MMXXIIII*

Four years ago, I wrote a Year in Review and, being of 2020, there was quite a lot to say about how the Year had been outside of the Garage.

While a lot has happened outside of the Garage this year, I feel that 2024 has been much more about what has gone on inside the Garage, thankfully. It has certainly been a year of transformation for the 4Runner.

For your Reading Pleasure, below is a short paragraph and a Photo or two for the Seasons of this past year, plus a Running Score of Good versus Bad just for fun..

Good 0 – 0 Bad

Winter

I can still remember the dread as the Plumes of White Smoke filled the air behind the 4Runner, as I parked up after a run through the Kent Countryside.. The upgraded in all but effectiveness Cooling System unable to push the dramatically increased volume of Coolant around the 3VZ-E Block, causing the inevitable to happen; overheating and blowing of the Head Gasket.

They say that the most learned lessons are the ones that cost you the most; I learned.

Good 0 – 1 Bad

Still Winter

He’s one of the best mates anyone can have, and that’s before he gives up one of his Ramps for a fortnight so you [he] can fix your broken Mid Nineties SUV. And then another fortnight chasing down the Cooling Issue that caused the problem in the first place. I am of course referring to my mate Andy the Mechanic.

I had a very rewarding but long Four Days of Wrenching, learning so much along the way, both from Andy and the experience, that [if I didn’t know how much it had actually cost] I’d say was priceless. Throw in the odd Cold Sweat Surprise along the way, and I’d say that it was definitely a Victory to Good..

Good 1 – 1 Bad

Spring / Summer

Taking the next few months to actually drive the 4Runner rather than doing any work to it, it wasn’t until late May / early June that I took a Spanner out of the Toolbox again. First off I got to work on the Interior, starting with the Rear Carpet making my way forward with Door Cards, Centre Console, and ultimately fitting a replacement Passenger Seat.

Good 2 – 1 Bad

The 4Runner took to the Ramps again in June, but this time to have a completely custom Stainless Steel Exhaust fitted, and boy did that make a difference.

Good 3 – 1 Bad

Rounding the season off with a Front and Rear Bumper restoration, I knew what was next, and it would be the Icing on the Cake of a very productive year..

Good 4 – 1 Bad

Autumn

I had all the Gear but literally No Idea, and yet still I cleared those days in the Calendar for the Beast Repaint. I had prepared the 4Runner sufficiently, but nothing makes the Heart beat faster than knowing you have One Shot to get it right, and get it right I did. Even still, I look at the Paint, feel the Paint, and think that ain’t so bad; I’m sure my Dad would be happy with the result at any rate, and that’s enough for me.

Good 5 – 1 Bad

Winter Again

So that was it, 2024 in the Life of the Beast; but that sure isn’t the end of this Journey. I already have the Front fenders ready to be refurbished and fit, and a box of other Tricks too. It will all happen on a new Driveway in 2025 to boot, having moved to Tunbridge Wells a few weeks ago. I’m going to chalk that up as a score for Good too, because that itself has been a long time coming, and the 4Runner was instrumental in the House Move.

Good 6 – 1 Bad

Hasta Luego

So there you go, it’s a Victory for Good, with a healthy 6 Goals..!

Here’s wishing you all a Very Happy and Prosperous 2025, and hope to see you back here in the New Year to share the Ups and Downs of this Toyota 4Runner Ownership Journey..

* https://www.electrictime.com/roman-iiii-vs-iv-on-clock-dials/