Well, solved a few mysteries.

This is one of them.

The other thing is a tire pressure light that would not go out, even after checking the pressures on four on the ground (not including the spare). But, after routine tire roto today, the light is out. I'm sure that can was kicked down the road.

Filters!

Just picked up a Wix air filter at O'Reilly, 26 bucks and change.

They had two cabin filters, one was a Wix and the other was their store brand, Microguard, 23 and 22 bucks, respectively. Seemed like a lot. The OEM is about 25.00

So, I checked Amazon and just ordered a Bosch engine air filter and an "EPAuto" cabin filter, for a total of just under 28 bucks. I think these will work just fine for a year.

I've purchased more Bosch filters in my lifetime than I can count.

Well, son of a gun...getting some dripping Driver front. A quick look and I suspect the XREAS is leaking. The vehicle shows right at 120K...but i believe the odo was set back. Anyway, looks like an upgrade...

Amazon said my purchase will be delivered today...Sunday? They weren't kidding.

The air filter didn't look too bad, but the cabin filter was trashed, covered with tree debris, etc. Might be worth replacing 2X/year, maybe 3

Swapping out the blown X-REAS. Was gonna do a more drastic upgrade, but found a few deals I can't turn down, and will indulge 'down the road'.

Sourced:

Front OEM coilovers, 20K - $90.00 to my door
Rear OEM springs, couple years old - $50.00 to my door

Need rear shocks.

Sourced:

KYB Excel-G rear shocks - $93.00 to my door

Total prior to install: $233.00

The front coilovers arrived, side specific. I could not make out the published part numbers on them to differentiate, stickers obliterated. They are published as driver side is SR4131, passenger SR4130.

However, there are yellow plastic wrap-around stickers on each, attached to the springs about mid-way, both still easily legible, undamaged. RW 1023 and RW 1022.

So I called/emailed KYB and learned over the phone and in email response, the higher number sequence is driver, lower is passenger. Thus:

SR4131 = RW 1023 = Driver
SR4130 = RW 1022 = Passenger

With the currently blown X-REAS, height values, measured in inches, ground to edge of fender, middle of the wheel:

LF - 32 7/8, RF - 33
LR - 35 5/8, RR - 35 7/8

3" of rake! The rear springs must still be in decent shape...? Will be interesting to see if that is maintained.

Springs Monday

Gang's all here...Intended to upgrade rear bushings, end links, etc, and source the parts myself, but can't figure out which/what is needed and I'm not gonna dick around with ordering/sending back, so I guess will just let the shop do the minimum, unfortunately.

These springs look new, so I am sure they are fresh. Even with the X-REAS blown, there is still 3" of conventional rake, am thinking that I really didn't need to replace the rear springs, even with 120K on them.

As long as I don't end up with greater than the 3", I'll be happy.

at least temporarily

Well, now this is nice. The installer replaced worn sway bar links, both sides, plus the right outer tie-rod. The tie rod was loose, probably responsible for the steering wheel shake at high speeds.

He said good thing the left front alignment was dead on, otherwise would have needed new bolts, they were so rusty. Otherwise, said the frame was solid, no major rust damage. He wants the chance to put new billies on there at some point.

The Runner rides much better than even before the x-reas failed, not even a close comparison. (I still think this could be partly explained by the odo being turned back by somebody, probably the used car dealer who sold it to me.)

For the guys who say they like the x-reas ride, when upgraded you are in for a big surprise. This stock suspension aint too shabby.

O'Reilly's 55 bucks

300 hours, less than the cheaper ones, doesn't seem like a lot to me, on the package they estimate typical is 100 per year. I guess the next 3 years will tell whether the improved brightness is worth it.

Will say, sometimes night-time driving is a b*tch, especially in the rain.

No discernible damage to the existing bulb (on the left), however, the new one in the same socket does work.

Before removing the socket, I had to clean up some battery acid blooming on the brace so I didn't get any of the substance on my jacket. I noticed some white remnants around the socket, also, (you can see it in the pic), hope none of that got in there to bugger up the fitting, etc. If the new one goes fast, that will mean there's another issue with that socket. Passenger side seems fine.