Recent content by gordonp

My answer is for my 5th Gen .... I see your .sig says you have an earlier generation, so my answer may not apply. Reasonable replacement bolts for the under-engine skidplate (4 bolts), and oil-pan drain access-plate bolts (2 bolts) is: 8mm x 1.25 pitch, 20mm long I opted for stainless steel...

My shift quality had become a little harsh, and especially uphills the downshift was a bit more-delayed than I liked and also harsher than I liked when I did occur. I had found I was driving lightly on the throttle in order to soften the upshifts ... I really wasn't enthralled with the overall...

Yes. It is a good time to consider a drain-and-refill. Personally, I think a complete flush may be overkill at this point The original spec (circa-2004) for our A750F transmission as originally used in a Tundra was to perform a complete flush / fluid-change every 30,000 miles in "severe...

I'm also a fan of OEM inserts - both my 2021 4runner and 2015 Rav4. They wipe very nicely. I change them only every 2 years to maintain this "wipe very nicely" - because, the three inserts wind up costing me C$50-ish per vehicle! They are not cheap.

I once took my '54 Chev to a shop. They knew how to use the three-on-the-tree and the clutch, but when the work was finished and they went to start it, the simple ON-OFF key confused them. The shop apologized to me for an apparent dead-battery. The starter was a separate floor "button" beside...

Here's a counter-thought: Sure, when lubricating bolt-threads, I'd do exactly as you suggest, and adjust the torque for the lower friction. Friction of the threads. But, IMHO, that's not quite how our spark plugs work. Rather, they have the crush/lock washer, and IMHO this alone is where the...

In addition, or in lieu of alcohol, Bug, Tar & Tree Sap remover may be a commercial alternative. If it were me, I'd follow with Claying. More elbow, less pressure. Then, machine-polishing for a very light cut on the clear-coat. And since all protection is now stripped, wax it. Sorry to see...

In the 1990's, I too paralleled my dual batteries (in FJ45 V8-Land Cruiser pickup). Both batteries were the same (flooded acid) chemistry, and rated the same capacity. It worked. And a high-amp contactor was simple, when I wanted to separate or combine the two. But not now - these days, I...

Re-gear your diffs to 4.56 Test it out by moving your shifter to S(port) 4. This is what it'll be like if you spend C$5k and have 4.56s installed by a shop (as far as increased highway rpms). Best move I ever made. 4500lb trailer tows like a stock unladen 4Runner, and I can even speed up...

Excellent news! I'm glad you were able to catch and salvage this. After I cleaned my MAF sensor, I relied on the O-ring just underneath the connector "head" to make the seal, and only lightly snugged the screws.

Do you have a couple of pictures you can share? And, some part numbers would be fantastic too! TIA!

All the sealing is done with the O-ring, not the torque/clamping. Once the O-ring enters the machined pocket on the engine, it's pretty much going to do the intended job (seal against leaks). The torque value is there to make sure the filter-housing won't spontaneously spin itself loose - but...

I have both (both a new set of OEM Bridgestone Dueler, and a set of BFG KO2's). I just changed back to the Bridgestone OEM tires (which happen to be brand-new take-offs from another guy, who sold them on Craigslist). I spent the 3 years before this change-over using the Load E BFG KO2's...

Very nice! Very pricey.

I don't think it's tied to model-variant. My 2021 TRD Off Road (Premium) didn't come with the cross-bars. I vaguely recall they were an option (I bought new, and tracked my build from Tahara across the Pacific). I'm invested in the Yakima system (since 1992), so I bought new rail-clamps and...