Back in Black: 97 4runner SR5

[cek77]

Sorry, only pic so far. Right when I got home. I hope to get into it this weekend and start some work fixing it up.

207k, runs and shifts fine, AC is cold. From the ride home it needs new muffler and has a soft brake pedal. The PO said the emergency brake is not working so I'll check into the cables and moving parts on that. I'm guessing that's why the rear brakes are giving me a soft pedal. Must be out of adjustment. Needs some tires on the front but really drove well. Got it for a good price.

Previously had another '97 and just recently had an '06:

Loved the '97 but moved on to a few other cars, ended up with the '06 Sport and was really impressed by it. Only sold it because someone destroyed my car ('01 Golf TDI) on the turnpike and didn't want 2 car payments. Planning on putting some time into cleaning and fixing this up to be used as my second car.

I'll be back when I have some real pics to share.

 

[Hesk11dog]

Its hard to tell but it looks like you might have some of the famous 3rd gen rear sag problem going on. :der: Its awesome to see one untouched and watch the changes happen.

 

[cek77]

Took a few before pics yesterday. Pollen covered and who knows when it was last washed. Did my emergency brake cable. Have two young kids so its slow going right now. If I had a full weekend free I could probably get this truck clean and maintenance caught up. But I don't.....

Brake inspection/flush next then drop it off at the shop for inspection and muffler/tale pipe replacement.

Anyway, here are pics. Basically how I got it. I took off roof rack(for now) to make cleaning easier and the center console is up so I can do E-brake.

 

[cek77]

I have WTB's out trying to track down that pesky SR5 mudguard for the driver side. I ordered them back in 2010 with my old '97. Been away from 3rd gens for 4 years and now discontinued.

Also the front little piece for the roof rack and screw. Without that screw can water get in?

Hopefully classifieds will come through for me.

 

[cek77]

Today was the start of some general maintenance. I want to get this truck safely on the road again. Started off with a brake fluid flush. First time using a motive bleeder. Old stuff was nasty. Front bleeders where stuck. A little PB and a double wrench and they let loose.

PCV and grommet. Old grommet broke up upon removal. Was able to get the chunks with needle nose pliers.

Had to drill out a license plate bolt and tap the hole to get my plate on.

Finally gave it a Palmolive bath to get it clean and will use some cleaner wax to bring back the shine. I only use Palmolive to get everything off. I use car wash soap normally. Mother's cleaner wax has worked wonders for me on lots of different cars.

Air filter done. Plan on MAF clean and throttle body tomorrow. May just hit the plugs and wires since I'll have some stuff out of the way.

 

[cek77]

Big day for the '97. Getting its PA inspection. Having the shop install the new Walker muffler and tail pipe today. I don't have access to torches at home and the old nuts looked terrible. After a bunch of recommendations here I ordered the Walker Quiet-flow SS kit from Rockauto. Only weird issue is the exhaust arrives with no box. My neighbor had quite a laugh watching the mailman pull out the muffler and then tail pipe out of his mail truck.

Already have some tires picked out at a local tire shop even if they pass. I figure some decent rated A/T's in case I want to head up to Rausch Creek when I get the maintenance buttoned down. Still have to decide white letters or out or not. I like it both ways.

Looking forward to getting this on the road. Still need to do a major interior clean.

 

[GHARP57]

Also the front little piece for the roof rack and screw. Without that screw can water get in?

Hopefully classifieds will come through for me.

From Toyota the part is 11.18 plus tax for the end cap. The screw kit lists for 8.22 plus tax and you would have all new screws for the whole thing.

 

[cek77]

From Toyota the part is 11.18 plus tax for the end cap. The screw kit lists for 8.22 plus tax and you would have all new screws for the whole thing.

Great. Do you know the part # for them? Or where I can look it up?

 

[cek77]

Got it back, passenger rear axle is leaking. It didn't stick at all and there is no out of drum leak so I thought it might be dry in there. I had to replace one (seal and bearings) on my old '97 so I knew this flaw but there was a record of it being replaced 40k miles ago. I'm going to pull the axle and hope its just the seal. We shall see. Hopefully Toyota has it (seal 9031050006) in stock so I can pick it up tomorrow and get to work on it this weekend.

For reference, Here is the record of parts for a complete bearing and seal job from the my toyota site:

SHOE KIT, BRAKE, RR 0449535230 1
NON CHLOR BRAKE CLNR 002892BC00CA 1
RING, SHAFT SNAP 9052036045 1
RETAINER, RR AXLE BE 4242320010 2
BEARING,BAL,40,90,K 903634002077 1
RING, O 9030188077 1
CASE, RR AXLE BEARIN 4242135030 1
SEAL, TYPE K OIL 9031348001 1
GASKET, BRAKE OIL DE 4244355020 1
BOLT, SERRATION 9011410002 4
SEAL, TYPE K OIL 9031354001 1
BEARING, RADIAL BALL 9036340068 1
ROTOR, SKID CONTROL, 4351735010 1
SEAL, TYPE S OIL 9031050006 1

Besides that just a front sway bar end link (I'll replace both) and a Sway bar bushing bolt is broken on the passenger side so I'll go ahead and replace the bushings. Lots to do!

 

[GHARP57]

Great. Do you know the part # for them? Or where I can look it up?

00278-35968 cap

00278-96010 screw kit

I just checked, parts are still available in the Toyota warehouses. If you are in PA I do not know if your local store pulls from the Baltimore PDC or the NY PDC. Should only take a day or 2 to get in if you order from your local dealership. Maybe ask for 10 or 15% off on the parts the numbers I gave you are Toyota MSRP if they tell you anything higher it is a price matrix they are running.

 

[cek77]

00278-35968 cap

00278-96010 screw kit

Awesome! Ordering now. Total for both parts: $14.23 Conicelli Toyota is not to far from me (ToyotaPartsNet.com). Hopefully they have the stuff in stock.

 

[GHARP57]

Awesome! Ordering now. Total for both parts: $14.23 Conicelli Toyota is not to far from me (ToyotaPartsNet.com). Hopefully they have the stuff in stock.

Sweet! glad I could help you out!!

 

[GHARP57]

Wanted to see if the parts I looked up were correct for you?

 

[cek77]

I'll find out tomorrow. Going to the dealer for a big parts pickup in the morning. Mostly small stuff. I'll post a pic when I get it on.

Did the rear axle seal and new brake shoes last weekend.

Plugs/wires/TB clean/MAF clean/front sway bar links and bushings lined up for this weekend.

 

[GHARP57]

I'll find out tomorrow. Going to the dealer for a big parts pickup in the morning. Mostly small stuff. I'll post a pic when I get it on.

Did the rear axle seal and new brake shoes last weekend.

Plugs/wires/TB clean/MAF clean/front sway bar links and bushings lined up for this weekend.

Awesome! Have fun! Are you getting the plenum gaskets as well when you do the plugs?

 

[cek77]

Wanted to see if the parts I looked up were correct for you?

Parts where correct. Thanks again, I didn't install yet because I might paint all my trim up there. It's all faded from the sun.

Big weekend for maintenance. First hit the dealer (ordered online for discount).

Got another box from Amazon of parts and got to work. Friday night plugs and wires.

Old plugs:

New wires routed nicely. Not a fan of the blue but I can deal with it.

This plug wire diagram helped me make sure all the clips where in the right places and wires where run with clearance.

Cleaned MAF:

Finished with front sway bar links, new sway bar brackets/nuts/bolts from Toyota (there is a left and right side difference) and poly sway bar bushings. Had to dremel off the one sway bar link. The bolts for the sway bar bushing brackets broke upon removal so it was good I spent a few extra dollars and got new pieces.

Yes, you can order the little plastic elbows for the windshield washers. Had to replace some hose and the one elbow and I can now clean my front windows.

Next thing to do is clean the Throttle body.

Buttoned the truck up quick to get it to the inspection station last night. Should pass no problem. Once I get it back from inspection I'll get some new tires. Not sure if 265/70/16 or the bigger 265/75/16. No lift in the plans but you never now.

 

[GHARP57]

Glad I could help!!!

 

[cek77]

New tires: General Grabber AT2. Lots of decent reviews and a solid price. $640 installed. Went with 265 70 16. I like the stock height fit. Probably won't be adding a lift so these should work out nicely.

Cleaned the throttle body.
before:

after:

Pulled the ecu relay so I'll give it a good run tomorrow and see how all this tune-up/maintenance has worked out.

 

[1moreToy4me]

Nice rig, nice work.
Love to see fellow men working on their trucks.
Gives me hope for the future.

 

[cek77]

Nice rig, nice work.
Love to see fellow men working on their trucks.
Gives me hope for the future.

Thanks man. I know this thread doesn't excite as much as lifts, lights, and bumpers but these threads keep me interested.

So in my slow refurb I took care of a CEL with a quick change of the O2. Ordered Denso from Amazon. I also picked up a BT Obd reader and purchased torque app. Very nice products. 97s don't share a ton of info. But the code reader is worth it. So no CEL return yet.

Next replaced the power antenna mast with a new Toyota unit. Easy job. Teeth face forward on a 97 when inserting. Here is the unit out.

About $53 for the new mast.

I will actually be putting some miles on it soon. Summer comes and my main ride sits and this becomes my family hauler and Lowe's go getter while I'm redoing my kitchen.
Maybe try a little offroad.

Ordering a new Radiator next. I ordered a Koyo for my old one 5 years ago. Probably go that route again.