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

This would be an excellent starting point @BigSkyGuy

 

I'll shoot you a PM.

 

I recently purchase an ultra gauge, it tripped my VSC and TRAC dash lights. I thought I read somewhere if you have the wrong type OBDII scanner connected it could do this. Am I SOL and should disconnect and do the zero point calibration again?

I could use my ultra gauge in my 2014 Tacoma if this is the case.

 

Last time I was at Hatteras, it was closed due to a government shutdown (don't get me started on the knuckleheads in Washington). Got to drive it this time.

 

UG shouldn't be the wrong type for your 4Runner. I mean, I have one on mine, working just fine. Do the zero point and try again?

 

Was Saturday/Sunday, but I installed my OME 90021 front shocks then got it realigned for the bit of extra ride height. I have no clue why people call these too stiff unless they're running stock V6's with no bumper or winch and no tolerance for anything but limo-smooth ride. The front feels perfect now. OME 90021, OME885/895, I just need to source some stiff rear shocks.

 

What year is your 4runner? I read (from CanadianGearHead website) that Toyota changed the protocol in 2005 to the CAN one, mine is a 2004 so maybe the UG OBDII protocol is the newer one and my 4runner needs the older one.

Here's the actual verbiage from his website: "It seems as though the most common cause for a lost zero point calibration is by using a newer code reader on a 2003/2004 model 4runner. Apparently, Toyota changed from the ISO to CAN protocol somewhere around 2005. If your code reader tries to communicate using the newer CAN protocol with an older 4runner, it can erase the zero point calibration from its memory."

I'll try the zero point calibration again and see if it trips those lights again.

 

2003 on mine so it's more similar to yours. I guess it is possible you got the wrong version. Unfortunately, I don't have the receipt for mine any longer and forget exactly which one I got but they for sure have one that will work on your 4runner.

 

What have I done to my 4th gen today you ask?

Dug it out of this...

 

Still in the 80s here in Tucson

 

Drove some trails on a business trip down in middle Georgia. Pretty mild, mostly FS roads, but there were a few cool places like this.




At the hotel, I used one of my favorite convenience mods, , to check everything before I headed back home.

 

Just got this 06 from a family member a few days ago. Been doing basic clean up and maintenance so far. Headlight clean up is next

 

Details Man, we need details!

 

Lol the unfortunate details are that it has an intermittent cold start misfire and I think it might have a fuel or head gasket problem.. Time will tell but it looks like some wrenching is in my future

 

Aack! Bummer!

 

V6, v8? Any modifications? Any plans for it besides fixing its current issues?

 

V6 and all stock for now. Plan is to leave it that way mostly except for maybe a 1-2” lift up front and some 265/70r17 tires. If it has to come apart for head gaskets, I’ll be doing exhaust cam gears at the same time

 

Look on the VIN sticker on the driver's door jamb for the "build date". if it's 12/05 or later the engine should have the updated/redesigned head gaskets and chances are they aren't blown, unless at some point it was severely overheated.

 

Thanks yeah I did head gaskets not too long ago so I’m hoping it’s not that. It hasn’t been consuming coolant and the level in the reservoir and radiator hasn’t changed, so I think something else is amiss. Still in the trouble shooting phase though

 

Alex Fleming and Sherpa Motorsports got a strong 2nd place behind a Factory built Bronco. Congrats!!

 

Used the Cerakote kit on my original 06 headlights today. Turned out pretty nice!

 

I need to do mine, will probably use the same kit.

 

I’ve used this same kit 4 different times now and it has worked well each time. Definitely recommend

 

They are a decent kit. I do like the Cerakote stuff.

I'd recommend some further polishing tho, before applying the cerakote wipes. The after on yours is great but I bet with a little more polishing, they could get a little better. Either way, great job and a great product.

 

Changed the rear diff and transfer case fluids. Both looked good. Tried to do the front diff but couldn’t get the drain plug off so I soaked it in PB blaster and will try another time.

Also put on these yellow fog light lenses:

before:



After:

 

First time I changed the front diff fluid on mine, I ended up having to weld a throw away allen bit to it to get it broken loose. The front plugs are ALWAYS a bitch! Heat helps loosen them up some too.

 

I found that a long hex bit helps a lot with the front plug.

 

Unfortunately I don’t have a welding machine or any skills to operate one lol. I’ll just keep at it from time to time. With how good the rear diff and transfer case fluid looked I think I have a little bit of time to change the front diff.

 

Get a small propane torch and heat it up some, that helps get it loose and also allows the PB Blaster to work it's way in better.

 

That’s a great idea.