[cblock406]

Did some more wrenching on the 4runner this weekend. Replaced my very hard, old leaking valve cover gaskets. I would guess these have probably never been changed before.

Also changed the upper and lower intake manifold gaskets, spark plugs, wires, pcv valve, and air filter. Took about 4 hours from start to finish, not a difficult job but not one that was particularly fun.

The valve covers were disgusting:





I didn't take any pictures of the valve train but it looked extremely clean.

Just about caught up on the maintenance now. Next up is a transmission service (fluid, filter etc.) power steering fluid change, and diff/transfer case fluid. Then I think this thing will be all caught up. Then some mods might actually happen!

[xdustin]

Looking good! Loving all this "basic" stuff you're doing as it's exactly what I have coming in my very near future. Luckily the PO did the timing belt a couple thousand before he sold it to me, so at least I can skip that one. Very clean! Also in Washington, down/up in the Tacoma area.

[cblock406]

Originally Posted by xdustin

Looking good! Loving all this "basic" stuff you're doing as it's exactly what I have coming in my very near future. Luckily the PO did the timing belt a couple thousand before he sold it to me, so at least I can skip that one. Very clean! Also in Washington, down/up in the Tacoma area.

Thanks! I'm in the Bellevue area. All the basic maintenance isn't very exciting but it sure feels good getting it done. In the home stretch on ours and can't wait to start on suspension.

[cblock406]

Hope everyone is having a good weekend!

Flushed out the power steering today for some nice clean Dex III. It was pretty damn dirty, probably been years since it was changed, if ever.



Turns out a Sharpie cap works perfect to cap off the return line fitting.



I hate dirty engine bays and since I've been spending a good amount of time under the hood, cleaning things as I go, I thought it deserved a good detail.

Not bad for 185k. I can't tell you how nice it is not smelling burning oil every time I drive this.





Purple Power and Mother's back to black for the job here.



I hate how much crap that collects behind the front fenders. I managed to get it all out with some pry bars and my shop vac...yuck!



Oh almost forgot, decided its getting into good enough shape now that I can rock the T4R decal I've had for over a year



Next on the list is a transmission service (fluid and filter) and installing the tranny cooler that is sitting on my workbench, and front/rear diff and transfer case fluid. After that it should be pretty much up to date on all services and then I can start spending money on some fun stuff!!!

[staypuft]

Very nice truck! I'm keeping an eye on this as I have the same color and everything. I also used to have an e46 so we have the same taste in rides! Here's mine so far:

[cblock406]

Originally Posted by staypuft

Very nice truck! I'm keeping an eye on this as I have the same color and everything. I also used to have an e46 so we have the same taste in rides! Here's mine so far:

Thanks! Nice truck! It took a while but the color has grown on me, I don't think there is a another color that hides dirt better than sand dune lol.

[Kmurt]

Super clean 4runner bud. Lookin forward to future updates.

[cblock406]

Originally Posted by Kmurt

Super clean 4runner bud. Lookin forward to future updates.

Thanks man! Hopefully some fun updates soon!

[TravThePro]

That's a pretty crazy story, I'd be out for blood and more if my rig got stolen. Super cool to see how laid back you were about it.

Great job on the maintenance, I've had about the same amount of work to do on other sections of my runner and probably need to do the dreaded timing belt and water pump soon.

Also cool to see where it's at, if you end up running a body lift ever just hit me up for some advice. (everyone else has all the info you need for suspension lifts)

[cblock406]

Originally Posted by TravThePro

That's a pretty crazy story, I'd be out for blood and more if my rig got stolen. Super cool to see how laid back you were about it.

Great job on the maintenance, I've had about the same amount of work to do on other sections of my runner and probably need to do the dreaded timing belt and water pump soon.

Also cool to see where it's at, if you end up running a body lift ever just hit me up for some advice. (everyone else has all the info you need for suspension lifts)

Thanks! I was pretty furious at first but then just happy we got it back, I never expected to see it ever again.

I did some messing around today. When I replaced the steering column I broke the clock spring so had to buy a new one. No pics but now the airbag, horn, and cruise control work and no dash lights.

When it got stolen the bastards took out our double din Kenwood and wired in a crappy ancient old CD player. I was happy they didn't cut the wiring harness, but they hooked up the illumination and fried the dimmer switch.

This was my temporary fix, just jumped the plug to get the dash lights working:



But had enough of that and bought a new dimmer switch off eBay.

Also swapped out all of the dash lights for some white LED's, I like it. What is really weird is that the gas light is on now so going to have to pull the cluster out and figure that one out.





I also haven't clay barred or waxed this thing since it was stolen so gave it a proper cleaning and sealed the paint today.

Really like this stuff, been using it on all our cars lately:



Not too shabby I need to get the front windows tinted badly, hate the mismatched factory tint...someday lol



I also cleaned up my hitch and put a new cap on, my nice hitch cover I had before didn't make it back with the car.




Next project on the list is getting the transmission serviced with a new filter, fluid, and hooking up the cooler. Pretty sure I'm going to do it in line with the transmission cooler since I just replaced the radiator.

[TravThePro]

Originally Posted by cblock406

I did some messing around today. When I replaced the steering column I broke the clock spring so had to buy a new one.

Damn, that's the very first thing I broke in my rig and I still haven't fixed it... Rigged up a horn button to some doubles and scare the shit outta people all the time now!!!

Originally Posted by cblock406

I also haven't clay barred or waxed this thing since it was stolen so gave it a proper cleaning and sealed the paint today.

Looking really good! I'm waiting until I put some other mods on to full sand paint and detail my 96... Until then it shall be the rusty crawler!!

[cblock406]

Originally Posted by TravThePro

Damn, that's the very first thing I broke in my rig and I still haven't fixed it... Rigged up a horn button to some doubles and scare the shit outta people all the time now!!!

Yeah it was scary driving this thing without a horn, it was definitely a priority to fix it. Traffic in the Seattle/East side area can get pretty terrible, a horn is a necessity.

[Road Bull]

Originally Posted by cblock406

Yeah it was scary driving this thing without a horn, it was definitely a priority to fix it. Traffic in the Seattle/East side area can get pretty terrible, a horn is a necessity.

I got to say, one of my favorite all-time mods, was adding my Hella Supertones. Those things work. They have supernatural powers of getting people's attention. If you mess with the bull, you get the horns. LOL.

[cblock406]

Originally Posted by Road Bull

I got to say, one of my favorite all-time mods, was adding my Hella Supertones. Those things work. They have supernatural powers of getting people's attention. If you mess with the bull, you get the horns. LOL.

Just curious, did you wire this up in place of the factory horn? I wouldn't mind doing this. It's not the weakest factory horn I've ever heard but it could definitely pack some more punch.

[Road Bull]

Originally Posted by cblock406

Just curious, did you wire this up in place of the factory horn? I wouldn't mind doing this. It's not the weakest factory horn I've ever heard but it could definitely pack some more punch.

Yes. I replaced the OEM horn. I think the horns changed a bit over the years, so the 2001/2002 sound like decent truck horns. But, I would never go back. These things really reach out and touch people. There's something about the frequency spectrum that the Supertones cover that triggers anxiety, awareness, and an insistence on the offender reevaluating their life choices and current driving attitude. Pound for pound, the best $40 I spent on my vehicle.