Alex9000's First T4R

[RodrickHeffley]

Dude I never saw this post, thank you! I'll have to check it out. I think the steering rack is definitely leaking but could be more than one source. I ordered a new rack seal kit.

I went and took it for the out of province inspection and they came back with:
- muffler is rusted through and the tailpipe flange is cooked
- RHS outer tie rod end needs replacing, and they're saying the steering knuckle needs replacing.
- need new tires.
- High mount brake light and "front side marker lamps"... wtf are these? Also, they quoted me $125CAD to replace these bulbs LOL

About $1000CAD worth of stuff, which isn't too bad. That would bring the total cost to about $5600 USD for a great 3rd gen :thumb:

Lights are your third brake light and your running lights that are next to the headlights, you can get bulbs for those for under 30CAD.

For tires, try finding a set of OEM takeoff rims and tires from a 5th gen or 3rd gen taco, you can get either for under 800CAD, best place to look is FB marketplace

 

[thezentree]

Dude I never saw this post, thank you! I'll have to check it out. I think the steering rack is definitely leaking but could be more than one source. I ordered a new rack seal kit.

I went and took it for the out of province inspection and they came back with:
- muffler is rusted through and the tailpipe flange is cooked
- RHS outer tie rod end needs replacing, and they're saying the steering knuckle needs replacing.
- need new tires.
- High mount brake light and "front side marker lamps"... wtf are these? Also, they quoted me $125CAD to replace these bulbs LOL

About $1000CAD worth of stuff, which isn't too bad. That would bring the total cost to about $5600 USD for a great 3rd gen :thumb:

That looks a lot like a valve cover leak. Oil runs down the heads, down the back of the block, and you can see it dripping off the bellhousing and onto the steering rack in that last picture.

 

[alex9000]

Lights are your third brake light and your running lights that are next to the headlights, you can get bulbs for those for under 30CAD.

For tires, try finding a set of OEM takeoff rims and tires from a 5th gen or 3rd gen taco, you can get either for under 800CAD, best place to look is FB marketplace

Done the lights and am leaning towards a set of 8-hole wheels and tires from an FJ cruiser. They're asking $500CAD. So now I'm on to the search for a cheap muffler replacement. Any suggestions?

 

[RodrickHeffley]

Done the lights and am leaning towards a set of 8-hole wheels and tires from an FJ cruiser. They're asking $500CAD. So now I'm on to the search for a cheap muffler replacement. Any suggestions?

I wouldn't know where to start with that, mine's got a massive gaping hole in it as well.

I saw a thread on here a few days ago about someone asking for muffler suggestions for 2023, maybe look there?

 

[alex9000]

I wouldn't know where to start with that, mine's got a massive gaping hole in it as well.

I saw a thread on here a few days ago about someone asking for muffler suggestions for 2023, maybe look there?

I ended up picking up a direct fit Walker cat back for $190CAD [142USD] from a local parts dealer that had a sale on.

I also got a rack and pinion seal kit in the event that the inspection called my power steering leak. They didn't, so I'll stick this in the drawer until I lose power steering in the middle of no where and remember it.

 

[96RedRunner]

Did you purchase the Walker Quiet-flow SS muffler? It has a nice sound a bit louder than stock.
Walker known for bad QC at the flanges. I had to cut off excess pipe for flanges to seat and seal
using one gasket. I'd do a trial fit of sections before installing.

 

[alex9000]

Did you purchase the Walker Quiet-flow SS muffler? It has a nice sound a bit louder than stock.
Walker known for bad QC at the flanges. I had to cut off excess pipe for flanges to seat and seal
using one gasket. I'd do a trial fit of sections before installing.

I dont think this is the quiet-flow but not sure. Just wanting to pass this inspection and get on the road. For less than $200, I'll deal with any issues in the future...

My current set up is welded on at the catalytic converter, so i'm probably going to chop off the flange anyway

 

[96RedRunner]

I dont think this is the quiet-flow but not sure. Just wanting to pass this inspection and get on the road. For less than $200, I'll deal with any issues in the future...

My current set up is welded on at the catalytic converter, so i'm probably going to chop off the flange anyway

There ya go! tail pipe to muff same.

 

[alex9000]

Picked up the wheels, exhaust, and both outer tie rod ends. Was also being driven insane by my dad's garage so I got some pegboards :guitar2:

 

[alex9000]

Out with the old, in with the new. Sawed out the old exhaust, the tail pipe end flange is completely shot. Luckily the cat end slides nicely together. Will probably use a clamp on that end and maybe one on the tailpipe end, but it seems a bit of a loose fit.

Also got the new wheels on, they look pretty good

 

[thezentree]

Those are OLD tires, keep an eye on them for signs that they're coming apart.

 

[alex9000]

Those are OLD tires, keep an eye on them for signs that they're coming apart.

Yeah I ended up needing new ones for the inspection lol. Oh well, got some cool wheels.

I also installed an in line radiator hose heater yesterday because Alberta. It's only 350W but it was getting pretty hot last night when I tested it. Today it's 3F outside and will get down to -24F mid week so we'll see how she goes.

 

[alex9000]

Installed this 1.25" in line coolant heater - although the lower rad hose internal diameter is 1 3/8"... I used high temp RTV and tightened the clamps quite tight. Around 0F today and it turned over with 2 cranks so I'm pretty happy with it

 

[phattyduck]

I also installed an in line radiator hose heater yesterday because Alberta. It's only 350W but it was getting pretty hot last night when I tested it. Today it's 3F outside and will get down to -24F mid week so we'll see how she goes.

How does this work with a closed thermostat? Doesn't seem like you could get much flow through the engine/rad. It seems like you could do something like that on the heater hoses or bypass hoses though.

-Charlie

 

[Texas3rdgen]

Nice ride. I've been looking for a project 3rd gen and have noticed the prices coming down for the last 6 month.

 

[alex9000]

How does this work with a closed thermostat? Doesn't seem like you could get much flow through the engine/rad. It seems like you could do something like that on the heater hoses or bypass hoses though.

-Charlie

This is kind of what I was wondering about... So the thermostat shuts w/ engine off? I could re-locate it to a better location if that's the case

 

[Bad Luck]

This is kind of what I was wondering about... So the thermostat shuts w/ engine off? I could re-locate it to a better location if that's the case

Thermostat opens when the coolant on the engine side of the thermostat gets hot enough.

 

[clearock]

This is kind of what I was wondering about... So the thermostat shuts w/ engine off? I could re-locate it to a better location if that's the case

Like [MENTION=319302]Bad Luck[/MENTION] said, I've had one installed for yrs in the same location without issue.

 

[phattyduck]

Like [MENTION=319302]Bad Luck[/MENTION] said, I've had one installed for yrs in the same location without issue.

It definitely won't cause an issue - I just wonder how effective it can be on the radiator side of the cooling system. It seems like one of the smaller units designed for 5/8" hose (heater hose) plumbed carefully would work better.

-Charlie

 

[alex9000]

Next step... Installing the remote start. No immobilizer so it should be pretty straight forward...right