Unfortunately, on the way to Krawltex I noticed that it was running hot.
I was running a Bluetooth code scanner with live data.

So I brought it from one shop to another... back to Bearden Automotive.
Since they just did a bunch of engine work I just want to make sure it's not something they did.

Bearden traced it to the Radiator.
Said it looked like the PO had used some stop leak and it probably clogged it up. This explains the overheating that PO mentioned.
It had hot & cold spots so that got replaced along with the cap. Pretty happy to have this sorted out.

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While it was there I asked them about the no heat on the Passenger side that I had noticed last winter and forgot about.
They poked around and said the Air Mix servo isn't working so I will order one of those after I verify. Hopefully that is it and nothing to do with a clogged heater core from the dang stop leak used by PO.

Additional shot of Engine bay because I forgot to post after I added the new intake assembly and new MAF so here they are.

And the passenger front turn signal went out and was causing the fast blink.
So swapped this out too.

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2 super exciting updates:
New gas cap and purge solenoid.

I know.
I'm excited too...

Had a P0442 code and it was just the gas cap, but I had already ordered the solenoid so on it goes.


Fun stuff coming tomorrow.

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Got most of the front end redone....
8/9/2024
216,253
Powerstop Front Pads & Rotors - Amazon
Powerstop Rear Pads & Rotors - Amazon
VastAuto Hub Grease Caps - Amazon
Detroit Driver Front Wheel Bearing - Amazon
Geometry Correction UCAs - SuperPro
LCA Kit - SuperPro
Sway bar Drop - Amazon
Dobinsons 1-3.5" IMS Coilovers (+100lbs/black) - Exit Offroad
Dobinsons C59-675V Variable Long travel coils (black) - Exit Offroad
Dobinsons IMS59-50701 Shocks - Exit Offroad
Extended Stainless Kevlar Teflon (maybe some Unobtanium too) Brake lines Front & Rear (smoked black) - YotaMafia
OEM 5th Gen CV Axles (43430-60082) - Joe Joe
OEM Differential Mounts lower x2 - Partsourq
OEM Differential Mounts upper x2 - Partsourq
OEM Support assy front diff (5238060012) - Partsourq
OEM Support assy front diff (5238060021) - Partsourq
Alignment and install of above parts - Krawltex Motorsports

I opted for the 3.5" setting and extra 100lbs because I have a winch & bumper planned ... but it is sitting too high.
I get some nice vibrations under acceleration and when turning.

So, I think I will try to lower the front this weekend about 1" to let it settle in.
After the winch/bumper I will adjust it back up if need be.

Before the Dobinsons My front measurements were ~22" hub center to fender and rear was ~23".
Now they are all around 24".

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Have not been driving this much and forgot to update!

12-12-24
216,565 miles
I added shorter rear springs (Dobinsons C59-325 Rear Coils ) and lowered the front quite a bit.

No more vibrations and rides great.

Based on my measurements the front is at around 3.5" and the rear around 2.5".
I do a have a slight driver side lean like everyone else.
So I may grab a shim for the rear to help with that.

Up next, I am looking at doing a manual T-case swap. Been doing a lot of research on what all will need to happen, but long term I thin it is a better solution than replacing an actuator. In order to help with shifter routing I am looking at a 1/2" body lift as well. I know it's not "necessary" but I think the extra room will help keep the cut out size down a bit. I also ordered a full set of replacement OEM body mounts & a new OEM transmission mount. Not because it "needs them", but because "while we are in there".

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So what is the plan to get it dirty?

The current plan is just to get it 100% fully functional ... and comfy enough for road trips.

This is going to be used for my business to go to events.
(I make parts for RC Crawlers: Welcome to Locked Up RC - Scale Performance Parts)
Some of the events require a little bit of 4wd ... but all of the events require a good highway trip.
So dependable>off-road prowess


I won't be looking to put it on tons or 37s or anything.
As much as I don't like the wheels it has right now, I will probably ride out these 31s until I need to replace them. Then I'll look at new wheels & 32s or 33s just to fill out the wheel wells. Unless I find some great deal on some take offs.


Next step is going to be a manual t-case swap.
My actuator is leaking and I have a little rear main seal leak.
So while we are doing the t-case we will so the rear main seal, torque convertor seal & transmission mount. Will probably do new driveshafts as well unless I can get a deal on getting mine re-tubed.

Case has been sourced and it only had 30K on it.
So hoping to get that going this week.

After that it should be mechanically sound and I can start messing with creature comforts. Stereo, dash, seats, lights, exhaust, etc. Probably will do sliders and a front bumper too. Not saying it won't be "more capable" than now down the road but first things first.

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Done a bunch to the Runner in the past couple of months but have not been updating!

On 2/14 my Daily Driver was totaled in a grocery store parking lot incident. Kid came out of nowhere and crashed into me. So the 4Runner has become my main transportation. Luckily I work from home! BUt ..this means all the things I have been putting off have gone into express mode.

I had already asked the dealer to clear the drain lines but something wasn't right. hopefully this helps ... right?

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2/28/25 Update
Runner was with Krawltex getting the manual T-case slapped in.
I know it isn't "that difficult" to bolt in, but I no longer have access to a welder to modify the shifter. The rear main seal was also leaking so they replaced that. I also had them replace ALL the body mounts with OEM parts and do a 1/2" body lift to help with the shifter fab.
They also ordered & put in new driveshafts from Tom Woods.
So this was just a little more work than I wanted to do in the driveway to then drive it to them for just the shifter fab. Anyway.... photo dump and please don't judge me on how nasty it was....I already cleaned it up!

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More from 2/28.
The body lift is really only noticeable at the hitch and so slight that I'm the only one that will probably see it.

Might try to remedy that when I modify the hitch for a bigger spare time.


FYI, the front driveshaft would have fit but since everything has over 200K on it I went ahead and replaced it.

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BIG 3/19 update.

Just added the front covers for the engine bay to clean it up a little.

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3/21/25
Time to clean up whatever the heck the PO spilled in the center console.

Also added a coverlay dash cover and reskinned the seats.

The dash went OK. I'd say it is 8/10 whereas before it was 2/10.
I ordered the "Dark Gray" but should have gone with black. It's not a huge color difference and 100% better than the carpet the PO had in there.

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More pics.

Dash color difference is less noticeable than in the pics.
I think I am going to try to fill and paint the ends that are still visible.
If I had to do it all over again, 100% go with the black.

The foam is just to quiet some of the noise form the T-Case till my dynamat gets here and I can install it & seal up the shift boot.
But the foam is actually working quite well for now.

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And of course the seat skins.

Install was not easy but they were $100:
Amazon.com

Broke a screw stay so I ordered a new piece.

Color is more grey than the stock tan, but less noticeable in person and less trashed looking.
100% better IMO.

I will update as they smooth out.
Probably should have replaced the foams but mine were not too bad.
We did repair one area on driver side bottom that gets the most use.

I think I may also go to black head rests with an embroidered "V8" on them because why not.

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3/22/25

Lets add a USB!

Since I no longer have a cig lighter, I went ahead and added this USB port.
It shows voltage for the circuit so you have a general idea of your charging system but it will show a big drop when you plug something in.
So not 100% accurate as to what is happening at the battery itself.

I tried to depin the little plug to make this super clean but bastard did not want to come apart.

This is the one I used:
Amazon.com

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