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

Yeah the plastic seat mount covers...they will snap on but if someone bumps them with their feet they pop off. only the front seat ones....the rear seat one stay one well. I used aftermarket carpet. If you decide to do it make sure to keep the old carpet to mark the holes for cutting and rent a steamer to get the carpet to lay flat around certain corners.

 

I plan to go aftermarket, thanks for the tips!

 

You absolutely use a trailer brake controller if you have trailer brakes.

 

Changed the oil today and noticed that lbj on passenger side is gonna need to be replaced soon. Anyone got suggestions on where to get a good deal on OEM parts?

 

Cleaned MAF and throttle body today. Also made myself some front fender well splash shields. PO never replaced the OEM ones that must have just rotted off. also took care of a little more surface rust in that area due to all the winter salt spray, with some Eastwood and duplicolor enamel.

Have been having a fuel gauge issue as well. A few weeks ago I filled up, and the gauge seemed to quickly go to 1/2 tank over course of a week then down to 1/4, at which point it rose back up to 1/2 on another startup right before my eyes, then wife took it out next day and it went down to E with the gas light on and died on her pulling into a parking spot, at which point it started right back up for me, gas light still on but I made it to a gas station less than a 1/4 mile away.

I have a hunch that the dipshit parking lot key shack guys that added an aftermarket key to the vehicle fucked something up with the ECU maybe resetting some stuff because they tripped the VSC/track lights too and I had to do a zero point. Key was added a while back but I’ve noticed the fuel gauge thing since then. But I also found some info on the “incline sensor” calibration over on the other 4Runner forum that apparently helped correct this issue for others. So I did that and it seems to have mostly resolved the problem. (Sequence of holding the trip reset) fuel gauge is holding steady and seems to be accurately reflecting the day to day consumption now, indicating estimated 14-15mpg city for my V8. I take short trips and sit at stop lights a whole lot so this seems accurate. Time will tell.

Worst comes to worst it sounds like a fuel pump replacement will be coming at some point but hopefully this is just an electronics calibration issue only.

 

Sorry for your troubles that sucks. Dipshit is one of my favorite words though. That made me laugh

 

I think I may be good to go on the fuel gauge issue. The timing of the key programming and dash lights was highly suspect so hopefully that’s the end of it. I never noticed any of those issues during the first few months of ownership.

 

Installed new headlight assemblies this afternoon.

 

Drove it from Utah to Los Angeles and back this weekend loaded with 5 adults and all our crap in the back. Hit 210000 miles during the trip. Ran like a charm except for getting stuck in stop and go construction traffic in 115 degree temps just north of Mesquite, NV. I was watching the engine temps on my Scangauge and noticed that once they got up to ~220-225 degrees the AC turned off and wouldn't turn it back on again until I hit the 'off' button on the HVAC controls. Anyone else seen that before?

 

That's really hot. I'd be thinking about new radiators. Cheap ones for $85 are ok. Use Amazon.com and make sure what you buy fits your car. Amazon always get the part right for my 4runner. Always.

I had three 4 stroke F225 Yamahas on the back of a 42 foot Performance. They lasted 12 years - water cooled.

When I finally lost one F225, I sold the boat for $60,000 (paid $210,000 new in 2001). 4 strokes can last a long time. But outboards run at 5000 RPMs for hours - all day.

I once had replaced 6 thermostats (not knowing maintenance as I should have) that had rotted themselves shut from the ocean saltwater, and when I put the engines on the computer I was getting temps of 210 to 220 degrees. Normal was 175 degrees.

I bought this genuine 4runner/Toyota thermostat body for cheap at Amazon.com

$50 TOYOTA Genuine Parts - Inlet Sub-Assy, Wate (16031-0P010)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KTIK91I/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

When the genuine OEM original water pump with a steel gasket gives out, I'll replace it with a new one (also purchased at Amazon) and the thermostat housing.

I have 155,000 miles on my 2005 4runner.

 

Lol so today during my weekly surface rust scraping since ive been doing thing since slowly in stages (which has now become a most hated pass time), I discovered my rear most fuel tank strap is completed rotted through so that will be my new priority #1. Skid has just been holding it in place I guess.

Edit: also PSA, check behind the rubber flaps at the lower front fender that’s visible when you open the front doors. I know shit collects there just from having my Tacoma, but there must have been a whole trees worth of leaves and dirt on my 4th gen t4r. Pulled out most with an interior trim removal tool and rinsed the dirt out for a good 5 min each side just before the water finally ran clear. I think this has also solved the musty/dank smell I had when first getting in the vehicle.

 

Found a trail wanted to see where it went.

 

Installed a new brake light switch. Here in the last week it’s been hard to shift out of park sometimes and randomly the traction control, ABS, VSC lights will come on. Replaced brake light switch and all has been good since, the old one was dirty and covered in gunk which was probably prohibiting proper operation.
Easy 5 minute job.

 

Installed Eibach 1” rear coils. They pair very well with the 2nd gen Taco coilovers I put on the front. Whipping around on the test drive felt super controlled compared to the OEM coils.

But damnit I was too eager and forgot to take before/after measurements. I suspect I actually have about 1.25-1.5” in the back until they settle a bit.

 

Finally got my Shrockworks sliders in (only took 3 months) so much for the 6-8 week lead time...I bought them raw, cleaned them last time and scuffed them up with one layer of paint, gonna do another layer and touch up tonight, installing Saturday



Saturday:
Got the Sliders installed today, wasn’t to bad of an install

 

New gas tank straps installed today. Went with Spectra stainless steel and new OEM bolts and cotter pins/clips.

 

Nearly 3 months later and it's blowing cold as ice. The recharged 206,000 mile 4Runner has the same air outlet temp as my wife's 2018 BMW X3 and my 2017 M-B GLE350.

 

71.1 # Mahi Mahi caught in Marlin Marine Tournament on Performance 42

15 year old AC compressors are doomed to failure. You can recharge it 100 times, but it's still "Broke" IMO. No one rebuilds them. There are 200 rubber seals in one. When it starts blowing "heat" again - post back.

150,000 miles 2005 SR5 4 runner
Three F225 Yamahas on back of Performance42 - purchased new at $200,000+ (cash).

 

Well - about time for an Update.

have PlastiDipped the Wheels and the Chrome. Looks much better - as I just do Not like chrome.

Then - went to Crutchfield - and found pretty much exactly what I wanted. a simple SingleDIN, non-touch, Bluetooth with decent power, and SiriusXM ready.

It's a Jensen HD36A - they put these dustproof, shock-proof things in Farm Tractors - so it will handle anything. (Even comes with NOAA Bands with Alerts.)


Talk about SCARY at the half way point - but the toll free # was there - on a Saturday, and walked me through, NO PROBLEMS.


NOW - on the the FUN STUFF:

@brownersd Was about 20 minutes from me, and was looking to get rid of his brand new Smoked Headlight assemblies.
I finally was able to pick them up and met a great guy who (like us all) loves his 4Runner.

It is OFF getting FULLY WRAPPED. In a KPMF Satinfinish - Stealth Tundra:
https://www.metrorestyling.com/KPMF-Satin-Stealth-Tundra-Vehicle-Wrap-Film-p/k75531.htm

It will look similar to the new "SAND" the yotas are available in. He is going to add some black accents - and while the door panels are off, add some Sound deadening.

AND I put new tint - 30% up front, and 50% on the rest.



Going to look like a "NEW" truck in about 2 weeks!

Just in time to take it on the road and ready for hunting trip in East TX(Crockett).

Next up - 2" levelling kit for front...
Stay Tuned!

 

Finally got rid of that 13 year old squat with Rancho quicklift struts in the front, and Rancho RS 5000s in the rear with the spring bushings. And of coffee an alignment.

 

Yeah. I had mine recharged last spring and still blowing cold as ice 1.5 years later. Dont fear. Took mine to a guy that has been doing them for 40 years. He says many leak down after a decade or more of use and just need recharged.

 

Got two 7” light bars off Amazon (NAO), seem to work good.

 

I did mine over the weekend and the light alignment is off. I took it to an inspection shop and they are telling me the aim is fine. I can clearly see the break line hitting the road about 1 car length in front of my bumper. I have been using my fogs just to get a little more light until i can make adjustments this weekend.

 

I had to adjust mine too. I marked a wall with the old ones from about 20ft and adjusted accordingly after install the new ones.
They are money now.

 

Today I did a complete transmission fluid flush. Used 3 Gal (12 qt) of Valvoline max life ATF, and also added a tube of instant shudder fix.
The transmission was presenting the rumble strip problem. I just ran a few miles and it is not showing any more.

 

greased my JBA UCA's over the weekend

 

Nice! Do you have a write up?

 

I did it as per this thread
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/diy-full-flush-for-automatic-transmission.68462/

 

Hi, could you tell me if your engine is 1GR-FE? also, is this transmission the same as 4runner sr5 2008 4.0, 4x2?
Thank's a lot for your cooperation and knowledge

 

Sweet look!! AND - someone with a 2wd as well.
For budgeting purposes - what was your approx cost to do the above setup?

I am thinking a simple front spacer is all I want at this point, just to level out. I have a 2-1/4" difference from front to Rear (ground to fender)