I have the Gibson and the V8. It has a nice purring rumble at 60-80 mph, nothing terrible. I don't ever feel like this system has any drone personally. I'm curious as to how it will sound once I can buy the headers and get rid of the cats. (all 4 of them!)
BigNuge's 2003 T4R Build Thread
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I have the Gibson and the V8. It has a nice purring rumble at 60-80 mph, nothing terrible. I don't ever feel like this system has any drone personally. I'm curious as to how it will sound once I can buy the headers and get rid of the cats. (all 4 of them!)
BigNuge
New member
So I'm not sure what everyone else is talking about when they say there is "no drone".
Its not horrific, but there for sure. Its worst between 1800-2100 RPM, which equates to 65-70 cruising speed...which sucks because thats where I live while on the highway.
My wife takes it to work for the first time tomorrow, I'm anticipating complaints.
The source of the drone is definitely the exit point, I wonder if there is anything I can do to reduce it?? I don't want to have to replace this with some old fart, dead quiet exhaust...but this is my wife Winter car, can have her pissing & moaning about it all Winter.
I'll say this, if guys think this has "no drone" I'd hate to hear what they consider "drone". Given this level of drone, I am officially scraping my plans for a Flowmaster 50 system on my Tundra. Gonna keep that thing old man quiet. I can see that power drone driving me nuts during long haul tows with my camper.
Its not horrific, but there for sure. Its worst between 1800-2100 RPM, which equates to 65-70 cruising speed...which sucks because thats where I live while on the highway.
My wife takes it to work for the first time tomorrow, I'm anticipating complaints.
The source of the drone is definitely the exit point, I wonder if there is anything I can do to reduce it?? I don't want to have to replace this with some old fart, dead quiet exhaust...but this is my wife Winter car, can have her pissing & moaning about it all Winter.
I'll say this, if guys think this has "no drone" I'd hate to hear what they consider "drone". Given this level of drone, I am officially scraping my plans for a Flowmaster 50 system on my Tundra. Gonna keep that thing old man quiet. I can see that power drone driving me nuts during long haul tows with my camper.
Honestly with the stereo on it the only time I can hear it is on hills or taking off. I find it very mellow and soothing really. It also let's me know what's going on with the engine rpm's without having to look at the tach. You wanna hear drone, my old 02 Mazda Protege' with a 3" tuner muffler had drone! That thing would drive you insane no matter how loud you turned up the radio! Lol. I don't count hearing the exhaust as drone, I consider it mandatory.
arty:
BigNuge
New member
**Update**
We have put about 350 miles on the new exhaust. I'm happy to report the drone has been reduced significantly! I'm not sure why, but it is much better inside the cabin. I can still hear it, but it's just right interns of nice deep sound and mellow rumble.
I hope turning it to the side doesn't ruin the improvement...lol
We have put about 350 miles on the new exhaust. I'm happy to report the drone has been reduced significantly! I'm not sure why, but it is much better inside the cabin. I can still hear it, but it's just right interns of nice deep sound and mellow rumble.
I hope turning it to the side doesn't ruin the improvement...lol
BigNuge
New member
**Update**
The Gibson exhaust lasted 3 years...it’s rotted out. Granted, I did not get the SS version. That said, it should have lasted longer than 3 years.
I’m replacing it with a cheap system. The 03 is on her last legs, and I only expect to have it for one more year.
Such a shame too....the thing runs and drives fantastic. 172k on it now, and it runs and drives awesome. The frame is the problem, and it’s in bad shape.
Hope everyone is doing ok!
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The Gibson exhaust lasted 3 years...it’s rotted out. Granted, I did not get the SS version. That said, it should have lasted longer than 3 years.
I’m replacing it with a cheap system. The 03 is on her last legs, and I only expect to have it for one more year.
Such a shame too....the thing runs and drives fantastic. 172k on it now, and it runs and drives awesome. The frame is the problem, and it’s in bad shape.
Hope everyone is doing ok!
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BigNuge
New member
Another update on my 03.
Frame is beginning to fail. I recently had it on the lift for brake work. While looking it over from underneath I noticed an ugly area on the frame, under the passenger side rail. Took the hammer to it....not good.
Also found a bad area on top of the front frame rail section (both sides).
Got to work on it today. I have some 3/16” for making repairs. I started by cutting away the bad until I got to solid material.
That’s it for today. Pats are on, and it’s been a long weekend already.
I will report back when I start welding in the repair.
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Frame is beginning to fail. I recently had it on the lift for brake work. While looking it over from underneath I noticed an ugly area on the frame, under the passenger side rail. Took the hammer to it....not good.
Also found a bad area on top of the front frame rail section (both sides).
Got to work on it today. I have some 3/16” for making repairs. I started by cutting away the bad until I got to solid material.
That’s it for today. Pats are on, and it’s been a long weekend already.
I will report back when I start welding in the repair.
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mjotrainbrain
New member
Looks pretty gnarly! A tad worse than mine. I don't have welding skills or equipment, so I think in a year or two I'm going to just swap the frame, and try to keep it from getting worse in the meantime.
BigNuge
New member
Yeah, it’s not good for sure.
If a frame swap wasn’t an unimaginable PITA project I’d consider it.
What I’m really hoping for is Toyota steps up and does something for us. They recalled all their COF vehicles of this vintage, save for the T4R for some crazy reason. The NHTSA has opened and investigation into these frames (August of 2018). I hope something comes of it!
Till then, I’ll keep patching this up for a while longer. It would be great if I can get till spring....we shall see.
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If a frame swap wasn’t an unimaginable PITA project I’d consider it.
What I’m really hoping for is Toyota steps up and does something for us. They recalled all their COF vehicles of this vintage, save for the T4R for some crazy reason. The NHTSA has opened and investigation into these frames (August of 2018). I hope something comes of it!
Till then, I’ll keep patching this up for a while longer. It would be great if I can get till spring....we shall see.
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BigNuge
New member
Got some time to continue the frame work tonight. Unfortunately my Lincoln MIG died half way through welding out. Got this section all pieced out and racked up though.
The welder crapped out just as the wife finished dinner....I took that as a sign to stop for the night. I will poke around with the welder a bit tomorrow, hope I can get it back up. If not, I’ll be looking at a new MIG machine...just not looking to drop that much money on a welder right now.
Anyway, stay safe out there. I’ll check back in when I make more progress.
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The welder crapped out just as the wife finished dinner....I took that as a sign to stop for the night. I will poke around with the welder a bit tomorrow, hope I can get it back up. If not, I’ll be looking at a new MIG machine...just not looking to drop that much money on a welder right now.
Anyway, stay safe out there. I’ll check back in when I make more progress.
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Dubbs_Malone
New member
That limited is awesome looking.
BigNuge
New member
Well, the 4Runner is gone. I got $3,500 on it for trade towards a new commuter car for me.
I’ll say this about the 4Runner, it never let me down. Not one mechanical breakdown, never left me stranded. If it weren’t for the frame rot I would have never let it go!
I ended up finding a great deal on a 2010 Lexus RX 350 for the wife (she absolutely loves it).
I will be lurking on here from time to time. You just never know when I might be back into a T4R!
Stay safe everybody!
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I’ll say this about the 4Runner, it never let me down. Not one mechanical breakdown, never left me stranded. If it weren’t for the frame rot I would have never let it go!
I ended up finding a great deal on a 2010 Lexus RX 350 for the wife (she absolutely loves it).
I will be lurking on here from time to time. You just never know when I might be back into a T4R!
Stay safe everybody!
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BigNuge
New member
Howdy folks, back for more Toyota fun....
I’ll be starting a new thread, but a quick summary:
Got into a 2002 Sequoia Limited. These Gen1 Sequoias are basically a T4RXL, I love it! I found one that had the frame replaced in 2013, so it still looks great! Needs body work, rockers were toast, I’m lifting it (3”), 33’s, and doing all major maintenance.
One thing I need (actually 2...lol), both front knuckles. The originals are rusty/crusty, and I’m not fighting with the damn speed sensors or broken bolts on them anymore. If anyone is parting out a low/no rust southern T4R please let me know. The Gen1 Sequoia shares a lot of front suspension components with the 4th Gen T4R.
Hope everyone is doing well!
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I’ll be starting a new thread, but a quick summary:
Got into a 2002 Sequoia Limited. These Gen1 Sequoias are basically a T4RXL, I love it! I found one that had the frame replaced in 2013, so it still looks great! Needs body work, rockers were toast, I’m lifting it (3”), 33’s, and doing all major maintenance.
One thing I need (actually 2...lol), both front knuckles. The originals are rusty/crusty, and I’m not fighting with the damn speed sensors or broken bolts on them anymore. If anyone is parting out a low/no rust southern T4R please let me know. The Gen1 Sequoia shares a lot of front suspension components with the 4th Gen T4R.
Hope everyone is doing well!
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BigNuge
New member
Thanks....Can’t wait to start wheeling it, and not just wrench it[emoji1787]
Almost there. Rocker work and then I’m done (for now)....
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montijo505
Senior Member
Getting there.....
I call it my 4Runner XL [emoji1787][emoji1787]
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This thing is badass! Especially like the wheels. Not a fan of those style wheels on the 4R or taco, but they look good on the Sequoia!
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BigNuge
New member
You know, I skipped right over these wheels at first. But after a fitment issue with my first pick I went with these as a replacement, and I’m glad I did! I like them a lot, they really go with the rig.
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