Gatorgrl's Grand Gen2 4Runner makeover

I still think your running lean. You would think deleting cat, O2’s, EGR, and putting “bigger pipes on it would get the exhaust gases out and run cooler. But it’s the opposite, the computer leans out the mixture.......Exhaust gases actually cool it.....

 

We might eventually put bigger exhaust on it but everything is working fine for now. He tells me Toyota engines run hot typically. The exhaust tape seems to be doing its job at keeping the heat off the transfer case and transmission. Will have to take it on a long highway run to confirm.

 

Well, so far....so good! Next item we will do on the Runner is new rotors. She wobbles a bit when decelerating. Had to work on the Rav yesterday and replace the front bumper and pass. side fender, fender flare, wheel well cover, windshield washer bottle and fog light.
Someone (not me) decided to take my Rav for a joy ride , took a corner at 70mph, put 2 wheels in the dirt and hit a large trash can and crumpled my ride. We also replaced the headlight housing as they were pretty foggy. Now it needs to be repainted or wrapped. Barcelona Red with new black body pieces. Not cute.

 

Worked on replacing some CV boots and rotors today.
Here's some pics of todays events:
A pic of the mess a torn boot left me to clean.

Then I had fun cleaning that nasty crap up:


A pic of the cleaned out cv joint:



And the completed CV axle:



Ran out of daylight and will hopefully finish the job tomorrow.

 

Here it is back in place, after I painted it of course, to protect it from rusting.

 

Ok after ordering 3 sets of rotors for our 4Runner, we FINALLY got the right ones in. (O'reilly's screwed it up twice). So our one day job turned into 6 days.
Here are some lessons learned along the way:


If you have a 1991 4Runner, this is apparently a split year in the rotor production. If you have an earlier in the year produced 4Runner (as we do) then you will need these mentioned above. If it was produced later in 1991, then you need a thicker sized rotor (the one they originally ordered for us). The larger sized ones will NOT fit under the OEM brake calipers.

You will also need this to add to your tool collection in order to put the axle nut back on. This took an afternoon to locate a place that had the correct size in stock.

OTC Tool 1901.

And finally we have new pads and rotors on the 4Runner. No more wobble when we de-celerate.


Hope this helps save someone some aggravation.

BTW, the newly resealed power steering pump is still fuckin leaking!!!!!

 

This seems like a theme with 4runners. My 2003 had oddball brakes and I would always get the wrong rotors. It turned out that I had the upgraded brakes, but my truck was an SR5.

Sorry to hear about the power steering pump.

 

I think you can fit 15 inch Mickey Thompson deep-dish rims over those rotors?

 

Well, no rest for the wicked. I spent the day yesterday replacing the a/c compressor....AGAIN!
Yes, this is the second NEW a/c compressor we have put in it in the last 3 months. Thankfully it is a warranty item but the fun of removing and replacing wasn't...lol It appeared the previous new compressor was leaking out of the actual unit, somehow. All the lines and o rings were in great shape. I am guessing there was a casting or machining issue? In any event, 7 hrs later, I have another new compressor in and so far.....so good.

Oh and the back is leaking. Guess the headliner will have to come down...again so I can see if the drain lines have been compromised or disconnected. It rained last night and i have two pretty good puddles in the rear corners of the back cargo bay in the carpet. Gotta get this fixed before it ruins my headliner or I get mold inside.
Such a love / hate relationship.

Happy holidays everyone!

 

At this point a complete frame off resto, might have saved you time. At least you don't need to rely on "professionals" to do the work. Be a brand new station wagon when your finished.

 

Believe me when I tell you Charlievee, I could not afford this ride IF I had to pay "professionals" to do all the work I have done to it. The frame and body are the ONLY parts that haven't needed any attention, thankfully.

 

Boy, you just can't get a break! I swear your 4runner is one of the most problematic Toyotas I've ever heard of! Luckily, you have the knowledge and patience to deal with it!

I really hope all of this work pays off so you can really enjoy exploring the country. You guys definitely deserve it!

 

Funny thing is, we bought this because it IS a Toyota and are known for their "dependability".

Right now it's living up to its reputation....of being dependably broken!

 

At least you can count on one thing with it.... buying parts and turning wrenches

 

Maybe you should convert it to a 3.4L?

 

I was thinking roiling tool cart

 

?

I honestly think the 3.slow is the most temperamental ending ever used in a Toyota vehicle; My mom's 1990 Camry LE had a 2.5L V6 that produced 155hp! They should have adapted that for use in the pickups and T4Rs!

 

The current issue is not mechanical or structural in nature. Engine swap won't fix it. Frame off restoration won't fix it. At this point I am sure both of the rear drain lines to the sunroof have become disconnected and are not functioning as they should. Our solution is to just tape off the fuckin sunroof, so no water goes in that needed to be drained.

 

Nope, if we are dreaming here, I would gladly use my 3.5 V-6 that is in my Rav4, as the engine swap. That thing would be beastly with a 5 speed manual trans. Its just a crying shame they NEVER produced them that way in this country. 290hp would be a blast!

But the engine is automatic and sits in the vehicle transverse and it's all wheel drive. Not possible to put it in the Runner.

 

A RAV4 V6 has almost 300hp?!?!

 

Mine does and it's 4x4. She's a lil beast...but sadly an automatic.

 

I don't think you've been able to get a stick shift RAV4 stateside since 2001 (last year for the First Gen)...

 

What year is your rav4? 290hp would be awesome to have.

 

It's a 2006, it was one of the first V6 ones. I bought it straight off the truck. I had ordered one in a 4 banger, because thats all they had at the time to choose from. Well on Feb. 2006, delivery day, I went down and we took it for a test drive. I was sickened with how slow it was and had nowhere to go once you reached 60mph. I would punch the gas and nothing would happen. The sales guy could see my disappointment and after talking he said they had this other one the company had sent on the truck as a test for the market, it was 4x4 and had a V6, oh and it was red, not may fav color. "Ok, lets take it for a spin then". Night and day difference! I didn't order one with 4x4 but was glad as shit I now had it. That lil beast is planted on the ground and runs like a scalded cat, even though she is now over 220,000.
Rain can't touch this car. I have yet to try it on ice, but in rain, you cannot make it slide. I love my Rav to death, just wish she had a manual transmission, so I could tow it.

 

Oh and Toyota lists it as 269hp....whateve....feels like more.

3.5-liter 2GR-FE V6

 

One thing I didn’t like about the 2006-2008 RAV4s was the lack of an AUX input; My cousin has a 2009 base 4WD RAV4 and my aunt has a 2009 Limited 4WD; Both of these have an AUX input.

My aunt’s has the factory JBL stereo system, which includes a subwoofer, and it still sounds incredible. My cousin’s has the basic system, and he refuses to use the AUX input in his because he fried his iPod the last time he used it and had to buy a new one; He is too cheap to put a new head unit in his RAV4 and uses one of those Bluetooth speakers when he wants to listen to his iPod.

Unfortunately, my aunt’s and my cousin’s RAV4s both have the 4-cylinder engines; I’ve driven both of them and find them to have adequate power, but I’ve never driven a V6 RAV4 and have a feeling I would be blown away based on what you are describing. My aunt’s Limited has over 130K miles, but my cousin’s base model only has like 72K models.

I don’t know if you knew this, but it is in fact possible to get a 3rd Gen V6 base model RAV4!

 

Yes, I have the JBL system and it is crazy! I do have the AUX, it's in the center armrest along with a headphone jack and 12v port.

 

I guess it was an option...

 

Does yours have a backup camera? My aunt’s does have a backup camera, but it’s this dinky thing in the rear view mirror; My cousin’s does not have a backup camera.

 

One hell of a ride Fourtoad ! Thank you for sharing this epic journey with us, it’s really nice to see someone follow through with their trials and tribulations. I can almost guarantee 98% that nobody would have stuck with this 4 runner project like you and the husband have. Very impressive !

I have a 90 that’s completely stock with the 3VZE coming up on 190,000 miles and I’ve bookmarked your thread because you’ve shared some great information with us.

I sure hope you can get what’s left sorted and she brings you many years of good memories and you can look back and laugh at all of this. I know I’m a bit late to the party but I’d highly recommend with the cutting out, stalling I’d go straight for the fuel pump ( Toyota Factory Part ) and the fuel filter that attaches to the frame located about where the end of the tranny is passenger side and I’d go with the replacement from Napa Auto parts, it’s an exact fit. My truck was getting sluggish and cutting out.

Sure enough 173,000 miles on the original filter, instantly restored my performance if you can call it that...LOL. And one thing I try to do is replace everything with “Aisin” brand stuff.