solsnowbarger
New member
P.S. Thanks for all the info on your spindle adventure, I'm sure it enlightened a lot of people on a possible trouble area that seems to get neglected.
BrianSD_42 Photo Journal Build Maintenance Thread
- Thread starter BrianSD_42
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BrianSD_42
New member
I used genuine Toyota ATF.
BrianSD_42
New member
They charge you 20-30% over Toyota MSRP for parts. Camelback Toyota Online Parts charges 20-25% UNDER MSRP.
I buy my Toyota parts from The Truck Shop in San Diego. James charges fair prices, unlike the local dealer.
:dancin:
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BrianSD_42
New member
Picked up a new (used) ECU from Ebay for $50. Going to install it next week before my trip to Sedona, AZ. I'm still getting these random misfire codes once in a while and everything else has checked out. The mechanic suggests swapping the computer since it is low cost. He didn't have a used one in stock so I ordered one on Ebay. It has a 30 day guarantee.
Also I dropped off my beat to sh$t skid plates to be powder-coated. Do you even offroad bro?
:lookout:
Also I dropped off my beat to sh$t skid plates to be powder-coated. Do you even offroad bro?
[MENTION=122900]AZBub[/MENTION] we will definitely be out there 3/31 to 4/5. I posted in the Southwest sub-forum. Hopefully I'll get a chance to meet up with some people.
:lookout:
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BrianSD_42
New member
Thank you all! I plan to keep the pictures coming, although I only take a few trips a year now.
I'm still fixing stuff from the death valley trip. There a bunch of little things I've been working on and will need to fix soon. My drivers side seat is partly broken, it feels like one side of the metal frame broke. I need to remove the whole seat, take the cushions off and see if it can be welded.
Today I finally got my PIAA headlights to function as full HID. The PIAAs now produce 5,500 LUM at 10 feet.
I did the HID conversion with my PIAAs a few months ago, converting them over to HID using a complete cheapo kit ($55) from DDM. I had nothing but problems with that kit. One of the bulbs didn't match the other side and the lighting was disappointing. I then decided to buy The Retrofit Source bulbs ($40+) and those wouldn't even fire up with with the DDM ballasts. So I waited then went and purchased pair of ballasts from TRS for $105 and now I'm up and running. I redid all the wiring and sealed it up real nice with electrical tape which took a lot longer than I thought it would but everything is good now.
:attention:
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BrianSD_42
New member
The wheels are Duplicolor Graphite. Here is the DIY thread I wrote.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...licolor-3rd-gen-wheel-painting-how-story.html
D Farms
New member
I HID swapped a pair of halogen kc day lighters, the output is amazing but one of them keeps shorting out on startup. I also used a cheapo kit and the problem is that the ballasts push through 23000 volts on start up, and the reflector bowl are metal so the electricity arcs to the bowl and never starts the bulb. the wire of the bulb is partially exposed and thats probably where its arcing from.
BrianSD_42
New member
I'm on the road to Sedona, AZ. Truck is fully loaded and freshly washed. I like to start my trips with the truck clean and end them covered in dirt.
Traffic on the 8E sucks.
Recently completed:
Fog lights HID upgrade from TRS. I tested these out last night and wow the TRS bulbs and ballast with the PIAA 520s are awesome. I'd say easily 4-5x the light output of the original fogs.
Freshly powder coated skid plate installed.
Oil changed.
Transmission fluid drained and filled (2 of 2).
ECU been replaced with the same exact model, purchased off EBAY. If you are going to do an ECU swap know that the part can be bought for as little as $50. When searching EBAY be sure to look for a listing with a Hollinder number. These listings are post of national database for used parts sales. I believe the more legit guys use this system. Cost to swap ECU: $40. So far it is running strong. Wish me luck!
The truck is packed with enough camping gear to make it through my 9 day trip.
Dinner Saturday: Halibut, broccoli and grilled corn.
Dinner Sunday: Tri-tip steak, grilled mushrooms, beans and beer.
Traffic on the 8E sucks.
Recently completed:
Fog lights HID upgrade from TRS. I tested these out last night and wow the TRS bulbs and ballast with the PIAA 520s are awesome. I'd say easily 4-5x the light output of the original fogs.
Freshly powder coated skid plate installed.
Oil changed.
Transmission fluid drained and filled (2 of 2).
ECU been replaced with the same exact model, purchased off EBAY. If you are going to do an ECU swap know that the part can be bought for as little as $50. When searching EBAY be sure to look for a listing with a Hollinder number. These listings are post of national database for used parts sales. I believe the more legit guys use this system. Cost to swap ECU: $40. So far it is running strong. Wish me luck!
The truck is packed with enough camping gear to make it through my 9 day trip.
Dinner Saturday: Halibut, broccoli and grilled corn.
Dinner Sunday: Tri-tip steak, grilled mushrooms, beans and beer.
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Jahmiroquai
Member
Hey man - was just browsing your thread and I really like what you've done with your truck.
I live in San Diego also and just picked up a '99 limited. Looking forward to meeting up with other local 4Runner owners to wrench & hit the trails
I live in San Diego also and just picked up a '99 limited. Looking forward to meeting up with other local 4Runner owners to wrench & hit the trails
BrianSD_42
New member
Thanks for the compliment! I'm down to meetup any time for trucks and coffee/beer.
Update on my 4Runner situation. It is with great sadness that I announce the near death of my 4Runner ENGINE which is currently on its last legs. I don't plan on getting rid of the truck but it won't be going anywhere noteworthy anytime soon.
As many of you may know I have had various check engine codes over the last 2 years. Usually it was just a single misfire code once every few months, then it started to happen once a week then most recently on every trip/drive, usually at idle and not ongoing. Well now it is running bad, missing (cel did not light up except once on the last drive) consistently and feels like crap. This all happened on my way to get it smogged on Tuesday. As you can guess, I still haven't passed smog lol.
Mechanic at The Truck Shop did a leak down test. Did not pass. I'll know more when I get back into town. He says it is the lower block, air is leaking around the rings and or the crank.
Personally I have no desire to overhaul the block on my engine. I would 1000x prefer to do what [MENTION=114863]4RunningDaily[/MENTION] did and find a quality lower mileage donor truck (as much as that is possible).
I get back into town Friday and I'll probably drive it home and let it sit in my driveway while I ponder over my options.
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4Running Daily
New member
That's super shitty. [MENTION=92884]snivilous[/MENTION] just had his motor go too. I've come to the conclusion that the 3.4l just isn't meant to be rebuilt. If they blow once they'll blow again. Which is dumb, because I know yours has lived a pretty easy life. You aren't one to be very hard on a motor.
Once you get back in town I highly suggest giving Jeff at Service Pros a call. He's the one that found me a low mileage motor so easily and replaced all the seals before swapping it in. His attention to detail is pretty awesome and you can definitely trust your truck with him.
Service Pros
(760) 744 0025
Once you get back in town I highly suggest giving Jeff at Service Pros a call. He's the one that found me a low mileage motor so easily and replaced all the seals before swapping it in. His attention to detail is pretty awesome and you can definitely trust your truck with him.
Service Pros
(760) 744 0025
BrianSD_42
New member
Thanks Conner. I'll definitely do that. I plan to drive it home and take the decision making process pretty slow then figure out my options.
I've definitely been good to my engine. I always change the oil at 5K, plenty of preventative maintenance and I don't redline it around town or anything. The heads went out at 199,800 and now the block is going out. Super bummed. At the same time I think that in the broader scope of automechanics, getting 240K miles out of V6 isn't exactly dying early.
I've definitely been good to my engine. I always change the oil at 5K, plenty of preventative maintenance and I don't redline it around town or anything. The heads went out at 199,800 and now the block is going out. Super bummed. At the same time I think that in the broader scope of automechanics, getting 240K miles out of V6 isn't exactly dying early.
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LittleCaesar
New member
I was having a good day until reading this. At least you have a positive outlook on it.
I'd be curious to what the culprit is. I thought you performed a compression test on it when trying to chase down the misfire at one time. Always run 5w-30?
From the looks of it Connor is sure enjoying his newer engine so I hope you follow suit.
I'd be curious to what the culprit is. I thought you performed a compression test on it when trying to chase down the misfire at one time. Always run 5w-30?
From the looks of it Connor is sure enjoying his newer engine so I hope you follow suit.
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