What would you change?

I bought this as my first car almost five months ago now. 2000 runner with 230k miles, pretty decent frame, 3-inch lift, pink-milkshake maintenance, blue-tooth sound system. What would you change? Appearance-wise or maintenance or anything? I'm thinking abt wrapping the fenders cause I like the look of none but removing them isn't an option for me. Just curious to see what other people think. thanks!

 

Just my personal opinion but nothing? I assume it's a Limited or Sport Edition based on the fender flares.

I'm somewhat old school and I like the two-tone look. I like the gold badging which was (I think) a factory option back then. I love the rims.

Finding older 4Runners in really good body shape, like yours appears to be, is becoming rarer. I think a stock 3rd gen in that condition will become increasingly appreciated (aestetically) as the 6th gen and beyond rolls out and the years go by.

Just my 2 cents...

 

I have a 96 just like yours, replaced the LBJs oem (recommend with your mileage) and new tint. I would leave the fenders alone in my opinion.

 

A agree with previous posters, you have a good looking 3rd gen and I wouldn’t do anything to the outside except clean it up. I would start with maintenance items just to make sure everything is in good working order. Nice find!

 

Can you elaborate further on the pink milkshake maintenance? Did you buy it after the radiator leaked? Then flushed? Are you continuing to monitor the situation and conduct more flushes to clear things out?

I'm asking because my 2000 limited had this failure by the previous owner who took it to his mechanic immediately to flush and re-service the transmission. Service records indicate the fluid eventually returned to deep clear red. but running it afterwards stirred up a bit more pink again. I'm inclined to do another flush.

 

Your post doesn't say whether the primary issue was fixed. Transmission fluid changes alone when this issue shows up only buys time at best.

If it's coming back, you need to tackle the issue at the source by replacing what's busted (I forget, radiator, trans cooler?) and fixing the leak or bypassing that loop entirely so the trans fluid never touches coolant where it failed.

 

Apologies for missing a few key details - Radiator failed, and car was towed to the mechanic where it was replaced with OEM radiator with internal transcooler. both engine and trans were flushed as well as possible by mechanic, as I understand it.leak has been fixed and everything is operational. I'm with you, if this was enough or just buying time. Since the flush, it has run about 100 miles, which has stirred up a bit more trans fluid turning slightly pink. I'm inclined to flush again.

 

Got it! Odd a flush didn't get it all, but I'm figuring that can't hurt. My cheap ass would probably spam drain-fill's but I bet a flush would save so much time in comparison.