sar-rnr is born

Hi everyone. I brought home a white 2004 4Runner Limited 4x4 4.7L V8 the other day. Purchased it from an older gentleman in my town who was the original owner. 170k miles, bone stock, and has sat since 2020.

Long term my plan is to build it into a reasonably capable rig with a camper setup in the back and slide-out kitchen. Currently on a broke student budget and need to prioritize maintenance over upgrades, so it will take some time to fully realize her potential.

Since taking home I've detailed the interior and exterior myself, replaced all wiper blades, cabin and engine air filter (cabin filter had a dead mouse and nest), flushed front and rear differentials, transfer case, and transmission, began some scratch touch-up and had the timing belt and water pump replaced. The center console appeared to have had coffee spilled all over and was only superficially cleaned so I pulled the whole thing just to be thorough.

The original owner had never engaged 4Lo so had some concerns there but all seems to be good—thank god for the full time 4wd keeping most things spinning at least. The timing belt also had never been replaced (90k service interval), so felt necessary to get done immediately.

Next up: Front brake pads are at 1mm and rotors are toasted so will be replacing both soon. Will also be building out the rear. Aiming for something a bit wider than a twin mattress for the passenger side with a kitchen slide below it and storage on the driver side.

Other things in the works for the next few months:
1" lift in the front to level
Black plasti-dip stock rims
Head unit? (Would love some advice here. The stock head unit has the nav screen and a backup cam, which I'm hesitant to mess with. Basically I want to play music from my phone—bluetooth ideally but aux fine too—for as cheap as possible. There's a 6-cd changer in the console box, and I'm wondering if anyone makes something that I could just plug into the input intended for the cd changer, or if there's another better option).
Tires- current ones have plenty of miles left but eventually will need to go with something more offroad-capable.

In the fall I'll be back at school where I have access to a full machine shop and plan to build front and rear bumpers as well as a swing-out for the spare. Sliders and other armor eventually as well. Just need to learn to weld first...

 

All very ambitious. Hope to hear more soon.

 

welcome, very nice

 

Welcome from Arizona!

 

Welcome.

@ 170k miles I would immediately do the timing belt service.

That 4Runner looks too clean for me to see it has a modified 4Runner even small things like wheels, tires and that classic looking step. Its just too clean for me to change if I owned it.

 

welcome

 

Welcome! Congrats on a nice score!

 

She is a beauty, well done.

 

Sounds like you’re getting her dialed in pretty good. Put a SpinTech muffler on for modest increases in HP & Torque and a nice growl when you mash the throttle. That’s the same V8 that’s in my 2005 Tundra Dble Cab TRD Off Road, really an outstanding engine! Welcome to the forum!

 

Welcome from Wisconsin!