October 4, 2023.
This post describes the Canmore + Alberta 742 + Alberta 40 loop. The route heads south on Alberta 742 from Canmore, passes Spray Lakes Reservoir, Spray Valley Provincial Park – Peter Lougheed Provincial Park and returns via Alberta 40.
There goes another one…
Rare 5 speed Manual and E-locker 1997 Toyota 4Runner SR5.
Bought it in May 2020 – sight unseen in Calgary. Because of Covoid, didn’t get to it until August 2020. By then, it had been picked up and moved to a new location outside of town. Did a few repairs and drove it back to Yellowknife.
Definitely fun as heck to drive. Short shift 5 speed transmission, and straight piped (no muffler – straight pipe exhaust). Great sound from the engine. It also had a forward tilt, slightly nose down. Two inch lift and 17″ tires, and a crazy blinking light pole at the rear. Like any used vehicle, it had its share of surprises. In retrospect I should have known. It had a rebuilt engine installed. Last winter i had a heck of a time starting it. It had an electric battery blanket and cord for the engine block heater. Cord….I assumed it was plugged in. But i discovered a week later that the cord wasn’t actually plugged in – it was left over from the previous engine !. New engine didn’t have a block heater.!.
The power windows didn’t work, and still don’t. Checked the fuses, and same circuit as the sunroof – and that works !. Power locks work, except from drivers door. I opened up the side console and checked the controller. It was dirty, worn out and sooty. Cleaned it, and figured it was the problem – Not !. Broken wire somewhere?.
I replaced the brakes. All new parts; pads, rotors, calipers and drums, and the entire parking brake system (removed by previous owner) – Wow. That was a bit of work, and so much better !.
Also did a bunch of smaller jobs; sway bar (removed by previous owner), end links, replaced all the fluids, and fluid film on rusty bits. The truck came with a cargo rack, that was replaced with a DIY roof rack for canoes and roof top tent. Never got around to doing body work – seemed as though every panel had a big dent.
The ARB bumper and 12,000 lb winch for a bit of use moving other vehicles around the yard – but not real use off road.
Of the original 5!! 4Runners in my fleet, this was number 4 (4-4). One remaining ;>
Spring over suspension, Detroit locker in rear differential, 4.11 gears.
Scout power steering, On 35” BFG tires
Rusty at drivers quarter panel, small holes in drivers floor and cargo area.
Interior panels removed for inspection (included). Light bezels included.
Pressure washed, paint stripped. Lots of layers of paint.
Oldest paint – White top, Orange lower.
More pictures upon request.
Includes: spare Toyota 2F engine, drivers door, drivers side passenger door, rear hatch, power window motor, radiator, engine head and floor mats.
Located in Yellowknife, Title in my name.
Farewell to the 1999 4runner. It was called 4-2. 4-1 (sold) was its earlier sibling, followed by 4-3 (sold). 4-4 (1997), and 4-5 (1999) are still in the family. Not crazy original names!. Good thing I didn’t name my kids. Lol.
With 5 Toyota 4runners (I miss read the memo about 4 runners…Ha Ha), it was difficult to keep track of which one was which, and to refer to them. I am not into giving my vehicles people names. My dad had a couple of Volvos. He was always fixing something, cursing and sometimes calling them “Swedish Shit”. That said, they were good cars, and they (and the occupants) survived car accidents in which my family would probably not survived.
I digressed…
Prior to Covid, I had only one car – a 2000 Toyota 4runner. It was Jade Green, Manual and ‘stock’. I spent a ton of money on maintenance and repairs – in retrospect many things i could have done my self. When Covid really hit the fan in my town – another Jade Green 4runner was advertised. Asking price was $1000. Body was in near pristine condition – but it blew blue smoke. Most likely a Head gasket failure – a major and costly repair. A gamble – Could I fix it ?, or simply a truck to practice mechanics, or simply for parts. My daughter and did a few repairs – value cover gaskets, and compression test. A vehicle to spend time with my daughter whom had expressed an interest in mechanics.
“Covid Illness”…It starts !
While searching for parts, I came across another 4runner. The Covid illness had started, but I didn’t notice. Bought another 1999 Toyota 4Runner – Silver, Manual, ARB front bumper. Great Truck, needed a few repairs and had a bit of body rust. This one got the name of 4-3.
“Covid Illness”…It continues !
And then, bought another 4Runner !. 1997, Silver, Manual, ARB bumper with winch, leather interior, rebuilt engine, short shift transmission, elocker, and straight piped. Driving it – feels like a sports car, with the throaty roar, and short shifting, and the lack of rear anti-sway bar !. Obviously this truck got the name of 4-4.
“Covid Illness”…It goes on and on !
4-5. Yes – My fifth 4runner !. 1999, Silver, Manual, rebuild front and rear suspension, rusty rocker panels and quarter panels, and front which and stinger type front bumper. It was filthy !!. Mud all over the dash, and dog hair everywhere.
Yes – 5 Toyota 4Runners in my yard. !!
4-1 (manual) and 4-2 (automatic) were stock. Drove more like a station wagon.
4-1 beside its bigger brother
4-2
Usual state of 4-2
4-2 on its way top new owner. Ironically, towed away with another 4runner !.
4-3 with stiff shocks felt like a heavy truck, and 4-4 feels like a sports car. 4-5 has been neglected – though feels more like 4-3, distinctly truck like.
4-3 on Marian Lake ice road (NWT).
4-4 ‘Road Runner’
Delivery day (4-5)
Since then, 4-1, 4-2, 4-3 have been sold, and 4-4 will be soon.
Does a person really need 5 4Runners ??
Without a doubt – No. But sure was fun having them. Basically the same vehicle, though each one is distinct, and its own feel when driving.
Soon, down to only 4-5.
But the illness continues. Why do I call this My “Covid Illness” – Check a previous post. In brief, vehicle maintenance, repair, buying and selling is a new thing for me, and started with the Covid shutdown. It is a mental distraction during the times that we are not able to socialize.
..The Symptoms are now a collection of Toyota Landcruisers – But that is another post.
Error: No feed found.
Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to create a feed.
In the early 1980’s I was a young kid in high school. I certainly wasn’t at the top of the class, and the kids with lower grades were typically directed by school administration to auto mechanics. My Dad, as most parents do, was hoping to motivate me to work harder, get higher grades and pursue a career path other than auto mechanics.
He was geophysicist working at the Geological Survey of Canada, and a Adjunct Professor at the Ecole polytechnique in Montreal. My Dad could also fix cars – sort of. We had several old beaters, a couple of which were destined for the scrap heap by the time we were done with them. For him – fixing a car was more out of necessity than pleasure. One car had a massive hole in floor at the back seat. My brother and i would sharpen sticks on the pavement while my Dad dove us to school.
My brother is also pretty smart, so there was no need for Dad to give him a “pep talk”. But me – well, I sometimes needed a bit of extra motivation. I remember my Dad saying “Study Hard – Or you will be a Mechanic” . Not sure if that particularly motivated me, though i did graduate high school, and went on to get a Bachelors degree and Masters degree.
And now now i am closer to the tail end of my career, and also a parent trying to motivate my own kids, i find myself more and more drawn to auto mechanics. It is mostly for pleasure as long as I am able to keep at least one of the fleet in operating condition. Safety in numbers doesn’t always go in my favour…
Most interesting, the vehicles that I am most drawn to now were new back when i was a young kid in high school. !! Yes – these vehicles are really…really old ;>. Actually, one is nearly as old as I am, and that is more that half a century old.
Taking apart the Tacoma. What better way to learn how the pieces go together.
Taking apart one of my favourites – 1980’s vintage Toyota Land cruiser.
Obviously, I don’t say to my kids….”Study Hard – Or you will be a Mechanic”
My Daughter spinning the lug nuts putting on the winter tires.
Error: No feed found.
Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to create a feed.