Ha! O2 sensor conquered! I had to up the ante in my bitter fight with a stubborn bolt locking the sensor in place. I initially hit it a couple times with WD-40. But I think jumping to the big guns with PB Blaster gave me the edge I needed to make that damned bolt budge. I will give it a bit, but I am hoping this kills my P0420 CEL issues. Fingers crossed.

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Kind of early to say, but it looks like my CEL, along with the VSC, VSC/TRAC lights are finally taking a rest after being on for about a month or so now. Since replacing my O2 sensor, I have driven ~60 miles today. I filled up, and when I turned the engine on, the CEL did not come back on! WOOT! Hopefully they stay off for a while. I hate annoying dash light driving distractions. If this holds up I will be very happy.

So... I got rearended today in stop and go traffic on I-5. I was stopped, had been stopped when some Jackwagon in a Nissan Pathfinder with a bull bar hit me. He wasn't going too fast, thank god. But both myself and my passenger have the usual post accident funk. I feel badly for my passenger. She just got a cortisone shot into her neck this morning for all her neck pain. What are you gonna do...

My rear hatch looks like its toast. Bumper is also toast and has a hole in it. Man... I am super glad both of us are OK, but bummed that I just cleared my CEL by replacing my O2 sensor this weekend to be knocked down a few pegs.

But I am a firm believer of what Dave Brockie (aka Oderous Urungus) said. He was playing a show after just getting off a plane. He had food poisoning the night before, woke up puking on himself and they lost his luggage. After explaining this to the audience, he quickly added, nevermind... you don't want to hear about my problems. Nobody cares...Just remember folks, no matter what kind of shit day you are having, somebody, somewhere else, has it worse than you. LOL.

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Ouch man that sucks. What is the plan for it then?

Well... His insurance is supposed to call by Thursday. I hope it's not a lot of drama. Not sure about the extent of the damage, but I would say the rear hatch and rear bumper need to be replaced. I wonder how much more an aftermarket rear bumper wold cost. But hey, a new hatch should come with a rear door keylock that mine was missing when I bought it from the PO.

At least you didn't spin and hit a tree like my PO (sister). All of my locks we're screwed up because we got a new hatch and it doesn't match up so when I lock my truck I have to use the car starter to start the car and then hit the unlock button. I also have to have the car running to use the lock button inside on the door. Also the manual key unlock will not be the same unless you switch it out. Good luck to you!

Ouch!

I hate collisions. I can't seem to relax until everything has been fixed and addressed. I mean, the important thing is that everyone is OK, but beyond that, it is super annoying. Especially because I just was feeling good about clearing the CEL and I was thinking about other maintenance issues. I guess life is what happens when you are busy making plans. LOL.

I know. Luckily everyone was fine in both instances but I still have this problem after years because our mechanic treats me like a child and only responds to my dad so it has been a slow and painful process to try and get everything working right.

Well, I dropped off the 4runner at ABRA auto body shop today here in Kent. I know I am looking at a replacement rear hatch and bumper. I was pretty firm about going with OME only parts. I have seen a few aftermarket chrome bumpers that look fine initially, then end up rusting prematurely. I figure, worst case scenario, I will just source my own bumper. I will start to research aftermarket rear bumpers for just such an occasion. Better to have a plan than to need to play catch up.

Sorry about your damage. It doesn't look too extensive. Just let your body shop know you need the cost to repair below the value of the vehicle. You dont want to have to buy your t4r back.

Looks like a nice clean 4Runner you have there. I took a similar hit last year and she's back on the road and looking good.

I also came from a 1994 Xtra Cab SR5 V6. Loved that truck, but love the 4Runner even more.

Good luck with the repairs.

Well, the auto body shop billed his insurance a bit over $4K in repair. However, the hatch didn't sit quite right, so back to the shop it went. I am getting my fill in rental cars lately.

In other news, I just got a shipping notice today that my new Shrockworks front bumper was shipped out today and should be here on 07/14 or thereabouts. Woot!

Engine bay... So shiny...

I'm pretty sure a Shrockworks bumper won't fit a rental car. Now, I don't usually offer this, but if you'd like me to watch after it while your truck gets fixed, I'd be happy to do so. I could even mount it to my truck, see if it fits, just to be sure...

Right... I am a bit suspicious of clean engine bays on used vehicles. I know a good steam bath will clean up some ugly engine issues. However, the PO seemed to actually take care of it. He used Mobil 1 synthetic oil and changed all the belts as well as front and rear brakes before I took ownership. I figured that if there was going to be some engine oil leaks I would know about it fairly soon with the synthetic. It seems to have worked out so far. It did freak me out a little bit when my check engine light came on few weeks after buying it. But I eventually got rid of it by changing out the o2 sensor. In fact I got it all squared away and a day later I was rear ended. But that's how it goes, first your money, then your clothes.

Thanks for the offer man! However, I might see if I can jam it on the Hyundai Elantra that I'm driving at the moment just to get it used to Washington. Nothing a little duct tape and secure. I am excited I got a call today from uPS Freight to try to schedule a delivery. When are you going to switch to your diesel conversion? And so I take it you are liking the new Duratrax that you got recently. Does it feel weird to go to a smaller tire?