I just replaced the lower steering shaft {not that hard} and then found that the problem was under the dash. the bolts had fallen out of the plate that ties the steering wheel to the lower splined shaft.

Anyway, on the test drive it won't go over 25. I checked for codes and only found p1782 something about 4wlow. I cleared dthe code and tried again after moving the lower fitting a couple splines to level the steering wheel.

I got it up to 40mph but now power over 25.

any ideas?

It’s not accidentally in low range at the transfer case?

Did you tie off / lock the steering wheel when you changed the intermediate steering shaft? If you don't prevent the wheel from turning, you can break the clock spring and cause all sorts of interesting problems.

Famous last words {not that hard}

tell me about the clock spring. Yes, the steering wheel got turned, it all came apart under the dash.

what year is your truck, clock spring is different thru the years. they can spin around like 2x times before you wreck them I think.

provided a link below for a 2000 clock spring (8430630120
CABLE SUB-ASSY, SPIRAL)

I messed one up one time and had to replace mine(1997), but I got the airbag light so that was the only way I knew it.

They are bit different thru the years. I know my 1997 did not work in a 1998 but the 1998 worked in a 2000 so... I don't know what you can just swap in and out thru the years with 100% certainty. They are kind of expensive but I would bet you can find a pick'n pull one for pretty cheap. super easy to swap them out, just be careful of the electrical connector is kind of goofy and I also ripped one apart by accident.

I was able to find one on ebay for super cheap brand new, 100% it was stolen from someplace.

SWITCH & RELAY & COMPUTER | 4RUNNER VZN185L-GKPZKA RZN18#,VZN18# | JT3HN87RXY0283787 | Toyota | Genuine Parts Catalogs | PartSouq Auto Parts Around the World

mines an 03

thanks

In that case, you are in the wrong forum. You want the 4th gen forum for a 2003. They should be able to help you much better. That also explains why the FSM didn't list p1782 as a code when I looked.

I thought the slack I was feeling was the lower steering shaft. I had tied off the steering wheel, but I needed to turn the shaft to get access to the bolts.

suddenly the wheel felt loose, spun easily and made a noise like something shearing. whwen I loooked under the daash this is what I found.

You're in the 3rd gen subforum (1996-2002). You need the 4th gen subforum: https://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/ and you can try this 4th gen specific google search: https://www.google.com/search?q=site...4dUDCA8&uact=5
Good luck!

final report.

took the vehical to a toyota dealer. they told me the clock spring could not cause the problem. {bs}

they did a dianostic and found nothing wrong. but now the problem is gone. They also wanted to install two new air fuel sensors for $750. which I passed on.

btw, a friend is a tech at a mercedis dealer and he says the clock spring could definately cause the problem