Hello! Just got my 1st 4runner!

O

omegatek

New member
I wanted to get something reliable and something I could load up for camping trips with my wife and 2 kids. My neighbor, who btw, happens to be a Toyota mechanic :eyebrows:, told me to look into 4runners due to their rock solid dependability. And, well, here I am!

I'm not really into off roading and finding a 4X4 in Houston with low miles was next to impossible. I did find this though:

2002 SR5 with 140K for $6300 in near mint condition
Clean Carfax (no accidents or anything)
Always dealer serviced
Body is 9 out of 10 (no dents and only 1 small ding)
Paint is 9 out of 10 (PO must have garaged it)

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It looks like it may have some kind of lift? Never had an SUV so don't know if it is or not, lol. Dealer didn't mention it.

Can't wait to start modding it!
But 1st things 1st, gotta do some basic maintenance.
Here's a list of things I'm replacing this weekend after running some Seafoam through for 100 miles:

  • OE DENSO K16TR11 Spark Plugs
  • OE Ignition Wire Set DENSO 671-6182
  • OE Valve Cover Gasket Set
  • OE Fluid FIP Oil Pan Gasket
  • OE PCV Valve and Gasket
  • Fel-Pro Throttle Body Gasket
  • Fram Extra Guard Rigid Panel Air Filter
  • Intake Plenum Gaskets
  • Clean throttle body and MAF
  • Replace broken antenna motor and mast
  • Install aftermarket radio

As of now, here she is in my garage:

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Great find, that looks like a solid 4Runner.

It looks like it does have a lift, sits pretty high. Also looks like the running boards have been removed but if you want them people are ALWAYS selling them since they reduce the side clearance for wheeling.

You are going to need some Toyota FIPG (formed in place gasket) for the valve covers. If you don't your new gaskets are going to leak since the old stuff will flake off when you remove the valve covers. You place a small strip in the crevice next to the cam seals as well as a small bit on top of the half-moons on the seam where they meet the cylinder head. See a service manual for exact locations. The FIPG stuff is awesome and has many applications, I find myself using it way more often then I ever thought.

Also a good idea to check your valve clearances to make sure the are in spec since you've already got it all apart. All you need is a feeler gauge with very fine measurements, $4 at a parts store.

Also, you could look into getting a TRD throttle body gasket instead of the stock one. Not really a big deal but does remove some air restriction. The TRD is "O" shaped where the normal one is "D" shaped.
 
gamefreakgc said:
Great find, that looks like a solid 4Runner.

It looks like it does have a lift, sits pretty high. Also looks like the running boards have been removed but if you want them people are ALWAYS selling them since they reduce the side clearance for wheeling.

You are going to need some Toyota FIPG (formed in place gasket) for the valve covers. If you don't your new gaskets are going to leak since the old stuff will flake off when you remove the valve covers. You place a small strip in the crevice next to the cam seals as well as a small bit on top of the half-moons on the seam where they meet the cylinder head. See a service manual for exact locations. The FIPG stuff is awesome and has many applications, I find myself using it way more often then I ever thought.

Also a good idea to check your valve clearances to make sure the are in spec since you've already got it all apart. All you need is a feeler gauge with very fine measurements, $4 at a parts store.

Also, you could look into getting a TRD throttle body gasket instead of the stock one. Not really a big deal but does remove some air restriction. The TRD is "O" shaped where the normal one is "D" shaped.
Click to expand...

Not trying to hi-jack you thread, very nice find by the way. Would the black RTV silicone not work just as well as long as you get it nice and clean? I ask because I just ordered all the parts to replace mine from Camelback Toyota.
 
gamefreakgc said:
You are going to need some Toyota FIPG (formed in place gasket) for the valve covers. If you don't your new gaskets are going to leak since the old stuff will flake off when you remove the valve covers.
Click to expand...

Thanks, yeah, I have that stuff for sure.


gamefreakgc said:
Also a good idea to check your valve clearances to make sure the are in spec since you've already got it all apart. All you need is a feeler gauge with very fine measurements, $4 at a parts store.
Click to expand...

Oh wow, thanks! Great tip! I'll definitely stop by the parts shop and pick that up

gamefreakgc said:
Also, you could look into getting a TRD throttle body gasket instead of the stock one. Not really a big deal but does remove some air restriction. The TRD is "O" shaped where the normal one is "D" shaped.
Click to expand...

Another great tip! Wish I had known that one before I bought the regular throttle body gasket :( But hey, it was only $5 so no biggie. I'll take any extra performance tips and this seems like an easy one to do for when I do the ISR and DPM mod. :thanks:

Already love this great forum!
 
Link12 said:
Not trying to hi-jack you thread, very nice find by the way. Would the black RTV silicone not work just as well as long as you get it nice and clean? I ask because I just ordered all the parts to replace mine from Camelback Toyota.
Click to expand...

Yeah you can use other ones. The FIPG is great because it sets up in 15 minutes so you don't have to wait until it hardens and has higher temp ratings that normal black RTV.
 
It definitely has some lift on it, but it sits great with those tires and no running boards. Great find and welcome to the forum!!
 
gamefreakgc said:
Yeah you can use other ones. The FIPG is great because it sets up in 15 minutes so you don't have to wait until it hardens and has higher temp ratings that normal black RTV.
Click to expand...

This is the first time I'm seeing this.

I've never heard of a procedure other than just replacing the 2 valve cover gaskets with a new set of ... rubber OEM gaskets.
 
SRQ-Runner said:
It definitely has some lift on it, but it sits great with those tires and no running boards. Great find and welcome to the forum!!
Click to expand...

Thanks! I've been reading so many threads last 3 weeks. This forum is such a great resource for a deskmonkey like me. And everyone seems really helpful and willing to give out advice.


amalik said:
This is the first time I'm seeing this.

I've never heard of a procedure other than just replacing the 2 valve cover gaskets with a new set of ... rubber OEM gaskets.
Click to expand...


I've found that a lot of people HIGHLY recommend the use of Toyota Fluid Formed-in-Place Oil Pan Gasket (aka FIPG)

The part number is 00295-00103

Here is a thread discussing using it as part of the VCG job:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/109197-valve-cover-gasket-replacement-job.html

There are a few more threads on other boards that recommend it as well. Plus it sets in about 15 minutes so that's not having to wait too long for it to dry.


PhdNPrerunners said:
Great find on the 4runner! It's nice to see another Houston member. Where are you located in Houston?
Click to expand...

I'm out on the south east side of Houston, near Scarsdale and 45 South.
If there are any 4runner clubs in the Houston area, I'd love to come check it out sometime.
 
Nice find! welcome to the club! I bet money if you post some pics of the suspension it will get identified pretty quick. Also sounds like you are fairly capable under the hood and this forum will be a great resource for you.
 
It comes with Duratracs on it!? Nice. Looks clean. Best tip I have for VCG job: Get a towel or something of that nature to wrap under and around the crappy plastic wire loom before moving it around to get the valve cover on and off.
 
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