Recent content by Devious81

As a Toyota mechanic, I'd trust your gut. If you feel iffy about the truck, pass it up and move on. I bought mine from someone 3 hrs away, and took the risk that it would have been a POS when I went to look at it. Yes it had some issues, but nothing that I can't fix. I did have a VIN to check...

How big is it? Could be the rubber plug from one of your rear brake backing plates. The plug I speak of is used to cover the hole to adjust the rear brakes and is only about 1 inch wide.

I personally run with the Makita 18v 3.0 aH cordless tools. I bought the kit with two impacts (3/8 and 1/2), a drill, and two batteries. I've been using the Makita's for the last couple years with no failures. I previously used DeWalt 18v nicad impacts, and they were ok, but I had to replace...

If you are only doing the injector(s) you will need two intake upper plenum gaskets, and the "o" rings and seat mounts for the injectors themselves. I can replace them in about 30 minutes at work with proper tools. I'd say its a 1-1 1/2 hour job.

Start with a set of plugs first. If the misfire returns, you may have a coil pack that is going out.

The shifter light bulb is a #74. As for the HVAC lighting, you should have 3 green capped 74's in there as well. If you have a Limited, the bulbs are different and have to be sourced at the dealer, or replaced with LED's, which is what I did.

I haven't had any experience with the AT2, I have however owned the silent armor goodyears. Dry = ok. Snow = pretty good, and wet = totally $h!tty. Like scary bad. I had them on my '97 Tacoma. Pretty bad when you have to use 4X4 whenever it rains.

Possibly an injector sticking open. I'm not sure about the white smoke. Do you have access to a scan tool with live data? Preferably one with a misfire monitor like the Techstream computers we use at the dealership. With the right computer you can see what cylinder is missing constantly...

$750?!?!?!? That's a bit high. Come to Omaha and I'll do it with all OEM parts including cam/crank seals for $450. As for the trans cooler, I'd say do it. That's on the list of things to do on mine, and it gets just as cold here.

I just replaced a trans in a 2000 t4r,v-6, 4x4, last month. If I remember right, I was paid 7-8 hours labor. Not that difficult of a job.

Is it bad that seeing a crushed 4Runner made me sad, while seeing a crushed Lambo made me laugh?

Yep, starter contacts are close to shot. The contacts are pretty easy to replace once you get the starter out, which is the really fun part.

Idle Air Control. Post up what they find. Definitely a weird problem. I've never replaced an IAC valve on a 3.4.

Damn, that's a steal for $500. Good find!

So, I just went and looked at my truck. I don't have that black thing on mine. It is used to keep the truck at fast idle when warming up and should return on it's own after the truck is warm. Just a dumb question, but is your coolant full? If there isn't enough coolant, the IAC valve won't see...