Gatorgrl's Grand Gen2 4Runner makeover

Nice , a Kenwood too. I really enjoy the Kenwood in my 4 runner, with the Bluetooth and all the fancy stuff, my 7 year old Grandson knows how to work it better than I do. First thing he does, Papabear...can I link my phone so we can rock out...LOL. He also loves listening to the CB when we cruise.

 

What did you do with the old one?

 

Still have it in the garage. The cd didn't work anymore and I wanted to have it Bluetooth.

 

Well my beloved 2006 Rav4 sport 4x4 V6 unicorn hit 200,000 miles on Thanksgiving after pulling a small enclosed trailer of furniture from SWFL to SEGA to surprise my Navy son for the holidays. I drove back that night and went to move the car this morning and the transmission will not engage.
She handled pulling the trailer like a pro and didn't act funny in the slightest on the trip. Did notice she was a little low on trans fluid so I topper her off, unlooked the trailer and did get her to drive, but the engine was pushing 3500 rmp just to barely move off the front lawn and onto the driveway. The engine sounds fine, its the trans thats not engaging. The issue is going to be the fact that her engine is transverse and the transmission is specific to this application. She is also 4x4( not awd) and a V6...making her very uncommon. My unicorn has broken her wing.
Would have used the Runner for the trip but it didn't like pulling that 4x8 trailer at all even when it was empty, so I used the Rav.

 

You just can’t catch a break can you.

 

Well I’ll tell you that is a unicorn for sure, my son would love to find one. He has the 2 wheel version and as fast as they come up for sale here they are gone. Hopefully it’s easily found and fixed, fingers crossed.

 

From what we have gathered, they don't even open these transmissions in this country. They ship them directly to Japan for service. We did find a used one in Missouri for $800. My hubby doesn't even want to open the trans and look at it and he used to work in a transmission shop. Parts will be impossible to source due to it not being serviced in the states. I can't be mad at her. She has had her ass kicked and never let me down. I think her trans is just worn out. If it wasn't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all. Made him a project list so we wouldn't forget anything and it's 2 freakin pages long! This is what happens when you are quick to help others out and neglect your own shit as a result. He just can't say the word "No".
On top of all this I am also readying the house for resale and need to start packing to move if our offer is accepted on a little place in NE Tennessee.
The house washing machine took a shit and the bus is waiting to have a bunch of service and repair done to it. If I could clone him, I gladly would.
I have a dead Elantra in the yard that also needs to be either fixed and sold or junked. The '79 Camaro also needs to be sold. Like I said the list is 2 pages long and there is only so much I can do or help with unfortunately. I feel terrible putting so much on him but its his fault its gotten to this point because he has put his friends needs above his own for so long.

 

Ugh...I broke down and called our local Toyota dealer to see if their guys will even look at this transmission. I don't want to go through the trouble of having it flatbed towed up there (28 miles each way) and back if they won't even look at it. I am moving to the mountains of TN and will need her awesome capabilities up there. I figure it will be cheaper to fix her than replace her. Time to break out my knee pads.

 

+1 on the knee pads.

 

Also found out later today that the place I have an accepted offer on in TN is going to be a no go. Apparently a tree has fallen on it and caused the back door to pop open and can't be closed so the inside is trashed and the ground is a muddy mess so the bus can't go. Its been a bad day. I give up.

 

If there's one thing to fault Toyota on it's the third gen Rav4 transmission. My brother bought a 2008 and a couple of months later the transmission gave up the ghost. Wouldn't go into gear at all, forward or reverse, just like yours. From what we were able to research it's a common issue with them. He had to pay to replace it because he'd just bought the car and still owed a bunch of money on it. IIRC it was around $2,000 to source and install a used transmission. Hope you're able to fix yours.

 

That stinks! It must have not been the right place. When one door closes, a better one opens.

 

I think we should circle the wagons and send some good spirited prayers for Fourtoad that things will brighten up and turn around for them .

 

Well my doctor did clear me finally to return to my 2 favorite things....the gym and my husband. Might take tomorrow off to "catch up".

 

Finally some GOOD news!

 

Hey it worked !

 

Made it to TN with the Runner to look at more potential properties.
She got some snow on her!

 

We did notice the speedometer cable makes a hell of a noise when she's cold. Screams like a banshee.

 

The speedo cable in my dad's '95 was noisy for the entire 20 years he owned it I think. I don't remember a time where it wasn't noisy anyway.

 

The runner looks good with the snow around it. I may have missed it but if you don't mind asking, why are you guys moving to TN?

 

I have been trying to leave my home state of FL for 3 years actively but have wanted to move for most of my adult life. My part of FL is getting way overcrowded and its only getting worse. I am no longer able to tolerate the unrelenting heat and humidity and I want a change in topography and seasons. Besides we have a chance to buy our dream shop in NE TN.

 

That’s reason enough right there.

 

40 x 80 steel shop with large bus pit and center post lift. All 5 of the doors are big enough to fit our bus and still have room to build a little residence inside. My very own barndominium.

 

Aka, sheshed

 

Heck yeah! I here you on the heat and humidity. I'm not a big fan of them either. I would love to have a shop like that. Plus having four seasons is awesome. Late fall and winter are my favorite. I hope it works out for you guys.

 

Today she is getting some needed new brake shoes in the rear. Those mountain roads did a number on her brakes I guess.

 

That’s the rim I’m going to go with too. I had similar ones on my 89 P/U. Wait those are 15’s?

 

Yes they are. 15x8 running 31s

 

Well they let me out of cyber prison finally. Not a big fan of having my 1st amendment trampled on, but whatever. Guess I can't be showing any more pics of my beloved 4Runner out enjoying herself with any flags on.
I have NEVER made a political statement on here, nor will I. That is all I have to say in this regard, not open for discussion.

This entire thread is about MY 4RUNNER...her trials, tribulations and fixes. I have enjoyed all of the support I have gotten from other members on here and think this is a great place.

She has now made 3 trips to TN and back while we finalize the warehouse acquisition. Just the other day, all of her back lights went out. No blinkers, no running, no reverse and no brake....dead Fred. The trailer plug was also dead. Has to be a short somewhere...just great. Kept replacing the 15amp fuse and it kept popping. Dismantle the back, pull the plastic sides away and there is was....one little red wire was pinched between the interior panel and the metal frame and eventually broke. Fixed this little wire and she is back to being ALL GOOD!

I will also mention while she was in the beautiful state of Tennessee, up high in the mountains, she did GREAT! No trouble climbing, no trouble in the snow and she even was doing 80mph on the interstates. We did, however, notice a new little quirk, when its cold, like freezing, the speedometer really screams for some distance until it warms up. It quite loud. Being from FL, it never gets that cold so we have never had this happen. Guessing the speedo cable needs to come out and either be replaced or lubed to quite it down. Its like driving around with a screaming baby in the dash.
Anyone else have this issue and a known fix?