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

Happy Sunday! Today I got my front and rear valances wrapped. Also removed mud flaps and put the lamin-X smoked tail light film on. Waiting for headlight film to arrive still. She’s looking good . Very beautiful and productive day here in LA

 

Saw the rust on the rear hitch, I had the same issue with mine. In case you or anyone else wants to fix it permanently, I used some Rust-Oleum Rust Reformer (flat black spray can). I actually sprayed the paint onto a 1/2" paint brush and painted it onto my hitch so I didn't need to mask anything off or worry about over spray. Turns the rust into a paintable coating, though I didn't paint onto the rust reformer itself. I did mine 2 years ago and the hitch still looks brand new (my truck is a 2010 so it's not exactly new). The black paint also matches the factory black paint on the hitch so you can't even tell I ever painted it. Just an FYI to you or anyone else who wanted to fix their rusty hitch!

Edit: Forgot to add the rear backup lights look good!

Red

 

Bumper valance today. Not to bad these old fingers are kinda hurting but got it done

 

I finally received license plates, title and registration (6 weeks). Plates are now mounted in silicone frames and I ordered a toll transponder. Now I have to do state inspection, since I bought from an out-of-state dealer.

 

I had to do this too. I don’t know if it’s the same in your state, but here in Texas, the local guys were very unfamiliar with the concept of inspecting a new car (I guess a dealership may have known better), and they really wanted to do the (more expensive) full emissions test, since it’s not “aged-out” yet.

However the first inspection requires just a safety-only check, so you can save a little $ if your state does the same (or you live in TX).

 

I'll soon find out. The title and registration came with a card to present to the inspection station manager that shows it's a new vehicle, which in NJ gets a 5-year exclusion from inspections. That's 4 years better than the current out-of-state new car sticker. Unfortunately, since it was hung up on at the dealer, I only have one day left to get it done.

 

Did something a little different yesterday, saw a TRD Pro Sequoia and I kinda liked the lettering across the dash. Ordered it through the parts department and it actually came out pretty cool. Not perfect but y'know can't let the new trucks have all the fun

 

No inspection was required. However, since the new car sticker has to be done by a manager, four cars passed inspection and one failed while I was waiting, so inspection would have been five times faster.

 

Strange to me, they don't inspect anything in Connecticut, except emissions

 

Currently taking off the front and rear valences, managed to get the front off and I broke one mounting tab while trying to push in the tab. I’m sure it would’ve been much easier if I washed all the dirt caked in there and I wouldn’t be getting dirt and dead bugs in my eyes and mouth lol

 

I lost one clip somewhere in there

 

Saving time by not taking off the mudflaps

 

Alright gang, got new tires, wheels, and 1 inch front level. The tires are A/T Wildpeaks 265’s. Wheels are Method 703 in matte black (0mm offset, 17x8.5in), and the level is a 0.5 inch Cornfed spacer that gives it a 1 inch lift. First three pics are before spacer, last pic is with it installed. I love the look. The tires are slightly noisier but not distracting at all. I knew that was going to be part of the deal. I have had a few issues but I sort of expected the worst with these modifications so I’m in the process of getting those remedied. The tires BARELY rub at extreme tilt. That’s ok…the main issue I have is after the leveling was done the mechanic told me the “pre collision system maintenance” vehicle alert was on my dash and he couldn’t get it to go away and said all I could do was go talk to the dealer. So, I drove straight over and was able to get an appointment for tomorrow for them to recalibrate the front sensor since it’s now pointing more upward and thrown off.

 

Prep, paint, and dry time… will reinstall everything tomorrow

 

@duc_minh206
@muddyix
I know the pain. Yes! - just take the bumpers off people lol then valance clips are off / on in seconds

 

Yeah, so much easier. Just didn’t want to unplug the battery and deal with the TSS on the front bumper while uninstalling the valence. That took way too long, so when I reinstall the valence I’m going to take off the front bumper.

 

Oh ya I hear ya, good call. 2016 no TSS

 

It's not much of an inspection. They check lights and signals, brakes, read the codes, and test the gas cap. I don't know what codes they fail for. Once upon a time, they did a mechanical inspection and did dyno testing, but that's long gone.

 

Did my first oil change tonight @ 2480 miles.

 

Did the clay bar treatment for the first time (90,000 miles).

It was in desperate need of it and damn did it turn out nice.

Looks like a brand new truck again!

 

Agreed

 

Hit 95,000 miles and put new OEM wipers on front and rear.

 

How much of a PITA was it to remove the bumper? I have a valance just debating whether to do it myself or take to a body shop.

 

Just did my rear valence the other day. 1h20m (part of that was spent looking for my tools that were misplaced) Not difficult. There are plenty of videos on youtube that walk you through it if needed. Now that I've done it once, I could do it way faster a second time if needed

 

oh the rear bumper came off in about 5 minutes, majority of that time was putting painters tape around the edges of the quarter panel and edges of the bumper to eliminate any possible scratches when removing and reinstalling

 

must have been the always missing 10mm socket LOL

 

Rear is finished and painted the LP frame black as well.

 

Took about 10 min to get the front bumper off. I will say all the dirt caked in the plastic retention clips made it more challenging lol

 

Haha, I usually have everything in it's place but when the kids start using tools ...

 

Neat. What's the part number?