Stoney Eyed Bandit

I have a build thread for this on Tacomaworld I’m going to duplicate it for here as well. Enjoy!

CURRENT

March 1 2019 City
ATF Temps. 140-205
Engine Temps. 180-186
March 15 2019 Highway
ATF Temps. 128-150
Engine Temps. 180-190
Steep Grade
March 17 2019
ATF Temps. 222
Engine Temps. 193
June 15 2019
ATF Temps. 228
Engine Temps. 197

Lift Measurements
Front: 36”
Rear: 36”

Maintenance:
Oil Change: 110,000
Oil Change: 115,505 Synthetic 5w30
Oil Change: 120,653 Synthetic 5w30, Transmission fluid, Air Filter OEM, Serpentine Belt.

This is my 2004 V6 4WD 4Runner. Bought her in January of 2019. Making this build thread as a way to keep track of everything I do to her. Really wish I had made one for my Tacoma just to keep track. So here she is.
First pic I took of her after replacing the old bald tires with Hankook DynaPro ATM RF10 265 70R17 113T Tires.
Not long after the tires were put on I did the TPMS bypass mod so happy that light is gone.
Next up. I removed the running boards. They looked ok but made the old girl look like a low rider. I also don’t think they served much of a purpose so off they came.

 

Today was nice! Sunny and 72 hasn’t been this nice in awhile so I took advantage of it. Started off by giving the Tacoma a bath.
Then I decided the Runabout’s headlights needed some attention so I used some 5000grit sandpaper and polishing compound. It was definitely an improvement.
Before:
After:

Once I finished the headlights I decided to remove this guy from the intake.
Not sure why the thing is needed and I’ve read that it will help the engine breath a little better. Since I was in there I did a quick wipe down of the engine bay.
I also removed the IU emblem the previous owners installed. Used some string to peel it and goo gone to clean off the residue.

 

Trying out this Bluetooth FM Transmitter. I’m really liking it. It sounds great and gives me 2 usb charging ports.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FL231B9/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

very cool.

what did you use to wipe the engine down?

 

Blue Monster cleaning wipes, they are just multi-purpose cleaning wipes, and blue shop towels to wipe off any residue from the wipes. Nothing special but it cleans it up nice.

 

right on, thanks!

 

I’ve been holding onto the leveling kit for awhile finally decided to throw it on. The nose was just too low for my liking.
One side done took about 1.5 hours, the other side took a lot longer due to the strut being stuck to the mount but it finally came out.
Just off the lift.
After driving about 10 miles she leveled out nicely.
Also put on new headlights since the oem ones would not stay clear. They would fog over after a few days. These look much better anyway!

 

Nice 4runner! That Tacoma is sweet too! We just sold our 02 TRD and are greatly missing it. What lights are you running on the bumper? I'm looking for some large yellow fog lights to run on my excursion. I have LEDs now but looking to add 2 more yellows for the fog

 

They are Hella 500ffs got them off Amazon with yellow tent.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001TWD5GY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002MFXQIE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Nice truck!

 

Thanks man I will definitely look into ordering some of those! The excursion is for sale I think you need one hahaha! My wife wants a tundra so I think I'm going to try an trade it in on the right first gen or a second gen tundra

 

Can’t afford the fuel costs in that behemoth! I’d go for 1st gen Tundra just my preference. 2nd gens are nice but they are so big but coming from that excursion they may seam small.

 

Hahaha I'm lucky I only drive about 12 miles a day. I love the first gens especially with a little lift kit on them. The tundra would turn into her daily and I would drive our 98 4runner until I get my projects done. We're just having trouble finding a 4 door 4x4 locally. They're either 2wd or 4x4 access cabs

 

Lot less then me about 50 miles round trip daily. It gets old fast. Good luck on the hunt! 4 door 4x4 1st gens seem to be a rare bird and I’m sure most people hold on to them.

 

That's kinda what I'm thinking too. We went and looked at one the other day it was a nice pickup but at a super ghetto lot. When I was checking fluids on the ATF and engine oil we're both just changed but about 2.0 quarts over full . I didn't even close the hood and we left haha

 

I’d be right there with just walk away! I usually prefer private party sales. I won’t buy from a ghetto lot, dealership maybe if the price is right.

 

Ya I'm with you on the ghetto lots. It was too good to be true to find a clean low mileage one at such a shit hole hahaha. We will keep looking and hopefully find a nice one!

 

Got an alignment today. Looks much better I should really learn to do this on my own would save a lot of money not so much on the 4Runner but I’m constantly moving things around on the Tacoma.
Spec sheet.

 

I don't know if you have/trust Firestone but they do a lifetime alignment. It's like 140 bucks and you can take it in and have it aligned as often as you'd like for the life of the vehicle. Around here it's about 100 bucks a pop to align a 4x4. I'm sure it's close to the same price where youre at

 

Hold on now... so if I change the suspension they’ll just realign it and I pay them 140 once? Definitely looking into this that would save me so much.

 

Yes. It’s a steal of a deal

 

Just my luck.... the closest one is an hour away. That could still be worth the trip though. Hmmm...

 

Ya man. 140 may have been the homie discount a friend used to work there. Buts it's definitely under 200

 

Definitely worth it if you start playing with the suspension.. especially with adjustable coilovers

 

I had dirt logic 2s on my Tacoma and it was getting aligned every couple months from playing with them!

 

Agreed wish I’d known this before doing the alignment on the runner guess I know where the taco is going next though!

 

I have it on my 92 pickup the 98 4runner and my excursion. It's definitely paid for itself. Prolly a couple times

 

I couldn't find anything more current but it was 149 in 05 and it's every 6 months or 6k miles

 

Cool thanks!

 

No problem man. You can buy something awesome with the money you save hahaha!

 

Wanted to be able to monitor ATF and engine temps more accurately so I baught a ScanGauge II. Having a gauge on my Tacoma has been great and helped me in deciding to add a transmission cooler this should help me to do the same on the 4Runner.
Was an easy install, I put it on my Tacoma first so I could force the ISO protocol. Then added the ATF temp to XGauge. I’ll be posting ongoing ATF temps.