02 3rd Gen 4Runner (Slow build)

[smkd13]

:lol: It's surprising how many uses one product can have.

True true on that for sure!!!!:iagree:

 

[llennium]

Driving home today I decided I had enough with the play in the steering. I have been researching this for sometime now and felt comfortable I knew what the issue was, now it was just a matter of fixing it. Apparently, this is a known issue with 3rd Gen 4Runners and 2nd Gen (I think) Tacomas. The steering shaft has a joint in the middle that can't be seen without disassembling. To correct the play, users have been spot welding or drilling and inserting a roll pin. I went with the later since I have not invested in a welder yet. I didn't bother with a write up but will reference the links below if you plan to tackle this. The only tool needed that I didn't have on hand was a steering wheel puller, which was only $15 bucks at Autozone.

I should add that the play in the steering wasn't terrible. When sitting still there was a 1/4 to 1/2 inch of play when moving the steering wheel. My biggest complaint was when on the trails or a rough road, there was a knocking feeling that was extremely annoying. The links below provide a better explanation.

Clunking steering column/shaft? - Page 5 - TTORA Forum

Diagnose and Fix Steering Play/Rattle - TTORA Forum

Proof of work.

Roll pin installed.

 

[llennium]

After swapping brakes for the 199MM I have noticed them grabbing at once when slowly applying. I stumbled on a thread about building a cheap power bleeder (site is currently down so I can't post). I put this together and was able to get all air out of the line along with the old brake fluid. Brakes are now more solid but it doesn't appear to have corrected the sudden grab I'm experiencing.

I stumbled on a deal for an Engo winch on the JK-forum and bit the bullet. I read through a couple reviews and they seemed mixed but for $369 with synthetic line and shipped I'm willing to give it a try.

Now I'm trying to decide on one of these:
Outdoor Logic

Shrockworks

 

[llennium]

After the nasty weather yesterday I talked the family into a road trip up to Jasper to eat at the Ozark Cafe and then head over to Ponca to see if the Elk were out. Surprisingly it snowed on us all day but was never bad enough to shorten our day.

Panorama of the Elk.

Water was flowing well after the rain.

And the poser shot.

 

[llennium]

Couple things I ordered came in today. Also, I'm hoping to have the Outdoor Logic front bumper ordered this week, time willing.

Weathertec floor mat. These things fit so nicely.

I grabbed this off a special sale I stumbled onto on T4R. It was a special offer on a Jeep forum for memebers. Engo 9000lb winch with Synthetic line for $369 shipped, thought is was worth the chance at that price.

 

[Kurtis]

I know exactly what you mean, I have always wanted to do this but could never make myself spend the money. After looking through some of the car audio forums I found that some people were using roofing repair material. After debating for sometime what the ill effects might be I decided to give it a try (during the summer) on the drivers door. After several weeks and no issues I completed the rest of the doors and could really tell a difference in the decrease of road noise. since this made such an improvement I have plans to complete the entire cabin area but it will be one section at a time.

This stuff is a rubberized asphalt with an aluminum backing. It's very easy to work with. I cleaned all areas with denatured alcohol before applying and have not had any issues. It runs around $16 bucks for 25 ft. It took 4 rolls to do all four doors the rear panels and the rear floor.
Quick roof waterproof repair

I did the same thing in my old 1994 Toyota Pickup. I had 36" Super Swamper TSL on it. I also used roof repair material. It worked great for me. I am planning on doing it to the wife's car when I get a chance.

 

[llennium]

Kurtis,
Thanks for the input. So far I'm very satisfied with the results. I still need to finish the front but can tell a huge difference in the noise volume of the cabin. I'm undecided on pulling the headliner and doing that also.

 

[llennium]

Saturday I tackled the UBJ/LBJ/outer tierod with a buddy of mine at his home shop. I must say, I expected the upper ball joint to be difficult but dang what a pain in the butt it was. Without having a press this take a little imaginative thinking to get it out and the new one in. Several tools were sacrificed during the day to get this work done. Looked like the inner tie rods were still pretty solid so I should be good for sometime now. Front end feels solid but still needs an alignment. No pics were taken simply due to me wanting to get this completed. I will throw in a pic of my buddies shop, if I had this I would never go in the house. I'm not sure the sq. ft. but as you can see it has plenty room, heated/cooled/with bathroom and shower.

 

[white_n_slow]

Nice work so far. Thanks for the Home Depot sound deadening, that is definitely on my to-do list.

 

[llennium]

Nice work so far. Thanks for the Home Depot sound deadening, that is definitely on my to-do list.

Thank, glad to help out. Let me know how it works out.

 

[llennium]

After all the work on the front suspension I took the Runner in Friday for alignment. My gut told me this wouldn't go well and it was spot on. The only thing I didn't replace was the inner tie rods and it looks like they were bad also. I replaced them this afternoon and will be heading to the shop tomorrow for the alignment. Unfortunately, during this work I had a wheel stud break when putting the tires back on so this will be on the list for near future repairs. :doh:

On a positive note I got to spend some time in the National Forest Saturday. I will get some pics up later once uploaded.

 

[llennium]

I have been emailing with Outdoor logic about a front bumper. Looks like they have put a permanent hold on any new bumpers. I didn't get much of an explanation other than they were not taking any new orders.

Looks like the search is on for a different model bumper.

 

[llennium]

Finally got the Runner aligned today and drives like a new one after basically replacing the entire front suspension. It was well worth the money and time for the overall improvement.

Here are a few pics from my recent trip to the Ouachita National Forest with my son and [MENTION=67046]KMAYO[/MENTION].

 

[llennium]

The mild build of the Runner won't be moving forward. My daughter turned 16 this year and this promoted her to the official chauffeur to and from school. She may also have a part time job in the afternoons to earn some extra cash. having said this means she needs something to drive.

She expressed interest in a 4Runner (mine) so the search began for something similar, 3rd gen. Those I had to choose from locally were either in rough condition or asking to much. I stumbled on a 2004 4th Gen that was local and had been traded in. I contacted the used lot before they had time to perform any maintenance and was able to grab it and will be performing the work myself. This means the 3rd Gen will remain in the family and handed down to my daughter. I've got two years before my son is ready to drive and I'm sure it will be his first car also.

Poor photo from the lots website.


I'll be spending the next couple weeks pulling certain hardware from the 3rd Gen and stripping the 4th Gen.

Once I decide where I want to go with the '04 I'll start a build thread for it. :thumb3: