Recent content by pluton

I wanted a Seiken, but none were available (approx. March-April 2026) but there were suggestions from some sites that it'd be available "in a few months". Reluctantly went with Toyota brake booster. Ouch...$500 "extra". I saved the Toyota cardboard box to make it seem like when something costs...

I elected to buy a Denso rebuilt (and pay $120 locally for the install) when my 1997 starter started to go at about 210K miles. Worked great, still works great 1.5 years later.

Prying/lifting that panel off and getting to the inside of the door mech is always done with the door open or at least ajar. Someone must have gotten the door unlatched in the past. On old cars, slim jim tools directly lifted an internal lever that unlatched the door, but these vehicles may...

3MPSF (three mountain peak snowflake) tires are not involved.

I know the feeling when one is tempted to abandon the problem vehicle. I'd look to see if there are any service techs in your area that are familiar with these vehicles. The ones that used to work in Toyota dealer service departments when these vehicles were current have the best knowledge.

I converted many of the repair write ups to PDF a long time ago, just in case. Let's face it: This forum has covered every possible mechanical issue that can happen to 3rd gen 4Runners, and the 3rd gens are getting pretty old, and the Pepsi Generation has an increasing preference for videos...

Do they offer just the emitter or projector as a replacement part? 2 years is very disappointing.

No direct experience, since with a 2.5" lift I still run the original 265/70-16 tires. Common belief from years of reading this forum is that the next size up--265/75-16 should run on any ≈2" lifted 3rd Gen 4R w/o rubbing. Not a huge tire, but they really help the appearance and look more...

I had a new OEM rack and OEM bushings installed about 12 years ago. Perfect still.

How old are the brake hoses? Mine were almost totally rigid at about 17 years after new. Replaced them then.

I got the 1.8kW...rebuilt by Denso. 1 year ago, no problems. It cranks faster and with more verve and élan than the dying original starter that it replaced.

Sell one of the other vehicles....the ones you apparently don't drive much.

Way back in 2013 when i acquired my 4Runner, I got (on the advice of a local 4WD shop) OME 881 in front and 890 in the rear, with matching OME shocks. This was supposed to accommodate a heavy front bumper and several hundred pounds in the rear. After 9 years(!) I finally got the heavier...

Check that the 4.56 Toyota gears are good for the power of the V6 engine. Are you thinking of regearing because of bigger tires? Otherwise there's no reason to, IMO.

On a warmer day(if any) I would try to warm up the front diff and see if the ADD engages after repeated tries. It may be gummed up. You can, while driving the truck along a paved road in a straight line, repeatedly engage and disengage the front drive. Alternatively, get the FSM and go through...