New to Forum, First T4R. Longest intro ever.

Hi all, Lou here (PearlRunner).

My 4runner: Just picked up my first 4runner ever (White, 1997 / 3rd gen SR5 4x4 without lockers / Auto / not many options, i.e. no power seats, etc). 136k miles. Spent half her life in AZ, next half in the Northeast. Sat a few years, but original owner supposedly started her up religiously. Carfax shows lots of maintenance, body lubes, regular oil changes, etc. But I can't find anything about cat converter, radiator, and other areas of concern.

I'm the 3rd owner. Last owner drove her in PA for a couple of years. Taking a chance, as she was more than I was looking to spend, but purrs and no body rust. Frame looks ok, but there is surface rust. Hopefully her frame and trans hold up. Getting her into a shop within the next few weeks for thorough inspection and overhaul. Trying to find an expert shop in south Jersey / Philly area if anyone knows any. Do you all take your old 4runners to dealerships? I can't imaging that'd be a good idea these days but tell me if I'm wrong.

Passed NJ inspection no prob, but they don't put vehicles on a lift and are not as thorough as PA where this truck lived last.

Please lmk your thoughts on my short term plan of action:

1.) RUST / CORROSION
The body shows no real rust issues, though a few tiny holes are starting on the chrome on back bumper. Other than that, a little on one of the running boards from what looks like minor collision / dent that penetrated surface.

e Once I get someone more experienced than I am to take a real good look at the surface rust in the chassis (supposedly no rot), I want to start any repairs needed or maintenance there first. Praying it's just surface, and have been exploring undercoat options as there is a ton of salt in this area (NJ) during the winter, plus I've primarily purchased her to take on the beach for surfcasting along the east coast (plan on chassis baths at least once per month on her).

Read so many forum threads about undercoating: Film vs hard coats, waxes, penetrating oils, etc... all the different brands and shops. Got in touch with a local authorized Line-x shop that quoted me at $450 for a full undercoat spray. Was ready to pull the trigger until i started reading reviews of the shop and how unhappy the customer experience was in some cases. And all of the debate in the forums.

Any advice on this appreciated!

2.) TRANS ISSUE PREVENTION
Seems to shift smooth enough, though I'm already worried that going into 4th takes too long and too many RPMs. Seems like from what I've read that this is normal?

Also, I've read that replacing the radiator is a must in order to try to mitigate pink milkshake, etc. I have no way to know if or when the radiator was last replaced or not. Not a cheap job, and I've only handled minor electronic and liner, etc repairs on previous vehicles. Any advice on whether to fork it out for new readiator or not? Would money be better spent on any other preventive work?

3.) What to do first?
Gut says to spend any of the little dough I can afford to use on this second vehicle on preventing powertrain and typical corrosion issues. Also read about ball joint problems and brake system nightmares. Please lmk your recos for MAJOR stuff first. I can wait on any 4x4 mods, making sure the girl will run and not fall apart on me as much as I can influence that...

4.) OFF ROADING / Future outfitting
Will most likely only be taking her on the beach (no rocks, mountains or trails at this point). Our sand here can get soft, and my old cherokee sport was great in the sand... I'd rather not lift "Pearl" up or do anything like that aside from adding a roofrack at some point. That said, would a lift help as part of rust prevention? Does adding an inch or two really help keep splashes, etc away from chassi? Doubt it. The undercoating is what I'd rather do if it will help and not cause any damage or corrosion.

I know this was a long intro with a bunch of questions, but I'm real excited to joint the community and appreciate any perspective on the above or anything else.

Time for the next adventure. Man I hope she lasts another 25 years and doesn't cost me 25k.
Make me feel better about this irresponsible purchase : )

Peace and thanks, LT

 

We can’t answer any of those questions without pictures of said vehicle

Welcome!!!

 

Copy that. Will upload!

 

Welcome and congrats on the new purchase!

I'm just going to chime in on the undercoating for now. Not sure what kind of coating the shop you got the quote from uses, but you 100% want to stay away from any type of rubberized Ziebart type coating. You want to do something that will "breathe", like Fluid fFlm, New Hampshire Oil Undercoat, Wool wax, etc. The rubbery goop will just trap in the rust, and the frame will rot from underneath it. I can link you a great video showing this, if you're interested.

I have a buddy with a third gen with over 400k miles on it, it's been a Northeast vehicle its whole life and the frame looks great. He lucked out finding it in good condition, but twice a year since he he's owned it he sprays inside and outside the frame with WD-40. While most people don't use WD-40 and that's not it's intended application it's worked well for him. A layer of road grime sticks to the WD, and it's kind of encapsulated the frame protecting it from the salt and what not.

 

Welcome

 

Looks like coolant reserve tank is EMPTY? Right?

Not a mechanic, but am I wrong about this?! Not overheating, any recommendations here?

 

Frame and body look pretty good for a 25 years old truck.

Interior is typical for the age, a good detailing should clean it right up.

re: coolant. Yes the reservoir should have something in it, even cold. When the truck is stone cold pop the radiator cap, fill to top and fill the overflow just to the cold line (will be way down low on the reservoir) Then keep an eye on it to make sure it’s not loosing any.

At that age, I would change EVERY fluid as a starting point and to get a maintence baseline. Oil, differentials, transfer case, etc. drain and fill the radiator. Drain and fill (DONT flush) trans. Also all filters and maybe change the spark plugs if you don’t know when they where last done. If there are no records of belts being replaced I’d probably replace the serpentine accessory belt. Bleed and flush the brake fluid if it looks dark. And grease the zerk fittings on the driveshafts. Then work from there fixing things as needed.


Nice find, welcome from another new guy!

 

It may not be well known what the "WD' in WD-40 represents. It stands for Water Dispersant. I'm not surprised he has good luck with it. In my mind though, I would think it would need to be applied more often. But that is just in my mind, and there is all kinds of crazy and somewhat unsafe things rattling around in there...

BTW - is it possible that the empty tank could be the windshield washer fluid tank? I really have not been around the 4th Gen much.

 

Thanks all. worried about the coolant but will adress empty tank tomorrow am. Definitely not the windshield wiper fluid tank. One could only wish

 

Timing belt has marking on it saying it was changed at 101000 I think. photo above

 

Welcome from Arizona!

 

Welcome from Wisconsin!

 

Welcome

 

I really like your new-to-you 4Runner, congratulations. I'm more impressed that you were willing to crawl around on the wet ground to get underbody photos in your search for answers!

 

Welcome

 

Welcome from the center of the bourbon universe.