100K, Milkshake Averted, Airbags and Transmission Pan

[RunninOnBlue]

So a bunch of stuff has been happening to my ride in the last couple weeks. I did a quick transmission flush and fill with crappy results. As I was tightening the pan bolt I noobed it and cross threaded the bolt. I was using a torque wrench and didn't feel the tell-tale resistance. :bash: So I backed the bolt up and tried again. It wasn't happening. It still dripped fluid. I was at home alone and had to meet someone in 3 hours. So I drained the pan, used some rtv gasket crap on it and put the (now) cross-threaded crap bolt back. It sorta worked. It dripped only a drop or two every day.

So fast forward to this week:
I was putting in some AirLift airbags and a B&M 70268 cooler and decided to fix the pan. I fought with the RTV seal for 25 minutes to get the pan off and swore that I'd never do it again. So I bought the transmission pan gasket for $6 and wish I had done that on day 1.
I pulled the pan off thought that I would have to install a transmission pan drain. ACDelco 24234212 Automatic Transmission Fluid Pan Drain Plug Assembly But I lucked out and was able to re-tap the threads and use a new drain bolt.:naughty: This made me very happy because there are no guarantees with mods. I cleaned the magnets and pan and installed it. I tested it and it didn't leak.

I then put in the Airlift 1000 airbags.

 

[RunninOnBlue]

Here are some pics from the 70268 install and reaching 100k (on the highway)

I hope to have her for 100k more.:trophy:

 

[RunninOnBlue]

The airbags took about 2 hours to install. The above pic is with 20 psi in each. I test ran them and found 8 psi to be a good no-load pressure to maintain a comfortable ride.
The B&M 70268 transmission cooler install took me 4 hours but most was due to finding a good location for the cooler and double wrapping all hose in any rub spots. I put it near the middle of the radiator between the A/C compressor hose and the radiator. The hose clamps were a pain to get tightened. I'm 6' 8" and have large hands. The tight work area let me cursing and nicked up. But no milkshake for me.:cheers: Overall, it wasn't too bad and well worth the time and $110 it cost me for the cooler and airbags.

Let me know it you have any questions.

 

[quicksilvr]

Nice work! Two of the best mods first mods to your rig.

 

[LittleCaesar]

I always have loved that color blue. I also praise ya for the ingenious use of the unibit (well worth their weight in gold) for installing the air bags. Overall, very nice.

Being 6'8", do ya need the running boards? I am 5'7", and need mine to get into my 4runner or I would have to have a rocket up the wazoo to get in.

Now you just need to do a full tranny flush if it has not been done before.

 

[Smog-guy707]

wow that color is really nice i never seen one like that so clean











































and go niners

 

[RunninOnBlue]

Nice work! Two of the best mods first mods to your rig.

Thanks. Was it you that also stripped the drain bolt on your trans pan? (I thought I read that...)

Being 6'8", do ya need the running boards?

No, but I sometimes take my niece and nephew in my rig and they need them.

Now you just need to do a full tranny flush if it has not been done before.

Yeah. I did that when I first bought it w/72,000 miles. I wish I had used the transmission pan gasket then. It would have saved me a few hours of time and frustration. I hate the RTV stuff.

wow that color is really nice i never seen one like that so clean

:thanks:

and go niners

They're due...it's been quite a drought...:lol:

 

[88xtraSR5]

Off subject, but noticed the NGK plug wires... Those have to be the best dirrect replacement plug wires ever, was real surprised when I opened the box and installed them on my rig. Good job on the cooler, looks great.

 

[RunninOnBlue]

Off subject, but noticed the NGK plug wires... Those have to be the best dirrect replacement plug wires ever, was real surprised when I opened the box and installed them on my rig. Good job on the cooler, looks great.

Great replacement for 27 bucks.

 

[thor999]

+1 for those NGK plug wires! Nice looking ride! Try the deckplate mod next, you will love it.

 

[quicksilvr]

Thanks. Was it you that also stripped the drain bolt on your trans pan? (I thought I read that...)

Yes, but on a different 4runner, not my personal truck. I drilled and tapped the pan while it was still installed, and it worked fine. Just made sure I got all the metal shavings out with a magnet. Oh, and I didn't strip it myself....it was installed tweaked, and when I took it out to drain, I knew I was screwed, because it came out REAL hard.

 

[RunninOnBlue]

+1 for those NGK plug wires! Nice looking ride! Try the deckplate mod next, you will love it.

Thanks...she is due for a good detail and waxing before the 6+ months of fall and winter weather come to Seattle.:dammit:

Yep. Did the mod and I do like it...

You can barely see the top of the white deckplate on the pics of the grill/cooler mount.

I drilled and tapped the pan while it was still installed, and it worked fine. Just made sure I got all the metal shavings out with a magnet. Oh, and I didn't strip it myself....it was installed tweaked, and when I took it out to drain, I knew I was screwed, because it came out REAL hard.

Nice work. I screwed it up myself and didn't think that I'd be able to tap it. But once I pulled it off, the threads in the pan looked pretty good, so I gave it a try. I was happy to not have to pay $100 for a new pan or rig up a new drain plug.:bravo:

 

[BigFishAllDay]

I've always loved that color...

Just to inspire yourself a bit, you should check out this one:

Darren's 2002 SR5 Sport Edition (Stellar Blue Pearl) - YotaTech Forums

Who knows what could be? :artist2:

 

[RunninOnBlue]

I've always loved that color...

Just to inspire yourself a bit, you should check out this one:

Darren's 2002 SR5 Sport Edition (Stellar Blue Pearl) - YotaTech Forums

Who knows what could be? :artist2:

It's a nice rig for sure. I might considered going that route once I've retired her as a daily driver. It's just not practical for me now.:violin: