Lee1

With the change in weather, my tire sensor started coming on in the past couple days. Checked the air pressure in all 4 tires and pressure was okay. As much as I dreaded checking the pressure in the spare, I decided I better do it before I get a flat.

I opened the manual, got the tire tools and went to work in my garage. But, before I could get started, I tried turning the set screws on the extension handle used to lower the spare. I could not break one of them loose by hand as the pieces had been painted and the set screw was screwed all the way in. I had to use a Phillips screwdriver to break it loose. I don't carry a Phillips screwdriver in my car and I was thinking how much that would have sucked if I had a flat and could not change it until somebody stopped with a screwdriver.

So the morale to the story for all the rest of you 4Gens is to either pack a Phillips or go out to your 4R now and break loose the screws if they need it. Maybe mine was just a fluke, but thought I would pass it on.

I also found, to my surprise, my spare is an aluminum wheel, just like the other 4. I figured even though it was a full-sized spare, it was on the typical cheesy steel wheel.

Lee

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2004 4Runner Sport 4x2 Galactic Gray Metallic

Ghost Rider

No, it wasn't a fluke...

Same thing happened to me last week, TPM started flashing, and of course, it was the spare... The set screws were also painted over on my equipment, too...

At least I know where all the tools are now...

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2004 4Runner Sport V8 4WD - Imperial Storm Trooper White
Upgrades:Front Tint, OBX Pedals, Blitzsafe Aux in, Ashtray, Bully Hitchstep, TRD Dual Exhaust,
Westin Safari Bar, CC mirror, Homelink, Driver handle

djlandkpl

It's been a while since I lowered my spare, but I think there is a square hole on the jack handle which fits the extension set screw.

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2003 V8 Limited Titanium Nav X-REAS

sharp4runr

Yup I found all that out a week into owning the T4R. I'm one of those people that fiddle with new things in my possesion.

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2004 V6 Sport Edition - Stratosphere Mica 1/10/04
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ToolmanJohn

I checked very early though. As soon as I had it home from the dealership I wanted to make sure the wheel lock tool was with the tire kit and jack.

Very nice to have a full size aluminum alloy spare thhat's identical to the other 4. It makes a 5 wheel tire rotation much easier.

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2003 4runner V6 Limited 4x4
All Natural and not modded.

4 out of 5 dentists recommend Trident to their patients who chew gum, the 5th dentist recommends chewing a cup of pure cane sugar before bedtime. Don't go to that dentist!!!

cdoyle

I'll have to check that on mine too.

I also noticed the first time I did my oil change, the bolts that hold the skid plate on were so tight, it took forever to break them loose. Just destroyed one of the bolts just trying to get it loose.

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2004 Titanium Limited V8 Pics
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RBLACAUSA

I'm on my 3rd Runner ('04, '95, '89). Each one had the aluminum wheels and had a matching full-size spare tire w/matching wheel. You get your $$ worth with Toyota.

tkr128

My dad was actually the one that told me I needed to place a Philips in my car for the spare. He had gone through the owner's manual the day we bought it and told me. I've only had to lower my spare to clean the undercarriage and the spare itself.

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2003 4Runner SR5 V6 4x2 - Pacific Blue Metallic/Taupe Leather
Factory Installed Options: AP-Appearance Package, DR-Roof Rack, CF-Carpet Mats, SR-Moonroof.
Added: AW-17" 5-spoke Alloys on Michelin Cross Terrains, NJ-Homelink, RL-Daytime Running Lights, G0-OEM Stainless Door Sills, HP-OEM Hood Protector, E5-Valor Exhaust Tip, GN-Cargo Net, 3Z-First Aid Kit, 7R-Emergency Assistance Kit, Bartlett Avalon Fawn Leather Interior, All-Weather Mats, Spare set of OEM carpet mats, Leather-wrapped shift knob, Scion T1805 6-Disc CD Changer, Driver's Assist Handle, Wide-angle 5-LED super-white map and door lights, Xenon super-white dome lights, Silverstar ULTRA Low beams, Silverstar fog lights.
In Progress: Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel with Mounted Audio Controls.

Kmvreter

Along the same lines relevant to this thread:
Has anyone found a "covering" or way to wrap the wrench socket outer diameter to protect from damaging the alloy wheels. I tried tape but it doesn't last. Any ideas?

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'04 SR5 V6 4x4 Galactic Grey Mica. Delivered 03/17/2004. Link to my mod list in posts 7, 8 & 9 of this thread: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/general-discussions/21354-diy-mods-post-write-ups-here.html
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vandert

Your rotating assembly that is used to attach to the end of your extention for the jack has the same diameter as the bolts. It just has the phillips head in there for people who didn't catch this.

Take it out and compare, you will see what I'm talking about, you have everything you need to change the spare without a phillips. When I can resize my pics, I have a few to post for you guys.



The only problem with this is on my 86, in 2001 I had a little rust on my jack assembly from someone useing the phillips, but notice how long it took, got to love toyota.

__________________
Many Yota's and built racecars in the past

Current:
02 Saleen Vert - Lots of stuff Done
92 4Runner - BJ spacers, LC springs, matched shocks, ISR, Dynomax catback, etc.. More to come for sure

JungleJim

Griots Garage sold some specifically for this purpose (I've seen it in their catalog, but I wasn't able to find it on their Web site.)

Lee1

Thanks for pointing that out. Guess I did not notice that in low light in my garage, but probably would not have noticed that on a unlit road trying to change a flat either.

Thanks for all the comments.

Lee

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2004 4Runner Sport 4x2 Galactic Gray Metallic

vandert

Glad I could be of assistance, This is my 5th Toyota and they are all the same. Right down to the Corrola.

T

__________________
Many Yota's and built racecars in the past

Current:
02 Saleen Vert - Lots of stuff Done
92 4Runner - BJ spacers, LC springs, matched shocks, ISR, Dynomax catback, etc.. More to come for sure

Satman

Hi guys,just for the record i checked the air pressure in
my spare the other day just by sliding under the rear.

No prob,just need a gauge with the right angle.

vandert

I was aware of that, of course I'm one of them nuts that has the digital tire pressure gauges that you just touch to the sidewall and it gets it through it. I got it a few years back when I was racing SCCA events from a buddy. Its a good way to keep up with your tire pressure's its a bit of overkill I know but its nice. Now I use it for my little VW mostly for Autocross and the Tracks here in Germany, Nurenberg hmmmm.

T

__________________
Many Yota's and built racecars in the past

Current:
02 Saleen Vert - Lots of stuff Done
92 4Runner - BJ spacers, LC springs, matched shocks, ISR, Dynomax catback, etc.. More to come for sure

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