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

Yeah,
We probably can get that. I don’t really need a rack and that why I put the black rails on. The most I would probably do is get the rails for inside Incase I need to put anything up there. Also it is a pain in the ass to clean the roof with a rack on top unless you use one a lot.

 

Big chains and dealerships are not great, but some of them are not requiring ANY type of training or certifications to get hired either. They do their own training, which can be mediocre at best in some cases. They hire kids straight out of high school and let them learn on our 40K vehicles.

Most mom and pop shops are indeed the better option, they have more experience, and often times more certifications. Not all of them of course, but lots of them are great. You just have to find the HONEST shops.

There are SO SO MANY shops around here hiring auto techs. Dealerships, chain stores, and mom and pop shops as well. Less and less people are wanting to make a living turning wrenches, and the people that find themselves doing it rarely have any type of REAL training in it, and lots of them are shady people unfortunately and not very reliable.

I got tired of not knowing how to do everything myself so i enrolled in a 2 year hands on college level automotive course, Built a 1476 sqft detached garage on my property, and started investing in tools. Next im getting a 2 post lift installed in my own garage.

But even with the knowledge, space, and tools, there will be times a dealership service dept is needed, like if/when you want a recall, TSB, or warranty work done for instance. In those cases it is smart to take a walk around VIDEO of your vehicle at the service dept before they accept it. Then a close inspection before driving off in it.

 

I tried to take an automotive course @ our local community college and you had to buy all your tools before you could get past the first semester! I was only 24yrs old & didn't have that kind of money. Looking back I should have gotten a loan for the tools. A good tech can make $100k a year (in our area). You won't get rich but you could live very nicely. I enjoy wrenching on vehicles.

 

We didnt have to buy any tools to take the course, they supply them all during the training.... The 2 year course at the state college cost a total of just under $7000, plus $500 in books. I used the GI Bill so it didnt cost me anything thankfully. But i wish the school cost was higher and included a tool box decked out with the main tools you would need to get a job at most shops... Lots of shops require you to have your own tools to work there anyways.

Granted i didnt enroll in the class for employment. I get military disability and not technically allowed to work a job while collecting disability. But it would of been easier to get the tools needed for most regular repairs in a box ready to go and have that price rolled into the schooling than to go out and buy them all. Which is what i have been slowly doing. We do get big discounts through snap-on and Matco while we are in school... 30-60% off... But the prices are still higher than craftsman or harbor freight tools of course.

The school is great though. It is pretty in depth and we go monday through friday from 8am-130pm throughout the fall spring and summer. Loads of hands on. they have over a dozen vehicles that belong to the school for us to work on. Everything except diesel. Hybrids, cars, trucks, 2wd, 4wd, AWD, 4-6-8cyl, they have engines on stands, a dyno machine, alignment racks, and every tool you could imagine. They allow us to work on our own vehicles and some of the schools staff bring their vehicles in for repairs as well. I really enjoy it.

We start electronics after winter break... Thats the one course im really NOT looking forward to LOL

 

Look... if you want to learn/practice on some cars c'mon over to my place!!! I have 14 cars right now that all need some work! haha. I have a shop and all the tools, Just not the time and motivation! ( I am kidding of course, about helping, unfortunately not about the 14 cars and all of them needing work... the CA DMV LOVES all my registrations!)

 

Sweet baby Jesus

 

No offense, but I think Jay-Z's version is a little catchier.

https://youtu.be/6z-xP7E_zMU

 

Looks Good! … Looks like you painted to match; if so what did you use? Also can you share how the install was on the front camera?

 

Used duplicolor spray paint. Filled the "dimples" with epoxy, primed, painted and clear coat. Its not perfect, but i will most likely hit it with bed liner to match the lower fascia.
Camra was the kit https://www.anytimebackupcamera.com...ucts/anytime-backup-and-front-camera-full-kit

Mostly plug and play, just have to make connections in the harness. Hardest part was routing the wires.

 

Finally purchased all aluminum OEM Oil Filter Housing and changed engine oil @ 59,870 miles.

 

Pretty Nice Option to have and thanks for sharing with us! … Need to add that to my list because it certainly would come in handy parking in a fairly lit parking garage…

 

Anything older than 1975? especially a 68-72 Chevelle, Malibu, or Nova ? Anyone that has 14 cars should have one of these LOL

 

Upgrading all my interior lights to led. Then installing the XD 5K HIDs right after.

 

Did you buy a kit for the interior or just get the necessary bulbs needed (if a kit, please post a link)? Also, can I please get a pics of just your headlights from the drivers position. I would like to find a temp/color that will match my OEM led fogs.
Thanks,
Ryan

 

Many of the bulb kits from online sellers come with poor quality bulbs. Don’t do it.

Buy Sylvania Zevo bulbs locally at the auto parts stores or buy Philips Ultinon LED’s on Amazon. There are bulb numbers readily available on the forum if you need them. Most of the interior bulbs are 168/194’s. The dome (I think) is a 31mm festoon.

The Philips and Sylvania interior (and license plate) bulbs are top notch quality. Trust me. Don’t buy a kit. Get Philips or Sylvania Bulbs individually and be done with it. You’ll be good to go.

They’re plenty bright and they won’t fail or throw codes. Sure, there are some random sellers offering super bright bulbs and they mostly work. But if you want them to for sure work (and be plenty bright and last a long time), get the Sylvania or Philips.

No skin in the game here. But all LED’s are not the same. Sylvania and Philips are making good ones.

 

The 5k is very close to oem hids. Not blue not and orange like stock.

LED lights i have always bought these on my two FJ’s. Took me 15 to replace all.

https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/282274575670

 

I had this shot with GTR ultra 2. They are 6k with oem fogs. Picture does not give true color, in person the OEM fogs were a clear beam vs scattered led head light and looked whiter then the gtr bulb. Could be optics playing games with the eyes picking up the parking light color?

 

I have the fire flys led bulbs from Amazon. Had them in my 17 Pro. Very good reviews and worth the price not that much. Left them in my 17 and now have them in my 2020 Pro. These are just for the interior.

 

PSA.... Wanderlost Overland just put out a video today and gave a 15% off coupon code for the Morimoto Fog lights from HID Kit Pros. I dont know if there is a better code going around the forum.

 

I have the fireflys as well and the quality is great. I got the brighter/ more expensive, of the 2 different kits he had and have had no issues at all so far.

 

Link? I've searched, nothing is coming up on Amazon...

 

Replaced the front diff driver's side needle bearing with the ECGS bushing.

Also washed the 4Runner.

Was a productive day.

 

What prompted the install of this?

 

The symptoms discussed in this thread...

https://www.4runners.com/threads/needle-bearing-issue.8124/

 

We spell it wrong LOL These are the ones i have.... They are great. Plenty bright enough.

https://fyreflys.com/products/2014-2018-toyota-4runner-led-interior-light-kit-3014-series

Or you can get em on Amazon...

$34 Fyre Flys White LED Interior Lights for 2010-2023 Toyota 4Runner 16 Piece 6000K Super Bright 3014 Series SMD Map Dome Door Vanity Mirror Cargo Puddle License Plate Package Kit and Install Tool

https://www.amazon.com/Fyre-Flys-In...ords=fyreflys+led&qid=1577491148&sr=8-1-spell


They have a cheaper version too... Though not as bright...

$19 Fyre Flys 16 Piece White LED Interior Lights for 2010-2023 Toyota 4Runner 5050 Series SMD Package Kit and Install Tool 6000K

https://www.amazon.com/Fyre-Flys-In...ords=fyreflys+led&qid=1577491238&sr=8-3-spell

 

Morimoto LED puddle lights

 

Nice! Looks like the Meso lights, how it the fit with morimoto? The meso fit but not perfectly

 

FYI....there is a "Lighting" section in this forum. Thanks

 

And there is a "What have you done to your 5th gen today". Thanks....I monitor it too...... Thanks it's on a new post in the Lighting section.

 

But what size tires fit stock?