Good theory. I concur. Old, contaminated fluid probably doesn't help.

Very possible. I definitely bled it enough. I've bled brakes on Toyotas, BMWs, gmcs and motorcycles, never had an issue with incorrect brake bleeding.

The abs pump could have gotten air in it from being open to the elements for so long. Il have to check the manual for the abs bleed procedure. It's pretty much the high point In the system correct? It would make sense if air trapped there is causing the issue.

In other news, found some clips that almost were a perfect fit at Ace hardware for the mounting of the rear flares. The flare clip tab was just too thick for the clips, causing the retaining portion to break when I pushed them into place. I used a screw driver and removed the middle portion of the retaining clip and I was able to get a pretty good fit. I added some gorilla glue construction adhesive to give the clips a little more strength against vibration and pressure.

I then made a template from cardboard by punching holes through where the holes were on the other 4runner. After that, marked the truck up. I used red locktite on the tip of the clips to make sure the positioning of the holes matched with the template. All was good and I drilled 4 pilot holes for the larger 5/16th bit. Once the holes were drilled, I cleaned it up and added rtv to the clips to weather seal the holes and keep it from rusting too easily.

Took about 2 hours. To do that...while I was doing it I decided to remove the running boards and paint the points that were welded for the trans mount.

Spent the rest of the day cleaning the garage up. Got it looking pretty good minus the engine and crane...gotta get rid of that. Purple power on the floor and a quick rinse with a squeegee and most of the oil and dirt lifted up.

Attached Images

             

Took it in for a smog check to get it registered this week. Drove about 5 min to warm it up and dropped it by. Got a pass, no issues.

Great job.

Did some work on the trailer...found some cheap 265/75/16s for 80 a pair with about 60 percent tread, and bought some steel wheels from summit for 90 each. Needed spacers because of the offset, but il extend the axle at a later date. The trailer looks like I wanted it to when I originally fabd it up. Throwing the new hardshell rtt on it and need to make a mount for the awning I bought on Black Friday. The 4runner will be paired with this for all my camping trips!

Attached Images

     

New hardshell CVT tent mounted up. Now that the trailer is almost done (need to mount the awning) il probably take a week or more off then resume work on the 4runner. I think I may temporarily mount the OEM front bumper on it.

All that's left as mentioned before are the two wires for ADD activation, and getting the brakes sorted. I also need to check on the cvs and driveshaft as at around 65-75 mph there is a reasonable driveline vibration that is only present when maintaining speed or accelerating. The vibration seems to be isolated to 5th gear, but it could just be the specific rpm of the driveshaft at that speed. It could simply be unbalanced, but I thought I remembered seeing weights.

The vibration feels like when you've got a rear tire slightly out of balance. The steering doesn't possess much of the vibration, but it is felt pretty well through the shifter. The new trans and engine mounts are probably helping to keep the vibe transfer down, but it's also probably going to wear them out prematurely over time. Any input on that issue is appreciated...I've read a few threads that point to all sorts of issues.....I'm not comitted to dropping thousand of dollars to get it remedied, but anything that's a quick diy is worth it.

Attached Images

 

It is pretty unlikely that the vibration is coming from the front driveline at all. If it is that 'BZZZZZ' vibration, it is something with the rear drive - TC output bearing, rear driveshaft or pinion bearing.

Have you hit the the whole driveshaft with grease? If that changes the vibration, you have your culprit.

Check for play in the TC output flange and the rear diff pinion flange. Check the rear u-joint and front double-cardan for smooth/tight operation with no loose spots.

Did you put in the 4WD rear upper links?

-Charlie

Hey Charlie, thanks for the input as usual. I haven't put in the 4wd rear uppers yet-probably will do that in a month or so. I just greased the two points at the driveshaft today...front came out almost instantly, rear took several pumps before I even heard and grease seeping out. Il take it for a drive tomorrow and see what it does.

I supposed it's more of a BBZZZZ sound ...il have to try and copy the sound in my mind tomorrow. Lol.

The pinion angle will be off with the wrong rear upper links, and they may be making the issue worse.

Avoid driving at speeds that make the vibration as much as you can until you find the fix, otherwise you will be wearing out other components too.

-Charlie

That makes a lot of sense that it would change under acceleration as well...torque with the wrong pinion angle probably twists the rear axle further out of alignment, worse vibration. I'm going to get the parts in the next week or so and make it a priority. Luckily this is my "fun" vehicle, so I have a DD to drive in the meantime!

I think I'm going to get to the wiring next week to finish up the 4WD. Hoping the front diff engages as it should. Going to place the relay next to the vacuum solenoids . I'm going to run the wire directly from the xfer case. I also need to tap off of the wire and run it to the dash area for attachment into the 4wd light.

Today I got a passenger seat and rear seat from an 01 runner that are in great condition. They are a soft faux suede trim with cotton centerpiece in Gray. I'm swapping the good cushions from one of the passenger seats I have to the bad driver seat I already own to make an almost mint complete set of sport buckets!

Excited to throw them in, il stay happy for a while...not a fan of the non sporty half buckets that are in the 4runner currently. Doesnt help that they are a boring tan...

The dash wiring already has the wiring for the ADD relay (and dash bulb)... it shouldn't be too hard to add the couple of wires necessary instead of hacking it together. I de-pinned the necessary wires and ran them next to the factory loom and pinned them back in the right place... Just as another option.

-Charlie

Il check it out and see. Il have to jump in the wiring diagram and find the pin locations. That would be a better solution.

I took the 4runner out for a shakedown today. Shook something loose! On the descent from the foothills (loose dirt and gravel) the right front brake was locking up and it seemed Abs was engaging repeatedly. The brake (when pressed even slightly) would immediately lock the front right up. I would have to wait about 10 seconds and try and accelerate with the wheel still locked up to break it free.

Im going to take the ABS fuse out tomorrow and see if that's it. I couldn't use normal brakes for the short ride home, luckily downshifting works very well!

I also got the new to me sport seats cleaned and installed. Swapped the bottoms over from a passenger side to the worn driver side. Removed the seat cover uppers and washed em in the washer, and for the rear I scrubbed em with turtle wax carpet and floor mat cleaner and got pretty good results! Love these seats compared to the old ones.

Attached Images

       

Well, found the brake problem. Inspected the area today in the light and saw there was rubbing in the caliper...hmm..turns out I didn't torque the too brake caliper bolt down, so it was most likely just finger tight ..doh! Shakedown success. Found an extra bolt buried in the dirt on the side of the house under the parts truck. Installed, torqued down and test drove...mission accomplished. The caliper was actually binding against the inner surface of the wheel making for an excellent make shift brake....whoops.

Either way, fixed and I'm happy. I wanted to tackle the 4wd wiring today but I'm thinking beer and try and fix my 2011 Forester XT rear view camera problem instead!

Hi.. So you preferred the sport cloth seats with the lateral support BETTER than the standard cloth seats you show on your first page? More cushion or better support? Any idea on if one or the other affords more head room?
Thanks..