What have you done to your 5th Gen 4Runner today?

As promised:

 

Fluid filmed. Feeling good.

Also did the 1K mile oil change. I'm pretty sure it isn't necessary, but at least I had the experience. Much more of a PIA than my FJ. Not sure if the skid has to come off to access the oil filter, but I had it off anyway for the fluid film.

 

use a punch and some penentrating spray.

 

yep, have to take the skid down each time.

 

can't stop starring at it lol

 

While that affliction wont get better, you might make it seem more normal if you forget your phone in the 4runner every time you park. Remember you forgot it as you approach the doors of the place you are at, then slow walk back to get it. Then the starring just looks like normal “looking”, since you’re walking to your car…

 

I've been using some PB blaster on it. I'm just worried the end of the pin will deform before it starts to slide out. I did pick up a new pin today in case the old one doesn't survive. I'll probably try again tomorrow.

 

it will deform for sure. I have a pack of slider pins just foe occasions like this. Use antiseaze on them as well at the ends

 

I did use anti-seize on the other 3. The pins aren't too expensive. I might make replacing them part of my tire rotation routine.

 

Wrapped the trim piece above the glove box. I didn't like how it looked and once in a great while I would get a bad sun reflection from it.

 

.

Kinda curious where you live replica? Awful lot of rust under there for only being 4 years old. Just sold my gen 3 runner and no rust.

On your pin, maybe a little heat?

 

Chitty

 

I'm in New England. Several years ago, we switched from the normal rock salt to some liquid salt mix for winter. I had my Tacoma for 11 years. My 4Runner is only 4 years old, and I'm already seeing some things rusting faster than they did on my Tacoma.

 

Same... It always makes me so jealous when people post pics of their frames on trucks the same year as mine and they literally look like brand new...

 

I have had mine since March. There's already rust underneath

In fact, i noticed it when it was only a couple months old when I put my sumo springs in.

As soon as I get a chance I'm getting under there to put some woolwax or fluid film before winter sets in.

Living in the rust belt[/QUOTE]

*edited because I can't figure out this reply thing

 

This is what I'm dealing with today.

 

It put up a fight, but I finally got the pin out. Glad I bought a new pin. I should buy a few more and replace them now.

 

This is the kind of rust I'm seeing already

 

Did you hit that pin with a hammer?

 

Yes, but the pin was winning that battle. It seemed like the pin was swollen a little in places, making it impossible to hammer out.



I had a larger punch, but it was only deforming the end of the pin.

 

Yeah, it only takes a couple hits with a steel punch to mushroom it enough. If you have a brass punch it helps prevent that. Glad you succeeded though!

 

I was actually able to hammer the other pins out with a hammer and an old screwdriver. This pin just wouldn't budge at all, and was deforming instead. I couldn't find any brass punches at the store, but the steal punch and a bigger hammer helped move it enough that I could cut it up. The pins on the driver's side seem like the metal was softer. The other pin didn't deform at the end, but I did bend it slightly while removing it, and it didn't take much to bend it back.

 

Good news, there are aftermarket skid plates with an access hatch for the oil filter. If you needed a good reason to upgrade that

 

Finally got around to installing the windshield banner vinyl I purchased from @MyWyfsRnner. Went with the matte black since I had blacked out all my emblems too. Very subtle but I really like it. He also threw in a small 4RUNNER decal that I put on my scoop.

 

We finally got the Maggie on it. I'm out and no more mods. This is it for me. I don't think my brain and wallet can't handle more mods.

 

Wow ^^^

 

Speaking of rust, a little disappointed I’m already seeing this already:

 

Just got done driving from AZ to TN straight through with about 300 pounds of cargo and myself (165lbs). Played around with tire pressures and the best outcome for me were the tire pressures at 28psi and managed the best mpg(21.2) with cruise control set at 78mph. That was in NM on the I-40E.
The last stretch and last tank went surprisingly well. Tire psi were set at 32 and the last stretch of the i40 was pretty congested, but I wanted to see how people were getting such terrible mpg’s. Speeds ranged from 40-90mph and averaged 71mph. I wasn’t being gentle with the right foot so I gave her all the beans and was still able to pull an average of 20mpg.

I know I won't achieve these numbers when I install a lift, tires, armor, etc. Although I'm very satisfied with the results, actually impressed, with a heavy, gutless, and archaic suv.