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

Given the age of your vehicle, all those parts could be in the need of replacement.
My truck is of similar age, and I need new shocks, sway bar links, tie rods, uca, lca and bushings. I could delay it but they would eventually need replacement.
Take it to your regular mechanic and ask him to take a look at the suspension for any leaks, rusts, cracks and play.
OEM parts are expensive but last. Rockauto will give you parts at half the price but quality is a gamble.
Sourcing OEM online is cheaper but lead times can be long. Local dealers do not give you the price advantage.
Ebay is useful but scrutinize the seller. Enough fakes masquerading as OEM.

 

For anyone thinking there are good options cheaper too. For example Lasfit has a Labor day coupon which a set of H11s $59.50 with free shipping. I used the Amazon Pay option from their site so I don't have to enter my credit card in their site.
As shown below screen capture where I compare factory LED vs drop in LED bulbs make sure the drop in LED bulbs have cutoff line.

 

Love those! Have them on my 4R and they're fantastic. Way better than buying aftermarket which can burn out and need an entire fixture replaced (at least for the cost). I admit the Alpharexx and those look sweet on everyone's trucks. But the price and warranty is fantastic. Great review LionRunner.

 

I am in the process of bequeathing many of my items to be inherited. I don't expect any problems, but my youngest brother stole all my dad's guns and tools and sold off my mom's collectibles. This way I know that they go to who I want, and I can enjoy knowing they are using them! Several times, these have included firearms and collectible flyrods, as well as a few family heirlooms. My daughter, SIL (and grand-daughters) have all taken their elk, fish a lot. These take up room (as do clothes for 2-3 weeks, cameras, snacks, & c-pap machine). Travel times are usually spring and fall, so we've got caught in some fairly serious snow along the Sierras, Cascades and the Rockies. With my usual "armament" of tools, retrieval gear, intensive first aid kit, CB radio, inflator, jumpers, etc, this fills the rig up pretty much and we sometimes just don't have room to fit everything. Putting stuff in the roof basket leaves it open for "prying eyes" and the weather. This is all background for what I am doing to the "Blue Beast".

I have noticed others using Pelican-style storage containers. But Pelican cases are so darn expensive! I recently found some at Sportsman's Warehouse (Link below) in various size and colors. These are about 1/2 the price of Pelicans and very-much like them in construction. The 20" holds all my First Aid gear, including trauma bandages, a stapler, splints, etc. I have two 20", one 16", and two more 16" on the way. Once I get them, I will pack my stuff in them and lock them to my basket with heavy duty bicycle cable (1 inch dia.). Each case will accept two padlocks in metal reinforced hasps. All keyed alike and the bike cables have the same combination. These will lay flat so as to not affect aerodynamics or mileage.


Link to the 20":


Eylar Large 20in Handgun Case - Yellow | Sportsman's Warehouse (sportsmans.com)

 

Do you still use this? Looking to get it but so many cables and can't find the software.

 

Soooo... Was ready to do my paint protection at home. I was doing a multi-stage cleaning (rinse, soap gun, rinse, dry, iron remover, etc.)

My yard blower didn't work, changed my plans completely. And, to avoid immediate water spots, used the shower function of my hose nozzle and got this.



It is three and a half month old paint so I do expect some benefit of water beading just because there's not a bunch of pits and ingrained dirt flattening the water out.

It did prompt me to think about something the salesman said. I didn't believe him, but he said that the alarm and paint protection would not be factored in the price. I had alarm not just deactivated, but removed. I didn't think anything about paint protection. I figured out with something that they would do as the car went off the lot. Anybody with detailing experience have any input? Does this resemble any sort of coating or is it just brand new paint?

Thank you.

 

I believe I have seen something on this forum regarding mentioning certain things about certain software, so I will be cautious here. There are a lot of rules to follow if you're using that software. Like don't update it, in fact, when I have it open, my Wi-Fi is shut off and I never will update it.

VCI J2534 Cable Fit for Toyota TI$ Tech$tream - Latest Version V16.00.017, Firmware V1.4.8, Scanner Adapter Diagnostic Cable Scan Tool, OBD2 Diagnostic Cable, Support Win XP WIN7 WIN10 32/64bits https://a.co/d/6nOsF6u

PS, this is what I am currently using after my initial cable got crushed. It worked on both my Windows 7 and Windows 10 laptops. Although I do recommend using an older Windows 7 laptop and not using it for any banking, etc... Just in case...

 

Thanks. I was going to use an old laptop just for this reason-not connected to the internet. Did that cable come with everything you needed-software, drivers?

 

Yes, everything worked. The drivers that came with that version 16 of the software actually worked for my old cable as well although the housing was smashed to bits, I was still able to get it to work.

As with anything I order on Amazon, the one thing I watch out for is the ability to return it for free... Just in case.

 

Awesome, thank you.

 

I should also add in one last note about using an older computer. Since the battery is probably not in good shape, just make sure that your extension cord has plenty of length so that you're not rubbing any paint with it...

 

One of the most underrated movies of all time. You're my boy, Blue!

 

Looks great!

 

Updated DRLs to the AuxBeam Amber LED > Installed Yota Expedition Grille with Smoked Amber Raptor LEDs > Painted the silver Toyota letters with leftover Hyperdip to match the wheels.
Next...likely front window tint and blackout the rear 3rd brake light...brick by brick...

 

OEM size Toyo Open Country R/T’s and XD FMJ’s. A slight bit of a rub on driver’s side and they shaved the bumper at Discount Tire. We’ll need to heat gun the wheel well slightly when we take the time. These are supposed to have a red ring in the center but they sent black, so we get the red ones next week.

 

Put a ceramic coating on my 4Runner today. While doing it found a screw in my front tire, which I had plugged.

 

If i could have said no to the dealer paint protection, i would have. What ever they used, sealed in all kinds of water spots.

 

Installed a Carven exhaust I got for cheap. The sound the 4.0 made with it surprised me. Also quiet at idle and normal acceleration. But when you stomp on it…

 

Just a hunch here… but the most a dealer would have done would be a quick spray and wipe sealant. Most (if not all) of which is probably gone after 3 months and your decon treatment.

 

Had to do the pinch weld mod after hitting the trails with the new 35s. Rubbed a little before so hopefully I’m good. Brushed on a light coat of bed liner. Will spray undercoat after.

 

Got a new mount for my jack and a single Jerry can mount. Now I need a wavian as this knockoff doesn’t quite fit :/

 

Holy shit, is that jack street legal? Looks like you could ride it around on the street like an electric scooter. That things a beast!

 

It’s the pro eagle knockoff from harbor freight. I friggin love it! Had to use it on my last 3 runs for other people.

 

I have a squeaky driver's window going down.

I don't want to start by spring silicone on the track. I even wiped both sides of the window down, first with water then with 70% isopropyl alcohol. Still making noise. My silicone spray can is at the ready.

(I think imgur defaults to muted mode for the sound)
https://imgur.com/a/K1OuVFR

 

Nice dude, good call. Hate to say it but occasional illusive rubbing while stuffed may continue with those big beauties
Have you hammered the wheel well firewall or trimmed the fender rocker/valance cap? Cheers

 

Haven’t hammered the firewall, it’s my wife’s daily and she drives less than 2 miles a day. Fender rocker/valance cap already cut up haha.

 

That's so funny, also my wife's daily who works literally 2 minutes from our house! She gets a lot of looks from dudes who can't believe who's driving.

 

Haha same. She says she doesn’t like it but she does.

 

LT285/70R/17 Discovery AT3XL

These are after three BFGoodrich KO2 blowouts, two at 85mph on I-10.

 

After much thought, I scrapped the extra solar panel idea (https://www.4runners.com/threads/wh...h-gen-4runner-today.2261/page-873#post-486531) and instead added another 400ah lithium battery, making the battery bank 800ah total. The reason, while currently sleeping in the 4Runner during the day that will not be the case forever. On previous trips, it was noted that most of the battery bank is used between sunset and sunrise, making dinner, staying warm or cool while sleeping, and making breakfast the next morning, and when 800w of solar panels will not help. Thus, behind the driver is the original 400ah and the same is behind the passenger; I still have some cable to better route. Then, I tested the system with a load by making two separate pizzas, his and hers, and while waiting on pizza two I vacuumed the garage. Those three loads barely moved the needle. Started at 13.4ah, dropped to 13.1-13.2ah while cooking and vacuuming, and recovered back to 13.3ah afterward. A significant improvement, as expected. Unfortunately, for this weekend monsoon is in the forecast and the high will be 98F, which is not challenging the system much like past weekends. Next weekend, it will be back to 107F and I will be using the AC while sleeping then.