Locked Up's 4Runner

Sweet! Please keep me posted, i am just west of San Antonio but i can drive up, its only 2-3hrs to ATX/Cedar park.

 

Done a bunch to the Runner in the past couple of months but have not been updating!

On 2/14 my Daily Driver was totaled in a grocery store parking lot incident. Kid came out of nowhere and crashed into me. So the 4Runner has become my main transportation. Luckily I work from home! BUt ..this means all the things I have been putting off have gone into express mode.

I had already asked the dealer to clear the drain lines but something wasn't right. hopefully this helps ... right?

 

2/28/25 Update
Runner was with Krawltex getting the manual T-case slapped in.
I know it isn't "that difficult" to bolt in, but I no longer have access to a welder to modify the shifter. The rear main seal was also leaking so they replaced that. I also had them replace ALL the body mounts with OEM parts and do a 1/2" body lift to help with the shifter fab.
They also ordered & put in new driveshafts from Tom Woods.
So this was just a little more work than I wanted to do in the driveway to then drive it to them for just the shifter fab. Anyway.... photo dump and please don't judge me on how nasty it was....I already cleaned it up!

 

More from 2/28.
The body lift is really only noticeable at the hitch and so slight that I'm the only one that will probably see it.

Might try to remedy that when I modify the hitch for a bigger spare time.


FYI, the front driveshaft would have fit but since everything has over 200K on it I went ahead and replaced it.

 

BIG 3/19 update.

Just added the front covers for the engine bay to clean it up a little.

 

3/21/25
Time to clean up whatever the heck the PO spilled in the center console.

Also added a coverlay dash cover and reskinned the seats.

The dash went OK. I'd say it is 8/10 whereas before it was 2/10.
I ordered the "Dark Gray" but should have gone with black. It's not a huge color difference and 100% better than the carpet the PO had in there.

 

More pics.

Dash color difference is less noticeable than in the pics.
I think I am going to try to fill and paint the ends that are still visible.
If I had to do it all over again, 100% go with the black.

The foam is just to quiet some of the noise form the T-Case till my dynamat gets here and I can install it & seal up the shift boot.
But the foam is actually working quite well for now.

 

And of course the seat skins.

Install was not easy but they were $100:
Amazon.com

Broke a screw stay so I ordered a new piece.

Color is more grey than the stock tan, but less noticeable in person and less trashed looking.
100% better IMO.

I will update as they smooth out.
Probably should have replaced the foams but mine were not too bad.
We did repair one area on driver side bottom that gets the most use.

I think I may also go to black head rests with an embroidered "V8" on them because why not.

 

3/22/25

Lets add a USB port!

Since I no longer have a cig lighter, I went ahead and added this USB port.
It shows voltage for the circuit so you have a general idea of your charging system but it will show a big drop when you plug something in.
So not 100% accurate as to what is happening at the battery itself.

I tried to depin the little plug to make this super clean but bastard did not want to come apart.

This is the one I used:
Amazon.com

 

And finally I got around to replacing the sub.
What a PITA.
Really have to take things apart to get to it.
Had to modify the enclosure to make it fit.
Not quite the same diameter but made it work and feel good about it staying in place.

This is the one I used:
Amazon.com

Also did a little more clean up because eeewww.

 

3/24/25
Added a shift boot to cover the hole.
Still need to affix it permanently but still ... better than the visible foam.

Also, playing around with caps on the wheels.
The wheels are just too busy for me and not sure what to do.
Tried removing them and then just black ones.

Might try removing the larger plastic bolts (yes they are plastic!) to see if that is better.

Not sure if I like the black caps but I guess I could make some center deals that say "Locked Up" or something silly.

 

Pulled out the rear shelf system.
I didn't "hate it" but for me this is better.

If you are thinking about doing it, this is a easy change.
You really only "need" the 1 big cover & 2 little cups (they are deeper when you have the shelf).

I don't have all the parts to make it perfectly clean though.
The carpet and the cleats on the wheel wells would be different but I couldn't find them in good condition.

I may find something to put under the edge of the carpet if it bother me after I get the weather tech mats.


Anybody want a shelf system near Austin?

 

Dang you've been busy! Nice work and attention to detail! I'm intrigued on your manual t-case swap and how it works with the v8... it's still AWD but now in-lieu of the electing actuator, you throw the lever to engage and disengage...sorry, that was probably meant as inner-monologue... nice finishing touches to everything you've accomplished!

 

Thanks!

I think it would be considered part time 4WD now, like the FJ Cruisers.

I definitely feel a difference driving when it is wet.
Never had traction control kick on before but this past Thursday it was raining and I kept it quite busy when pulling out onto the roads.

I'm not sure if I notice it more with it having been an AWD than a normal 2wd or v6.
I wonder if the V6 4wd Module would make more sense for me now?
Or maybe they are exactly the same.
Need to look up some part numbers I guess.

I do not feel any difference when it's dry pavement but I also don't go around trying to spin a tire.

Looking at doing a VSC switch too.
Maybe both versions.
I really need more experience with the systems though.

 

I looked up a few random vins on Partsourq to see if the 4WD control computers are the same.
Just wondering if I could swap out to a different one and get different results.
Mostly wondering if a V6 4WD computer would be able to recognize when I am in 2WD and treat the VSC differently.... or might be exactly the same?! lol

My 03 V8 comes up as: 8953035290 (Substitution:8953035291).

-2WD 03 V6 shows the same base part number in the diagram (89533) but it is not clickable.
-2WD 03 V8 shows the same base part number in the diagram (89533) but it is not clickable.
-4WD 03 V6 shows part number 8953035310 no substitution.
-4WD 04 V6 shows a different part number 8953035311 (substitution: 8953035312).

I repeated this on Amayama.
-2WD 03 V6 shows the same base part number in the diagram (89533) but it is not clickable.
-2WD 03 V8 shows the same base part number in the diagram (89533) but it is not clickable.
-4WD 03 V6 shows part number 8953035310 (substitution: 8953035311).
-4WD 04 V6 shows a different part number 8953035311 (substitution: 8953035312).

Also searched for a 2009 V6 4WD and that part number is 8953035313.
Did not search all the years to see when it changed over.

So definitely a difference in the V8 to V6, which makes sense.

I poked around on Ebay and the plugs look the same.
Might see if I can grab one cheaply next time I am at the parts yard.

 

What is the purpose of the shelf system anyways?

 

It looks like you could use it with a cargo net to store more delicate things up top. And then whatever heavier things below so they don't smash up the delicate things.

I'm either hauling a few grocery bags, or a ton of stuff for events. So either way it's not really a benefit for me.

I'll probably give it away them decide I could have used it.

 

Dark day yesterday but I retook a full side shot with the blacked out center caps.
Not sold on them.
I will pull the larger plastic bolts form the wheels after our event at the end of April.

Up next will be replacing the turn signal & fog housings and redoing the headlights.
I'd love to do something more custom for the headlights but I've only driven this a few times at night since I got it.
As you can see in the first pic I frequently get blocked into the driveway... so not sure super snazzy headlights are a wise purchase.
Might get some additional lighting though because this dark tint is stupid dark.
I think I will have it redone with ceramic and not so dark that I can't see out.

 

Just upgrade to the facelift 2006-2009 headlights! WAAAY better and OEM Spec! That's what I did and you can still find the trim piece under the headlights if it bothered you too much...hardly noticeable...

 

Interesting.
That does look better than pre-facelift but then is there always a gap near the grill?

I looked at a few write ups and it looks like some people had issues with either hyper flash or lights shutting off. Has that all been figured out?

 

I have never had any issues with hyperflash or lights intermittently shutting off...if/when you upgrade to LED blubs, yes, that's than a potential issue...load resistors spliced inline typically do the fix for the hyperflash...if you go to HIDs in-lieu of LEDs, man oh man, it's the best upgrade one can do...SHARP light cutoff and never an issue getting flashed if you aim them correctly. I was able to find on ebay painted under-headlight trim too!