Recent content by RonJR

I have a V8, so I can't speak to your problem directly. However, I've found that a set of metric crows foot flare wrenches can often get into places that stymie any other kind of tool. Here's an example https://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-metric-crowfoot-flare-nut-wrench-set-7-pc-68999.html. You...

Looks like you have two DTC issues. The P04xx codes indicate problems in the evap emissions purge system and are likely not critical right now. May be just a loose gas cap. Save those for later. The others are all transmission related and hopefully due to fluid problems. So, definitely proceed...

I agree with pretty much everything that's been said. The reason I hold out some hope for the drain/refill is that, unlike an engine which will happily run with a dry oil sump until complete destruction occurs, an automatic transmission generally stops functioning long before the fluid gets low...

I think your vehicle has all of the symptoms of being low on quality transmission fluid. Before I would let anyone pull the tranny and dismantle or replace it, I would have them check the fluid level and quality of the fluid. Chances are it's low and the fluid that's left is as black as india...

You have an actuator problem with the transfer case. The front diff is likely just fine. If the transfer case is not cycled into 4LO regularly, the actuator can stick and refuse to shift into 4LO when you ask it to. The fix is to remove the actuator and free it up. Unfortunately, the only...

I've done that loop a couple of times. First time was about 30 years ago in a 1984 Suburban. A real beast on the trails, but a bit unwieldy to say the least! Three and five point turns coming down Corkscrew! Went back and did it a few years ago in my slightly lifted '06 4runner. Much easier...

I'm with you that backing up on steep slopes can be intimidating, and without good spotting it can be hard to keep to a workable line. That being said, the drive train itself doesn't care which direction you are going, and shouldn't bind up one way more than the other.

Curious, what 4wd vehicle doesn't have 4x4 in reverse?

Unless you are doing serious rock-crawling, I'd go with IFS. Put some good AT 31's or 33's on it and don't worry about a lift. These old 1st and 2nd gens have more clearance stock than later models with a 3" lift. Texas is a big state, and I'm guessing you'll be doing a lot of highway miles at...

I concur. Get that old stuff out as per the drain-fill process noted above. There's nothing that old fluid can do for your tranny that new fluid can't do better. You'll be disgusted when you see the color/condition of that old fluid.

The White Rim trail is awesome, but for some routes a bit shorter, try: (all of these are no problem for your T4R ORP.) - Long Canyon, on the way to Potash - Gemini Bridges, west off of 191 7 or so miles north of Moab. Both of these first two trails end on the paved road on top of the mesa which...

Toyota changed the OBDII protocols in 2005. Pre 2005, the correct pins were 4 and 14. Post 2005 the correct pins are 4 and 12. If you have a 2005 it could be either, depending on mfg date. Scroll up in this thread and you'll see further discussion on this.

The short answer is no. See post #21 above for why it's not a good idea. Jeeps and Ram pickups are set up for flat towing. Toyotas are not. You'll need to remove the rear drive shaft.

The FSM numbers are best, if you can find them. Otherwise, often a Haynes manual will have a table somewhere in the front pages of the book of typical torques for various bolt sizes. For non critical stuff like sway bar bushings, such a table is completely adequate, because it's very likely a...

If you want to calibrate yourself a bit, (carefully) note the clinometer reading while briskly going around corners on pavement, especially roundabouts. I hit 20 degrees on the clinometer regularly while cornering, and it doesn't feel like a big deal at all. Not nearly as scary as 20 degrees of...