r/3rdGen4Runner

So went to fix the loose driver seat on my 97 4runner and came to discover its completely torn out on one of the mounts. My current plan is to either straighten out the edges then glue a nut and washer in their with some epoxy or to cut the chunk out and try adding material to make a new point to cut threads. Any help or ideas are deeply appreciated.

2000 with 280,000 km and this is what the frame looks like. I’ve done small jobs on cars and it’s been a dream of mine to own an 3rd Gen 4Runner. Talked the seller down to 7K. Can I please get your advice on the frames integrity. I poked at it with a screwdriver all around and nothing went through, but I’m worried that the test isn’t enough. Is this frame savable with a wire wheel and some oil penetration/sealing?

Anything helps please and thank you.

This was a lot easier than I was expecting it to be. Didn’t cost much and wasn’t a lot of modifications either. I Just have to adjust the hood a bit more. Going to pick up a new bumper and valance Monday and I’m thinking of going with quicksand beige for the paint job.

Has anyone tried this catalytic shield? Been looking throughout online, and as everyone’s mentioned in the forums, they don’t really make any shields for the 3rd Gens. The only other shield I found was from Talons Garage, but they’re only for 4x4. Thanks I’m advance for any feedback!

Has anyone had this kind of noise coming from the engine bay?
I hadn’t driven my 4Runner for about a month. When I started it up again, it began making this noise. The last time I drove it, everything was running fine with no issues.
I checked the power steering fluid, and it’s still full. Has anyone experienced something similar or have any ideas what it could be?

Hey guys,

Am I completely fucked or is it safe to keep driving this thing? If these components must be replaced, do you think a total novice could do it?

I'm completely clueless on basically everything so any advice is much apricated lol

edit: just to add some context, there is a ton of play in the steering wheel and when I drive it I gotta lock tf in in order to keep the car driving straight. I'm willing to keep doing it for the time being I just don't know if I'm overdue for some catastrophic failure. When I checked out these components they looked like they were in bad condition which immediately prompted me to make this post lol

Hey everyone,

I'm gearing up to do my first timing belt, water pump and rad swap. I ordered this kit from aircabinman, a Denso rad, and will be changing the coolant to Toyota red while I'm at it. Hoping for a little advice on what's worth swapping while I'm in there. The belt was done once before by the previous owner at 134,000km, and while I've owned it for ~6 years, unfortunately I have no service records that predate my ownership. Mileage is currently sitting at 266,000 km / 165,000 miles.

So far I'm thinking:
Rad hose, upper and lower (OEM)
AC belt pulley (Gates 38031)
Alternator brushes (OEM)
Heater control valve (OEM)
Fan clutch (Aisin)
Fan bracket (Aisin)

I'm mainly torn on whether or not to replace the fan clutch and bracket. I don't believe there's anything wrong with either, but do think they're original. Folks seem mixed on the forums about whether or not to replace them unless they're clearly on their way out. What would you do? And anything else I'm overlooking?

Thanks in advance!

So I was driving home the other day and all of the sudden my motor shut off, lost power steering, and my brakes stopped working. Coasted off and was able to slowly come to a stop and shut it off. Thought I threw a belt or something and decided to try to turn it over again just to see and it started no problems and 0 lights on the dash. Temp was also fine. I was about a mile away from my house so I decided to just watch the temp and get it home and threw the hood up to see coolant everywhere. It is the original radiator so I’m chopping it up to that and replacing it as well as the hoses, cap, thermostat, and fan clutch to make sure the cooling is completely good. Is it normal for the motor to shut off like that in this situation?

*NOT A SALES PITCH! Sharing a passion project while I learn modeling 🫡

After way too many prototypes, I finally finished a door-mounted cupholder for my ’96 4Runner.
It wasn’t about fitting bigger drinks—it was about having a cupholder in a more comfortable spot. I liked the idea of door-mounted cupholders already on the market, but they weren’t exactly what I was looking for. So I took the American approach and made my own.
It mounts into the window molding with no drilling, includes interchangeable adapter rings, and is printed in PETG-CF with ASA accessories.

I’d love to hear what you guys think or what other door-mounted accessories you’d like to see.

2002 2wd daily driven money pit

Hey fellow 3rd gen owners, does anyone got any tips to keeping their doggo cool while riding along? I got a kennel fan/ operational back window but it still gets pretty hot in the back any suggestions are appreciated!

It completely died one day out of the blue and started backfiring out the air box swapped maf to no avail so I took apart the timing cover and this is what I find… looks like a seal popped of and was sitting hopping and praying the source of my issue is it just jumped time.