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Finally I can post. New-ish member, need ideas and recomm...

Discussion in '4th Gen 4Runners (2003-2009)' started by GigemAgz95, Apr 12, 2019.

  1. Apr 12, 2019 at 11:43 PM
    #1
    GigemAgz95

    GigemAgz95 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2019
    Member:
    #8359
    Messages:
    44
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Brad
    Houston, TX
    Vehicle:
    2007 v6 SR5 2wd. 51K mi
    KPMF stealth Tundra vinyl wrap. Interior Led mod. Fog light mod. Jensen deck, Polk DB plus doors. Blackout of chrome - Emblem Delete.
    Howdy all from Houston. Will try to be concise, but I have a number of ideas that I want to get feedback on. I have a newly acquired: 2007 SR5, 2WD, 4.0L. No frills, "base" everything. The bad news, the exterior is SHOT.
    The Good news, I have a clean slate to start, and - ONLY 45000 miles, driven by my parents - original owners.
    First the Bad:
    probably ALL original fluids, except Oil. The sunroof is STUCK shut, I guess the gasket it now sealed to the body? Any ideas on how to un-stick it?

    The Paint - UGGGGGGH - it's horrible. little Rust pits - clearcoat pretty much Gone.
    See pics. Headlights: shot.
    Fender - scraped, but no sheetmetal damage.
    Bumpers: undamaged but not cosmetically great.

    The Good:
    Decent interior - needs a deep clean and would look NEW.
    Radio - so much potential - looking at Crutchfield for new SingleDIN and 4 speakers, to START, then maybe, have ability to add amp, then a small sub..but that's way down the road.
    This will be a grocery getter - work commuter. it's a 4.0, 2wd, I don't want to make it an outfitted BugOut machine. Most agressive tread I would consider is BFG KO's...
    MINIMAL Power upgrades to be done...washable filter -
    Brand new tires 6 months ago.
    Engine - Sound, from what i can tell. Again, fluids, all original. grr.(except oil)

    IDEAS:

    Black out the emblems.
    Lose the running boards.
    New Stereo with small 4x50 amp and decent speakers... touchscreen?? not sure. convince me.
    And a Tubular Light bar, across front of bumper. THIS is impossible to find for this model. i can't find one anywhere on forums or ebay or Amazon, or the sponsors here. will attach similar thing what I am looking for.

    So: what is ABSOLUTE PRIORITY??
    Change out ALL Fluids?
    Change sparkplugs?
    Change Belts?
    Anything else that I missed? PLEASE give recommendations.
    What about bushings etc?
    I am worried about AGE RELATED WEAR - not so much Mechanical, yet.

    Then - worry about cosmetics and other upgrade "fun stuff"?


    I LOVE Seeing all Generations of them, and getting ideas - I already changed the Gaskets on All windows and doors, etc. and did LED interior swap. Thanks to the forums here, it was a snap!

    Last - do I just throw a WRAP on it? or pony up for a real paint job? I like the "flat" colors they have now!

    Thanks for the help from the links and pinned posts, i look forward to this fun weekend attraction and saving some mpgs vs my 4x4 half ton V8. (24 vs 17)

    I do appreciate your feedback, suggestions, questions etc.

    All that Crap is POLLEN from 4 months of SITTING. The pictures don't show really How crappy and beat the paint it... so sad.

    The Last picture is what I want - but can't find one of these Anywhere - HELP PLEASE.

    Thanks to all for your guidance!
    -Brad



    image001.jpg image003.jpg
    image001.jpg image003.jpg image004.jpg image005.jpg image006.jpg image007.jpg Clipboard01.jpg
     
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    #1
    Bob likes this.
  2. Apr 13, 2019 at 6:15 AM
    #2
    HoBoDanny

    HoBoDanny Dude...

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2019
    Member:
    #8697
    Messages:
    966
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Daniel
    Kentucky
    Vehicle:
    2004 SR5 V6 4WD 4Runner
    RCI Skid Plate CBI Ditch Light Brackets Hankook DynaPro ATM RF10 265 70R17 113T Tires 1.25” Wheel Spacers TPMS Bypass Mod Hydrocarbon Filter Removed Merca decal 2” leveling kit front only Black headlights
    Tune up time! Oil/filter, air filter, plugs/wires, transmission drain and refil, coolant drain and refill, serpentine belt, check ball joints/tie rods for play, and rear links for play.
     
    Bob and SlvrSlug like this.
  3. Apr 13, 2019 at 6:20 AM
    #3
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2019
    Member:
    #9314
    Messages:
    12,408
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    James
    S/E Wisconsin
    Vehicle:
    2019 TRDORP, KDSS, MGM
    RSG sliders, Yakima offgrid basket, Pro-Comp wheels, SOS Streamline bumper and skids, Warn VR EVO10S winch + Ultimate Sidewinder, Bilstein 6112 + 5100 + rear lift coils, Rigid Dually SS ditch lights w/Caliraised brackets and OEM style dash switch
    Welcome!

    I would change all of the fluids as you mentioned.

    Maybe take it to a body shop for ideas about the paint, ETC.

    For the sunroof, maybe try a penetrating fluid like you would use on a rusted bolt. I'm not sure how that will affect the paint, but at this point it looks like it can't get a lot worse
     
  4. Apr 13, 2019 at 7:58 AM
    #4
    Hyper15125

    Hyper15125 Headlight Retrofitting Hobbyist

    Joined:
    Apr 15, 2018
    Member:
    #5839
    Messages:
    168
    NJ (609)
    Vehicle:
    ‘14 SR5 T4R, ‘13 Taco TRD Sport DCLB, ‘02 SC430
    Do all of the maintenance first. Then powerwash the shit out of the exterior and fix the sunroof.

    Its really low mileage so its worth putting some money into it. Get a decent paint job.

    Take the headlights out before its painted and put some new ones in.

    After paint send it to a good detailer to deal with the interior.
     
    Thatbassguy likes this.
  5. Apr 16, 2019 at 11:50 AM
    #5
    Benny123

    Benny123 Toyota enthusiast

    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2019
    Member:
    #9045
    Messages:
    273
    Gender:
    Male
    Southeast Charlotte, NC
    Vehicle:
    2016 Nautical Blue SR5 Premium
    LEDs all around, otherwise bone stock.
    Agree with above mentioned maintenance...

    The sunroof may have a big issue if it wasnt used much. May be the motor is bad if it doesnt work at all. Is the motor trying to open it but cant? Or is it not making any noise? To separate the seal, try some soapy water and a plastic spudger around the outside. That way if soap leaks it doesnt f up your seats.

    For the paint, it looks like it could be recoverable, except for the drivers side fender. Watch some youtube videos on restoring oxidized paint, and/or contact a detailer. Im not so sure it needs repainted yet. If it did, thats an easy $3-5 k to do it well. Not cheap. So I'd try to save it first.
     
    Last edited: Apr 16, 2019
    Thatbassguy likes this.
  6. Apr 18, 2019 at 5:26 PM
    #6
    GigemAgz95

    GigemAgz95 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2019
    Member:
    #8359
    Messages:
    44
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Brad
    Houston, TX
    Vehicle:
    2007 v6 SR5 2wd. 51K mi
    KPMF stealth Tundra vinyl wrap. Interior Led mod. Fog light mod. Jensen deck, Polk DB plus doors. Blackout of chrome - Emblem Delete.
    I appreciate everyone's input above, thus far... here is some further data - and even Questions BACK to you (all y'all).

    More than likely: all fluids are close to 12 years old...But - also 'only' 45,000 miles of wear. I am NOT trying to skate proper maintenance...but would you give MILEAGE any credit, vs the 12 year age? just curious.

    @Benny123 As for the sunroof... it DID Work, about 3 months ago...when the battery was "good enough". since then, I replaced the battery with a fresh one, and it makes NO Sound. no clicks, no pushing sound...nada.
    I will try the soap and trim tool from above... I PERSONALLY HATE Sunroofs. and I will never open it...but I HAVE to open it - to Maintain the rain channel going down teh A-Pillar..or it gets water sitting up there..and then RUSTS. because that's what happened to it 4 years ago..

    As for Detailing and "bringing back from dead".. this is pit going PAST the primer... and rust specks appearing...
    the fender trim piece is $450 - I will sand that down and PlastiDip it before I spend that on one piece (unpainted)

    I would enjoy it back to presentable in public...for a few hundred...but if it runs deeper - I am definitely getting a MATTE SKIN when able to..

    I did Drive it to my house - for safe keeping - 45 miles away - with NO fluid changes - ran fine..
    As for THAT TASK - who Actually would give the DIY route a thumbs up for Cost vs PainInTheA$$ factor vs a maintenance shop of some sort.?

    i.e. if it costs me $45 but 6 hours of my time and Rookie mistakes... vs $150 and done in 2 hours and DONE... my time is worth spending that $105 for saving 4 hours. Just some out loud thinking..
    Again - thanks for the input.

    the Serpentine and Plugs (if I'm lucky) will get done. maybe some quote for a pro detail job.

    ONE LAST THING - no comments on the Light bar in the last picture? I really like the style of that, but can't find a solution. any suggestions ? (BOLD ON, no drilling, preferred but not mandatory)

    Thanks all !
     

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