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Replacing rear shocks with rusted in place upper mount bolt

Discussion in '3rd Gen 4Runners (1996-2002)' started by OldCarGuy, Jun 4, 2020.

  1. Jun 4, 2020 at 8:40 AM
    #1
    OldCarGuy

    #1
    OldCarGuy [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2020
    Member:
    #13919
    Messages:
    1
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    John
    Vehicle:
    2002 SR5 4wd
    This is my first post and I took pictures of what I came up with, but don't know how to upload them from my OneDrive file - Maybe someone could advise me? Anyway, I'll describe what I came up with below:

    First off, I'm a 76 yr. old wrench-turner with BIG hands & fingers! I'm working on an inherited '02 Runner that lived up North for many years and has a lot of rust on the entire undercarriage. I could not get to the upper rear shock bolts, and besides, they were firmly rusted in place anyway, So, I cut the floor area on each side with a 3 inch hole saw to gain access from the top just aft of the outer rear seat mounts. After getting thru the main panel, there was an second panel below-I used a 2.75 inch hole saw to get thru that without binding against the upper hole... Voila! Perfect open access to the mount bolt and all the rust & road crap that surrounded it! Cleaned up the area & sprayed rust reformer & truck bed liner for protection. Replaced the top panel (only) with sealant & foil insulation tape.

    Each side took less than 30 min. to complete-Not bad for an old guy!
     
    OldCarGuy, Jun 4, 2020
    #1
    Hoobajoob likes this.
  2. Jun 4, 2020 at 8:56 AM
    #2
    SR5 Limited

    #2
    SR5 Limited New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2018
    Member:
    #7180
    Messages:
    13,688
    Vehicle:
    1996 SR5 Limited
    Wow! That’s got to be a world record!!!
     
    SR5 Limited, Jun 4, 2020
    #2
  3. Jun 4, 2020 at 11:35 AM
    #3
    negusm

    #3
    negusm New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2019
    Member:
    #11745
    Messages:
    2,122
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2002 4Runner SR5 4WD
    I think everyone dreams about cutting some access holes for it.

    That and for the Fuel Tank pump and valve.
     
    negusm, Jun 4, 2020
    #3
  4. Jun 4, 2020 at 4:22 PM
    #4
    SlvrSlug

    #4
    SlvrSlug Slightly bent.

    Joined:
    Jun 3, 2018
    Member:
    #6172
    Messages:
    7,855
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    John
    Ramona Ca.
    Vehicle:
    2017 4-Runner SR-5 P. Kings, Built Right uca’s, Durabumps, RSG sliders
    Welcome to the forum John.
     
    SlvrSlug, Jun 4, 2020
    #4
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