What have you done to your 5th Gen 4Runner today?

Nice! What procedure did you use to adjust it?

 

I can smell the fresh forest air now!

 

Those sliders look so good. How did you install the tire carrier?

 

Agreed. Best sliders imo that's why I ordered them instead of any of the name brand ones.

To install the tire carrier you have to remove the bumper, bolt up the latch hook and hinge to the frame(100% bolt on), cut slots in the factory bumper and re-install it. Easy. Here's a link: https://www.restlessoffroad.com/_files/ugd/33cd7e_21255520f9b540cab21a2cdbcfe7069d.pdf

 

x2.

 

I got this error on 2021 TRD Pro while going to lunch. But the next time I start the car its gone. This reminded me that I should keep my 2019 with none of these bs.

(Pics from google not my pics)

 

Cliff's Notes:

I adjusted the star wheel (on both sides of the rear brakes in case anyone didn't now you have to do both sides). Turned them 8 clicks back down after tightening until the rotors wouldn't move.

Details in case you're interested:

After reading through various posts and watching some videos, it appears there are a few versions, including some posts with instructions from the service manual.

You can adjust the parking brake shoes (both sides) and be done. You can adjust the cable from under the center console or you can do both. Adjusting the brake shoes was the first step in the manual, followed by the cable adjustment if needed (at least the way I read it). Almost all the videos I watched only adjust the shoes so I chose that option.

Couple points:

The manual says to loosen the cable at the pedal. I did not do that.

After removing the rear wheels, the manual says to install a couple hub nuts ("lug nuts" is how I understood this) to seat the rotor firmly to be sure the brake shoes are seating in the correct spot on the inner rotor surface as you tighten them with the star wheel. I added two lug nuts per rotor- just snug.

With the parking brake off/ disengaged, I clicked the star wheel "Up" until the rotor would not turn freely by hand. I clicked it back down 8 "clicks" or "notches" on both sides (per the manual). I also tried 2-3 clicks as one video I watched suggested. Both options seemed to free the rotor from dragging but I chose the "8" clicks since that's what the manual said.

I pressed and released the parking brake a few times. Seemed better and nothing seemed weird so I called it good. Put the wheels back on, torqued to 76lbs and drove it around. Now instead of going to the floor, it's snug about 2/3 way or so down. Feels better and as much better hold on the car.

 

Thanks. Seems to be a reasonable method. I was wondering mostly if you did any of the inside the cab adjustments. If you're happy, that's all that matters. I don't have any issues with mine, but may do what you did just to snug things up a bit.

Just curious - at the beginning of the process, do you remember about how many clicks it took to adjust the star wheel enough that the rotors wouldn't turn any more?

 

At a little over 100 miles in, I can't get the stupid smile off my face with the realization that I am FINALLY a 4Runner owner!!

I realize my 4Runner will probably be a pavement princess for most of its life serving as a commuter vehicle and was actually purchased to pull a 6x10 cargo trailer (a converted camper) or whatever comes down the line in the future, but it's nice to know I have that 4x4 just in case I ever need it. Having a 4x4 at least gives me an excuse to ride the trails and back roads of the Ocala National Forest and whatever else I can manage to explore and will be a longtime, reliable companion for my camping adventures.

 

Congratulations. If you were like I was, over the years when I was Toyota shopping, I never even went near the 4Runner side of the lot as they seemed too far out of reach for my budget, and didn't ever consider buying one. Then one day I had two vehicles that if I sold both, pretty much paid for the 4Runner, so I went for it at that point. Best vehicle I've ever owned. And I've had a bunch.

I echo your sentiments about the usage of your 4R. Sounds a lot like mine.

 

I love this darn thing, too. I've had mine for a year or so. Your 4R is great the way it is (except for fuel economy in my opinion), but a lot of us like personalization and there's no shortage of options for the 4R. Have fun going through this site looking for ideas and mods...............but a word of caution to you that it might get expensive!!!!

 

Seemed to be about 13 clicks but there is some wiggle room. The star wheel will not get "tight" before the pads are adjusted enough to stop the rotor. And it sort of depends on how much force you use to try to turn the rotor. So you could easily adjust farther than you need, which would affect how many clicks you need to back off. It took a few times to get a feel for moving the star wheel so take your time.

In the end, I err'd on the side of caution and tightened them just enough to where I couldn't easily rotate the rotor by hand. Figuring a little too loose would be better than a little too tight to prevent wear on the pads from dragging (as long as the parking brake worked afterward, of course).

 

Took a screenshot from a video so not the best quality here but you get the idea, this is just without the brakes. At night they're as bright if not brighter than most tails with all the LED's in these lights.

 

I just purchased mine a little over a year ago. I also bought it to trailer my motorcycles to North Carolina and back to Atlanta. I do a little off-road riding with the family but nothing too severe. I almost purchased one back in 08 but ended up getting a Pathfinder. What part of Georgia do you live in?

 

I don't live in GA, but all my schlepping back and forth to GA is to visit relatives and go camping on a friend's lakefront property. We did own a property up in Martin, GA but the PITA building requirements made us realize we were better off in FL. We can walk to everything, and we're skirting retirement age in the next 10 years. Having amenities close at hand makes a difference. If we need to go camping or off-roading, we've got two great private places to go - I have a relative (also in GA) who has 450+ acres of conservation land. Two words: PARTY TIME.

 

Roof rack dialed in!

 

Once upon a time, I was one of those people who was all about gas mileage and always drove the smallest of gas-sippers, but my inner kid always wanted something like the K5 Blazer. For 25 years I was a Honda driver, after particularly disappointing ownership experiences with used VWs and a Mazda 323 my parents got for me as a high school/college/get-a-fucking-job car. My last Honda pissed me off after making "a noise" one day on my way into work. My mechanic is close to the house, so I pulled in to check my oil only to realize (WTF?!) there was NO OIL. Not a mark on the driveway, nothing. My mechanic told me to always travel with oil for the duration of ownership of the Honda, because that particular year of engine (2014) was known for burning oil and its upper engine gasket leaks. I asked about repair costs and he said around $3500 - and told me not to bother because by that time the car was eight years old, but had only 84K miles on it. I didn't mind adding oil to it as needed; it was the 84K miles that pissed me off more than anything else. Honda quality? NOPE!! Time to move on! Started researching the Ford Maverick, ordered one, drove mine for two years, was a member of Maverick Truck Club forum, etc. Lots of useful advice same as this forum, but the one issue that brought everyone together with the Maverick was the WAITING and ANTICIPATION of ordering it and waiting for it and getting teaser emails, etc., until finally, you got a call from your sales guy with the good news your truck was here! But there was a lot of shady shit going on with dealer markups, etc. A lot of people walked from their orders.

I went so far as to order a '24 Maverick specced out the way I should have gotten it (AWD, etc.) changed my mind, ordered a '24 Ranger instead - got a call from the dealer that it was there and even had pictures sent of it (it was a beautiful truck) but something in the back of my mind said "walk away." Two orders placed, two orders refused.

Glad I walked from those orders, because if I hadn't then I never would have gotten the 4Runner of my dreams.

And here we are!

 

The smile tends to get knocked off the face of 4Runner owners while we're at the pump. Constantly gassing up and watching that pump just keep going and going and going and going. But then we hop back in the SloRunner and the smile returns.

 

I will never put anything on the roof of my 4R, and decided I like the look better without a rack. OEM Toyota rack delete installed. Tomorrow I am dropping it off to have a pile of suspension goodies installed!

I also added a new Start Button with a matching key fob. The other day I covered the chrome steering wheel emblem with a topo black emblem.

 

It was a beautiful weekend in the mountains. Perfect weather, though those pesky mosquitos ate me alive lol

 

These trucks do look nice with the luggage rack delete!

 

I did get far enough into my owners manual to read 23 gallon tank. Needless to say, I'll be doing my best to not let that needle get too low!

 

I've driven a GMC 2500HD for the last eleven years, which is the fifth 3/4 ton GMC/Chevrolet truck I've owned. Comparatively, my 4Runner feels like it is super efficient!

 

The 4R to me drives like a luxury vehicle...solid, quiet, nice commanding view of the road, and mechanically sound as a pound. I was almost afraid I'd get in it and find the seating to be like the Tacoma - low to the floor, legs splayed out in front. To me, the previous Tacomas were like riding a gaited horse with the seating position, only the horse was a better ride. Never could get comfortable whenever I drove my friend's Taco. Couldn't see over the hood, and if I scooched the seat up, my knees would be under my chin. No happy medium.

I need to take my 4Runner out and go have "a moment" with it - put the rear seats down, climb in the back with the hatch wide open facing a body of water, get the tunes going, have a beer and be like "F--- yeah..."

The next time I make it over to Pinellas County, I think I'll take it over to the Dunedin Causeway and park there. That was one of my old stomping grounds back in the day. Still good for a free day of fun and parking while enjoying the water.

 

Sounds like when the weather finally cools off we Floridians need to have a 4R meet and greet. Maybe TRD Jon will come out .
I like his channel.

 

I'm looking forward to some cooler weather. Halfway through August and it's hotter than the bowels of Hell, even here at the beach.

I'm down for a meet-up!

 

I installed the bling TRD black chrome exhaust tip. Should be good for another 8-10 hp.

 

New roof rack: Sherpa The Crestone
New Springs, front and back: Eibach
New Radiator: CSF

If you are in the Bay Area and are looking for someone to help you with your projects and general work, my Friend Nico will be able to help.
It would not have been possible to me, if it had not been for his help and expertise.

There is more to come, and I will post all of the components installed on my rig.

 

New radiator for any particular reason??

 

Speaking of gas pump shenanigans, I was not prepared for how much of a conversation starter the 4Runner is. Often people come up to talk about it, "I love the bumpers", "I love the winch", "Looks like a Fire Truck". So that puts the smile right back on my face even though I'm bleeding cash right into the pump.