Hey everyone!

I just picked up my 2nd 4runner (used to have a 2nd gen 5-speed v6), an 03 Sport v8 in silver. Love the thing already, had it about three months and have gathered a few questions than I couldnt answer via search.

1. I have an infuriating squeak coming from my drivers seat over bumps. I can make it happen on command when wiggling myself side to side. I popped the lower side trim off and wd-40ed what I could, didnt help. Any ideas on remedies. I have cloth and manual seats btw.

2. This is the first and only 4th gen Ive driven so this may be a non-issue but....
Do the brakes require more force than normal to keep from rolling at a stop? Seems like Im always having to catch myself from bumping the person in front of me.

3. Any way to disable the auto re-lock feature? Aka- the feature that relocks your doors automatically after you've unlocked them via remote and haven't opened the doors or anything.


Thanks for the help everyone!

Welcome back to the fold!
I've tried to answer as best as I can, but others will chime in, too.

I read that it would either need lithium grease or to fix a broken weld.

Mine did this, too. I considered it being "eager". This, along with a driveline clunk, stopped once I lubed the driveshafts.

I have a 2008, so the manual might be different, but the options and how to change them are in a section called "OPERATION OF INSTRUMENTS AND
CONTROLS - Keys and Doors".

Yes, it's a dealer programmable option. The default is 30 sec which is stupid, but other options are 60 sec, 120 sec (reasonable), or off. If your dealer won't do it for free/cheap, you can get a TIS cable and Techstream software cheaply on ebay, but it might be a bit of a hassle to get it to work. There are some threads on here if you search for Techstream.

You can't program it yourself without a special cable. You can program when the doors automatically lock/unlock while driving.

does this only do it shortly after you leave? or in the mornings?
if the engine is still in warmup, its running at a higher idle, the v8 has gobs of torque, it will take a bit more brake pressure to keep it stopped when the idle is up.
I usually throw mine in neutral during this.
that said, it still doesn't take much pedal pressure to keep it stopped. but if you are coming from a manual transmission vehicle, I expect you just aren't used to it yet.

I just bought a 2003 V8 limited two days ago and i am feeling the same "jumpy" feeling. After doing some research on this site last night it seems that the drive shaft needs to be lubed. Also i just might not be used to the power this thing has yet.

Here is the seat thread
Creaking / popping drivers seat

Here is the thread with pictures of the zerk fitting locations for the driveshafts. I did this recently, ad it looked like it hadn't been done of r along time (or ever).
Lube drive shafts

I misunderstood your question about the auto-lock question. Yes, it can be changed at the dealer, according to the manual.

There is lots of good info on various things here:
Pre-Purchase Info, Modifications, Write-Ups, Quick Links, and FAQ's

You guys are awesome! Thanks for answering questions that probably had answers out there already haha.

Im at the point with this seat (Im anal retentive this way) where Im just gonna have to take the bastard out and try and pull the cover and attempt to follow those threads kindly linked above. Maybe install aftermarket seat heaters while Im at it. The rest of the truck is just too damn smooth and silent to have the tranquility broken by some cheap sounding sqeak.


Luckily my best family friend is a tech for a yota dealer so I can get TIS and turn off that feature. This remote has all that range. Funny that you could unlock it from so far away it relocks by the time you waddle up to it.


Hopefully same bud can guide me through the driveshaft lube. Im absolutely confident thats what it is as it also does the clunk! It is also worse after a cold start with that high idle. 320lbs of torque, is guess it makes sense!


Plans next are to plastidip the grey trim and badges black, loose the running boards, and throw some FJ springs on. Cant wait to start playing with this truck!

If the AC compressor is off when you have the brakes applied at a stop and you're only applying just enough force to keep from rolling, it'll roll forward when the compressor comes on. V8, low 1st gear, extra revs from compressor. Gotta be ready for it.

1: in the link provided above you will se my post about the seat weld

you might want to read this one by me while you are at it.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-ge...priceless.html

or this one if one side is worn more than the other
DIY MOD: How to replace seat bottoms & Are left/right seat bottoms interchangable?

2: it inches foward and required more brake force than most cars at a stop. i fixed it by changing out all the rotors, and brake pads

3: i thought there was a way to do that yourself in the owners manual