PSA you need extra tools to change your tire

I have only had my 4Runner 2 months and on my 3rd off road experience a jagged rock punctured my tire.

While in the middle of nowhere I discovered you can't assemble the factory jack without a phillips head screw driver (not included). Normally not an issue for me, but someone failed to return my phillips head to my Oh Sh!t bag (I am probably that person). I had to make do with two flat rocks trying to turn the screws.

You could go out to your car and pre loosen those factory screws now to avoid an issue down the road. Or better yet, get a real jack because the factory jack barely lifts the car up enough.

Secondly I recommend going out and checking where you lower your spare. It took me forever to figure out where the hole was to lower it down, the manual is useless here too. You have to find the right side of the right tool and line it up just right.

I feel like they could have made this whole process much easier. A narrow trail on the side of a mountain is not the best place to learn these things.

 

Great post & information.
Thanks for the heads up!
I will test & apply fluid film to help keep things moving freely!
What type of tire were you running?
Thanks,
Ryan

 

No need for fluid film, just go loosen the screw that holds the jack handles together. It's a set-screw type situation, and it's painted by the factory. You gotta break the paint skin. It will make sense when you see it.

 

Thankfully the first time I took off the spare was for a wool wax event, it was a pain in the ass. Even the second time, used the spare for a place holder while rotating the tires.
It’s also good practice to learn about spare tire shit before hitting the road.

 

Thanks for sharing!

It's also a good endorsement for carrying a basic set of tools in the truck.

I actually think the first time I lowered my spare was when I up-sized tires and replaced the spare (BTW, anybody need an OEM spare?)

I'm not even sure the factory jack would get the tires off the ground anymore.

 

I thought it was crazy the factory put the jack under the rear seat. What? Nobody would think to look there. Not in the compartment by the rear hatch.

 

In your '99? I can't recall where the jack lived in my '94, but the '03 and the '19 both have a cubby in the back driver's side.

 

Good tip ajonesaz! I’ve owned a few Toyota’s over the years and would never rely on their jacks to lift the vehicle. Also, I carry a 24” breaker bar and socket to get the wheel nuts off. I think you’d need to be superman to undo wheel nuts tightened to 85 ft/lbs with the wrench they provide.

 

Thanks for sharing this.
As the son of an Air Force crew chief, I had it ingrained in me to test everything when I got a new vehicle, down to practicing a tire change in the relative comfort of our driveway. Decreases the the chance of those 'gotcha!" moments when out in the wild. As I've gotten older and lazier I stopped doing that....probably should do this soon just to get familiar with the set up.

 

I can break them easily lol. However it’s probably due to my size lolll

 

Another side benefit of relocating the rear diff breather...removing the spare was a good way to get easier access the rear diff...good practice learning to remove/replace the spare tire in, as stated above, "the relative comfort of my driveway".

 

Good advice to point out. Figured this out when assisting someone on the road with a tire change just the other day. They had their jack and some of the handle pieces but not enough to give the proper reach. I grabbed my handles and noticed they were coated over pretty heavily with paint. At the time, I was glad I had my Leatherman with me and was able to break the screws loose. This was a friendly reminder to put my tool kit back in my vehicle!

 

Good job, helping others, Taco636. The world needs more kindness and willing hands.

 

You guys should be taking your spare down regularly to check the tire pressure....

 

Or you could flip it so the valve stem is down, then you can check it without dropping it. Slight chance of ripping the valve stem off if you drag the ass end off road though... never seen it happen though.

 

For sure, Agent_Outside and to grease the screw mechanism. Maybe not a problem in the south, but up north where I live, it will rust rust solid in two seasons if you don’t move it and grease it.

 

Went through the same here, checking what was needed and finding how far in the jack handle goes to lower the tire. Going to add a phillips head screwdriver to the jack pouch. Normally have a toolbox for my bikes in any case but jack tools should have had a screwdriver for those screws. I carry an old messenger bag with a couple of 1x4 scraps to use under the jack in unstable soil, a breaker bar, tire plugs, scraps of mesh matting in case I need to lay in the dirt... As well, carrying a compressor and small recovery kit (tow strap, shackle, tree saver to use as a bridle and 2 soft shackles). While deciding on sockets for the lug nuts found a spark plug socket fit the lugs best though too snug on the lug/lock adapter, so carry both sockets w/breaker. Stock tool should have a simple extension.

 

Where do you store all this stuff? I’m very surprised at the lack of storage areas in the runner. In my Taco, I have a storage tub/tote, not sure the wife will be happy I start loading the back Of the runner with totes of gear.

 

Luckily I'm single. Compressor and recovery kit go in the passenger seat footwell. Messenger bag with the rest in the back. My pack with laptop, GPS, Inreach, etc... sit also in the footwell and my camera gear on the passenger seat for fast access.

This is my travel setup.

 

Yep, single versus wife and 2 teenagers

 

Dude... hate to break up the party but - no additional tool is needed lol you can use the slot on the jack handle to loosen up those screws. It fits perfect and it is designed to do so. No need to use a Phillips.

Edit: straight from the owners manual if you didn’t catch it during the actual operation.

 

not to laugh... but, Man! The struggle was real - I can just imagine how this all went down

 

Yeah, this. I took mine down when I did the Borla muffler to make room to work. It is a little tricky to do, so doing it in the driveway is a good idea as well as mounting it so the valve is available.

 

I put the breaker bar and socket, a hydraulic jack, a small tool roll and some recovery gear in medium sized nylon tool bag that I carry in the cargo area. Nothing too extreme, and if I need to carry something big, I just remove the bag temporarily to make room. I try and stay away from carrying too much, mainly for the weight, and mostly I don’t like totes. There’s a lot of room in a 4 Runner.

 

Thank you for sharing! I’ve been off-roading and haven’t even checked yet how to change a tire

 

Yep, fits same either way.

 

The jack in 2nd Gens are stored in the R/H rear cubby hole. The handle and extension to lower the spare is under the rear seat. I keep a socket, extension, and breaker bar in my spare tire kit.

 

Lol... Am usually pretty observant. Thanks for that.

 

Learned early to always check over a new vehicle and experiment with basic functions like changing a tire with provided equipment. And for carrying a set of basic + tools, tape, baling wire, pressure gauge and valve tool, rope, tow strap, jumpers etc.
Better to be ready than to blame the vehicle.

 

If you have Wheel Locks - make sure you keep an eye on that key. I check to make sure mine has been returned to the tool roll after every service / tire rotation.

In regards to the factory jack. If you have a lift / bigger tires and don't want to carry a Hijack Lift with you everywhere. Might want to invest in bottle jack extensions or bring some wood blocks with you.

https://safejacks.com/products/extensions-for-bottle-jacks