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

Drove a 500 mile round trip, towing a 3,300 lb boat. Averaged 15.5mpg, it was a great ride and good fishing trip.

 

I installed a trailer brake controller in my 4Runner. For guys that have towed with the 4.0 V6’s, do you find you actually needed one of these? My pop-up trailer is probably going to be around 3,000 pounds loaded plus a family of four and one German shepherd in my Yota.

 

Don’t need one with a 3,300 lb boat. It would save brake pads on the Runner if a controller were used.

 

I used blackfire Look it up on auto geek)on an old wrangler fender, brought it back to like new except for scratches

 

Is your camp trailer spring over or spring under? I have a Colman Niagra Elite I'm thinking of switching to spring over. Nice ride/trailer!

 

I just purchased one of those Rockwood 2280ESP’s. It’s got leaf springs and comes stock with larger, “off road” tires. I’m taking it on our first beach camping trip tomorrow, so I can provide greater details on tow-ability and ride quality by this weekend when we get back.

 

Got rid of that annoying hyper flash. Added some lamin-x film to my fogs.

 

It came from the factory with larger springs and shocks on it. When I bought it had the same size tire as my 3rd gen spare

 

Replaced the rusted trans cooler lines with a brand new OEM. The old line surprisingly looked worse than they actually were structurally wise but I’m not waiting for them to start leaking either.

 

Got rid of the gold rims that the previous owner had and ordered some POR15 to begin treating the frame

 

Well done. They rusted through and leaked in my 05 Taco. It does happen. They are a weak point.

 

Yep, it had been bugging me since I bought the 4Runner. Found them from a dealer for $27 so I pulled the trigger. Most dealers have them listed for somewhere around $45

 

Installed takeoff front shocks from a 2nd gen Tacoma along with 1/4” top plate spacers. Stupid me forgot to take before/after measurements to see what sort of lift. Looks close to 2” almost just eyeballing. Was going to start the rear shocks but I’m beat after working on a 2004 with original shocks, the rust and stuck nuts/bolts has killed me. I need to invest in air tools.

Putting some rancho monotubes on the rear. Will add a 1 or 1.5” spacer or possibly just get some Eibach ~1” rear coils and skip the spacers altogether.

I can already foresee the rear top bolts being an issue. May have to go buy a sawzall or use my dremel and a cutoff wheel to take care of them. There’s no way they aren’t seized given the front shock situation.

 

Got new wheels and tires for my rig, plus a 1" dynastar budget leveling kit.
265x70x17 Nitto Grappler G2

 

Once I get the mesh drilled and ready to be installed I will finish the smoothing out prepping for paint. It is looking pretty good I think.

 

Changed oil. Based on appearance it must have actually been done by either PO right before trade-in or the dealership I bought it from. Either way, peace of mind and now have an OEM yzzd3 filter on it.

Also have been troubleshooting my fuel gauge. I have a hunch my sending unit is crapping out. It’s giving goofy readings at times and the tank itself was not wanting to be filled all the way to full. Pulled the carpet and the floor access door and cleaned the connector contacts just as a preliminary fix to see if it’s that simple. Also put some Techron in the near empty tank and filled up so hopefully that might also help and will be problem solved. If not then I fear it’s a fuel tank drop and then I mineswell replace the entire fuel pump/sending unit assembly.

Also finally removed the XREAS lines now that I’ve got the entire suspension swapped out.

And swapped the interior dome/map/door/cargo bulbs to LED. Stock incandescents were way too dim.

 

Installed a 3 in rough country lift. Tried to have my 285 tires installed and they told me it would run my control arm so they wouldn’t do it. Does anyone make wheel spacers for the 4th gen?

 

Just bought, interior was a mess.

Before:






After

 

Oof, and I thought mine was bad when I bought it. I'm thinking of getting new carpet sometime soon, I still have a slightly funky smell and maybe new carpet and pad will help. Was that keyfob down there when you bought it?

 

Same. I have a dank smell when I first get in my 4Runner. I’ve pulled the carpet in a couple spots removing panels for other projects and found some stains here and there. Thought it was the AC but I think it’s the carpet stank. Looks like replacement aftermarket carpet is around $130+shipping. Looking to replace with black carpet.

 

I will end buying a new carpet...yes the key fob was down the carpet.

 

@jtevec Rent or buy an ozonator and learn to use it. Will remove the smell and cheaper than carpet. I had a funk in my used Tacoma when I got it and worked great. eBay for about $50.

https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/254030295230

 

I rented an ozone machine and ran it over a weekend. While it helped a bit it didn't get all of the smell out.

 

I want to get one of these if in the case the smell isn’t the carpet. My main issue though is ozone isn’t going to penetrate the crud that’s seeped into the jute padding under the carpet. I’ve got some soda stains and such brewing bacteria or something under there. I think it would only be a temporary solution for me.

My plan is replacement carpet, after cleaning the floor pan with a bleach type cleaner to wipe out any organisms. Plus I just want fresh carpet in black.

 

Replaced my carpet shortly after I bought mine....only issue I have so far is that some of the plastic snap on bolt and bracket covers no longer fit well because the new carpet is a little thicker... I just took them off and put them in a zip lock bag for now.

 

The plastic covers for like the seat mounts and whatnot?

Did you do an aftermarket carpet with mass backing? Or without?

 

Changed the oil in the front diff, rear diff, and transfer case. managed to not make too big of a mess. no idea how long it had been since it was last done but the oil didn't look too bad.

 

Found and fixed an exhaust leak and installed a Lexus style front diff drain plug so I dont have to fight with the hex ever again.



https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/front-diff-drain-plug-alternate-oem-part.604989/

Https://www.4runners.com/threads/finding-and-treating-an-exhaust-leak-in-4th-gens.10273/

 

Hmmmmm that's an idea. I just replaced mine with a new hex plug but I'll have to mention this to my dad. I was able to get mine off but he's going to have to chisel his out, thing wouldn't budge for nothing.

 

I replaced the front axle drain plug with a new hex drive plug, and used anti-seize on the threads. Should be OK at the next oil change.