MPA's 97 4Runner Limited

[JanMarie13]

OK so here's what I got.......she's a 1997 4Runner Limited, 4WD, Automatic (yuck), 3.4 liter V6 engine, tow package.

Here are my current "mods":

Brush guard
Tail light guards
BFG KO's (TA's?), size equivalent to 31", whatever that is  haha
OH, and I'm using the stock Toyota wheels that came on the hubby's 02 Taco TRD

I know, I'm pathetic!!  But I'm learning.  And I DO have plans. 

An SAS is NOT one of them though.  haha.  Sorry!  Just not necessary around here, especially not for my 4Runner.  But here is what I'd like to do:

Get some sort of small lift, 2.5" at most
Paint it black (with the gray trim)
Get a new hood with the little scoop like on the Sport edition
Maybe "cooler" wheels

I don't know.....make some suggestions please! 


Here is what she looked like right after I got her:











And here's what she looks like right now:

[red]

ditch the runnin boards lol. add a swing out spare tire carrier/rear bumper to the list. limited slip in the rear since its not going on hard trails (but the extra traction is good to have). swapping in a stick shift, put a diesel in there, theres alot of things u can do to it!

[BLACKDOG]

x2 on losing the running boards, and throwing in a 5speed.

I do like the adding of a swing out spare tire carrier as well.

[AaronB]

theres nothing wrong with a slush box. just hammer it down.

[baconator]

x3 on lossing the running board.  x2 on the LSD (tru-track maybe?).  the sport ed scoop would look good i think.  have fun with your "sorry" build

[red]

if you get the hood scoop please make it functional!!

[RK]

runnin boards need to go. and if you wheel any tight trails you will lose those flares. trust me. ive seen it happen to a certain runner multiple times.

brushguard?  bha, sell it, get an arb or something. along with a rear bumper.

maybe a mild lift. spacer/shackle kit.

and what is wrong with an auto?  mine is, and id rather have that then a stick wheelin.

[RK]

oh, and get the s/c for it!

[red]

auto or stick is just preferance.

[porkchop]

winch would look good and no running boards

[79coyotefrg]

NO NO NO   2 inch body lift then weld  sliders on  just snug against the bottom of the running boards 

[RK]

NO NO NO   2 inch body lift then weld  sliders on  just snug against the bottom of the running boards 

eh....id only go 1". dont have to mess with wires or brackets. 2" is stretchin it on these things w/o modifying the linkage.

[Misfit4Runner]

I would go with a SS 3 or 7.1 lift if your going for added plushness and better ride or if its looks and you got a skinny wallet then bodylift or maybe spacers are your ticket... and yeah running boards, they gotta go

[THK Matt]

bye bye running boards =] my dads lost his first time following me haha.
im going 3in body to help clear my 34s

[baconator]

wheres the progress jan?

[JanMarie13]

Yeah man I'm slacking in my own thread!  hahaha.  You guys have a lot of great suggestions! 

So it's looking like the running boards have to go, am I right?   LOL

I do need a new rear bumper.  Mine is all rusted through.  Let's see some pics for bumper suggestions!

All spare money is currently going into the hubby's big tan beast. 

[THK Matt]

going in body wont stretch anything.
most kits provide any brakects needed to do the body lift.
on any vehicle.... no more the 3in.
2in should be fine like Glen suggested.
and weld sliders on.

[Plekto]

I have a friend with a similar 4Runner.  2 inches is MAX without major mods to the suspension.   Thankfully it will run 34s just barely with only 2 inches of lift. 

- remove the plastic crap under the fenders/wheel wells if you haven't already.  This clears up some room.
- running boards scream lameness and yuppie.
- Replace running boards with some *black* sliders/nerf bars.
- Get a bull bar/tire carrier bumper in the back.  Black as well, since you have a darker color truck.  Try to match the front of course.
- leave the paint ALONE.  Factory paint is good - you just need to get it darker where possible.  Bumpers/side trim/etc - change to black.  Much better effect for about the same money as repainting, IMO.(less if you have a good donor/parts yard near you)
- Get some 33/34 MTs.  Huge improvement over ATs.
- Limited slip of course.
- Proper skid plates and armor. 
- Off-road lights.  Maybe a roof rack.
- Hood is FINE - leave it.  IMO, you only mod stuff for performance or to fix obvious ugly. Matching paint/etc is also a PITA - just leave the body alone and concentrate on the plastic and bumpers and so on.
- Winch.

All of that should keep you seriously busy and yet result in a vehicle that's tons better off-road, while looking somewhat normal from a distance.

[THK Matt]

i completely AGREE!
what he said.

[Sheltonyota]

Nice looking runner, not somthing I would take down trails, just too damn good looking  but it is a yota so  anywhere.  Good job on getting rid of the running brds.

[JanMarie13]

Nice looking runner, not somthing I would take down trails, just too damn good looking  but it is a yota so  anywhere.  Good job on getting rid of the running brds.

Thanks man!  Oh yeah....woops....never did get around to taking off the running boards. 

I love my runner but I try to sell it every other month.  haha.  I'd love to have a newer double cab Taco.  I can't ever sell it though because I always owe full retail on it for one reason or another. 

Anyone interested?   $8,900 for any Marlin member! 

[THK Matt]

8,900 doesn't seem too bad for a 97.
you have refinanced though huh?

what's it worth?

[JanMarie13]

8,900 doesn't seem too bad for a 97.
you have refinanced though huh?

what's it worth?

According to KBB.com the suggested retail value is $9,070 

And yep, we got slapped with $5k in taxes from selling our old house last year, which was 2/3 rental property for us, so it turned out we had to pay capital gains tax on 2/3 the selling price, even though it was our primary residence.     So anyway....didn't have $5k laying around because we just bought our new land too, and didn't want to owe Uncle Sam, so we refinanced the 4Runner.

We've already redone the timing belt and water pump and stuff too, I think at 103,000 miles just because it was time.

[THK Matt]

oh bummer