BrianSD_42 Photo Journal Build Maintenance Thread

[BrianSD_42]

Happy 2017 Brian. I take it the 4runner isn't still the 5cyl machine? New/used engine?

Thanks and happy new year to you as well.

Yes no more 5 CYL. I went with a full engine swap. I didn't want to do a rebuild considering I was at 240k. The mechanic sold me an engine he had pulled and kept aside a few years before. The mileage was pretty low on it, supposedly 105-110K and it was later engine from a Tacoma. The cost was roughly $2200 for engine, another $1800 for parts and labor to replace a bunch of OEM parts. 12 month warranty.

* Timing belt
* WP
* Valve cover gaskets
* Main seal
* Tstat
* Plugs

They swapped the block, everything below the the plenium and kept the rest. So for example the fan, fan clutch, radiator are still the ones I replaced several years ago. My headers are still on as well.

Update: I added some pictures below showing the new wiring run and the OEM switches for FOG and LEDs.

 

[RedSled]

Yep no more 5 CYL. I went with a full engine swap. I didn't want to do a rebuild considering I was at 240k. The mechanic sold me an engine he had pulled and kept aside a few years before. The mileage was pretty low on it. The cost was roughly $2200 for engine, $1800 for parts and labor to replace a bunch of parts. 12 month warranty.
* Timing belt
* WP
* Valve cover gaskets
* Main seal
* Tstat
* Plugs

Good to hear your back on the road, did you have the Truck Shop do the swap, and how long did it take?

 

[BrianSD_42]

Thanks! Yes the TS did the swap. It took about a week and half. I wasn't in a rush though. It isn't my DD.

 

[LittleCaesar]

You still liking the TL? I take it you have seen Connor's new to him F150. I think I saw he was considering an M3. You would think he would have learned from others....

 

[BrianSD_42]

I haven't seen his Conner's new ride but an M3 surely would have been pricey on the maintenance. The F150s are pricy as well but I believe more reliable. Clearly Conner and I are running on different budgets (I believe mine is smaller). With age comes responsibility or so they say. The BMW bills really add up once the warranty is out ... and the warranty is never cheap to begin with.

For my daily driver I've still got the TL and it's running great. 72K miles.

 

[Hepar]

Congrats on the nuptials!

I personally don't have any experience with the a6000, but I've heard good things.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Unboxing ....

Mini D2S 4.0 components. I guess that means it's time for another retrofit.

 

[jstim]

Unboxing ....

Mini D2S 4.0 components. I guess that means it's time for another retrofit.

Does that mean the current headlights you have are going up for sale? I'm pretty sure with all the retrofits you've done you could be the forum master retrofitter. I really want to do mine, but full disclosure, it's a little intimidating to me.

 

[A.Wilson013]

Yes no more 5 CYL. I went with a full engine swap.
...
The cost was roughly $2200 for engine, $1800 for parts and labor to replace a bunch of parts. 12 month warranty.

Congrats man! That's honestly not toooo much less than I paid for my new heads (all thingss: tools, time, parts- considered) , and I did the work in my garage with help from a friend. I considered an engine, but I liked that I knew the maintenance history on mine, and how it had been treated.

I think I saw he was considering an M3. You would think he would have learned from others....

Lol! I'll have another M3 someday... Likely when I can justify buying it new and have it as more of a garage ornament than anything else =p.

I had a couple E36s while under my parent's roof back in 2006/2007 or so... With gas prices in Seaside, OR at nearly $5/gal I could hardly afford to put fuel in them.

Unboxing ....

Mini D2S 4.0 components. I guess that means it's time for another retrofit.

Also, you'll love the 4.0s. I just did a set for a forum member down the road and they blow my FX-Rs out of the water. I also really like that the plug for the hi/low function is on the back now.

I LOVE the high beam pattern.

Does that mean the current headlights you have are going up for sale? I'm pretty sure with all the retrofits you've done you could be the forum master retrofitter. I really want to do mine, but full disclosure, it's a little intimidating to me.

Just do it man. Set aside a couple evenings and take your time. Easy peasy.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Does that mean the current headlights you have are going up for sale? I'm pretty sure with all the retrofits you've done you could be the forum master retrofitter. I really want to do mine, but full disclosure, it's a little intimidating to me.

Thanks. I'm not the master retrofitter. I've done 3 pairs total, this new one will be my fourth. I yet have a plan for selling but eventually I'll get rid of one of the sets, either the FXR or the 4.0s. It will be awhile before I finish this new retrofit.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Bandwidth Warning .... Alaska Trip Report Pictures Part 1

No 4Runner pics here, just Alaska in a rental car. This is the first set. I'll upload the rest next week.

The better quality pictures were shot with Nikon D7000 and 10-24mm lens. All the wide shots were taken as a manual panoramic and then merged in Photoshop Elements. Several pics are from an iPhone 6 as well.


/*** Trip Report Part 1 ***/

We landed in Anchorage $320 round trip from San Diego. Drove a rental car to Healy AK near Denali National Park.


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[LittleCaesar]

Great pictures Brian. Too bad you couldn't take the 4runner there for some serious fun.

A friend lived in Fairbanks for two years working for the US Geological Surveying dept. As he described it, beautiful scenery but don't go there for creature comforts. The locals there are just trying to stay alive he said. At temps of -30f and colder that he experienced, I understand.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Thanks. We really lucked out with the weather. It was about 40-50F most of the days we were there. On Thursday when we took a private plane over the Glacier and out to mount Denali it was a crystal clear day, allowing for some really great shots.

 

[SoCal_LILTRD2]

Just picked up an '02 Sport Edition, also just recently joined the forum. New to the 4 Wheeling World. Have seen a couple build threads and finally stumbled across yours. I have to say yours has been my favorite. Love the simple approach, attention to detail, and maintaining the vehicle itself. Very inspirational. :cheers:

 

[JBurt]

Just picked up an '02 Sport Edition, also just recently joined the forum. New to the 4 Wheeling World. Have seen a couple build threads and finally stumbled across yours. I have to say yours has been my favorite. Love the simple approach, attention to detail, and maintaining the vehicle itself. Very inspirational. :cheers:

Congratulations! You should come on the trail run this weekend with us.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/so-cal/229202-anza-borrego-january-2017-a.html

 

[BrianSD_42]

Finished the Splash Guard Mod. Thanks Conner [MENTION=114863]4RunningDaily[/MENTION] for the idea.

Buy one of these - $10 (25) count pack
Toyota Dash & Fender Apron Seal Retainers 90467-10186

Diagram
https://parts.camelbacktoyota.com/p...siteid=214329&vehicleid=68842&diagram=8414135

Rubber 1/16" x 36", buy quantity 2
Neoprene Rubber Sheet 1/16" Thick x 36" wide x 12" long
By rubbersheetwarehouse
Neoprene Rubber Sheet 1/16" Thick x 36" wide x 12" long FREE SHIPPING | eBay

Frankly this was more of a PIA than I thought it would be. Much easier with the tires off though. While I was working on the wheel well I also decided to close up the gaps I had from trimming the inner shield. Patched it up with black silicone, although it looks grey in the pic.

:bat:

 

[BrianSD_42]

White I was exploring under the truck and tightening my sway bar links I saw this. Not sure what to make of it but it looks worn out.

 

[TBuzz]

White I was exploring under the truck and tightening my sway bar links I saw this. Not sure what to make of it but it looks worn out.

Yep, worn but maybe not worn out. Easy repair should only take 10 mins. I just replaced mine for the second time 3 years. I notice that the rubber part of the bushing in the lower starts to fray and deteriorate. When you remove them it will be evident where and how they are worn. They don't press in, super simple. But what's with all the filth and where's your skid plate?

Hope your doing good buddy.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Yep, worn but maybe not worn out. Easy repair should only take 10 mins. I just replaced mine for the second time 3 years. I notice that the rubber part of the bushing in the lower starts to fray and deteriorate. When you remove them it will be evident where and how they are worn. They don't press in, super simple. But what's with all the filth and where's your skid plate?

Hope your doing good buddy.

Thanks man. Before the engine swap it was leaking oil. I'm pretty sure this is what remains of the past oil leak.

About the skid plate, the second part of my savage skid is going back on later today.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Went up to Mt Palomar looking for snow today. The results were pretty unimpressive. Only about 1-2", mostly slush.

Next weekend Big Bear day run. Hopefully the snow is much better up there.