C0^2 Build

[hcck3d]

I recently bought a 1997, SR5, 5-speed, anthracite 4Runner. CoCo or Co^2

Front end pushes to the right on acceleration and from the looks of the bushings, I think they need replacing. Curious about the cost of having someone replace all of them and what brand to go with or could be available to being coached in the right direction.

Drivers side view mirror does not adjust side to side but works top to bottom. Seems like and easy fix and honestly doesn't bother me since it is adjusted to my liking and won't change.

The headlights are definitely not bright enough for my 30 year old eyes. Emailed [email protected] to see about upgrading.

Newer tires, BFG AT KOE2 LT265/70R16D1.

Clutch pressure plate, timing belt and water pump replaced at 163k.



Maintenance Work Completed:
Oct 2012
Les Schwab -
Rear ABS tone ring
Front rotors resurfaced, calipers replaced, pads
Rear drums resurfaced, internals replaced, pads
Passenger rear wheel bearing replaced
Myself -
Replaced spark plugs, NGK BKR5EKB-11
Seafoam treatment on full tank per the tune up guide for 3rd gens.
Replaced rear hatch tail light.
Rest EFI per "tune up guide"
Bought two key fobs on craigslist for $10 and programmed.
Replaced passenger corner light housing
Replaced steering rack bushings using ih8m.com writeup.
Replaced sway bar bushings.
Took off running boards. For sale.
Nov 2012
Lifetime alignment
Lifetime balancing
MegaTron Plus battery installed
Drivers side inner tie rod replaced
Changed Air Filter
March 2013
Raplaced valve cover gasket
Replaced springs with '99 talls
Replaced struts with Bilstein 5100 adjustables (in case of a bigger lift later) lowest price I found was at wheelers offroad, fast shipping since they are located in Oregon.
Replaced fuel filter - figured it was an easy swap and provides some peace of mind
Installed Kenwood DNX7200 from an article I read on ih8mud
Drained and filled transmission oil (75/90) from this guide
Replaced rear lower control arms. ROCA brand, $123 for the pair.

 

[Hepar]

Glad you finally tracked one down! Looks like a nice one. Really like the color.

Bushings are cheap and easy to install. I've been tossing around the idea of replacing mine. Maybe we can get some guys together sometime and hit that up as well as whatever odds and ends.

4Runner Steering Rack Bushing Kit - Wheeler's Off-Road, Inc

Anti-Sway Kit for Toyota 4Runner from Wheeler's Off-Road

A lot of people upgrade their front lenses to the 01-02 housings (not 100% sure, but the 99-00's might be the same too). They're significantly brighter than the 96-98's.

 

[absalom]

That color is amazing .. time to start removing all that ghastly chrome!!

 

[hcck3d]

That color is amazing .. time to start removing all that ghastly chrome!!

Agreed!

 

[hcck3d]

Bushings are cheap and easy to install. I've been tossing around the idea of replacing mine. Maybe we can get some guys together sometime and hit that up as well as whatever odds and ends.

4Runner Steering Rack Bushing Kit - Wheeler's Off-Road, Inc

Anti-Sway Kit for Toyota 4Runner from Wheeler's Off-Road

Do you know how much it would cost to have someone put them on or maybe someone that is in the area that can supervise me while I do it? I think I would feel better about getting them on before the 28th.

 

[white_n_slow]

Looks like a carbon copy of mine when I bought it (except for upholstery).

 

[hcck3d]

Drivers side - wheels where straight and not lifted off the ground, just parked.
Steering rack, bushings (oil on the underside of the covers?)
Tie Rod Ends
Sway bar bushings

If you seen anything I should look at or take a better picture of, please let me know. Thanks!

 

[audiness]

I may be interested in the yakima rack, let me know.

 

[Gerdo]

A few things that can cause the front end to wander/push/pull:
*Bad Ball joints (lowers are known to fail at 180-200,000 miles)
*Bad steering rack bushings, replace with poly
*Bad front control arm bushings
*alignment off

 

[hcck3d]

Took some video of the steering rack to see if it had play... guess it is time to replace the bushings.
Make sure your volume is down, I started the engine up so it is a little loud. Also, the camera fell down at first so...

 

[hcck3d]

Changed out the spark plugs. Here is a picture from the old ones.

 

[curtperry]

Looks like the rear main seal might be leaking

Plug looks normal.

 

[hcck3d]

Looks like the rear main seal might be leaking

Plug looks normal.

(Joe Dirt) Oh dang!

What would give the indication that the rear main seal is leaking?

Wold the rear main seal leak onto the steering rack? Searching has found that it might be.

 

[curtperry]

In the pic of the steering rack you can see oil around the front of the transmission on the bottom. Yeah it appears to be getting on the rack too.

Try to pinpoint the source of that mess.

 

[A.Wilson013]

Honestly man, the poly bushings are not something I'd tackle without much experience. It'd be hard to mess anything up, but when my buddy and I did mine I was blessed to have him there. It would have taken me all day. He knew what he was doing, and still had a few issues.

Wheelers is the place to get the parts though, for sure.

 

[poleclimber63]

nice rig!

I looked FOREVER for a 5 spd.... never found one. Ended up with an Auto.... still love it, as its in showroom condition!

As per your pics:
Looks like the main seal is leaking.... mine is similar. My valve covers were also seeping, so I re-torqued. I'm just keeping an eye on the oil levels---- I'm using less than a 1/3 a litre a month....

I plan on replacing my ball joints, tie rod ends and next spring, struts/springs. As per your vid, your rack bushings are done. I also have noticed some wandering on mine, but it is not pronounced--- yet. A condition of my purchase was replacement of the inner tie rods ends (PITA) and 4w alignment..

You may want to consider checking the rear diff breather... this is a common cause of seal failure. I had a rear axle seal fail within 6 mo. of purchase, after a long road trip(pressure/heat buildup in diff??) (failed at approx. 120k miles) and lots of others here have experienced the same. Its a known weakness of 3rd gens. Still, 14 yrs on an axle seal is still great!

 

[hcck3d]

Appreciate all the feedback. Ordered the steering and suspension bushings. Going to to try and shoot for next weekend to install and get the alignment also to check rear diff breather.

 

[hcck3d]

Ordered the parts 4Runner Steering Rack Bushing Kit and Anti-Sway Kit for Toyota 4Runner from Wheeler's Off-Road will be installing this weekend hopefully.

 

[hcck3d]

Steering Rack and Sway Bar bushings replaced

Here are some pictures of the old bushings. :gun5:
Steering feels very nice. Still feels like I am driving a boat and still pushes to the right but it doesn't have the extra slop in it. I'm bringing it into a mechanic on Wednesday to look at the lower ball joints, lower control arms, and general suspension. See what they think and go from there.

 

[hcck3d]

Dropped by the mechanic shop yesterday to look over the LBJ's and LCA bushings and anything else suspension related. They said the rear shocks were bad and had them replaced but everything else looked fine.
The squirrellyness or boat feeling is still there. I am just going to save up for a 3" lift (5100's+ome front and rear ome shocks+891's). I think it's the shocks/struts and springs all together that are making it handle like ****.
So if you see a brown 4runner in Seattle driving in the slow lane, that is me.