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

Took a pic inside the frame. People say they rust from the inside out so I wanted to get a look. But how? I assumed an endoscopic cam would be expensive. Nope, $25 on Amazon. Here’s a pic I took just to try it out. Looks pretty good here (red GA clay looks like rust but it’s just dirt). Next time I’ll place an LED light through another hole farther on so as to get more area.



I unfortunately have to return the one I bought b/c the lightning connector isn’t snug in the phone so it only works intermittently. I’ll post more once I’m able to check more of the frame. I have high hopes for the scope; maybe I’ll find the 10mm socket that fell into the dash during my HU installation 3 years ago. LOL

 

Had the transmission flushed. Talked to the owner of DrTrans shop and voiced my concerns over the flush causing slippage issues and what not since its high mileage and last fluid change is unknown. He assured me that typically you get those conditions if there is already a problem present.

Either way, went ahead and got it flushed, shifts like butter now. He did compliment the vehicle being in such good condition, so that was nice.

 

He's a great guy and does know his transmissions. The flush system that they use flushes in the same direction that the trans fluid follows already, so shouldn't cause you issues. It's mainly a concern when fluid is flushed in the opposite direction as that can dislodge debris that might be in the system.

 

Washed and waxed, also made an appointment to have the steering rack replaced on Monday.

 

Had a great day last Sunday. Hit 245K on the way home from a day of wheeling through the Cohutta Wilderness here in north Georgia.

 

Ordered some TRD wheels and new headlights.

edit: does anyone know if these lug nuts will work with the TRD wheels?

https://autoparts.toyota.com/products/product/lug-nuts-black-pvd-pt0766020002

 

Picked up my wheels and headlights. She’s in the shop right now getting the steering rack replaced so will try to tackle the headlights another day. Hopefully can get the wheels swapped this week too!

 

I sure hope so, mine just got delivered from BAM

 

New wheels!

 

Looks great!

 

Thanks!

I think the only thing left to do as far as maintenance goes is changing out both diffs and the transfer case fluids. No idea when they have been done. Reminds me I also need to do them on my Tacoma. Finally something I can do myself. Tired of paying for labor!

wonder what else I should do, lol Well, besides putting in the new headlights. They are just sitting in my garage until I have time.

 

New headlights are in!

 

Really cleans it up!

 

Headlights really do make the biggest difference. My Tacoma looks brand new with the new headlights I just put on that as well.

 

Anyone have recommendations on new headlight bulbs? Figure with the new headlight housings, might as well replace the bulbs with something good... no idea how old the existing bulbs are. OEM? Also my turn signal bulbs, the orange coating is flaking off so i'll probably replace those as well.

 

I highly recommend the Boslla Bullet B4 multi-color, especially if you frequently drive in fog, snow, etc. They're unique. For normal driving, turn on your headlights and that's it, they're bright and as good as any other LED I've tried. Cycling your headlights off and back on changes modes, first to yellow/white (rain, snow, light fog), then to full yellow (fog), then to flashing yellow for emergencies. Cycling through all modes, or turning your lights off for more than 5 seconds, takes you back to white. That part is a little clunky but you get used to it. Their customer service responds promptly to messages too. Pics .

 

I ended up just buying all new OEM bulbs for the headlights and fog lights.

 

Changed the rear diff fluid. Looked pretty good still for not knowing when it was changed last. Surprisingly, the upper bolt had two washers, as if the last time it was done they forgot to take off the washer stuck to the housing. Can’t believe it didn’t leak.

I made more of a mess than i wouldn’t liked. The filler tube of my pump kept slipping out, slinging gear oil everywhere, lol. Still gotta do the transfer case and front diff.

 

I changed the front coil-overs to
Dobinsons C59-352 in red. Man, they really pop with my Metallic Silver!


I already had heavy duty rear springs on so my 'runner had quite the rake! Putting these Dobinsons on totally leveled it out. The buggy is riding pretty rough though...you can feel every bump in the road and has much more steering wheel feedback.

It really changed the ride quality! It rides with short stabby jerks. Much less behaved than before. But it DOES look like a million bucks! So I got that going for me, which Is nice.

Before:



After:

 

Today, BP51 and 285/75/R17s.

 

My bad, this is a gen 4 thread. Apologies

 

Too much preload on the coilovers? Shouldn’t be that awful of a ride.

 

I'm sure that's it...they are Dobinson's heavy duty springs. They recommend using these springs if using a full replacement bumper and a winch.

It definitely leveled it out, but it is a pretty jarring experience...

 

Seeing as you have no added weight, it’s probably just too much spring.

 

Yep, I'm afraid you're right...

 

I have 14” 700lb springs. I have a 3/16” thick plate bumper as well as 3/16” thick steel skids. Also DOM sliders. She rides awesome with all the added weight. Before when I had 13” 600lb springs the ride sucked, bottomed out all the time.

 

Ya, these Dobinsons are listed at 730lbs and I have no added weight. Other than the V-8, but no bumper, winch, aftermarket skids...

And it seems like it all has to be disassembled to adjust the shock settings...which I'm sure would necessitate another alignment...

 

Those springs are way too much for a basically stock V8. If your adding a bumper and winch soon, fine, leave them on but if not, you need lighter springs. Changing spring preload isn't going to help much.

 

That what I was afraid of...

Thanks for the input guys.

 

I might still have my 13” 600lb springs if you want to try them. They’re Icon brand. I’d sell them to you for cheap.