Complete 2000 4wd, manual, v6 swap into 2wd auto 1999 build/project

Installed the spindle/ hubs , left CV shaft, and tightened up the rest of the front end. Looks like this 4runner is officially 4wd! (As soon as I throw on the nuts to the axles).


GAH it looks like you forgot your dust shields!
 
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On another random note I think you can swap engines andd get them going wayyyy faster than me lol I am going to have go to back and look at the time i got into doing these swaps then all the prep work.

I 110% agree the longest part is all the small stuff. I made a list of stuff to check off but i still got half a full list, but it includes stuff like change timing belt, to swap TPS sensors, so big and small stuff. Got 2 more major things on my swap.

You make me wanna call in sick and go to my apartment garage and keep going! lol
 
Yeah, well my first problem could be that my 30lb refrigerant tank isnt high enough in pressure, but that really doesnt make sense to me as the tank itself still is half full of liquid!

I was able to get the low side to 35 psi after sitting and waiting for about 45 minutes with the low valve open and regulators connected. Maybe i need to try and do it again.

Im wondering if there is a pressure safety switch that isnt allowing the compressor to kick on because the refrigerant is too low pressure wise?

And thanks! progress is definitely nice. I might do some more work on the car today as well. I really want to get all the doors swapped over...but its cold and snowy and thats never too much fun to work in (parts car is outside).

I didn't realize you were doing it yourself. How long did you vacuum the system for and what pressure did you reach? The FSM procedure for charging the ac system requires the engine to be running and looking at the eye glass. When I recharged my AC I filled from the low pressure side. I'd still be willing to bet it's an electrical issue rather than a pressure switch malfunction.
 
GAH it looks like you forgot your dust shields!

well, i cut into them with my grinder anyways so i could reinstall and remove as needed...so when I when to press the bearings in I decided to leave em off! This isnt a DD anyways, but all it does is stop your brake dust from getting all over stuff...guess Il see how much I hate it later. Race cars dont mind!
 
I didn't realize you were doing it yourself. How long did you vacuum the system for and what pressure did you reach? The FSM procedure for charging the ac system requires the engine to be running and looking at the eye glass. When I recharged my AC I filled from the low pressure side. I'd still be willing to bet it's an electrical issue rather than a pressure switch malfunction.

Vacuum was at 24-25. the pump I was using wasnt the best. kept it there for about 30 minutes...then closed the valve, removed vacuum, attached refrigerant, opened low side, and opened refrigerant valve. I will probably go in the garage and do it again today.

I had the vehicle running and the tank open to try and allow the charge to continue, but it just stays stuck at 30. I am using harbor freight regulators, so the gauge could be broken.. I could try and service the low side with the high side gauge to verify pressure.

I believe I read 35-40 low was enough, but im going to dive back into the books if I can find the correct figures.
 
On another random note I think you can swap engines andd get them going wayyyy faster than me lol I am going to have go to back and look at the time i got into doing these swaps then all the prep work.

I 110% agree the longest part is all the small stuff. I made a list of stuff to check off but i still got half a full list, but it includes stuff like change timing belt, to swap TPS sensors, so big and small stuff. Got 2 more major things on my swap.

You make me wanna call in sick and go to my apartment garage and keep going! lol

haha I totally get it. I have a job where im on shift for two weeks and off for two weeks, so I get a good amount of free time at home!

Ive done about 4 engine swaps total...5 if you count removing an engine out of the 4runner as a "swap." id argue the engine/trans was the easiest part if you have the right tools and arent dragging an engine hoist through the gravel..the reason I say this was because its all one unit and once its dropped in, a few motor mount bolts and youre good!

then you get the fun of connecting everything else. lol.
 
Vacuum was at 24-25. the pump I was using wasnt the best. kept it there for about 30 minutes...then closed the valve, removed vacuum, attached refrigerant, opened low side, and opened refrigerant valve. I will probably go in the garage and do it again today.

I had the vehicle running and the tank open to try and allow the charge to continue, but it just stays stuck at 30. I am using harbor freight regulators, so the gauge could be broken.. I could try and service the low side with the high side gauge to verify pressure.

I believe I read 35-40 low was enough, but im going to dive back into the books if I can find the correct figures.
Not as low as most people like, but it should have been sufficient vacuum to at least get it charged with minimal moisture left in the lines. I'll try to look into this today if I have time to verify, but I think our system only has a high pressure cutoff switch to protect the system from over pressurizing and blowing up.

Edit: There's only 1 pressure switch. It monitors low and high pressures. Here's a link to the 2000 FSM that I reference: 2000 4Runner FSM - Printable - Google Drive
Section 35 is HVAC. AC-14 is diagnostics page and AC-79 shows the pressure switch and diagnostics for it.
 
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Not as low as most people like, but it should have been sufficient vacuum to at least get it charged with minimal moisture left in the lines. I'll try to look into this today if I have time to verify, but I think our system only has a high pressure cutoff switch to protect the system from over pressurizing and blowing up.

Edit: There's only 1 pressure switch. It monitors low and high pressures. Here's a link to the 2000 FSM that I reference: 2000 4Runner FSM - Printable - Google Drive
Section 35 is HVAC. AC-14 is diagnostics page and AC-79 shows the pressure switch and diagnostics for it.

Alright, so I went to the FSM and followed those directions. I attached everything again, opened up the high valve and filled . then i closed the high, turned the car a/c on, and opened the low side fill.

This time it kicked on and started working right away. I also started to see bubbles in the system followed by smaller bubbles and then no bubbles....So I think its adequately serviced now. Low side was reading around 45 psi and high side when all valves were closed got to about 250.

Hopefully the vacuum was enough and theres no leaking in any of the lines. Il find out im sure when 1. the a/c constantly shuts off, or 2. it doesnt work at all when it starts to warm up again!

At least that problem is fixed. I think i had the hoses backwards on the reg so refrigerant wasnt able to get into the high side correctly. it has a small check vaalve on one end and I think it needs to go on a specific side of the manifold...apparently I did it right this time.

Thanks for the help by the way.

Next target is the power steering pump which I think can be resolved with a fluid flush and new mobile 1 synthetic (atf?).
 
Alright, so I went to the FSM and followed those directions. I attached everything again, opened up the high valve and filled . then i closed the high, turned the car a/c on, and opened the low side fill.

This time it kicked on and started working right away. I also started to see bubbles in the system followed by smaller bubbles and then no bubbles....So I think its adequately serviced now. Low side was reading around 45 psi and high side when all valves were closed got to about 250.

Hopefully the vacuum was enough and theres no leaking in any of the lines. Il find out im sure when 1. the a/c constantly shuts off, or 2. it doesnt work at all when it starts to warm up again!

At least that problem is fixed. I think i had the hoses backwards on the reg so refrigerant wasnt able to get into the high side correctly. it has a small check vaalve on one end and I think it needs to go on a specific side of the manifold...apparently I did it right this time.

Thanks for the help by the way.

Next target is the power steering pump which I think can be resolved with a fluid flush and new mobile 1 synthetic (atf?).
I'm glad you got it figured out!

As for the power steering pump, I would take the reservoir off the pump and clean the screen out, reassemble, then flush the power steering system with new Dexron III compatible ATF. mtbtim has a good youtube video to reference: YouTube I'm waiting on a new o-ring before I attempt to do mine. 90301-11016 is the o-ring part number in case you want to know.
 
I havent swapped the instrument cluster yet, just because I want to make sure the dealer will reset my mileage for me - Im not sure what the process is or how to get them to correct it, so im waiting until I can get that information. Good luck for when you start though!
Don't swap clusters - just use the blanking plate from the MT cluster on your auto cluster. The 4WD light is already there on your 2WD cluster...

-Charlie
 
Not as low as most people like, but it should have been sufficient vacuum to at least get it charged with minimal moisture left in the lines.
That's actually about the best you can do for vacuum at 4500-5000ft elevation.
Should be good to go. When I picked up my 2nd Runner a few months ago I had to evacuate the A/C system and with a good vacuum pump I was right between 24 and 25 which is just about dead on based on the altitude in Reno.
Next target is the power steering pump which I think can be resolved with a fluid flush and new mobile 1 synthetic (atf?).
When I had to do some power steering work on my '98 last year I had some of the same issues. Thing was squeaking and screeching every time I turned the wheel and couldn't figure out what the issue was... Tried cycling the wheel back and forth hoping to get any air out of the system and nothing seemed to help. I finally decided to go for broke and took it on a long freeway drive and it hasn't made a peep since. I think the combination of the higher rpm's and working the wheel while driving at freeway speeds got all the trapped air out of the system.
 
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just picked up where i had left off at page 4 and man, you are ambitious. it's really impressive how dedicated you are to this. sorry if this sounds like a stupid generic compliment but i mean it. wow.
 
just picked up where i had left off at page 4 and man, you are ambitious. it's really impressive how dedicated you are to this. sorry if this sounds like a stupid generic compliment but i mean it. wow.

Thanks a lot! I've really been trying to get it done before Christmas. I'm close now...just need another 3 days or so of work to get some final things taken care of. I need to swap the whole interior and all four doors so that will be a days work most likely.

When I set my mind to something I try to do my best to get it done!
 
I saw California and didn't think he would be that high in elevation. Good point about elevation affecting max possible vacuum.

Didn't even think of that....elevation will definitely make a difference. Use to live in the valley but now I'm up in Reno at around 4700 ft.
 
Been doing some designs on the current offroad trailer I built.

I purchased an awning and hardshell RTT for the trailer/4runner over black friday, so il most likely sell my softshell RTT. Its been great for the past 4 years or so, but time to move on!

This design is a bit unconventional. Most teardrops/small trailers have a small sleeping space with outdoor kitchen sink etc. I have a great sleeping space already with the rtt, but what would make a big difference camping is a hot shower every few days and a toilet with some privacy for guests that may be camping with us, and my significant other.

Ive designed this small shower/bathroom stall as a sort of module that I will either weld to or bolt to the existing frame. The bolt idea is nice because I have the flexibility to remove it, but I honestly dont expect to take it off once it is installed.

It will be 1x1 steel painted with the same epoxy style rust inhibiting black matte paint used on my current trailer.

I know this isnt specific to the 4runner, but those updates will come soon...Im waiting for the weather to get a little better before I finish up and get the 4wd and interior the way I want it.

here are some photos. The new addition is from the box forward. Interior space is 50 inches high, just enough to crouch inside and do your business. It will have heated water tanks to protect from freezing and an inline on demand heater for the water itself. The door is about 3ft, but Im looking into affordable options and trying to get a 4 ft door that will work for ease of entry.

the shower pan is 24x36 which allows for enough room to rinse off. Il purchase a small shower bench that is removable for ease of use. The toilet will be a chemical toilet with removable tank (most likely). Dealing with a black water tank and plumbing isnt my idea of a great time.
 

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Alrighty, swapped all the doors from one 4runner to the other. Swapped both from door key cores, finishes misc bolting and fastening. Replaced front right fender . Removed fender flares from rear quarter panels (need to drill holes and buy clips to install on other 4runner).

Fixed squealing Power steering with a flush and mobil 1 synthetic atf.

Two problems now.

1. Brakes are still spongy when engine is running. Very firm when it is off. I have bled all four corners twice each (minimum). Clear fluid no bubbles...what gives?


2. Right rear door was showing open light on dash when closed...no light when open. Messed with the latch with my finger and now it says open all the time. Maybe there's a switch inside?

She needs a nice fabd bumper and the rest of her flares, but it's definitely getting close to being finished. Still have to wire up that ADD...mainly haven't because I know what to do and Ive been trying to knock other stuff out first.

Evening photos sitting in the driveway after a test drive with some new gas...
 

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1. Brakes are still spongy when engine is running. Very firm when it is off. I have bled all four corners twice each (minimum). Clear fluid no bubbles...what gives?

Did you do the tundra brake upgrade? If so, that's pretty common to have a softer pedal. You might also check that your rear drums are adjusted properly.
 
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Did you do the tundra brake upgrade? If so, that's pretty common to have a softer pedal. You might also check that your rear drums are adjusted properly.

I did, however if the upgrade makes it so at full depression of the brake pedal the tires won't even lock up (which is the issue now ) I don't want this upgrade.

I've read some things about the Abs system acting up causing this...going to have to look into that .

I did several 15mph runs where I stood on the brakes to the floor, and it stops somewhat quick, but I can't get maximum braking with antiskid operating . Definitely not how it should feel..
 
I did, however if the upgrade makes it so at full depression of the brake pedal the tires won't even lock up (which is the issue now ) I don't want this upgrade.

I've read some things about the Abs system acting up causing this...going to have to look into that .

I did several 15mph runs where I stood on the brakes to the floor, and it stops somewhat quick, but I can't get maximum braking with antiskid operating . Definitely not how it should feel..
Did you bleed the brakes with the vehicle running? Are you still using rubber soft lines? Have you verified that your rear drums are adjusted correctly? Did you buy rebuilt/remanufactured calipers or source them from a tundra?
 

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