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Old 03-04-2020, 04:09 AM #1
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The most useful upgrades you can think of

I am rebuilding my 2003 4Runner V8 with 222,000 miles and just wanted to know what are some of the most useful preventative maintenance repairs and upgrades available. I want to keep my ride very clean, understated, and as OEM looking as possible.
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Old 03-04-2020, 10:30 AM #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bkt4runner View Post
I am rebuilding my 2003 4Runner V8 with 222,000 miles and just wanted to know what are some of the most useful preventative maintenance repairs and upgrades available. I want to keep my ride very clean, understated, and as ORM looking as possible.
If the ride is new to you, check/change all the fluids unless you have receipts for them being changed. Engine Oil, Transmission Fluid, Differential(s), Engine Coolant, Power Steering, and Brakes.

Fumoto Valve on the engine oil pan makes oil changes stupid simple. I don't have to use any tools to change my oil and the ride is high enough that I can just lay under the car and do it. I use full synthetic 5W30 - usually mobil1 or Valvoline from Walmart or Costco. Wouldn't be bad to send off an oil sample for testing to see if there's any cause for concern in your used oil.

Timing belt every 90k. If you've just purchased this and don't have clear evidence of it being replaced. This is the single most important PM you can do. If the belt breaks, you may toast the engine.

Water Pump whenever you do the timing belt, or visa versa.

Radiator hoses - if you change the water pump, you'll have to change coolant. Might as well replace the radiator hoses with new OEM or some fancy silicone. Better "now" than unexpectedly..

Spark Plugs - check them and replace. They're easy to change. Check coil packs for wear and replace as needed.

Brakes - front calipers tend to seize up. Jack up the front and see how easily the front wheels turn. Shouldn't be much resistance. You could barely turn mine when they were seized. You'll get really bad MPG and wear out pads quicker without fixing it.

Power Steering - the reservoir tends to get stained in such a way that it looks full, pop open the cap to make sure the levels are correct. (I've mentioned this twice now for a reason, lol)

Lighting - LED EVERYTHING you can. All of it is way better. This has come so far in the 18 years since your 4Runner was manufactured. Headlights, interior lights, etc. Fogs are a bit difficult to source where they actually function as fog lights and not just "more lights" - Headlight housings fade over time and REALLY date the vehicle. This is a good time to look up the mod to put 06-09 headlight housings on your ride. The projector beams are much better, and LED headlights are very good these days.

Front and rear suspension bits. At this age, a lot of rubber stuff is worn out, and a lot of ball joints are torn/leaking or otherwise damaged. Shocks/struts may be worn out if they're original or just old. If everything is worn, your ride will be soft and uncertain with some loud noises when you hit bumps too quickly.

Driveshaft U-Joints - if they have play in them, you'll have clunks and clanks and vibrations. If you have a 4x4, they'll have zerk fittings to re-grease them. You want to be re-greasing them at least twice a year, minimum.

Seat Foam or Upholstery your drivers seat is probably super flattened by now. New OEM seat foam is a breath of life. It's a few hundred bucks well spent. leatherseats.com has really good reupholster kits in a bunch of colors and options. Can't recommend them enough. Took me about a week in the evenings to do it all myself with zero experience. about 24 working hours and I added heated seats.

New stereo Head Unit / Backup Camera If not equipped, a backup camera and a touchscreen with Android Auto and/or Carplay are the biggest things that outdate these vehicles. I came from a 2015 RAM, 2015 CRV, and 2014 Outback as other family cars, and the biggest difference is the dated-ness of the radio, etc. Once changed, I have no desire for a newer model vehicle, personally.

Headers if (and only if) you have a ticking noise from the exhaust manifold, and it bothers you... Don't get OEM replacements - they'll crack again. You can get Doug Thorley shorty headers and put catalytic converters on them to maintain factory setup with something that'll last. With the factory exhaust still in place, you won't be obnoxious or really much different in noise.

Professional detailing it's always nice to get someone to really spend some time on things like really getting the carpets and corners cleaner than a normal wipe down. Plus, it'll point out areas that "can't" be cleaned - which will help guide you down areas to restore with new parts.

Beyond all this, wheels, tires and suspension are all personal preference. There's hundreds of pages about options in that arena. Be conservative with aftermarket suspensions if you want understated. Don't get caught up in taller and stronger suspensions. I regret not getting adjustable valving shocks/struts in the first place.
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Old 03-04-2020, 11:39 AM #3
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Good list @doofenshmirtz

I just bought a Tundra and have been going through a similar list. The good thing is that the ride is very solid for such a used truck so far I've just done drivetrain maintenance.

Detailed the paint one weekend.
Replaced timing belt, water pump, alternator, radiator hoses the next weekend. Good coolant flush in the process, would have been easy to replace the radiator as well but I didn't.
Did a transmission fluid exchange and checked the level. It shifts a lot better now.
Driveshaft output seal is leaking so I'll replace that.
Muffler is rusted through, and engine is making a loud noise so a full exhaust system will need to be done at some point.
I had a rain leak come through the top windshield seal. Another day's project I tackled.
This is all in addition to tearing apart the interior and cleaning everything.
I'll check brake pads and rotors, it has a bit of a wobbly feel when braking so probably uneven pad buildup on the rotors. Not looking forward to inspecting the rear drum brakes through.

It has a decent amount of surface rust on the frame so I'll need to take care of that. Definitely spray your frame with fluid film at least once a year. 10 minutes once a year can prevent most if not all rust.
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Old 03-04-2020, 12:47 PM #4
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I'd recommend purchasing a scangauge 2. It can be programmed easily in 30 minutes to show your exact tire pressures, auto trans temp, and engine temp. This allows me to monitor all the things important to me.

The plus is it can show you engine emission codes when they do pop up and allow you to clear them. Very helpful tool if you throw a code.
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Old 03-04-2020, 12:55 PM #5
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In addition to all the maintenance mentioned, I suck the p/s reservoir dry and refill with Valvoline ATF every oil change. If yours is black, do it after every daily trip for about 5-7 times until what you syringe out has pink color. Will help keep the pump in good working order.
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Old 03-04-2020, 01:49 PM #6
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In addition to all the maintenance mentioned, I suck the p/s reservoir dry and refill with Valvoline ATF every oil change. If yours is black, do it after every daily trip for about 5-7 times until what you syringe out has pink color. Will help keep the pump in good working order.
I really like the idea of a slow exchange to just maintain the power steering fluid (ATF). Keeps rotating in new fluid rather than waiting until something looks/smells/sounds odd.
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Old 03-04-2020, 05:17 PM #7
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Lights (inside and out) and more comfortable front seats. Those the two things I down right hate about my 4Runner.
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Old 03-04-2020, 06:58 PM #8
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Oil filter relocation kit

Who makes the best oil filter relocation kit for the 4th gen?

I want one that has high quality parts that won’t leak oil. I want stainless hoses.
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Old 03-04-2020, 10:54 PM #9
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Quote:
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Who makes the best oil filter relocation kit for the 4th gen?

I want one that has high quality parts that won’t leak oil. I want stainless hoses.
I've debated an oil filter relocation kit for some time yet I have a hard time trusting such a critical component to hoses and fittings.

My ADDCO sway bar dents the standard size filter housing if I corner hard enough to twist the bar to contact... so I use the next size down in filter housing size.

As far as I know, the skid plate has to be removed to do the filter change anyway. Is there a trick to this?
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Old 03-12-2020, 04:17 PM #10
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Oil filter relocation kit?

Who makes the best oil filter relocation kit?
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Old 03-12-2020, 04:39 PM #11
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These are small items but really improve the quality of life on a daily basis:

-Center console divider and tray. Can found on amazon for cheap and helps keep the center console from becoming cluttered

- Cup holder inserts. Search the forum, there’s are many ways to do this but the stock cup holders are so worthless

- LED interior kit. The difference is night and day compared to stock

-HID reverse lights

All the above seem small but make the DD experience so much better
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Old 03-12-2020, 04:56 PM #12
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Quote:
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Who makes the best oil filter relocation kit?
I've never seen anybody do this with their 4Runner, what problem does it solve?
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Old 03-12-2020, 09:03 PM #13
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I've never seen anybody do this with their 4Runner, what problem does it solve?
The only thing I can think of is maybe he wants it easier to get to? I have a V6 and it’s the easiest filter change you can get lol. No idea where the V8 one is tho
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Old 03-13-2020, 08:49 AM #14
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The only thing I can think of is maybe he wants it easier to get to? I have a V6 and it’s the easiest filter change you can get lol. No idea where the V8 one is tho
V8 is under the vehicle. If you've got skids, they have to be removed to change the filter for almost every design out there. Maybe a relocate kit could get you engine bay access. It's not something I'd have the guts to guinea pig, but it's an interesting idea.

My wife's oil filter on her Subaru is literally just as easy to access as the oil fill, and it makes oil changes so painless when combined with the fumoto valve on the drain plug.
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Old 05-02-2021, 01:09 PM #15
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I like reading all these great info, a lot of which I've had already done myself. What are some of the electronics that often failed? I am rebuilding this car and using as part of a business. It was designed as a work truck and it does exactly as advertised. Are there any major design flaws on the 4.7L V8 engine from the 2003-2004 4Runner?
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