Myself (Scott) and my son (Cam) are venturing on a vehicle adventure by working on an older model vehicle in our garage with our tools with all labour by us. Body work, mechanical work and electrical (stereo) work all done by us.
We are shopping around but are looking into Toyota 4runners in particular as they can get high mileage and still last as well as they hold up better than domestics from that time period like Explorers.
Today marked the purchase of our 1990 Toyota 4Runner 4x4 SUV. Its a base model, stick (of course) with loads of potential. Included in the deal is a pioneer high powered flipdown cd player and existing amp wiring for high output volume (which our project will have). Total package cost was $250.00 canadian.
The price reflects some work on our part, such as requirement for a replacement battery (current one does not hold a charge - this is an assumption as the alternator was recently replaced and should not be the issue). As well we require a water pump as after driving about 30 minutes the 4runner does not circulate its water well enough and will overheat. Other than that it drives like a dream. Rust is a major issue on 2 of the doors and around some parts of the body. Rear driver door is bad, may require complete replacing and rear hatch requires extensive work or replacing. All other areas can be cleaned, cut and replaced.
Various other small items require attention, such as one headlight and taillight are burnt, oil cap requires replacing, some anti-freeze mix (possibly flush coolant system as previous owners used lots of water in the system), stereo needs speakers hooked up, shift knob is missing (we're customizing anyways), gas cover is gone from body, rear wiper arm requires replacement and a few interior items like centre console requires a new lid (current one has snapped hinges, so it sits there but will not open without falling off).
Pictures will come this week and be posted before any work begins (other than maybe a new battery so me an Cam can zoom around the neighbourhood to enjoy what we are investing our time into).
The vehicle is not safetied, but frame, body floor are all rust free and other than a few of the items listed about should pass safety with flying colours. Currently it has never failed a safety so I can just keep on buying 5 day passes for $36 or monthly for $146 (pretty expensive, gotta get it safetied as soon as possible).
Its safe to say, I think once the 4runner is done - it will be the coolest around and we will drive over many curbs.
