Scored a Pristine 2004 Toyota 4-Runner

[Mistered]

Yesterday afternoon I noticed a late model 4-runner in my neighbors drivway.
Talking to him later revealed he bought a 2011 in beautiful condition and I asked him about his 'old' one which is a 2004 SR5.
Long story short I now own his 'old' one and never realized how nice it was after seeing it nearly everyday.
It is in pristine condition and I got a 'smokin' deal on it...
Not a very good pic as it was in the 'dark' corner of my shop getting the standard 'used' vehicle shakedown inspection but I'll get a better one of it outside.

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[JEBar]

congrats .... it should serve you well .... looking forward to hearing your comments as you two get better acquainted

[Mags]

Love our Toyota's since 1998. All 6, ours and our kids have been very reliable over the years. The only complaint is that they don't screen body air and drain holes allowing mice to get in.

If this is your first Toyota you'll find it amazingly dependable. Do get the timing belt replaced every 90,000 miles.

[Mistered]

If this is your first Toyota you'll find it amazingly dependable. Do get the timing belt replaced every 90,000 miles.

Not my first 'Yota - and NO timing belt on this model engine! That was going to be my FIRST project during my Xmas break from work next week- and then I discovered yesterday it does not have one!

[BrokenolMarine]

We live in the country, and our first move on new vehicles is a rat wire screen over the air intake and other areas that need them. A chat with a willing service tech at the dealer pays bonuses. We put formed screens in the corners of the trim between the hood and the windshield after one such chat.

This was following a bill for $300 labor on a three month old vehicle where the heater blower motor sounded like a blender filled with ice cubes. They handed us the bill, and a freezer bag filled with acorns. Lol. Rat wire... No more acorns.

[Mistered]

I had to send a new Winnebago motorhome to the Mercedes Sprinter shop due to massive electrical problems.
Turned out it was rodent chewed wires in the chassis - to the tune of over $3200 to repair.
Fortunately where I live the rodentia are not typically the variety that will seek out vehicles for burrowing in but occasionally it happens.

[Redthies]

Time to ditch the Heep in your avatar MrEd! Congrats on the 4Runner! Is it the V8?

I’ve got a ‘99 100 series Land Cruiser, and also bought a 4Runner last week! Love Toyota’s! Mine is a bit older though, at 1989. I was looking at YJs and TJs as a toy/hunting rig, but saw this 4Runner and since it is the last rear of the convertible ones, I went for it. I bought mine from the second owner for under $2000, and he gave me a stack of receipts (mostly dealer) for $15,000 worth of work done in the last 20,000 miles! Not sure what he was thinking, spending that much money on a $2000 truck, but that’s not my problem! Pic on the drive home:

[Mags]

.
Ya been there, but for us it was filberts.

... freezer bag filled with acorns. Lol. Rat wire... No more acorns.

[Mags]

.
Not surprized. some of the wiring insulation is/was made from plant fibers and rodents love it.

I had to send a new Winnebago motorhome to the Mercedes Sprinter shop due to massive electrical problems.
Turned out it was rodent chewed wires in the chassis - to the tune of over $3200 to repair.
Fortunately where I live the rodentia are not typically the variety that will seek out vehicles for burrowing in but occasionally it happens.

[Mistered]

Time to ditch the Heep in your avatar MrEd!

Actually the 'Heep' I am going to ditch is my 1997 TJ (not shown) when it comes down to practicality the Cherokee will be a better 2nd rig than the TJ. I really like the TJ and its fun in the summer but other than just running around they are really too small for anything - and a couple rifles, targets, stands and a small table fill it up. With four vehicles now something has to go!

[Mags]

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Oh! You got the V6 with an actual timing chain!

If this is your first Toyota you'll find it amazingly dependable. Do get the timing belt replaced every 90,000 miles.

Not my first 'Yota - and NO timing belt on this model engine! That was going to be my FIRST project during my Xmas break from work next week- and then I discovered yesterday it does not have one!

[Mags]

In addition to wire screens I also use these stainless steel sponges to stuff in holes where screening doesn't fit well.
https://www.amazon.com/New-Star-Foodser ... ber+sponge

[Mistered]

Oh! You got the V6 with an actual timing chain!

Yep - I went from liking it a lot to LOVING it when I discovered this little tid bit of information!

[Redthies]

Time to ditch the Heep in your avatar MrEd!

Actually the 'Heep' I am going to ditch is my 1997 TJ (not shown) when it comes down to practicality the Cherokee will be a better 2nd rig than the TJ. I really like the TJ and its fun in the summer but other than just running around they are really too small for anything - and a couple rifles, targets, stands and a small table fill it up.

My wife was thinking we were going to get another Jeep (I’ve had a ‘05 TJ Rubicon, a ‘11 JK Rubicon and a ‘84 CJ7) but I started to think about reliability, and Toyotas definitely have that over Jeeps. We wanted a convertible too, and although a FJ40 would have been really nice, this convertible 4Runner is about 10% of the cost of a similar condition 40.

[dave77]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnWKz7C ... bu7T7wcHYC

[Mistered]

but I started to think about reliability, and Toyotas definitely have that over Jeeps

Jeeps are no doubt hit and miss And I have been pretty lucky with all mine - except an 87 YJ I once had but that's a different story.
In my situation it comes down to practicality and all things considered that means keep the Cherokee over the TJ. Still 'waffling' over it but I believe this is the direction I will take.

[Mags]

.
I had an old 60's CJ with canvas top, V6 and manual 3 on the floor in the 70's. Used it as a commuter vehicle back and forth to college. 10 gallon gas tank, I ran empty a lot. But another 10 gallons in Jerry cans on the back rack, got me back on the road quickly. Short wheel base an big wheels made it a bouncing ride and squirrelly on wet pavement. Wish I still had it. Got rid of it when I moved to California temporarily (1 yr that turned into 5).

but I started to think about reliability, and Toyotas definitely have that over Jeeps

Jeeps are no doubt hit and miss And I have been pretty lucky with all mine - except an 87 YJ I once had but that's a different story.
In my situation it comes down to practicality and all things considered that means keep the Cherokee over the TJ. Still 'waffling' over it but I believe this is the direction I will take.

[Mistered]

Wish I still had it.

No need to wish! This will be up for sale soon.

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[Mags]

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Thanks, but I will have to pass for now. Still saving toward my next Henry and Stallion. I think that makes my priorities in order
Nice looking Jeep looks well cared for.

Wish I still had it.

No need to wish! This will be up for sale soon.
100_1159.jpg

[Mistered]

Yea - I hope I am making the right choice - I know I am basing my decision on the practicality of it. The TJ has been fun (like all my other typical Jeeps) but they are really small. Its difficult to load even the basics for a shooting session such as chairs, target boards , stands and a small table to set up.
Pretty much unless one is just driving around and not hauling anything its OK but even with the back seat removed there is very little room for anything. I'll keep the Cherokee for a while and do a few repairs it needs and sell it later but for now it will make a good 'backup'.
The TJ has been fun in the summer with the top off but even that is kind of a pain. It ain't just a matter of unzipping the panels, peeling off the top and folding everything up to store.
Kind of seems like I have talked myself into selling it eh? It will sell quickly and I'll be over it soon!