3 ques. horn replacement, engine sound, front end noise

[mcg6637]

I hate post so many questions but I'd like opinions on all if possible. 2010 4runner Ltd
1. I want to replace the horn with one that sounds less like a Prius screeching and more like a real truck horn. Where is the existing horn located? Any suggestions for aftermarket horns?
2. At idle, my engine sounds like a small diesel to me. Nothing sounds wrong and no service guy seems to be able to hear it when I leave it. Do others sound this way?
3. Whenever I back out and then move forward, I hear (on the drivers side engine area) what sounds like a bracket or cable moving. Nothing radical, nothing that sounds bad just a noise. Again, so far no service guy has either heard it or taken the time to look for it. Has anybody else had this condition.
18000 miles since last April and so far it's the best SUV I've ever had. (not all that thrilled with the gas mileage compared with my last '99 Jeep Grand Cherokee 8 cyl. but then it's better in every other way!)

 

[Jesse1983]

welcome to T4R. Please make yourself familiar with the threads at the top of the page, specifically:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/59485-modifications-write-ups-quick-links.html

there you will find many DIY mods, including replacing the wimpy horn.

personally I don't have either of your other two issues.

 

[mikey's2010SR5]

2. At idle, my engine sounds like a small diesel to me. Nothing sounds wrong and no service guy seems to be able to hear it when I leave it. Do others sound this way?

Not a diesel, thats the lovely dual VVTI at work my friend. I love the mechanical sound of this engine its nice.

 

[blademan]

I replaced my horn with a aftermarket Wolo from Advanced Autoparts - $30, easy. It is under the plastic cover at the radiator area. The mod link posted here is great.

I too have heard what you describe as a cable clicking. The Toyota dealer tells me that it is the traction control. It only happens when is is sensing a direction change. My '07 T4r started doing that when I put larger tires on it. My '10 TE does it to, it has 265/70r17 BFG AT's. I think they are slightly larger than stock OE tires so I expect it is the same noise. Nothing to worry about I was told.

 

[adoihcj]

I hate post so many questions but I'd like opinions on all if possible. 2010 4runner Ltd
1. I want to replace the horn with one that sounds less like a Prius screeching and more like a real truck horn. Where is the existing horn located? Any suggestions for aftermarket horns?
2. At idle, my engine sounds like a small diesel to me. Nothing sounds wrong and no service guy seems to be able to hear it when I leave it. Do others sound this way?
3. Whenever I back out and then move forward, I hear (on the drivers side engine area) what sounds like a bracket or cable moving. Nothing radical, nothing that sounds bad just a noise. Again, so far no service guy has either heard it or taken the time to look for it. Has anybody else had this condition.
18000 miles since last April and so far it's the best SUV I've ever had. (not all that thrilled with the gas mileage compared with my last '99 Jeep Grand Cherokee 8 cyl. but then it's better in every other way!)

Here are comments to each of your questions:

1. I replaced the horn in mine using the mod thread which was reposted and the instructions are very helpful. I'm not mechanical at all, and this was a very simple modification.

2. The "diesel" sound has been explained by Harper7 in another post. Yes, it does sound like a diesel, and I actually like this. I think it has something to do with the cam shaft(s).

3. The sound you are hearing is the traction control/anti-lock brakes. It means that you are NOT coming to a complete stop before moving from reverse to drive. You should always wait until you come to a complete stop in reverse before placing it in drive.

 

[westwind77]

3. Whenever I back out and then move forward, I hear (on the drivers side engine area) what sounds like a bracket or cable moving. Nothing radical, nothing that sounds bad just a noise.

I have a feeling you are hearing a series of fast low 'clicks'. Happens to me every morning when I back out of the garage, it is normal. It is one of the systems doing its 'check'. It has been mentioned on here a number of times.

As stated before though, if you are still rolling backward and shift to D it will trip the TRAC system. Easy way to tell is to look at the dash when this happens, if the TRAC light flashes then you are tripping that system by not stopping fully. If no light flashes than it is the self-check.

 

[mcg6637]

1 further question

Many thanks for the help, especially with the noise situation. I always hate to assume so confirmation is good.

Last question. I'm going to buy the OEM running boards this afternoon because I like their looks better than any other I've found. Here's my assumption again. Don't they just mount using the three brackets that are now holding the lower rocker panel on? Dealer wants $150 to install them and I can't believe that even a "modest handyman" such as myself can't do that.

 

[nashman69g]

Very easy to install the running boards. I think they come with instructions. IIRC they do mount to the same points as the rocker panels.

 

[ktogun]

Get the deezee running boards, i think i have them in my album, more step area and cheaper. They have them at ourdealsrock.com

Buy the AM80S by FIAMM, same ones in an f150 and aka el grande. You can get them at a junkyard or napa

 

[Johnny Utah]

Get the deezee running boards, i think i have them in my album, more step area and cheaper. They have them at ourdealsrock.com

Buy the AM80S by FIAMM, same ones in an f150 and aka el grande. You can get them at a junkyard or napa

hey KT can you post a link to your album? or post your deezee pics? I can't find your photo album, but, i did find the thread that showed off the deezee witch the runner in it. I guess i was hoping for a pic that showed the 4runner from afar so i can see what the entire truck looks like with the running boards