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

Yahoo!! Thank you! That's all I need to install my dash camera's power tie in! Thanks again!!

 

New tires today! Nexen ATX biggest size i could fit stock. 265 70 17

 

I put in an under hood switched LED light strip today and is surprisingly brighter than I thought it was gonna be.



I used the hole in the front to install the pin switch. I should have bought a switch with an L bracket that was threaded for it and installed it on side more out of the way. I know it’s gonna get bumped and broken where it’s at now.


I thought I was going to be able to install the on/off switch right next to it, but the hole in the metal is a little too small and stops at the base. I’ll probably get some sheet metal and make a little mount for the both.


I just zip tied the toggle switch to the base of the power steering fluid reservoir for now as I don’t care to drill any holes for it. I also installed the lighted toggle switch as a way to turn off the light when I don’t want it on while the hood is open, and as a failsafe. This is a really cool mod, as I blow through headlamp and portable light batteries while working under the hood and on the rig.


Here’s a video of it in action



Link if the auto play or video doesn’t work
https://i.imgur.com/cQOz8k2.mp4

 

Super functional! Nice work! Where'd you get the light setup from?

 

From ama zon

CKEGUO Under Hood LED Light Kit, Universal Waterproof Engine Inspection Strip Lamp with Automatic On/Off for Truck Cargo Pickup SUV RV Boat

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08P5D2Q47?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

Here’s the lighted toggle pack I also bought to have the on/off function added to it

2PCS Waterproof Round Rocker Switches with Shell - 20A 12 Volt Blue Lighted Rocker Toggle Switch SPST 3 Pin Marine On Off Switch - Automotive Power Switches with Wires for Car RV Truck Boat

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DP7239YN?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

I did think it was kind of wierd that the negative was the fused side. IDK if that’s a thing or not? I cut it and spliced it onto the positive side.

 

Today I sprayed the carpet with Dupli color vinyl and fabric dye and cut some new padding that I got from Lowes for the floor. I also added some sound deadening material I had left over from when I replaced the front door speakers. Overall, I am pleased with the results as I was debating whether to use Rit dye or the Dupli color spray. (another coat of paint was added after I took the first picture)

 

So fresh looking!! Nice work!

 

Nice job and turned out great!

Taking out my carpet and padding to add sound deadening Matt to the floor and firewall is in my to do list.

I’ve done all 4 doors and the rear hatch so far. I also want to do the roof at some point and fender wells. It’s made such a positive difference so far, you realize all the other places the road noises are coming from lol.

 

Trimmed up the front fenders a little but, the liners, and pushed them forward. Still probably have some more to do, but initial quick test the tires didn’t rub.


Replaced my front OEM bump stops with Durobump stops. That actually kinda sucked and was a pain. Even though I sprayed the crap out of them days ago with PB Blaster. Getting the Duro’s in as well was a pain with trying to clear the top of the LCA’s but have a socket long enough to get in there deep enough, but I got em.


Passenger side with tire on the ground


Driver side in the air


My dang clip had broken for the retaining clip on the hood latch. Got them in a couple days ago and replaced it today. So nice, such a simple little plastic piece is so crucial. Had it zip tied all funky for the interim.

 

Those bump stops are definitely a PITA!! Looks great!!

 

What sucked about those is basically having to use a pipe wrench wrench over my head and backwards getting like 1/16 revolution turn (at best) at a time and makes that long screw in them feeeeelll loooonggg! Lmao ugh. Then the problem trying to get a socket long enough to catch the bolt head of the Duro’s, but not too long hitting the top of the LCA, then trying to get a ratchet on the socket, sheesh. Should be a simple job, too bad I didn’t have like a 2-1/2” open end wrench or however big that monster is haha.

 

Dude, for sure!! Very tight tolerances of space and they definitely are way beyond "x1 ugga-gugga" for both loosening and tightening! Hahaha nice work on getting them swapped successfully!

 

Looking back I wish I would have swapped them out while I was replacing my coil overs and LCA’s while they were off! I was just too pre-occupied with getting my butt kicked and wasn’t sure how the get them out lol. Oh well, it’s done now! Now I need to go bottom these out to break them in lol.

 

Got my RCI 1/4” Billet Aluminum Fuel skid on. What a hassle! Especially the last bolt I went after, you know the one directly on top the driveline lol. Man I don’t even know how long I spent getting that stupid thing out and how many different tactics and tools I tried. I wound up not recovering the rear passenger hanging mount bolt. Hopefully it rolls out quick as soon as I drive it instead of rolling back and forth somewhere I can hear it. I don’t like how I had to put the nuts out on the outside, instead of the carriage bolt head, but there was no way I could do that and tighten them inside the skid.



I also tried to start to install my 2 other matching RCI Aluminum Skids (transmission & Transfer case), but I broke another bolt on the stabilizer bars. I tried to install it a couple years ago but 1 bolt on each rear of the arms sheared off and I stopped. I sheared another today on the front….. UGH……. I at least got 1 of my 3 skids on I’d wanted to haha.

 

I replaced my gas cap, hopefully that fixes my evap codes. I've also got C1201 and C1336 (Zero Point Calibration of Deceleration Sensor Undone) anybody know what's up with them? My traction lights are on. I'm guessing I need to recalibrate something but I'm not sure what.

 

Probably the cleanest install I have seen. I bet the sound quality has improved dramatically. Amazing work man.

 

Spent half the day working on detailing the Silver Fox. Ran out of light and time though. Was able to get it washed & waxed, a quickie on the engine bay, and most of the front inside. Unfortunately the waxing was reactive. I’m getting the AZ 2 tone going now with the paint fading and makes me sad. The hood is in terrible shape with all the rocks hitting it and the paint so thin it’s textured, it’s about gone. Same for the roof and rear of the lower bumpers & fenders. I should have kept up on waxing and preventative maintenance but is my work & Offroad rig so I slacked. Kinda sucks…

Cleaned up the engine bay some


I’ll have to get pics in the daytime tomorrow


Edit; some daytime pics added


The hood is rough



AZ 2 tone fading on rear bumpers too




I’m sad about this…… Apparantly the car wash vacuum gobbled up my cover for the shift bypass button.


Replaced my Strongarm struts with new ones. I initially replaced the OG OEM’s when I got my rear GOBI ladder on to improve the lift with new Strongarms. The first time I opened the rear hatch with the Strongarms it came up so fast and so strong, it almost took me off my feet lol. That only lasted a couple months. When it’s cold it wouldn’t hold them up and tired of hitting my head. I debated whether or not I should get the Strongarms again. Against my better judgement, I bought new ones anyways and came in today. I’m not impressed with them. they won’t go all the way up on their own, but do stay up when I push it the rest of the way up. I’ll see how it goes the next week or two and decide from there. Any opinions or other options of rear hatch struts with the added weight of a rear ladder?

 

Nice unit. How many miles?

 

I signed the 4th gen over to my son... it's officially his baby now. I will keep posting his progress though. He just ordered a coastal front bumper and is working on a satoshi style grill. Should pretty rad once he gets it done.

 

I’m at about 178,700

 

Got my Shift lock cover picked up from the post office on the way home from work tonight.

Funny how such a small inexpensive piece can be so satisfying to get installed

 

Good times. Details later. I can confirm now that that angle did not set off the roll over airbags.

 

I just got back from the always epic and fun beyond belief Winter Wonderland at Windrock event put on by the incredible organization Venture Unknown. I can’t recommend the group or the event highly enough. Their creed is “Explore, Educate, Encourage.” Which is to say negativity is discouraged - it doesn’t matter who you are, what you drive, whether you’re on 37s or relatively mildly built like my 4Runner, whether you have been offroading 20 years or it’s your first day on a trail, the people of this group will welcome you and do everything they can to help teach you anything you want or need to know.

They hold some sweet raffles too. I won a small space heater I will use in my garage and a set of Morimoto LEDs. BFGoodrich gave away two sets of tires and Firestone gave away three to give you an idea of the prizes. There were also rooftop tents and just about anything else you could ever imagine needing on a trail included in the raffles. A special shout out to the terrific people of Blue Hound BBQ, whose food truck is there for meals. I had brisket tacos and banana pudding last night, the icing on the cake for a fantastic day.

I got sideways because of a misunderstanding with the spotter. I had no idea how my truck could be extracted from that situation but unbelievably, they talked me through getting right side up by slowly backing, then stacked a few rocks and changed the line so I was able to drive out of it without even winching. That is a testament to the 4th Gen, which is an absolute beast on the trails.

The lower left corner of my rear bumper cover is bashed in, but I think I’ll be able to pop it out.

Yesterday was hands-down the most memorable day I’ve ever spent in my 4Runner.

 

That looks like a wild weekend fun time!! Congrats on your winnings and adventure run success!!

 

Bought some Greasable JBA High Caster UCA’s that came in a couple of days ago. Just got them installed and added 1 clip height to the 6112’s on the passenger and 2 to the driver, now at #5 driver & #4 passenger on the 6112’s/650lb Bilstein Springs. Have an alignment scheduled for tomorrow afternoon and should be able to achieve 4* or more of Caster.

Broke the bolt off in the factory UCA’s for the ABS bracket and the damned castle nut for the Ball Joint stripped on me. Luckily you don’t reuse the castle nut, and ruined the BJ bolt due to grinding and cutting off the castle nut. My neighbor was able to scrounge up the right sized bolt for the bracket.



Unfortunately the grease gun that I bought wouldn’t pump in the Mobilgrease XHP 222 special into the grease Zirks, it only oozed out of the grease gun seals in a couple places. Luckily, my neighbor had an electric Dewalt grease gun with some Red lithium all purpose 22 grease for now. That XHP 222 Special Mobilgrease isn’t cheap either.


It bumped up the lift height a little, we’ll see what she settles in at. Looking at tires as well, and would like to go up a couple tire sizes. Currently at 275/70/17, looking at maybe 285/75/17’s. Leaning towards Falkens AT4W.



Heres’s how it sat after a few mile drive and a short slight bumpy road

 

Looks motley! Nice work!

 

Got my oem chrome grill painted today, just blacked out, used some Rust-oleum Peel Coat matte black spray paint/ rubber coating. We’ll see how long it lasts! Definitely is an upgrade over chrome! Never really liked chrome… looking to getting rough country 2 inch lift soon too, don’t know if my maths off, but I’ve got 36” in the back (from ground to bottom of fender,) and 33.5” in the front, so if I get 2” coilovers, and keep stock springs on the back, it should be alright, should level it out a bit. If anyone’s got any input on this, I’d like to hear it, thanks!

 

I checked my mpg and it was 4.5mpg!! Joys of driving round the farm.

 

Haha idle time LOVES to drink!! I get it!! I turn my truck off even waiting at R/R crossings for trains to pass!