Chuckles' 98 Manual SR5 4Runner

habanero · May 7, 2015

Chuckles89 said:
I had my third AP test today! (Calculus, English Lit., and Physics) So I have some time do do stuff now!

Sweet! Hope you did well.

Chuckles89 said:
Another thing I will be doing soon is the rear upper link bushings. The plan is to get the links off a junkyard 4Runner, burn the bushings out, measure them, and order some Energy Suspension ones!

Are you talking about the rear upper control arms? They have captive bushings....are people switching out the bushings in them? For the uppers I went with new Toyota arms, didn't think the old ones were at all serviceable. Ah well, if they last 270,000 miles I won't complain.
The late 3rd gen rear lower control arms have replaceable bushings- the 96's are captive. I just put a set of arms from a low mileage 02 into the 96 so next go-round I'll be able to trade out the bushings instead of the arms.

Chuckles89 · May 7, 2015

habanero said:
Sweet! Hope you did well.

Are you talking about the rear upper control arms? They have captive bushings....are people switching out the bushings in them? For the uppers I went with new Toyota arms, didn't think the old ones were at all serviceable. Ah well, if they last 270,000 miles I won't complain.
The late 3rd gen rear lower control arms have replaceable bushings- the 96's are captive. I just put a set of arms from a low mileage 02 into the 96 so next go-round I'll be able to trade out the bushings instead of the arms.

Thanks!

Yes, I am talking about those. I will be experimenting with them.

I am not sure if anyone on here has changed them (if they did, I couldn't find a write up). I remember someone did it to their 2nd gen, but I can't find the thread anymore.

Chuckles89 · May 8, 2015

Chuckles89 said:
Yesterday, I dusted the interior and cleaned the steering wheel. That thing is nasty! I may just put the '97 wheel on because it isn't sticky and falling apart.

Dad says I can't put the steering wheel on without the airbag, so I'm stuck with this nasty one. The plan is to eventually get a MOMO or Grant GT steering wheel when I graduate college.

I also am not allowed to drive with the doors off (thanks to mom). So I will also be doing that when I graduate college also. I got the mirrors mounted and have all the clevis pins.

Nervo19 · May 9, 2015

I have to agree about the airbags. That's the whole reason my little snowflake got a Tacoma rather than drive the '89 all the time. If you rode with him you'd understand.

Re: AP tests...Today in inner city Richmond, VA someone called in bomb threats at FOUR high schools interrupting the AP exams. I'm shocked... that anyone in the city takes AP classes. They get a do over in the next few days! Not fair! I bet it was "educators" similar to the ones in Atlanta.

My oldest son took six AP's this year. Not fun. We live in the suburbs so were not affected by the bombs.

Chuckles89 · May 9, 2015

Yeah, I've had the airbags disabled for a while and he made me undo that too... They freak me out

T4R2014 · May 9, 2015

Chuckles89 said:
Yeah, I've had the airbags disabled for a while and he made me undo that too... They freak me out

Even freakier are the accidents where airbags can save your life...

StreetCreeper · May 9, 2015

This seems like an appropriate time for this...

02SE · May 9, 2015

Chuckles89 said:
Yeah, I've had the airbags disabled for a while and he made me undo that too... They freak me out

Nobody ever plans on getting in an accident. I've had an airbag go off in my face, and was very lucky it was there and operational.

I was driving on a Highway with a turn lane in the middle. Perfect visibility, only two vehicles in the immediate area; Me and a fullsize custom van in the turn lane facing me as he was waiting to make a left turn across my lane of travel into a parking lot.

As I reach the van doing about 50 mph, he inexplicably starts to turn. I only was on the brakes for a split second, before we hit head-on.

I was very sore for awhile, and had lots of bumps, bruises, and other injuries that turned out to be non-life threatening. The car I was driving was totaled.

He was completely at fault, and his insurance paid me for the value of my car, my medical bills, and a settlement for pain and suffering, and loss of productivity while I recovered.

If I had been in a car without an airbag, or worse, in a Vehicle with a disabled airbag, I might not be here.

Vehicles with airbags are designed with seatbelts that work in conjunction with the airbag to share and dissipate the force of the impact. If the airbag is disabled, you are really screwed because the seatbelt isn't designed to take the full force of the impact alone.

Listen to your Dad. His advice might save your life.

Chuckles89 · May 10, 2015

Doorless! :roadkill:

Front sway bar unhooked. I don't think it helps with stock suspension.

Yes, that is as far as I could get up the ramp on gravel. I need a locker...

Chuckles89 · May 10, 2015

Poor 4Runner

My comfortable sofa! This was a win-win situation (I have a comfortable seat in my room and my dad has a less cluttered basement!)

Chuckles89 · May 10, 2015

Oh yeah, and I made this lame video...

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DoVJJU883Sk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Chuckles89 · May 11, 2015

I removed my end cap and top trim to start sanding and painting them.

I don't have the guts to drive around with an unprotected quarter panel, so I made this with some scrap wood.

I also fixed one of the studs on my right tail light. I will be ordering LED brake and turn signals soon!

I took off my transfer case skid plate, hammered out a huge dent, and have it ready to paint red.

habanero · May 11, 2015

:laugh: wood...

warriorwagner · May 11, 2015

Great job on all you've done to your 4Runner and it looks great. Your resourcefulness is impressive, I wish I had the time to spend on mine. You've given me an idea though, when my 13 year old son turns 16, he's getting a older 4Runner as his first vehicle.

Keep it up, from one Eagle Scout to another.

T4R2014 · May 12, 2015

Chuckles89 said:
Oh yeah, and I made this lame video...

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DoVJJU883Sk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I see the seatbelt light blinking on the dash in this video. You're on a roll my friend.

Chuckles89 · May 12, 2015

T4R2014 said:
I see the seatbelt light blinking on the dash in this video. You're on a roll my friend.

I did have my seatbelt on! That is my rough terrain/ offroad safety light.

T4R2014 · May 12, 2015

Chuckles89 said:
I did have my seatbelt on! That is my rough terrain/ offroad safety light.

That wasn't meant to be in a serious tone BTW. I was just messing with you.

Chuckles89 · May 15, 2015

I have the insides of the bumpers painted. Will prime and paint the outside soon!

Chuckles89 · May 21, 2015

Front Driveshaft/ Tow Hooks/ Rear Window Switch

I did a lot of work on Diamond today! (no school)

Painted the front driveshaft. We JB Welded the zerk back in last week.