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

Maybe the tariffs has taken the price UP, way UP!!

 

You can just unplug it so no power goes to it. This is a known issue over on T4R.org

 

Somewhat concerned with the amount of oil I got from an oil change. 5k on the money. Only got a bit over 4 quarts. I know for sure I put 5.5 in as I do them myself. She's coming up on 194k miles. I don't remember if this is normal or if it's less than usual.

I've also noticed my coolant reservoir seems a bit low sometimes. Hopefully it's not gonna start flipping out.

 

Got the poke I wanted, 1.25” Spidertrax.

before/ after in the first 2 photos:

 

All fixed! Drying out the back now from the torrential downpour on the way this morning

 

My invoice showed $355 for the glass and then $130 for labor.

 

Seems legit!

 

Do you know if the replacements develop the same issue over time? I would rather not deal with this again in the future..

 

Looks "right," now! Nice work!

 

I hope not… that happened on our 07 a few years back but has been good ever since.

 

Most people pull the fuse, so not sure honestly.

 

Semi-informed speculation is that they don’t. The issue IIRC is a manufacturing defect in the integrated heating element. This causes parts of the window to heat when the defroster is on while other parts don’t. The partial heat expansion causes it to shatter. I have a pic of my plug somewhere with the telltale burn marks. It’s still intact but I only ever operate the rear window defroster for a few seconds when the side mirrors are fogged (same circuit).

So assuming the replacement glass doesn’t have the defect, should be good to go.

A nice benefit of the Wolfbox dash/rear cam setup is that I don’t need to see out the back window anymore b/c the cam is mounted on the spoiler. That’s also nice when the back is full to the headliner with whatever. Don’t even need to run the rear wiper anymore.

I may look at unplugging it at the rear window if that’s possible so I can defrost the mirrors without worrying about the rear glass.

 

Being a "do it while it's on my mind" type, I did indeed unplug the two small defroster plugs from the passenger side bottom of the rear window, feeling silly the entire time b/c it didn't occur to me to do it when I inspected them years ago. Hopped in, hit the rear defog button, and the side mirrors heated up and the rear window didn't. No more on/off/on/off when the mirrors fog for fear the window would break.

I also took the opportunity to add a quick disconnect plug to the wiring for the button that opens the hatch from inside. Considering the window up/down switch mod if I get more serious about car camping. I contacted the guy who does those and he quoted me $80 shipped since I only need the window functionality and not the hatch opening feature.

 

I washed the 4runner but then the driver front door handle broke afterwards. Parts ordered to take care of that. Also did another transmission drain and refill yesterday

 

I'm curious what your D&F routine interval? I'm on 40k since it's first time Im currently at 108k...

 

My first pan drop, filter replacement, & refill was around 216k and I think that was the first time it was serviced. I got the 4R at around 207k.

Since then, I’ve done 3 more drain and refills, but I’ve been trying to get the fluid back in better health. It looked very similar to lightly used motor oil in color when i first started. It’s more of an orange color now, so we’re getting there.

I’m considering towing my 3.5k lb trailer to Ouray this summer with the 4R, so I’m trying to make sure the trans is ready for severe duty over the mtn passes.

if you don’t tow and since yours came stock with a trans cooler, I’d probably do a drain and fill every 60k if the fluid is in good shape still. I have a dipstick on my trans pan so it is very easy to refill. Because of this and since I tow, I’ll probably do mine every 30k once it’s looking red again.

 

Full d&f at 114K and 218K miles. Just did a pan only (~3.3 qts.) at 271K and the fluid looked good to me, especially considering I towed a 4K lb travel trailer around the mountains of the northeast last fall. (I have an external cooler.) I had chosen 50K miles as my interval but may go to 65 or 70K now.

 

Washed the ol gal, then it rained the next day even though the forecast didn't mention it. Cool cool.

 

(wouldn't let me post in buy/sell/trade section because I joined these forums 3 weeks ago)

Set of 4 Spidertrax 1.25" spacers up for grabs!

Model #: 550110-17-0921 in Black

Reason for selling, I did not want to do any additional cutting to my bumper after I installed these as it was rubbing on the front wheels. I did a minimal viper cut after putting on 255/80/17 skinnies and would have to cut more on the sides of the bumper vertically to clear.

Figured I post here before putting them on FB Marketplace.
$75 + shipping to you, DM your zip code so I can get quote for shipping. Will ship these stacked on one another and comes with 4 extra lug nuts. All hardware is included, you just need a tube of red thread locker/ loctite from your local auto parts store.

 

Changed the oil this morning. Kirkland oil is now flowing through it, picked up a case of 10 qts for 30 bucks back when it was on sale. It does well in the 5th gen, figured I would give the 4th gen a taste of it.

 

Killer deal! I don't need them..... But I might, my skinnies look a bit too narrow, these would help.

 

Cleaned my throttle body and swapped the steering fluid with fresh WS. I'm at 195k and I'm sure it was still original. Steering feels much better. This is what came out, new stuff is red!!

 

I need to update my power steering fluid too! It looks like a fine, smooth cup of coffee from the reservoir color! Nice work on your works!

 

Let me know, I can have them dropped off same day at the shipping courier.

 

Great that you changed your PS fluid and bonus points for knowing it takes ATF…but unless it changed between ‘07 and ‘08, it’s not WS. Counterintuitive and a bit silly on Toyota’s part, but it’s Dexron ATF for the PS reservoir.

 

Crap, how screwed am I for a few days until I can change it out?

 

I'm no mechanic or expert, but considering that thousands of 4Runner owners probably have reservoirs full of regular PS fluid, a mix of that and what was in it from the factory, or God knows what else, my semi-informed opinion is that it should be fine. Hated being the bearer of bad news but I figured you'd want to know.

This is from the 2007 FSM for reference to the exact type:

 

Might be a dumb question, but can i wax my wheels with normal paint wax? My black TRD 'pro' wheels are looking a little dull/faded, would like to shine them up a little bit.

 

I'd consider something like Cerakote or another ceramic wipe/spray so brake dust et Al slides off easier...car wax will work as well as tire conditioner does...will look great for a week and get real dirty afterwards.

 

I finally redid the rack fairing outta a sheet of 1/8" ABS Plastic sheet...came out alright but good gravy, did it take way longer than I wanted it to! Ha! The test drive was silent, too!