Recent content by sven

I came across a news story about a recent Toyota U.S. patent application for the "framework structure of a body-on-frame vehicle" to hold a battery for an HEV (hybrid electric vehicle) or PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle). This patent would apply to the upcoming next gen 4Runner, maybe also...

I feel your pain. Get a new one (4Runner, not girlfriend). But if possible, don't let her drive it. ;-)

I'd actually like to see a basic Fortuner with its Hilux ladder frame rebadged as a non-luxury low-cost FJ Cruiser with a manual transmission option. But that's just me.

Those dumb engineer also put the seat belts near the center console instead of on the B-pillar. How do you buckle up in this thing? :help: Edit: Never mind. On closer inspection, it looks like the seat belts are buckled and the straps are wrapped around the seat backs. It's odd that Toyota...

Please file a safety complaint with NHTSA. There are already a number of complaints about rusted out frames on the 4th gen 4Runner. If NHTSA receives enough complaints, Toyota may start a frame replacement campaign like they did with the Tundra and Tacoma, or NHTSA may force/order Toyota to do...

That's only one data point. Today, at the 7-Elevens in Harrisonburg, VA, the difference in price between diesel and gasoline is much smaller. At one 7-Eleven store, diesel is $2.62 while regular gasoline is $2.49, just a 5.2% difference. At the other 7-Eleven store, diesel is $2.75 while...

I just noticed in the first video @ 1:19 there is a graphic illustrating the global deployment of Toyota's next-gen diesel engines. It looks like Japan launches missiles at different countries around the world, apparently to signify which countries/markets will get the new diesel engines. The...

That was once the true, but I don't think it applies anymore. In the past, European emissions standards were much less strict than U.S. EPA & California emissions standards. In September, 2014 the Europe adopted the much tougher Euro 6 emissions standard, making the emissions standards for...

Toyota today unveiled their next generation GD diesel engines, which will replace the previous generation KD diesel engines. Compared to the previous generation, they are 15% more fuel efficient, have 25% more maximum torque, 15% more low speed torque, and now have 44% thermal efficiency. Two...

Don't forget to lube the drive shaft and u-joint. Clean the throttle plate and MAF sensor yourself since both are very easy to do. You should probably be cleaning your throttle plate annually. I haven't replaced my PVC valve yet, so I can't comment on if it's easy to do yourself.

Read reply #39 in this tread. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/1531151-post39.html

The $29 Techstream cable/software is the cheapest way to go, but you have to manually rewrite the TPMS ids. The $144 ATEZ TPM Quickset tool automates rewriting the TPMS ids. If you use the Techstream cable, remember to write down and save the TPMS id numbers for the set of wheels that you are...

I cloned a set of wheels by buying a Bartech TPMS-Pad and a set of Schrader EZ-sensors. Bartec handheld TPMS tools/programmers cost well over $1,000. But the Bartech TPMS-Pad costs only $244 because it hooks up to your computer via USB and runs on an upgradable software program that you...

That's exactly what I don't like about Toyota's implementation of TPMS on the 4Runner. The TPMS light is a dummy light. It tells you something is wrong with the TPMS, but not what is wrong. Your sensor could have stopped working (ie dead battery) or the pressure in one or more tires triggered...

As previously stated, the batteries are not replaceable. But the batteries in these sensors last a long time. The TPMS sensors on my 4th gen T4R are still working after eight years.