Just picked up a ‘97 SR5!

Just picked up a super clean 1997 SR5 with 167k miles. My first car when I was 16 was a manual 1996 in the same color and we’ve always regretted getting rid of it so I couldn’t pass this up! We even cancelled the 2022 we had on order. Time to start building!

 

Looking good!

 

Don't take this TOO personally, please, but if you were 16 in '96, I hate you
In 96, I had spent 10 years in the Marines, gotten out and went to work for an Israeli squadron in Yuma, Az. Did that for 2 years, then went to work at the US Customs Aerostat site there in Yuma. By 96, I had gone from Electronics Tech, to Lead E-Tech, to Flight Director. By then, I was getting close to being forced to retire for medical reasons.

You make me feel OLD! Stop it!


I'm kidding, mostly That's a great looking truck, and I'm glad you found just the one you were looking for. May you enjoy the heck outta it for many years to come, and same with your time in the forum. I hope that's enjoyable as well.

Take care!
Pat☺

 

Thanks man!

 

Haha thanks for your kindness! You’re too funny. I was actually 6 in 1996. I bought it in 2006 at 16 with 103k miles. I was born in 1989. Sorry, am I making it worse?

Oh btw, you’re a rare one holding onto your T4R for that long. Mad respect that’s awesome!

 

I was 16 in 1996 and have an adult age kid.

I sure don’t feel young, lol.

 

Oh, great. ANOTHER one to mle me feel older and older...sheesh!

I have 5 adult age kids, at least 8 or 9 grandkids, and those are just the ones from my ex.
I know I have at least 2 other adult age kids, from 2 different mothers, but I'm not sure about grandkids from them. I lost contact with their mothers shortly after they were born.
I was a busy little beaver when I was younger.

Well, you sure aint making it better
I've had the 87 4Runner since about 97, but the pickup since 88. I bought it as replacement for my 85 Chevy Luv. They had a "Push pull, tug, or tow it in for a $2000 trade in!" promo going, so I did. They only wanted $12,000 for the pickup. 1 year old, 30,000 miles on it. Me and that little truck have been through a lot together
I got the 4Runner to carry MY kids around in, or for going to work in the rare, odd, event of weather in Yuma. Worked great. When the kids were grown and gone, the wife and I moved up here to Oregon. We use the 4Runner for the winter, since the pickup drives like crap in the snow. Not only that, the blower motor resistor has been bad since 91 or so. Yeah, I know, not that hard to replace, or even find, I just never seem to have time to do it. So, the 4Runner has the 4WD I need for the snow and ice we get, PLUS a heater that blows nice warm air
Why would I sell it? I've had offers for up to $8,000 for it, but heck, we like it.

Now that we got the 99 4Runner, however, we're thinking of selling the 87. We get the first $5,000 offer, and it's gone.

Sorry, I ramble.
Take care!
Pat☺

 

NICE! Congratulations! Ohio road salt would've had that thing for lunch by now, or almost. It's always nice to see someone in CA, AZ, NM, etc. pick up one of these because you know it's not a rust monster. Enjoy!

 

Given the huge amount of rain Yuma gets (is the sarcasm coming through?), about 3"/year in a wet year, usually all at once, both my 87's that I bought there so long ago are virtually rust free, even after coming up here to Oregon, where it rains, snows, all that good, fun, stuff, a LOT more than it does in Yuma.
Makes working under them a lot easier, since nothing is rusty. Not even the O2 sensor in the 4Runner. Those are known for the nuts holding them on rusting away like crazy. The one on my truck still looks nice and clean, no rust at all.

Nice thing about Oregon, too: they use crushed lava rock for the snow, not any form of salt. A little tough on the undercoating, and low level paint, but prevents the severe buildup of rust Toyotas are prone to. Good grip, too.
Yuma, NO snow, ever, so salt is not a problem. I've driven to work through a thunderstorm so severe, the rain bouncing up from the hood made visibility nearly zero. I had to slow down to about 30 mph on the highway just to be able to see far enough ahead. We got the year's total rain from that one thunderstorm. In about 30 minutes. WHEEEE!

Have fun, all!
Pat☺

 

sweet ride

 

your bones be creaking....a little WD40 fore play ? eek-a-monga......if you guys are old, than I must be ancient.......anyhow, great to see another 3rd gen and in awesome shape...let the retro fitting begin...here's a pict of my '97 ...at my wife's house..

 

Man, everyone's got good looking rigs.

 

I turned down a job at Pixar in 1991 before they had done a single feature film imagine how many 4runners I could have bought and I too am old