The Clown's Hauler project thread: 2001 4runner Sport

[TXRedDevil]

Badclown,

Great build thread! I've owned my 98 since 2000 and the 3rd gens with very little maintenance will last forever. I only have 277K on mine and the biggest expenses over the years (aside from tires) were the power steering rack, clutch/flywheel replacement, and various suspension parts. Right out of the box, the 96 to 99s with 32" tires had more than adequate clearance for the type of mild to moderate off roading that most people do (not including rock crawling). Upping tire size to 33"s or more required quite a bit of more suspension cost and fender trimming. The 99 Highlanders were the cat's meow. Unfortunately, Toyota decided to lower the stock suspension height in later generations to accomodate more regular folks whose main offroad activity is to traverse the gravel parking lot to their kid's soccer games.

I've been w/ the 3rd gen community since 2000 as a mod over at Yotatech and Ultimateyota for many years but have trailed off so to speak since about 2015-ish. If you have any questions, let me know. I'm not the expert, but I know a lot about these trucks. Here's a few pics of mine. Swapped out to 99 coils/springs with Tokicos, 4.10 rear w/ retrofitted e-locker (not wired up at the moment), Sherpa rack, and True North rear tire carrier (modified to sit on driver's side).

[BADCLOWN]

Suuuuuuper clean 3rd gen, how’s the frame on it? I had to do extensive por15 coating on my 2nd 3rd gen (the one this thread started out with) in order to prevent further spreading. Hours of grinding with a wire wheel to include having plates welded in to fill rust holes on the frame closer to the front on the driver side. Was a great truck, miss it, but glad I have a Pro now

[TXRedDevil]

My truck has spent the vast majority of its life in CA (24 out of 26 years) so little surface rust, mainly limited to suspension parts. No frame rot whatsoever. Rust abatement is such a pain and treatments can help, but nothing can truly stop it from rusting other than rewelding in clean metal, applying a rust preventative, and seam sealing. Good luck on your new project!

[BADCLOWN]

its pretty much a dog hauler and daily so I dont have to drive the ZHP as much (plus two shepherds dont fit in a ZHP). Its always amazed me that Toyota never recalled the frames on the 4runners for the same issues that their truck frames were having. Hell, I still see replaced frames sitting out back of my local Toyota dealer/they are still doing them. Overly annoying and I will never understand it

[BADCLOWN]

haven't updated this thread in a while either:

I've just been driving the thing, I believe it rolled 50k a few weeks ago. Added a new Interstate battery (OE one from new was finally starting to go. Truck would need a jump if it was sitting for 2-3 weeks). While doing that I added an AJT beauty battery tie down bar. Also added AJT door handle covers for the inside to cover the chrome ones.


I took my truck into the dealer for its 5k oil change. After completion, I was informed by the service advisor that the tech opened my driver front door into the lift causing damage. This resulted in needing the driver front door and rear door painted (to help blend it in). While doing so, I had some light scratches from an unfortunate incident a few years ago I wanted fixed along with a roof ding (above the driver side rear quarter glass between the glass and the roof rail) that the previous owner caused while installing a GOBI roof rack. Had the passenger front door and front fender painted (for blending purposes). Not ideal but at the end of the day it increased the quality of the truck and fixed some blemishes. All the work was done at the shop my brother manages in Louisville which is the certified Toyota repair facility.

No other real plans for it at the moment, I am waiting until the new 6th gen 4runner starts showing up on lots so that I can test drive one. Id love to get a new 6th gen TRDPRO but I don't want to pay dealer mark ups right when they come out and I'd like to see how others like the new motor on the forums. But generally speaking: the thing is fucking sick. Tons of updates on the interior and the big thing for me is (if reliable) the new motor and transmission. While insanely reliable, the V6 in the 5th gen lacks a little power/trq and the transmission/gearing isn't ideal.


Untitled by Jacob G., on Flickr
Untitled by Jacob G., on Flickr
Untitled by Jacob G., on Flickr
Untitled by Jacob G., on Flickr