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

https://bajarack.com/collections/co...-lg/products/overhead-maxtrax-roof-rack-mount

 

Where the mud flaps were. Ideally, need to chop a good bit of plastic off, remove some liner, seal it yada yada.

 

TALE OF WOE:

I (we) had the fluids on our 2019 Toyota 4Runner checked and topped off and Valvoline Instant Oil Change in Wenatchee. We left on 5/5/2023 for a two-week trip to visit several ailing relatives and friends in SoCal and AZ. We got as far as Hwy 395 between Lakeview, OR and Alturas, CA when the drive-train started to slip and then quit working altogether. No cell service (of course) but the locals were friendly and drove my wife to where there was cell service. The driver who picked her up alongside the road knew someone with a tow truck who agreed to come get us. He said there was no-one who he felt would be qualified to do the repairs and recommended we go to a dealer in Klamath Falls (Lithia Toyota-100+ miles away). We arrived just before they closed (~4:30 PM) and they accepted the vehicle. Ther only auto rental was closed (being Saturday), so we got a cab to a hotel and tried to re-book our reservations=we were unable to do so and the loss accrued to be $500+. Two days later, we were informed that the "last servicer" (Valvoline in Wenatchee) failed to tighten the drain plug and all the differential fluid drained out, resulting in a "trashed differential". Since it was not caused by a Toyota technician, it was not covered by our 100,000-mile power train warranty. Estimated cost to us: $5700.00!! Two days more and we were told that the axle had actually welded to the gears and could not be removed-to the tune of an additional $1400 dollars in repair. We are now waiting to confirm that (1) Auto Club will cover the 25-mile tow to Alturas, as well as the 100-mile tow to Klamath Falls, (2) when our car will be ready (estimated to be 1 or 2 weeks or more), (3) what it will cost for a rental to return to Klamath Falls to pick it up, when it is ready.

To return to Klamath Falls will likely cost us about an additional $1000.00 to rent a car, get rooms, pay for gas, etc.

On the good side, I got an e-mail that my OR non-resident CHL was in the mail to me!

CORRECTION: It was the Valvoline in EAST Wenatchee!

 

So sorry to hear about your nightmare and good luck trying to recover. I try to avoid letting anyone touch my truck because of stories like this. Incompetence not torquing down a drain bolt.

 

I have been busy on my 4R the last few weeks. I am nearing the end of my improvements.
The last few mods were as follows:

Installed the SSO slimline bumper and a Warn EVO 10s winch. You can see my install and solution to creating a cover for the access hole in the engine cover to the clutch at the link below.

https://www.4runners.com/threads/cowboy59’s-install-of-the-sso-slimline-bumper-warn-evo-10s-winch.31785/

Here is a picture of the cover I made.



I also show how I trimmed the plastic cover, that attached to the bottom of the oem bumper and on to the frame member, to cover the gap between the SSO bumper and the RCI skid plate. Below is a picture of what I am referring to.




While installing the bumper, I also installed the Anytime Backup & Front camera kit while installing the bumper. You can see the details of that install at
My Build Page.

 

I feel terrible for you. We had an oil change shop strip the drain plug on the oil pan of our Honda. Fortunately we caught the issue before we destroyed anything. They claimed it was already that way when we brought it in. Have your auto insurance company? If you cannot get help from them, consider a go-fund-me page if necessary, as I will gladly contribute.

 

Valvoline (National office) has asked for details (VIN). They MAY be able to help. Fortunately (or, unfortunately), we had planned an Alaskan cruise in fall, due to a windfall tax return with mandatory withdrawals from my TSP account last year and this year, we have the money). Norwegian is refunding our deposit due to circumstances. Other issues had us reconsidering (our dog-sitter is pregnant and due about the time of our proposed trip; 3 other individuals cancelled as well)

 

Stories like this are why I always get my work done at the dealer. That way it's on their hands to make things right and not fight with a third party. I also say that as someone who worked at a Jiffy Lube. I've seen the crap some techs have done to vehicles. I know dealers aren't perfect, but for the most part, they correct their mistakes with little fighting.

 

It does make sense to go to the dealer when you need work that you're not willing to do yourself......at least when still under warranty. The better dealer might not be the dealer closest to you.

After that, find a shop that is honest and does quality work. This might require some time and effort.

 

Sorry about your incident. My neighbor 21 yo druggie who could not mow a lawn or loosen a screw got a job at a quick change by me. This kid never even owned car and just got fired by a car wash then the quick lube hired him. After messing up two cars and drain plugs not being tightened they let him go.

I always try to find someone at the dealer with some gray hair and more seasoned I hope to do my work. Agreed dealers are not perfect by a long shot but if I get all my service done at one place it’s harder to pass any blame.

 

Also wheel chocks! And the parking brake! And drop the spare and stick it between the truck and the frame near where you're working!

My thumb went splat last year because I didn't do all of the work myself when helping someone. I'm lucky that's all that happened. I'm fine now, but I could've lost something.

 

Looks good, it’s nice to have them match.
Some people do the reverse. Get an FJ Cruiser shift knob to match the transfer case knob. It requires some disassembly to cut off about half an inch of plastic in the middle.

 

What! Tell me more about this!

 

Installed 4LOW BC group swag. Could be the last - just found out now they dissolved last month owners got divorced.

 

This thread, and the linked ones on the other 4R site, explain it.
https://www.4runners.com/threads/fj-cruiser-shift-knob-mod.27458/

https://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/164008-cutting-fj-shifter-knob-fit-t4r.html Current part numbers are:
33504-35093-B0 (all black)
33504-35103-B0 (black and silver)

36303-35200-B0 (xfer case knob - black)
36303-35210-B0 (xfer case knob - black and silver)
I bought the silver/black version to match the existing transfer knob.
33504-35103-B0

 

Goin' for a 4th set of off road lights. 1,350 lumens, 30w, 3-¾" round this time. Tieing to ditch light dash sw.

 

Put a deposit down on a Prius Prime. Not getting rid of the 4R, rather my VW. My commute is short enough that I can use the battery range alone and use my gas savings to fill up the 4Runner lol.

 

Where can one get the tck with the red stitches?

 

Picked up a used batwing 270 awning and added some side decals

 

Could you explain how this works? I hear people often say this, but never can get someone to explain how. A prius gets at most 25 miles on battery. If you're charging at work and maxing out those 50 miles per day and you work about 250 days a year thats only saving around $2k annually. E-Gas here averages $2.77, and $3.05 for Real gas. $2.77 per gallon going 12500 annual miles at 17mpg = $2036.76. How can you buy a new, more than $32k car so cheap that you're saving $2k a year over your current investment. I have a '22 and average 17mpg and travel about 5500 miles a year. At $2.77 per gallon, I can drive 200k miles before that Prius would be financially viable just to purchase. Thats about 30 years of driving this 4runner. Is the Prius that much cheaper than your VW? Please share your financial secret. Us dummies out here would sure appreciate it.

 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1262343269/old-style-toyota-4x4-transfer-shift-knob
Takes about 2 weeks to get to US.

 

Nice..the new Prius look pretty sick..not something I thought I would ever say..lol

 

Got my RCI sliders installed yesterday. Things are beefy and if anyone swings a door at them at the mall, they’re gonna besorry. Lol

 

how much do those 315s poke out with the 17x8.5s?

 

They’re actually 35x12.50r17. I’ll snap a picture when I get home.

 

@captrussia253 you went for the big guys eh, awesome. Following you

 

Ebay 12v chase light finally arrived ! Starting mounting to rear roof rack, energizing from cargo 120v/100w driving outlet - easy switch control. Just a fun idea for dusty foggy forest service road convoys. Could double as a distracted driver hazard light

 

Got a link?

 

I always run big tires on all my rigs haha

35s on the GX and 37s on the tundra