That new skid plate looks real nice too.

The rear diff is making a lot of noise, the bearings don't seem to want to live anymore. It seems the mechanic who serviced the rear end last tightened the 3rd member too tightly against the axle.

Since I'm going through the trouble of messing with this, might as well go for the 4.56 ratio and a locker.

I'm ordering from Jaws Gear, who'll send me a fully assembled V6/Turbo 8" carrier with my selection of gear ratio and differential casing. The Powertrax locker sounds like an effective and economical setup. Some new U-joints are on order, too.

After careful consideration, I've decided that I'd prefer a Detroit Truetrac Positraction rear end. 2WD means that the 4Runner is mainly confined to road use, and I'd much prefer positraction than an open diff for my daily driver. Positraction still has a beneficial gain over an open differential off road, so I'm happy with the selection.

That should have better road manners than the powertrax so I think that's a good choice!

The gears and locker are a great addition to your rig. Its my favorite mod to my truck so far. I def see a 4wd conversion for you pretty soon.

I've met a few Powertrax owners recently. Most of them mentioned a how loud turns are with the locker ratcheting along... Another previous Powertrax owner had his for a week before the clicking was too much for him. He took it out the next week, he couldn't deal with listening to it anymore. The noise is obvious and loud, arguably embarrassing in slow turns.

Thanks man! I really hope the ratio will be perfect. The 4Runner might be able to... what's it called...? Acc...accelerate?

Hopefully it doesn't do too bad off road. Oh man... a 4WD conversion, I can see it now... oh, how I wish! *empties wallet, cries of deep financial remorse*

This baby will be installed by tomorrow with OEM U-joints What a relief, I haven't been able to drive it since July 8th.

The differential install went very well. The differential has a break in period of 500 miles, currently at mile 410. New Limited Slip differentials require a change of fluid at 500 miles to deposit any metal shavings in early use. I've chosen Redline Synthetic gear oil for the fluid change.

I had a great chance to test out the limited slip off road today. Somehow, I ended up wheeling alongside a 4WD Nissan Xterra. The trail really tested the 4Runner's ground clearance. The overall improvement in performance was enough to be proud of. I did manage to high center the truck, but some rocking and it was free again.





The 4Runner's dome lights are dim. I read up about Oznium's 25 LED dome lights and purchased two. They come with multiple bulb adapters, including a festoon style bulb for our dome lights. Let me tell you, they blow the stock lights away 15 times over. Oznium offers Warm White for that incandescent bulb look, and they're absolutely fantastic. They're also extraordinarily impressive, but just happen to fit perfectly in the map lights for the non-sunroof 99+ roof console.

As much as I love function, I love form. The latest form modification comes in a little oil cap shaped bundle. The logo is actually separate from the billet cap and is placed on after the cap is screwed in, to be installed at owner preference..





Coming soon, front glass refresh including new windshield and wipers.

Always looking sharp, nice additions! How do you like the new gears? Big difference going up hills huh?

Hills are finally drivable again It's great on acceleration, the little 4 banger actually outran someone!



Hills are still daunting under load. I had 4 others in the car and it was slow, but still nothing in comparison to before.

The MPG went from 12.3 MPG average to 17.7 MPG average. Driving takes much less effort from the motor. I am very satisfied getting 300 miles per tank instead of 200.

Very nice. My junk gets about 13 in the mtns and 18 on road trips. And I figured approx. 8 in 4Lo haha.

The front seats in my 4Runner are from a 97. Pre 1999 3rd gens didn't have a sensor in the passengers seat or a passenger seat belt light. I went to a part out of a 99 Limited and took out the passengers seat. After taking off the lower seat skin, I peeled off the weight sensors that switch on the passenger seat belt light. This modification also requires a seat belt buckle from a 1999+. I got a good price for the sensor and belt buckle.

I took my seat apart and cleaned up the tracks, replaced the seat belt plug, and installed the weight sensor.

Solved another issue where the seat would no longer slide forwards or backwards, turns out that there's a just a metal wire to release both tracks for adjustment. It was no longer the correct length, so some quick tightening to eliminate slack and it's sliding like new again.

Got a few miscellaneous interior bolt covers too. Good day.

I am now looking for 4 cargo cover brackets and a cargo cover. Anyone?

WOW!

Insane day.

So a little while ago, I was on cardomain.com checking out the articles. Sometimes they post some cool stuff, a lot of times it may just be buried between ricers.

I entered a contest called the Castrol Edge: Unlock Your Performance contest. They basically judge rides and award someone who has done the most to unlock their performance.

Well enough bullshitting around, I won the Castrol Edge: Unlock Your Performance contest!

I get $500 and a case of Castrol Edge. They will send a host and do a filmed interview with me and my 4Runner. They are coming on Wednesday to film it. I will definitely post it! I am quite surprised they chose my 4Runner out of so many rides. I can finally get that new windshield/wipers. Any suggestions as to what I should do with the remaining $300?

http://www.cardomain.com/id/CastrolEdge

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3045612

:bra vo:

Thats great that you won you have done a great job on your runner. $300 is a start on collecting parts for that 4x4 mod. cant wait to see your vid.

That's sweet! Congrats! So people actually do win these contests...