COB's 4Runner Timeline (Pic Heavy)
- Thread starter ChildrenOfBodom
- Start date
ChildrenOfBodom
Moderator
Thanks dude! I have yet to test it, no trailers around, but I'll definitely hit you up in the case I need it.
On another note, the signal stalk works fine. It has a weird problem though, the headlights don't turn off when the door opens. The parking lights, interior lights, all that turn off like normal, but the headlights get stuck on.
It appears that the stalk connector portion is removable. I'm going to attempt swapping the other stalk connector over (has a slew of electronic contacts, perhaps the one for the headlight switch is shorted)
ChildrenOfBodom
Moderator
Still daily driving the 3rd gen. While my turbo truck runs and drives, it won't be legal until it has a downpipe. The Probe has a rebuilt engine in it as of a few days ago and should be running within the month.
3rd gen needs time for maintenance. I dub this week, 3rd gen maintenance week (fix-the-bullshit-i-keep-putting-off-week)
Pt. 1 of 3rd gen maintenance week:
There are a few things on this truck that were installed when I was still learning how to work on cars, such as the alarm and sound system. My brother, who is a complete idiot, screwed up both installations to the point that I've had to redo both. I rewired the alarm system during the 4WD swap and finally took care of the horribly wired sound system.
Old setup: Diamond Audio M5 (front woofers only), OEM tweeters, 2 ch amp (blew up). All the wiring was jammed into the center console to the old radio harness.
New setup: Diamond audio M5 woofers and tweeters, all new wires into both front doors. 4ch Alpine amp. Gonna replace the RCA's later on.
3rd gen needs time for maintenance. I dub this week, 3rd gen maintenance week (fix-the-bullshit-i-keep-putting-off-week)
Pt. 1 of 3rd gen maintenance week:
There are a few things on this truck that were installed when I was still learning how to work on cars, such as the alarm and sound system. My brother, who is a complete idiot, screwed up both installations to the point that I've had to redo both. I rewired the alarm system during the 4WD swap and finally took care of the horribly wired sound system.
Old setup: Diamond Audio M5 (front woofers only), OEM tweeters, 2 ch amp (blew up). All the wiring was jammed into the center console to the old radio harness.
New setup: Diamond audio M5 woofers and tweeters, all new wires into both front doors. 4ch Alpine amp. Gonna replace the RCA's later on.
fightman80
New member
Good stuff James! Glad to see you're still putting money into this truck! 
I've come to the end of my build... but still keeping up with maintenance and such. Planning on keeping my old girl for EVAH!
I've come to the end of my build... but still keeping up with maintenance and such. Planning on keeping my old girl for EVAH!
ChildrenOfBodom
Moderator
End of your build??? Bah poppycock! You'll find something to do to it, I'm sure. Happy to see you're keeping it!! Too many people are offing their 3rd gens for something more economical.Good stuff James! Glad to see you're still putting money into this truck!
You have a nice new platform to mod so it sounds like lifes good for fightman!
3rd gen maintenance week, part 2:
Replaced right sway bar endlink. Nice to be able to turn again, feels like a car in comparison.
Also got an alignment! She's riding smooth and much more stable at freeway speeds. If you know what these numbers mean, then you can tell the front alignment was off by a lot.
Although, am I wrong to question the results? The rear numbers are especially interesting to me... solid axle with camber and toe? Something bent? Then again I've never used an alignment machine before.
Tomorrow: Seat bolt fix!!
Last edited:
A.Wilson013
New member
James,
So I bought all my lift and stuff... Going to buy tires soon (285/70/17 Duratracs) and am deciding on spacers. Are they necessary to clear the UCA's? COuld you please attach a before/after you got spacers or e-mail to [email protected]? (My afghani internet won't load from image hosting sites)
Thanks much.
So I bought all my lift and stuff... Going to buy tires soon (285/70/17 Duratracs) and am deciding on spacers. Are they necessary to clear the UCA's? COuld you please attach a before/after you got spacers or e-mail to [email protected]? (My afghani internet won't load from image hosting sites)
Thanks much.
ChildrenOfBodom
Moderator
Hey Alex, nice to hear from you. Hope you're doing well and we'll see you back home soon.
Yes, the 285's do require spacers for the 17" Tundra wheels. I'm sorry, I don't have much for before and after pictures, but I can guarantee that you will need spacers with these wheels after a lift and those tires.
The clearance from the UCA with my old 265s was minimal, less than 1". 285's wouldn't even bolt on without spacers.
A.Wilson013
New member
Thanks, James. I'll order them up.
ChildrenOfBodom
Moderator
3rd gen maintenance week, part 3
NO MORE WOBBLY SEAT!!!!!!! :rockon:
A problem that has plagued me since 2009, the driver's front left seat bolt ripped out. 3 bolts have been holding in the seat for all this time. In my old 2000 Donor truck, I had drilled out the spot welds for the whole piece in anticipation of installing it in the 3rd gen. When the metal scrap guys came around, I forgot to take it out.
It was about the beginning of this year when the right side seat mount (the entire mount) took a shit trying to deal with all the movement.
Big huge mega thank you to my friend Justin Smith. Justin is one of my coworkers, the same guy who did the bodywork on this truck including fixing the driver's door, replacing the driver fender, plus installing the sport hood.
On to the pics!
Front left welded nut ripped out.
Front right ripped mount (still has the nut for the bolt)
Justin's experience in body work had this thing back to shape in literally seconds.
Welding in a new nut for the left side.
Then, Justin cut a small piece of steel for an added layer of strength.
Less than 1hr from start to finish.
Up next: EXHAUST LEAK BEHIND CAT BEFORE DOWNSTREAM OXYGEN SENSOR - P0420 CEL
NO MORE WOBBLY SEAT!!!!!!! :rockon:
A problem that has plagued me since 2009, the driver's front left seat bolt ripped out. 3 bolts have been holding in the seat for all this time. In my old 2000 Donor truck, I had drilled out the spot welds for the whole piece in anticipation of installing it in the 3rd gen. When the metal scrap guys came around, I forgot to take it out.
It was about the beginning of this year when the right side seat mount (the entire mount) took a shit trying to deal with all the movement.
Big huge mega thank you to my friend Justin Smith. Justin is one of my coworkers, the same guy who did the bodywork on this truck including fixing the driver's door, replacing the driver fender, plus installing the sport hood.
On to the pics!
Front left welded nut ripped out.
Front right ripped mount (still has the nut for the bolt)
Justin's experience in body work had this thing back to shape in literally seconds.
Welding in a new nut for the left side.
Then, Justin cut a small piece of steel for an added layer of strength.
Less than 1hr from start to finish.
Up next: EXHAUST LEAK BEHIND CAT BEFORE DOWNSTREAM OXYGEN SENSOR - P0420 CEL
GottaBeTRD
New member
3rd gen maintenance week, part 3
Yeah... i'm gonna order a shockworks now lol
dude that's sweet about your seat. That would bug the crap out of me!
ChildrenOfBodom
Moderator
Yeah I am pretty sure I saw you heading east towards MacArthur. I was going to work just around the corner at the Mercedes dealership.
Cool I had no idea that was another T4R member. Nice truck, you live nearby?
Yep, that was me. Thanks man, you too. Looking forward to bumpers also some time in the future. I'm in Diamond Bar, but go to church in Irvine on Sundays. Maybe meet up at a T4R meet some time.
Pmcmasters
New member
FJM co-worker
Hey James, I just stumbled across your build thread this morning while sitting here at work with nothing to do. As I was going through the thread and looking at your pictures I noticed the back ground seemed very familiar. Then I saw the FJM license plate brackets and realized you took some pictures on the roof of the dealership. What department do work in at the dealer? I've been working as a tech for FJM for 17 years now but for the last 10 years I've been over at the Armstrong location! Small world! I just recently picked up a 99 T4R SR5 4WD and have been crawling all over this forum getting ideas and tips. We should hook up and go wheeling sometime.
Hey James, I just stumbled across your build thread this morning while sitting here at work with nothing to do. As I was going through the thread and looking at your pictures I noticed the back ground seemed very familiar. Then I saw the FJM license plate brackets and realized you took some pictures on the roof of the dealership. What department do work in at the dealer? I've been working as a tech for FJM for 17 years now but for the last 10 years I've been over at the Armstrong location! Small world! I just recently picked up a 99 T4R SR5 4WD and have been crawling all over this forum getting ideas and tips. We should hook up and go wheeling sometime.
ChildrenOfBodom
Moderator
Yeah that'd be cool! You're also welcome to stop by my work for a chat on a Sunday if you like, I'm always down to talk 4Runners.
I appreciate the kind words, thank you. I'll do what I can to get some big new updates going someday soon.
How cool! I've been working for FJ for 5 years now. I'm going to try to get moving up in the company soon or out of it altogether. Some really good people working here, but equally as many bad people *cough*SALES*cough*. I work for Parts and Sales.
Armstrong eh? I know a bunch of the guys down there. Just spoke to Angel earlier today, plus I know Kurt, Joe, a few others. Gotten some tires from Art a few times.
I'm definitely down to meet up sometime. First time I've ever met another coworker on T4R before.
ChildrenOfBodom
Moderator
P0420 = Gone
2.5" flange from LC Engineering, new gasket
2.5" flange from LC Engineering, new gasket
Bad Obsession
New member
CoB- Spent the past few days reading your thread from start to finish. I've only got one question...do you have a lift installed on your truck?? Just kidding!
I'm really impressed man. You've got a really awesome rig. I started with your thread and just couldn't stop reading....and trust me when I say, it's not an easy thing for something to grab my attention for 3 days! lol You've kept it classy and clean, and I think it's safe to say that you're passion for your truck has inspired many builds. I mean- you've pretty much achieved T-4r.org rockstar status!
Anyways, I look forward to seeing your upcoming updates. Once again....sweet rig, awesome thread. You've given me alot of really good ideas for my Runner. Thank you.
I'm really impressed man. You've got a really awesome rig. I started with your thread and just couldn't stop reading....and trust me when I say, it's not an easy thing for something to grab my attention for 3 days! lol You've kept it classy and clean, and I think it's safe to say that you're passion for your truck has inspired many builds. I mean- you've pretty much achieved T-4r.org rockstar status!
Anyways, I look forward to seeing your upcoming updates. Once again....sweet rig, awesome thread. You've given me alot of really good ideas for my Runner. Thank you.
SouthernT4R
New member
CoB - I'm new to the forum and I've been reading over your thread for the past couple of days. I have to give you a round of applause for all work you've put in to your T4R. I have a 2002 T4R SR5 2wd and have been contemplating a 4wd swap for a while now. Your thread has given me even more motivation to get to work. I hope one of these days I'll finally be able to get started, and maybe even get to pick your brain for a little info. Can't wait to see what you do next.
