JBD's '97 Sunfire Red SR5 T4R

[4Runner4Leon]

Thanks. As for prep, they were removed, cleaned and rubbed down with alcohol. I went with plasti-dip, since I wasn’t sure how I’d like it. If it doesn’t last, I’ll sand, prime and paint.

How is it holding up so far?

I am thinking of a similar "look" for my '97 Limited, even though it's white. Black wheels, body colored flares, and either black or body color bumpers. I think it'll make it look more modern and clean, like yours!

 

[jbrentd]

How is it holding up so far?



I am thinking of a similar "look" for my '97 Limited, even though it's white. Black wheels, body colored flares, and either black or body color bumpers. I think it'll make it look more modern and clean, like yours!

So far, so good. But I’ve only washed it once. I also blacked out the chrome flares at the same time.

Let me ask for some opinions on something else. I’m considering doing a retrofit on the headlights. And I’m wondering if I should paint the housings black to go withy he theme? Or stick with the chrome housings. If I did paint them black, I would also paint the grill black.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Nice truck. I think that body and wheel color combination looks great.

My 2 cents don't paint the headlights black. It doesn't look right with age. Go with a graphite or charcoal metallic paint color.

 

[jbrentd]

Nice truck. I think that body and wheel color combination looks great.

My 2 cents don't paint the headlights black. It doesn't look right with age. Go with a graphite or charcoal metallic paint color.

Thanks for the compliment and the feedback on the lights. I like the idea of something between the chrome and all the way black.

 

[jbrentd]

Got the new Pioneer head unit installed last night. Also wired in a switch for the power antenna so I can lower it when going through a car wash or listening to bluetooth audio. Weird thing is, the old Kenwood unit had separate wires for the power antenna and motor control and the antenna would lower automatically when using the USB connection.

 

[jbrentd]

So, yesterday was interesting...

I think my 4Runner is telling me to stop putting off preventative maintenance items. I found a good deal on some OEM 5-star wheels and went to pick them up yesterday afternoon. My plan is to give them a respray with the duplicolor graphite wheel paint and see how I like them. I'm not a huge fan of the flat black wheels I have now.

Anyway, it was about a 3.5 hour round trip to get them. About an hour in, I notice my phone wasn't charging. I take a look at my ODB Fusion app that is connected to a VeePeak bluetooth odb2 reader and find that my charging system is at about 11.3 volts. Somehow, I was able to make it to Oklahoma City all the way back home to Tulsa. My system voltage was 9.7v when I pulled in to the garage. I wonder at what voltage the car will just shut down.

Things I learned on this endeavor:

• I need to assemble a small set of tools to keep in the truck
• The system voltage seems to drop exponentially over time
• Brake lights are large consumers of batter volts
• I need to stop with the asthetics and focus on the preventative maintenance items!!

After I got home, I did a little research on t4r.org and watched the video by [MENTION=120071]mtbtim[/MENTION] and [MENTION=102606]infamousRNR[/MENTION] and found that a lot of people replace the brushes rather than going with a whole new alternator. So, I pulled the alternator last night to see 1) what type of alternator I have and 2) to inspect the brushes. I found that I have a Denso and it might be the original. I also found the brushes to be severely worn down.

It looks like the style of my brush holder is different than most others I've seen. Here's the one I see referenced in most of the DIYs. It's part number 27370-75060.

When I do a parts search on camelback's site, it says I need part number 27371-70300 and it looks like it's just the brushes, not the brushes and the brush holder. I assume there's some soldering involved to install the brushes in the brush holder?

Does anyone know which would be the correct one for me to order?

 

[jbrentd]

Oh, and here are the wheels I picked up. I should be able to sell the tires and be in to the wheels for about $100.

 

[infamousRNR]

[MENTION=190943]jbrentd[/MENTION]

My dude!.

I had my first 1999 4runner die suddenly on the freeway! First the radio started to do weird things then completely stop working & then the car just died. I’m glad this didn’t happen to you & you made it home safely.

 

[jbrentd]

[MENTION=190943]jbrentd[/MENTION]

My dude!

I had my first 1999 4runner die suddenly on the freeway! First the radio started to do weird things then completely stop working & then the car just died. I’m glad this didn’t happen to you & you made it home safely.

ME TOO!! It was a long trip home.

 

[cblock406]

You lucked out! Mine went out in a busy intersection while there was a ton of traffic. A cop forced me to let him push me out of the way and he dented my bumper I had just replaced.

My Dad happened to be in town visiting and was there with a tow rope literally two minutes later. Was not happy with the cop.

 

[jbrentd]

You lucked out! Mine went out in a busy intersection while there was a ton of traffic. A cop forced me to let him push me out of the way and he dented my bumper I had just replaced.

My Dad happened to be in town visiting and was there with a tow rope literally two minutes later. Was not happy with the cop.

Ouch! That sucks. Every time I came to a section of highway with little to no shoulder, I would get a more nervous than I already was. Maybe I should have driven to the casino rather than going home.

 

[jbrentd]

Well, being the impatient person I am and not wanting to deal with the fubar’d screw that holds down the brush holder, I decided to just buy a re-built alternator with a lifetime warranty. No one had the brushes in stock locally.

 

[jbrentd]

...aannnnndd it looks like my luck has run out...

25 ft-lbs is way too much apparently. Hopefully, the junk yard will have one. If not, I'll be down for a few days. :dammit:

Still trying to confirm the part number, but I think this might be it. 16385-62020 (#5 on diagram)

 

[jbrentd]

1638562020 was the right part number for the alternator tension slider. Dealer was able to get it shipped in from Houston in a day.

I spent some time yesterday washing cars and I threw on the wheels I picked up to see if I liked them. Just getting a little tired of the black wheels. I plan to swap over my KO2's tomorrow and dismount these Bridgestones so I can post them up on craigslist.

 

[jbrentd]

KO2's are mounted to the new wheels.

 

[Road Bull]

KO2's are mounted to the new wheels.

Looking Good! The classic OEM 5 stars always look sharp with some beefy shoes. Well done.

 

[jbrentd]

So, after having the OME 880/906 lift kit for a while, I've noticed some things about the rear setup. I like the unloaded ride height since it sits nice and level, but as soon as I load up with passengers or any rear cargo (in excess of 250 lbs or so) it sags and affects the steering characteristics.

I'm thinking about adding 1 or 2 of the OME 10mm spring spacers or swapping the 906 springs for the 890 springs. I don't mind a slight rake if it'll improve the performance when loaded.

Does anyone have any comments on those two options or other suggestions?

 

[Tyler James Inc]

I love Sunfire so much [emoji30]
I would go for the 890 over the trim packers.

 

[huntsonora]

Great build.... sub’d

What is the purpose of bypassing the rear heater?

 

[jbrentd]

I love Sunfire so much [emoji30]
I would go for the 890 over the trim packers.

Me too. When I was looking, I was on the hunt for sunfire, thundercloud, anthracite, or one of the greens.

And thanks for the input on the springs.

Great build.... sub’d

What is the purpose of bypassing the rear heater?

Thanks. I had a coolant leak on the lines going to the rear heater core and the bypass is just temporary until I can run new radiator hose.