer springs. I am running the factory springs with an ARB and winch. A lift really brings out the inner demon of these rigs though. One day....

 

[baggar11]

Paint looks in pretty decent shape to me. Especially if it's original. Doesn't look like any clear coat is peeling away like most of the rigs on this forum. It would be definitely be worth it to try to salvage the luster. Wash, clay, compound, polish and wax or seal. I bet it'll look night and day difference after.

 

[baselfish]

always nice to see a fellow bay area cruiser - white too....

see you are possibly in the 650 - am 408 myself -
need any help with anything - just drop me a line...

am by far no master mechanic - but indeed can easily help you with axles, phh, etc....


Bf