Indeed, and if you want a glimpse into the future, look no further than the 1st Gen T4R's. I'm finding out that many parts that are easily available for the 3rd Gen are discontinued for the 1st Gens, forcing me to turn to junkyards (where 1st Gens are almost nonexistent) or Facebook.

I doubt Toyota can be convinced to restart production of things like hoses, but I wonder if we as a group can find an aftermarket supplier to manufacture molded vacuum hoses? Again, probably need a critical mass of folks to make it viable.

One thing that is really annoying is that many parts that are discontinued have a very similar part still in production that would work just fine. But Toyota simply shows the part as discontinued, and it's impossible to search by "features" to see what else might fit. For example, the power steering return hose for the 1st Gen is discontinued. So folks are trying to use 3/8" hose instead of the 10mm. To get it to slip onto the 10mm tubing, they have to heat the rubber to make it more pliable. I don't like that approach at all. So after digging around forever, I found that the 2nd Gen power steering return hose is 17.5" long rather than 19" of the 1st Gen, but is more than adequate in length. And it's the correct diameter. It would be really nice if one could search by something like "hose length" rather than just a part number. Same for things like bolts, it would be nice to search by thread pitch and length.

He's a good dude, bought some parts from him before. Like everyone else on FB there are people *****ing about him here and there but most complaints are easily resolved with a message back to him and actually knowing which part you need to order.

For sure we're in beginning stages of having to get creative for parts Toyota has done right by us keeping it easy for 20 yrs.
01 trans new can still be got a couple of weeks ago $5k + $1k shipping, that not bad for what you get vs rebuild or reman that includes valvebody redo.
There'll come a time when if it's seen can be stolen it will be.

the guy just got banned from the 3G4M page on facebook after some stuff went down with some people regarding returns and customer service, just figured that was worth mentioning

I get banned from that page about once a month. A few times for correcting improper information in the ad listing like wrong year/engine. A couple times for asking for mileage. the most recent time I got banned for using the laugh reaction to someone's ridiculously priced post. All this to say it really doesn't take much to get kicked from that group lol

FB = lifelong blows. It's ground hog day with the 3rd gen groups. Oh well...

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I've never made much of a point on speaking out (on FB) but I've usually found ordering from my local Toyota dealer online and picking up to save on shipping to be more cost and time-effective. I'm not going to argue the Joe Joe dick riders on FB about LBJs.

On the other hand, Aircabinman on eBay has gotten my business twice for timing belt kits and I will happily recommend others going that route for those parts, regardless of what the haters comment-respond.

Amayama will be cheaper on some parts if you can afford to wait for overseas shipping.

Buyers, do your research

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Whole lot of drama on FB over the last week regarding Joe Joe and some 4runner pages getting shut down. There were several complaints about poor business practices, crap customer service, returns/refunds - a big mess. Then a few pages got shut down by the Zuck and the world went wild.

I will not be recapping what happened bc I really don't know the truth, but things changed.

Just FYI

I still don't have my parts, no estimate of when I'll get them (if ever), and of course I can't get a refund. Good thing I didn't order anything more expensive.

He won't get another penny from me, that's for sure.

Maybe that will push people back to the forums, where knowledge is retained and people care about their reputations… and we all just get along!!

I am literally so tired of posting forum links and just let them ask the same, uneducated, unresearched questions - F-it man, I tried.

Many are pining over the "info" lost that was here first, and on Mud, YT and Pirate 4x4 long before anyone ported it over there. Maybe some build threads and memes were lost, but everything else is intact here.

Regarding integrity, that is the largest difference and reality - people on FB can get away with being a-holes, not sure how or why, but there is more of a casual vibe, like "none of this is real, it's just now" so license to be an ass is implied.

I do like finding other, like-minded folks locally to wheel with, so for that I am grateful for the FB; it has it's ups and it's clowns.

I only lost $30 but got a real good taste of what honest people in the pioneer days must have felt when there are no protected rights and some joker gets to do whatever they want until it catches up with them.

Sorry for your loss, bruh. How's the new toy?

It seems JoeJoe got banned from a pile of FB groups.


I actually get good deals from my local Toyota dealer. I have been buying parts off them for 30 years now. They offer me a decent discount. I also like the fact that if we accidentally get the wrong part from a diagram, it's not an issue at all. Plus, I save a pile of money on shipping costs. The assistant parts director and I have been friends for at least 28 years now. So it works out for me as well as them.

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Yeah, "joker" is the operative word, given his weird Facebook emoji. As I said before, I only placed the order with him because he promised he could get me those three hoses that were shown as "discontinued". His latest response is that they are "backordered". Ya, OK...

The new toy needed a LOT more work than I expected, so I've invested a few grand already to replace parts I never expected to have to replace. But I like it, it's fun to drive in all its primitivity, and I get way more compliments on it than I do about the 3rd Gen.

Did I understand correctly that you got one too??

Lol, no, I was referring to yours, but I'm tempted.

Would love to know what you've gotten into so far... and pics?

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