Recent content by CutthroatSlam

I used Tom’s Key for two replacement keys, including renting the programmer (old Android Phone), which reduced the cost to about $80 per key. It was pretty easy to do. Then I later found the lost key swallow up by the driver’s seat.

As we were teaching our son to drive in a manual, he got all pissed because of all the stop signs on our residential street. We just laughed. He thanks us now.

Before retiring, I commuted to work from Fullerton to Downtown LA. People would ask how could I do that with a manual transmission. The answer is really simple: you are more engaged with the drive than a point and shoot automatics. It become seamless. I could drive a manual and drink my coffee...

I have a 2005 Honda Acoord w/. 2.4L and 5 spd manual. It is fun to drive.

Our 2014 with 437,000 miles has done its share of off-road travel in SW Montana as I explore the fishing in retirement. This pic is in front of Skalkaho Falls.

I posted this to help others know that it is the tires. I proved it by first using a brand new tire and moving the suspect tires around to isolate the vibration. That worked and the flat spotting was largely in the former rear tires that were locking up, as suspected. I could just buy new tires...

Tire shops used to shave tires. Tried to find ones that still do from Montana to SoCal, but no. Tirerack will shave a new tire purchased from them to match the depth on the remaining tires on an AWD car. That’s it. A sage old former truck fleet manager suggested shaving them myself. Sent me his...

We own a 2014 SR5 with 437,000 miles and a 2023 ORP with 70,000 miles. Throughout ownership we have off and on dealt with the dreaded steering wheel pulse. I do all the maintenance and repairs and feel that makes me qualified to opine on this issue. Yes it is due to wheel balance or out of...

Yeah the simple answer is to avoid KDSS.

Specifically those who complained the 5th Gen did not have a modern 8 speed transmission. Well here ya go, careful what you wish for: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1CP54YycN6/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Diesel engines are more robust by design because of the higher combustion pressures (they are a compression ignition engine) and thus are more suited to running turbos. Turbos also generate substantially more heat which is a negative for both diesel and gasoline engines, but the gasoline engines...

We have a small ranch in Stevensville, Montana and homes in Fullerton and Big Bear Lake, California. I was still working in LA with my retired wife mostly up in Montana, sometimes driving down to be with me. I couldn’t blame her as she deserves the life she wants in her golden years. While I...

2014 4Runner changed the oil and lubed the driveshafts with odometer at 434,868. Had to do it slightly early as I have a friend coming to Montana to do some fishing targeting the Hecuba hatch. He’s driving up from Eagle, ID in his Lotus Evora which is impractical for fishing excursions. I have a...

I just changed the blower motor on my wife's 2014 which has 432K miles. She was complaining about a squeak when it was on, but I could not hear it. I could hear her complains, so I installed a new Aisin unit. Took less than 10 minutes. Hopefully, I will no longer hear my wife's complaints. P.S...

I’ve let the mechanic on our loop road in Montana do work on our 4Runners and my K2500 Suburban, but that was mainly due to the fact that I was down south working in Los Angeles and couldn’t get to it. Have let him install transmission the 2014 4Runner and ‘99 K2500 Suburban, because his price...