I just stick with the Chinese northern stainless exhaust from ebay cat back.. I get longer life then walkers and they seem to work. As the oem exhausts are no longer affordable. They work good enough.. Now I never did from the header back yet.. Just from the last cat flange back. I figure eventually may have to but somehow, only the last flange rusts up and the reset of the exhaust is staying together from The headers back.

8/8/2024 222256 miles
-Installed Satoshi grille and TEQ headlights/corner marker housings $840
-Changed engine oil $FREE
-Replaced front wiper arms/nuts/covers $100
-Installed missing door panel push pins $6

It was time to replace the headlights and grille. All the grille retainers broke off a couple weeks ago driving on some fire roads and the headlight reflector material was peeling.

.....

Attached Images

 

1/25/2025 226011 miles
-Changed engine oil and filter $FREE
-Replaced front wiper blades with PIAA super silicone 17" blades $55
-Replaced radio head unit with BOSS Audio Elite BE7ACP.WX $357
-Installed on/off switch in ground side of transfer case 4wd detection switch for a cheap 2LO operation $20

After trying many brands and designs of wiper blades I think the PIAA super silicones may finally be just what I'm looking for. A little on the pricier side, but no skips or streaks unlike most other brands/designs.

After Spotify discontinued their support of the Spotify Car Thing earlier this month I was once again thrust into the bronze age of car entertainment with only a single din head unit with bluetooth. I opted for a new double din touch screen unit with wired and wireless carplay capability from BOSS Audio. It did require some longer bolts and creative shimming with nuts and washers to get the screen close to flush with the bezel, but I'm not surprised.

I also took the time to finally wire an off/on toggle switch to the ground side of the transfer case 4wd detection switch. This will allow me to keep the ADD system from engaging when I out the transfer case in low range. This will be particularly helpful when reversing trailers uphill or generally low speed operation where 4wd would bind. I drilled out the cubby below the cigarette lighter outlet and mounted the switch there. I will leave the switch in the on position most of the time so I don't forget to engage it when going into 4HI. As with most of my projects I bought the switch almost 2 years ago to do this mod.

While performing the oil change I did notice the front/left side of the engine by the oil filter housing to have a good amount of oil on it. Not enough to drip off the engine, but definitely enough to cover that corner of the engine. I cleaned it off and will hopefully remember to check on it in a few weeks. There's a good chance I just forgot to clean that area off after the last oil change, but I'll keep an eye on it. I noticed my spare tire was only at 6 psi when I adjusted my tire pressures so I'll need to check that out as well.

You ever try the oem originals wiper blades? They mostly work very well.. I have had good luck with them. We used to be able to by inserts and reuse the blade frame.... However, I believe they discontinued that option and they now send you a replacement complete blade. The pricing is mostly cheaper then aftermarkets most of the time... So that is why I mostly stick with those. I have tried a pile of other blades.. Nothing seem to work as well as the original blades in my testing..

Nice radio upgrade, I am planning on just going to android head units myself for several reasons:

1) Android will interface with the obd2 connector. So I can constantly monitor several functions via android applications

2.) Integrate camera systems into that unit. Backup at first, then down the road. 4 to 6 channels video recording on movement for security enhancement of rigs. ( The recording is down the road integration setup)

The original radios were good units and worked extremely well. They just don't
have cell phone integration, no Screen for backup cameras. Nor the ability to integrate real time diagnostics into the head units to eliminate the need for those scangauges.

I tried OEM blades before with average results. I had to find alternatives because my local dealer doesn't always have the right size and style in stock. Time will tell, but the PIAA's have worked great with mist to downpours. Having wireless CarPlay has been a massive improvement for me. It's one of the modern features that I really appreciate. Now I just need a heated steering wheel and seats!

Heating steering wheel with seats?? Going luxurious are you? My Siennas have heated seats...They are very nice...

I'm dealing with a very squeaky clutch pedal assembly that only wants to squeak when it's below 50*F. When I got my manual 4Runner the first winter the clutch pedal squeaked so I removed the weird factory coil spring that only 4Runners use and replaced it with the linear spring for Tacoma's. While I was there I replaced the pivot bushings and applied a light coating of grease to the pivots. The problem emerged again the next winter so I replaced the master cylinder with OEM when I replaced the transmission in Feb 2023. Again the problem seemed solved, but it was back again next winter again. I have eliminated the clutch release fork/pivot ball and slave cylinder so that leaves the pedal assembly/firewall pass through/master cylinder. Anyone dealt with this specific squeak?

3/8/2025 226940 miles
-Front Brembo Rotors (09722611), Akebono pads (ACT611), and hardware kit (Dynamic Friction 340-76030). $181
-Replaced secondary catalytic converter to muffler/exhaust pipe gasket with thicker gasket. $FREE

Not much to add besides how often I'm reminded about Magnaflow's poor product quality. The exhaust gasket was completely blown out which was a big disappointment. The entire exhaust after the collector pipe is less than a year installed and under 7500 miles on it.

Seems to be a common issue on these 3rd gen pedals. I probably use graphite more then grease though.. Maybe a gel graphite then powder.. :-)

do you know if the t case is the same for a 2003 v-6 4runner and the v-8 4runner? they look the same