4Runner Rescuscitation

Howdy. My '99 4Runner died of "consumption." It gave me signs of its impending death, then wouldn't fire one day. My suspicion is it's the fuel pump (at the tank). It also needs a new battery (NBD), new water pump, alternator, and other "little things."

Hate to let it go as junk (over 290K miles) when the fixes seem like relatively simple ones, but they're all tricks I cannot perform due to my age plus a lack of experience at it. Plus, of all the 4Runners, I love this body style best.

Anyone know a roving mechanic in or near Cincinnati, Ohio, one who can jerk in a new fuel pump, or better still, determine what IS wrong with the old Ginny and get her back on the road?

Thanks in advance....

 

Thank you for this reference!

 

If water pump is replaced, might as well have timing belt replaced, too. And if it's been in the salt belt all its life like mine was, maybe have the frame checked for rust.

 

Absolutely correct.

Somewhere along its way (I purchased it in 2004) some mechanic opted to LEAVE OFF the skid plates up and down the undercarriage.

Add to that, the salted winter highways of Northern Virginia the truck traveled ate alive the relatively thin chrome rear bumper.

What I have is a true ground-up restoration project. These days, that might cost less than a new vehicle (dependent on choices made of upgrades, etc.), but would it be worth it?

Maybe. Driving a 25-year-old truck in tip-top shape WOULD BE a blast.

Just yesterday in this town, I saw a '66 Chevy Bel Air—a light metallic blue, restored to perfection (not chopped, either)—cruising down one of the thoroughfares here and she looked almighty good to me. It was the kind of collectible, all-original vehicle that could be a movie car.

Why not a 4 Runner?

 

If your frame is rusted badly or even rusted moderately, I would suggest looking for another 3rd Gen that isn't rusted and needs no major work and sell the one you have, you'll most likely come out cheaper in the end, if your frame is solid proceed with your plan.

 

Roger that. I'll get it looked at, then decide. Do they part-out well?

 

I'll take a step back on what I said, if the frame is badly rusted then I'd go the get another 3rd Gen and sell the original "as is", but if only rusted moderately I'd probably go ahead and at least get it running again with the least amount of work...then decide if you want to invest more into it or find a better one to buy and sell your original one running so it brings in more cash.

 

Well said. Thanks for the tip!

Yes, I liked to have it handy in the wintertime for getting to the grocery, as well as for spring and fall back-country hiking/camping trips; no one much "bothered" (broke into) an old truck like that one.

Thanks again!

 

Scads of solid 4Runners south of Virginia. You just have to make sure it isn't a poser trucked in by a northeast transplant.

Don't sink money into a rust bucket. I'm originally from NYS. Been there, done that.

 

Thanks, and you're correct—I ought to do just that, and I likely will. Thought about that not long ago, to be honest. Torn between a 4Runner or a pickup truck. Decisions, decisions.