Niteghost's 02 Sport Build and Maintenance Thread

[Niteghost]

I just picked up this 2002 4Runenr Sport Edition in Sunfire Pearl. I have always wanted to do a proper build thread so this will be my foray into that.

Here is the basic info on the vehicle

2002 4Runner Sport Edition 4x4
Sunfire Red Pearl (KH6) w/ Grey Interior
1 Owner (I will make #2)
Purchased Oct 2020 w/ 114,765 mi.

The vehicle spent its entire life in MD and I have all of the dealer service records. TBelt, Thermostat..etc all need to be done so that will be my first priority along with some of the other routine maintenance such as fluid drain and fills.

Here are some pictures from when I first brought her home, I did a full wash and vacuum the following day and there are some photos from that as well.

I have not decided the best way to format this build, so the format and links will probably change a bit but I will do my best to make sure I update any links and photos so nothing ends up dead here.
--> Links to Other Threads Regarding this Build <--
Original to Buy or Not to Buy Thread
Aftermarket Alarm Thread - AL-100-H

 

[Niteghost]

One of my first projects is getting rid of the aftermarket alarm system and the 6 disc changer and subwoofer. I am not opposed to subs but this one is just right in the middle of the storage area and just briefly looking through the wiring of it I dont have the utmost confidence in it so I will be pulling any trace of it out. Maybe down the road I will revisit but for now, I don't need it.

Looks like they cut out some of the carpet mat so the screws would make it all the way through. They backed out nicely and there is only a small amount of rust, I will hit it with a wire brush and give it a little touch up paint to prevent anything further. Some silicon or tiny dab of body filler might go there if water becomes an issue. Fluid film might just be enough though to top the touch up paint.

I also stopped by Advanced and picked up some of the necessities just to have on hand. Oil change will be this week, I ordered a slew of OEM parts online to start knocking out maintenance items.

While out and about I picked up some new stainless screws for the license plate in the rear since the ones the seller had were mismatched and in pretty shotty shape.
Link to the screws I used - 6mm x 1 x 12mm


The vehicle also only came with one key and fob not a problem but I prefer to have an extra set stashed away just in case. I went to the local locksmith and they cut a key for $5 the dealer wanted $30. I then ordered a new fob from NorthCoast Keyless. I went with North Coast because after some digging I found a couple posts that showed the internals of theirs vs eBay/Amazon and it was easy to tell theirs was nearly identical if not identical to OEM. I went to program the new fob and when I got to the step where you put the key in the ignition the horn on the car just turns on and goes steady until you unlock it a few times. I tried the sequence a few different times with the same results. I am convinced its due to this crappy AM alarm system. So that will come out tomorrow, hopefully and I will try again and reassess.

The fob that did come with the truck was beginning to show some hairline cracks where the keyring attaches so I picked up one of AJT's fobs and swapped everything over. One of the easiest and most satisfying mods. In total took probably 5 mins and that was with cleaning the buttons and rubber sleeve from the old fob.

 

[Chris_Overland]

I have been trying for weeks to get my new fob to program, with no damn luck. But seeing those sweet new fob cases you got has made me want to go back outside and try again so I can order one of those!

 

[Niteghost]

I have been trying for weeks to get my new fob to program, with no damn luck. But seeing those sweet new fob cases you got has made me want to go back outside and try again so I can order one of those!

DO IT! This fob shocked me, I hummed and hawed about getting one for the 5th gen since the procedure is a little more involved. This is an simply swap over so it made it the perfect excuse to give it a go and it was well worth it. Feels great in hand and looks awesome.

As far as the programming goes, when I went to the locksmith they offered to program a new fob for me but they did a procedure with only opening and closing the doors and inserting the key. No lock/unlock cycling like I have seen around as well as like the instructions that came from NorthCoast.

So I am of little help on that front. I am hoping once I take out the wiring for the alarm tomorrow I should have better results. I will keep you updated but good luck on getting yours programmed up!

 

[Niteghost]

So I have begun the tackling of all the erroneous wiring. The prior owner had a JVC 6 disc which he ran all the wires from the rear of the vehicle up the passenger side then into the center console, The sub ran the same way but on the driver side. Once the wires were at the center console the 6 disc controller was run out the side of the console as seen in the picture. The sub was wired up to the head unit. Here are my photos I took while scouting out how everything was laid out.

The AM alarm system looks like almost all of it is housed up under the dash. There are some sensors somewhere on the front for movement I just need to find them. When I was washing the car the other day and scrubbing the front fender liners the horn went off multiple times. So im guessing they are up there somewhere. I will keep you all posted.
This is where the wires jumped from the passenger side to the center of the car via the rear seat.

This is some of the nest of wires hiding under the rear seats.

This is what I am assuming is the "brain" alarm, it looks to match up to the wiring diagram I found online for the system thats installed.

 

[Niteghost]

Also I just wanted to pass some information along that I found since I have not seen this elsewhere.
Regarding the radiators for our vehicles, there are two PNs.

16400-75181

&

16410-AZ011

There is a lot of discussion on which is the better radiator, which is made where..etc. I called a few Toyota dealerships to try and get to the bottom of it. This story lined up at every dealer I called but ymmv. I was told that the "AZ" Part numbers are manufactured by Southeast Toyota. Although they are replacement parts they are not 'True OEM" parts is what I was told each time. I have heard some people say that the 16400-75181 "Expensive" one is the made in Japan vs the AZ is China/Taiwan and while I cannot speak to that it would make sense. The parts managers I spoke with said the AZ/Southeast parts are meant to be cheaper alternatives for consumers to use for replacement.

I hope this clears up any confusion some may have had. I know while I have been looking at getting a new one I have seen lots say Denso, TYC, KOYO, OEM Toyota. I try to stick with OEM parts when I can but was super confused with the two different Rads at two very different price points. Based on what I have heard I would imagine the TYC, Koyo, Denso and the AZ/Southeast Toyota part are all probably made in the same spot just rebranded for each of them.

 

[Ashura]

Congrats

Was looking at a sunfire red recently myself but didn't pull the trigger. Looking forward to what you come up with. Great start!

 

[Niteghost]

Was looking at a sunfire red recently myself but didn't pull the trigger. Looking forward to what you come up with. Great start!

I didn't plan on this color but really love the way it looks, especially in the sun. Thanks I am looking forward to getting some of these bigger maintenance items knocked out.

I did get the alarm and sub/6disc wiring out yesterday. Way more than I thought there was going to be initially, it will get its own post here later today.


A few items arrived in the mail yesterday. My Weathertech mats showed up. This is usually the first "mod" I do to any of my vehicles. They help keep the carpets nicer, longer. My Fumoto valve also showed up. I went with the F103SX since I read a post somewhere around here who had the F103N and said they would have preferred the 103SX knowing what they know now for clearance with skids.

I have run these Fumoto valves on all my VWs and they are great when it comes to doing an oil change if you're not an oil extractor person.

 

[brillo_76]

Looks good. Watch for wires out through the driver side boot as people love to shove wires for amps etc though there. The water runs in that area and can cause a leak into your passenger compartment. ;-)

 

[Niteghost]

Looks good. Watch for wires out through the driver side boot as people love to shove wires for amps etc though there. The water runs in that area and can cause a leak into your passenger compartment. ;-)

Thanks, they did. Everything looks dry on the inside. Whats the best way to fix that? A new boot or just some silicone in the hole?

 

[Niteghost]

I went to try and program the new remote this morning and it went perfectly. I didn't realize it would unprogram the other remote so I had to go back and do them both a bit later once I realized this. Now I have two working keys and fobs so we are all good there.

Here is a collection of photos from the wiring nightmare.

There were poor connections and shotty work all over, I am definitely glad I got this all removed.

This was the "brain" of the alarm system

All the 6 disc and audio wires that were removed

Lastly the alarm and all its nonsense. That shock detector on the lower middle was a paid to get to, was up tucked by the front suspension...terrible placement.

 

[brillo_76]

Thanks, they did. Everything looks dry on the inside. Whats the best way to fix that? A new boot or just some silicone in the hole?

I had a few that way. I just sicone it and watch the area you see water after you seal it. Replace the boot.

Sent from my SM-J337V using Tapatalk

 

[Niteghost]

I had a few that way. I just sicone it and watch the area you see water after you seal it. Replace the boot.

Sent from my SM-J337V using Tapatalk

Sounds like a plan. Do you happen to know the PN for that boot? Just to have here in case?