Toyota Newby

Hello all! Cody here from Marble Falls, TX. I'm new to the Toyota world by way of a 2000 2wd 4runner. This may be a long read, but I'd appreciate any feedback and help ya'll can provide.

Since this is my first post here, I'll introduce myself. I'm Cody as stated I'm 46 years old, married to my wonderful wife Bobbie, and we have 16 year old triplet boys, Cooper, Dalton, and Hayden.

My hobby is Tractor Pulling, more specifically 2.6 Super Street Diesel trucks. I pull they only 7.3 Ford Power Stroke in the TTTPA. So mechanics, welding, fabrication, and general badassery are all in my ability bag.

I am a die hard Ford man to the end. However, when faced with the task of providing vehicles for 3 boys at the same time, you should be open to options.... and I was. Cooper will be driving a PT cruiser given to us by my father in law. Dalton will be driving my commuter ford ranger. And last but never least, my autistic son Hayden will be driving a 2000 4runner given to us by my wife's cousin.

So Hayden's Toyota. It was given to us with a rod severely knocking in the motor. Hence the free car. Doing some research on the forums, I thought it may be a broken flywheel, but a quick oil sample with more glitter than a strip club confirmed the worst. I sourced a 100k mile junk yard motor for $700. And so it begins.

So Hayden being autistic, it's hard to keep him on track. But he has helped me in the shop as much as he can. We put the car up on the lift, and took the tranny loose, ground straps, etc. He's done great. However, I had to work on it alone to wrap my mind around what was going on. This is my first toyota engine removal. I had no idea that engine harness had to come loose from the tail of the tranny, all the way to the passenger fire wall... WOW Not one bulkhead in line.

Anyway, I got the harness, intake, A/C, PS... all the accessories loose and ready to come out. So I get Hayden back in the shop to help me take the radiator out, and finally pull the motor. He was so proud he had pulled his first motor. (And I'm a proud Dad) Up until this point, none of the boys want anything to do with anything in the shop. LOL They aren't quite the gearhead I am. But you can't force that.

So that's where we are now. I have ordered: Intake Plenum gaskets, valve cover gaskets w/grommets and tube seals, cam seals/plugs, and a timing belt kit with water pump and all. Is there anything else I should replace before putting the motor back in? Any tips, tricks, criticism are welcome.

Also, one more problem. ALARM... The car had no key fobs when we got it. Alarm blinks until you turn key on, press red button, turn key off, remove key, release button. Then the car starts. We got 2 key fobs off craigslist, and tried to program them. No luck. I can get the car in program mode, but it doesn't take... I think it has to do with the hood switch. The switch (drivers side firewall in the corner by the fender) was rusted out and broken. I figured it was looking for ground (assuming closed) so I just grounded it. Maybe that's wrong. That's the only other problem so far.

Thank you everyone if you have gotten here. I look forward to any help and insite ya'll have, and absolutely look forward to participating in the forum with my son.

 

Welcome to the forum. No doubt you'll find the help and advice you're needing.

 

Welcome.

 

I went through a "refresh" on my 2002.

In addition to the T-Belt and valve cover gaskets:

I replaced all the hoses on the top of the engine and replaced all the Fuel Injector O-Rings.
I Replaced the radiator (if your year has the transmission cooling lines going to it...or get a separate transmission cooler. Avoid the "pink milkshake").

ONLY use an AISIN (Toyota Supplier) water pump and Japanese belts (Mitsuboshi) and Toyota Bearings and Tensioner.

I use Toyota parts/Suppliers when possible. For example, the O-Rings are not the same as what NAPA will hand you. If you want things to run reliably you MUST drink the Cool Aid and buy Toyota branded parts. (now, trust me...for straight hoses...I got raw hose from NAPA...but I asked (and they happily complied) that they order the correct size. MOST vacuum hose they have in stock WILL NOT WORK and they WILL try and sell you FUEL line hose). That stuff won't fit in the brackets or route properly.

Anything MOLDED...Toyota. They still had everything. Use an online Toyota Parts Dealer like McGeorge Toyota for a big discount.

Other things:

Replace the gasket in your Oil cap....Toyota sells them. Replace the o-ring in the dip stick tube for both Tranny/Oil fill tubes. If you have the Tranny Cooler lines...replace the cooler gasket and rubber bolt washer on the side of the engine block. It'll leak.

Replace all coolant hoses. Again. ONLY Toyota. They fit like a glove.

There are O-Rings on the side of the transmission that I would change too.

The rear main seal...replace that if there is ANY sign of leaking.

Since the engine is out...why not do it anyway?

Lots of videos on-line.