99' limited restoration project

wettRunner

wettRunner

New member
After searching long and hard, (twss) i've finally purchased a 4WD, 3.4L, 1999 4Runner limited, w/ 179,500 miles on it, rust free. The folder with service receipts was about 1" thick, and included a timing belt change, water pump, thermostat, valve cover gaskets, and more, so I expected a well maintained vehicle. Drove great on the test drive but I have developed a few issues in the one week of ownership.

ISSUES: (so far)

-TICKING/ KNOCKING

Symptom: At idle only & warm, there is a knocking/ ticking coming from the engine.
VIDEO: httphttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcFRWuvVHqY
VIDEO:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcWc0qHRROs

I suspect foul play in flexplate/ torque converter hardware. Toyota dealer said "rod knock" and that it will need a new engine..... (>$5,000)

-TURNED KEY & "CLICK" NO POWER

Symptom: Just as stated, this morning turned the key, "click", then no power to dash/ wouldn't turn over.

I suspect a bad contact, fuse, or wire connecting starter & battery.

ANY advice is welcome as I am not incredibly mechanically inclined, but i'd like to learn.


Plans include:
-Simply restoring the vehicle to stock/ OEM+ so I can have a reliable daily driver.
-Paint the trim/ wheels a matching metallic gun-metal silver. (professionally, not rattle can)
-LAST, a 3" lift, some A/T's, bumpers (painted same metallic silver as wheels/ trim), rear locker, and the list WILL go on for sure...

S30wLVk

Day 1, or maybe 2...
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Well I went home on my lunch break and found it was a loose terminal. I was able to pull it off w/o a wrench... unfortunately the bolt seems to be overtightened and seized. Plan on stopping at auto parts store otw home from work. Hopefully that fixes the no-start issue
 
If its not that, it could be the starter contacts. They usually wear out in the 150k - 200k+ mile range. Replacing the contacts is not hard, removing the starter is a PITA but it can be done.

Tim/Sean have a good video showing you how to do it. Check out their youtube channel (timmy the toolman).
 
I had a loose terminal connector for about 4 years and sometimes id have to jiggle it. I finally got around to putting a new one on and months later...no workie! my idiotic self didn't scrape the inside of the connector enough (paint) and it eventually corroded and wouldn't start. Trouble shot beyond this thinking that it can't be so simple, but it was.

Have also had to replace starter contacts. cheap and "easy," but also a PITA.
 
I like your plans. Any ideas for a rear bumper? I'm thinking shockers rear bumper for mine and looking for anyone's input
 
A buddy of mine had a 03' trd taco with ARB front and rear bumpers and it has always been a beautiful looking setup. So ideally ARB. (i'll probably have to deliver pizzas at night to pay for them:wof: )
 
Well I want to order a flexplate today, and i'd like to know how everyone's experience with purchasing one went?

NAPA is just a stones throw from my house, so it would be nice to get it from there. So has anyone gone with a plate from there?

I've read horror stories about aftermarket parts for these vehicles where people replace it 2-3 times before bitting the bullet and going oem.

I've had good luck with NAPA in the past with my Subaru, but just want to hear your thoughts on the topic.

Thanks
 
Also update on the battery connection*

It was simply a loose connection. Tightened it down to the specs of the hulk who tightened it before, and it runs fine for now.
 
Mchaz said:
Did you check the valve for the evap system as a possible source of the ticking? It is a little black box with a wire coming out of it connected to the vacuum lines located near the firewall on the driver's side of the engine compartment. Mine ticks very loudly at idle after the engine has warmed up.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/what-is-this-part-thats-ticking.326384/

Sent from my RS988 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I checked it over briefly whilst it was knocking, and it seems to be coming more from the rear/bottom end. Basically where the bell housing is. Take a look at the video I posted earlier in the thread.
 
So after getting the 4Runner up on a life and inspecting it the best I can, I have started making a list of things to tackle. I'll get the final copy up after I finish today's project.

On my way home from the shop where I checked out the undercarriage, it felt like a cylinder was misfiring. First assumption was sparkplug. CEL came on and read cylinder 6 mis...

D7OpppW.jpg


Stopped by NAPA otw home.

9cIjlYB.jpg


Spark plug gaskets looked fine, and no oil visible on plugs.

HfahGcp.jpg

Just a big ole' gap..
Replaced ALL spark plugs and they looked like this.

0zlKMmo.jpg



Guess what... didn't fix the issue. Trip to any open auto parts store is happening.
 
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