I love my 1997 RAV4!! In Texas its only worth about $500, if I am lucky, even with the low mileage. I paid $5000 for it 3 years ago in Arizona. I have put $4K in it and didn't do half the stuff on it that you have done to yours. Its low mileage (130K) so I will keep driving it. Surprisingly I see a lot of old Ravs in this area. I love my "Fish Bowl". As my daughter calls it. Great vehicle. Thanks for the videos. Daph

I really like my RAV4 97. Just in the middle of refreshing it at 160 miles.

I have a 99 rav 4 ...271,000 miles and it runs absolutely great !! Its a really great ride

Loved my 2000. I'd love to find another first generation to play with, and if I did, here's what I'd do: you can pick up a used low mileage 3SGTE engine from Japan for just north of $1000 and it should fit right onto the motor mounts and transmission in the 1st Gen RAV4 which has the 3SFE (difference is a turbo and about 80 hp). Not as simple as it sounds of course, you'll have to update wiring harnesses, ECM, some other bits here and there, but it's also really not that bad as engine swaps go. The 3SGTE's came out of an AWD Japan only wagon called the Caldina and with a little finessing, they fit quite nicely into a RAV4, taking you from 120 hp to 200.

@willpoirier8087

3 жыл бұрын

They also came out of the legendary Rally Celica GT4s?

great vid Drew

Got a '98 for free. Wife's cousin was going to donate to charity. Had 234k miles, no 5th gear and oil leak. Oil leaked a bit from timing cover, wasn't going to pay $1500 to do timing belt on free, old, high mileage car. Big mistake! I drove it to 340k, just jamming and holding in 5th gear in until that was too dangerous, popping out of gear at 80mph! Most of that 100k I drove it was no 5th, so actually more engine miles. Drove it very hard, all work miles, stop and go and long racing to urgent jobs. All original hoses, everything. Changed oil every 5k, front brake pads ($25.00) once, the thermostat ($7.00), and a drive belt. That's it! If you know how to drive a stick, the clutch won't wear out. Timing belt gave out at 340k. F...! Shoulda replaced it. Those cars are practically indestructible - but not idiot proof. Three times strangers offered to buy it, no for sale sign! If you have one, keep it. I could have hit 400k miles easy, if only... Oh yeah, had the same little oil leak, some drips on the driveway, the whole time, never got too low between oil changes.

brother, I got my 96 from Japan, with 100,00km.... I'm a USPS Rural Carrier and LOVE my ride. I stripped the seats and built a rack in place of the passenger seat. I use it every day. I NEED A PROPER ROOF RACK. That's the only thing I want

Nice job!

The 4wd system I just found out is derived from the Celica st205 Gt4... Great stuff.. 😎👍🏿

Love your vids. I have the same car coupe tho

I have a 2000 Honda Civic LX and it rattles and shakes like that too. It also has a hard time going up hills and you wanna give it momentum but changing the brakes and doing the oil changes (tune ups/etc) has kept it going. I actually enjoy driving an old reliable car MORE than my wives 2019 RAV4. my next purchase will be one of these little Ravs (if I can find one! They are so rare!)

What a bodacious vehicle.

hey whered you get the trd tshirt from? looking to buy one . nice videos btw. keep it up

I just bought an 07 with no fluid in the rear diff,,,, still works🤔most of the time. Point is them little cars are tough

Hey Drew, Awesome vid! just wondering where you got the lift kit from? Having a tough time finding one here in Australia, looking at ordering one from overseas! Cheers

@TheDrewJohnsonExperience

5 жыл бұрын

Funny enough, it’s an Old Man Emu kit from Australia. I bought it through a company called Rocky Road Outfitters.

I love my toyota RAV4 1999

Closest thing similar to this now is a Kona.

Ok, go 3 years ahead and gas at 7 bucks a gallon there are no 1500 rave4s Just bought a great 98, only 100k and paid about 4000. And it's a great deal. Today the manual gear box costs more as people are looking for classic Ravs

did you install an ABS in it or did it came standard with it ? . also how much/easy it is to add ABS to a 1st gen RAV4 ?. I love these 1st gens rav4 but the lack of an ABS in most of these is a huge setback.

Wow that's a super nice Rav4. My sister drives the 97' Rav4 now & its ghetto. 😂🤣 It runs & goes but it's still ghetto. The back doors can't open from the outside. Only the passenger back door works, but you can only open it from inside of the door. Other door forget it. The window, the driver's window goes down quick but only she can bring it back up with her combination. I understand that "rattling" 100% I only changed the spark plugs & valve cover gasket. & wow just those 2 jobs with the wiring everywhere I cussed a good 90 min job...🤣😂 so I can't imagine doing all what u did. Also we got the rav4 when it was brand new so I was 6 while my sister was 14 & that car has around 240,000

@dahknee70

3 жыл бұрын

the driver's window is supposed to do that, I thought it was weird out would go back up on its own but kinda makes sense ya know cause drive thru... just in case so nothing gets caught in the window.

Nice vid..! I got 1 too. I joke, it just gets louder when I hit the gas, not faster,,lol

Bro our rav4 is sport and it fast i love it even if it old

How did he sort out the oil leak?

You said pony power. So true. Funny but true.

I also live in Ohio! I also own a 1996 Toyota RAV4 2 door!

I have a 97 rav4, my first car it had over 300k miles, I honestly love it so much and try my best to take care of it. but I'm wondering, does anyone's rav4 rattles so loud while in drive but stopped at a red light? or drive thru? it gets a little quiet when I change to parking but I don't know what the rattle is.

@nickturnbull5454

3 жыл бұрын

Could check the exhaust system. Mine rattles around 4000rpm right now because a muffler clamp rusted and fell off.

@dani-nt8ke

2 жыл бұрын

I have the same year and there like 4 constant different rattles lmao

What part of Ohio are you in? I'm near Cleveland and Akron.

You have a long way to go. I'm mensajero. When you get to the engine power, let me know.

What was the the grand total of repairs and upgrades?

@TheDrewJohnsonExperience

4 жыл бұрын

My long overdue update video is dropping on Wednesday and I’ll answer that question. Stay tuned!

I have a 1998 RAV4 2WD with 350k miles. I just wonder if anyone knows where I can get one of those japanese engine with very low Miles?.... I love my RAV4. BEST reliable vehicle I ever owned and would like to restore it. My Vehicle Speed Sensor went out and I can't get/find a mechanic to fix it. They all failed. Like Scotty Kilmer would call them "part changers" not mechanics

LoL @ rattle montage

But it’s not 4x4!!! It’s awd! And you did nothing special to it! Lame ass automatic! And it’s non turbo! Whipple fucking deal! And no lockers! What is so special about it?