Recent content by cbodie

What'll Last Longer? How Long? I've got (3) cars to pick from right now. They're all family cars, and each is in very good mechanical condition. Estimate the number of miles or years each will last, or speculate which will be the most trouble-free. This is tricky. . . . 2001 VW Jetta 176K...

I read the Tutorial on the Reference Pages of this forum for 3rd Gens on how to flush the tranny and replace the filter. That looks like the way I'll go. I've done work of this complexity before. So, it sounds like a flush is warranted, and good measure. Don't think I need a cooler, though...

Some have mentioned, "Just don't mess with it! You'll cause more harm than good if you mess with it." I've heard that a few times when people talk about transmissions, though I'm not sure if it's good advice or not. It appears that if one flushes the tranny, they'll potentially remove metal...

Ha ha ha ha ha ha. I might flush-it. Not sure of servicing on this one. I'm off the fence and ALL IN on an E-locker. I have no factory wiring so it's eBay, welds, tapping, grinding, and Radio Shack. Not trying to start another thread, just saying. Told the wife It'll cost around $1200...

I've got a '96 SR5 4WD with automatic tranny and 194K miles on original tranny. Any testimonies on how many miles you get out a auto tranny on this vehicle usually? It seems like any high-mileage vehicle with auto tranny usually goes out eventually. I'm just trying go gauge if I'm near it or not.

Great. So I'm not the only one with these results. This all boils down to energy prices. I'm going to rant: In the past I couldn't justify a SUV 'cuz of their popularity, total lack on on-road performance, and thirsty nature. After slightly playing around with road performers, mustangs...

After grandma driving my stock (sans tube front bumper and winch) '96 6cylinder SR5 4WD Auto, I got 20.5 MPG. No fast starts, maybe 60% highway and 40% easy traffic commutes. Tires pressures on Passenger Michelins at recommended pressures. Rolling some hills in neutral, but no hypermiling...

Spin test conducted this evening. Easy and repeatable, both tests 1 and 2 resulted in a 4.10 gearing. Third test was not completed, due to repeatability of first two. I'll go from here with a 4.10 locker. I don't plan on "big wheeling" this ride, just stay with around standard sized tires.

You guys are awesome! Ok. : -Spin test to confirm ratios. -Read forums and get all information. -ARB and E-Lockers could cost the same, educate and estimate costs. -If I plan on running bigger tires, I might need a different diff. -If I plan on running bigger tires, I'll need to lift the...

How do I know what rear diff do I have. . .. 4.10. . .how do I know? I have a '96 4Runner SR5 4WD, and I'd like to retrofit a E-Locker or ARB so I'm cost estimating. It appears some like to change diffs gears during this process. I gave a half-hearted forum search, but came up empty-handed.

I got 18.5 mpg. Filled up and went riding trails in the mountains, then rode back home 90 miles interstate. . . downhill mostly. Strangely, I'll get less than 17 going TO the mountains.

Awesome. Thanks!

thanks!

Thanks, realistic responses. I'll check those out. Anything's better than wut I've got!

Man, I love my 4Runner. Rides great and last weekend we just strolled on through a rocky trail past a lifted Chevy Avalanche with Big 'ole mud tires having trouble on the rocks. And that was with street tire pressure on some rather tame-ish Michelin SUV tires. The '96 is stock sans a...