Finally got my new to me tow rig!

[cheappc]

Well here it is.. a 1993(94) Toyota 4runner, V6, 3.0, 4X4...

It has the tow package, extremely clean everything works great.. EXCEPT..
the motor is acting kinda funny, it leaks... but I expected that since I was going to rebuilt the motor and transmission anyways... but it works right now and works pretty good, I havent towed my boat yet..

I think it should be fine... a little underpowered, but Ill use that for the speedster until I get a bigger boat...

I got it for $1600 dollars...

 

[BMANN06]

man it blows my mind to see old rigs like that in that nice of shape ... not burning it at all man ... just anything from where i live thats a 2002 or older is generally a rusty pos unless its just a summer vehichle.

 

[Ronsse610]

^ so true!!!!

 

[cheappc]

Well I towed my boat to the lake today (I couldnt wait). It was great. I was a little hesitant to be hard on her since she was so new to me and I have to get used to her. The great news is that the 4x4 engaged beautifully when I backed my boat onto the lake and started heading out...(no more spinning wheels like the rental non 4x4 (the Uhual F150 rental)).

The motor felt like it was working hard, but Im taking it to my mechanic tomorrow, all in all, it was a great day, the truck worked wonderfully, ill take pictures of the inside so you guys can see...

 

[sgoyal]

Nice and very very good deal.

I might have a BRAND new TOW rig if Dealer works out a deal with me. I'm still debating between FWD and 4X4 (lives in ATL and has no benefit other than RAMP (but Ramps are really good on Lake Lanier where I do loading/launching)...

 

[cheappc]

Nice and very very good deal.

I might have a BRAND new TOW rig if Dealer works out a deal with me. I'm still debating between FWD and 4X4 (lives in ATL and has no benefit other than RAMP (but Ramps are really good on Lake Lanier where I do loading/launching)...

Wow.. well becareful, I could have bought a 2WD all day long, it took me like 6 months to find this one, I wanted it white, it had to be 4x4.. 4runners are so hard to find you wouldnt believe it! And thats checking craigslist everyday and autotrader everyday.

Since I use my boat about 20 times a year, It didn't justify me buying a new truck for it (though I was all into purchasing a 2002 4runner for $8599), I had a X5 before that which did beautifully, but It was a gas guzzler during the week..

The deal above was a perfect balance, cheap enough to throw in a new engine and a new 4x4 transmission, and it could be my beater for lakes and home depot materials for my house.

Sgoyal, what kind of Tow rig where you thinking? Do you ever plan to go to Lake Mead, Lake Havazu? you definitely need a 4x4 in some situations.

 

[sgoyal]

Actually, I'm not buying new TOW vehicle just for Boat towing... I've a Murano that does the job but I need a 7 seater due to parents being around. We are so tired of taking 2 cars even we have to go to Zoo or aquarium.

I'm planning to get 2013 Nissan Pathfinder (7 seater) and Trade-in my Murano. I've my eyes on 4X4 too because I drive to chatuge lake once a year and it's very hilly area. My murano handled it very well but I'd feel more safer with Pathfinder (5000 lbs tow rating).

I'm still waiting to hear the difference price between 2WD and 4WD from the dealer. If it's only 1.4K-2K then I'd go with 4WD.

 

[cheappc]

Actually, I'm not buying new TOW vehicle just for Boat towing... I've a Murano that does the job but I need a 7 seater due to parents being around. We are so tired of taking 2 cars even we have to go to Zoo or aquarium.

I'm planning to get 2013 Nissan Pathfinder (7 seater) and Trade-in my Murano. I've my eyes on 4X4 too because I drive to chatuge lake once a year and it's very hilly area. My murano handled it very well but I'd feel more safer with Pathfinder (5000 lbs tow rating).

I'm still waiting to hear the difference price between 2WD and 4WD from the dealer. If it's only 1.4K-2K then I'd go with 4WD.

Beautiful!

I love the Pathfinder! Definitely go for 4x4, you never know, you might one day want to wonder out far away AND YOUR GOING TO NEED IT! lol.... Remember what they say "Better to have, and not need, than to need, and not have".. Once me and my girlfriend went to Lake Mohave, and we saw first hand what happened to the poor guys on a 2x2, she told me I definitely need to get a 4x4..

Nice ride!

 

[cheappc]

Here is another picture towing my boat:

 

[RFoster130]

looks great for being that old..cant beat the price.

 

[cheappc]

looks great for being that old..cant beat the price.

Thanks Rfoster,

The interior is unbelievably immaculate, all the buttons work, everything works, original windows, huge moonroof (like new), cruise control, its like they babied this truck for 20 years.. wow.. Also, when I was going to hook it up to my boat, I was looking for the trailer light connection on the truck, since it came with the factory tow package (including a built in transmission cooler), I didnt see them, so I thought I had to go to Autozone and get/make one with a converter...

While looking to see how I was going to rig it, I saw some electrical cables under the carpet in the back of the truck, and voila, unbelievable, there they were, they never used them.. they were like never touched!? So Im thinking, you got to be kidding, they never towed on this truck or what?

I engaged the 4x4 on the slippery ramp, and it worked like a charm. So easy, it should be illegal. Maximum towing capacity is 3500 lbs, Im like 1500 pounds under the maximum, so Im good to go.

Its not going to win any races, but most probably would get me there and back. I upgraded my Triple AAA to tow my boat just in case...Im pretty confident it could tow my boat to most lakes in California, Castaic Lake, Piru Lake, Lake Perris, so forth...

What Im trying to do is get it in tip top shape for the 600 mile towing to Laughlin in the summer... I hope it goes well!