JVC8790's Daily Duty Cruiser "Build" Thread

[JVC8790]

I'm no stranger to hauling wheels/tires, but I haven't moved anything this large before. Managed to pack all 5 wheels and 5 tires in the back without having to put anything in the front seat. All fit very nicely!

Dropped them off at 4 Wheel Parts today, will pick up Friday and hopefully mount them on the car that night if it's not raining (as its forecaster to rain Friday and Saturday).

 

[JVC8790]

Picked these up last Friday!

Went ahead and started to put them on yesterday. Unfortunately, I didn't have the right lug nuts for these. I bought standard Conical seat lug nuts, but I would feel much more comfortable with Extended Thread Conical Lug Nuts. A return and new order through Amazon and they'll be here Tuesday. But for now, the one wheel I got on looks pretty good and I took some teaser pictures.

More to come later this week when they're on for good.

 

[JVC8790]

With the beautiful spring weather we had here in Southwest Ohio last night (60 and clear). I told my wife I needed a bit of time in the driveway and got everything on! (Disclaimer: I know I am missing a center cap, I only got 3 back from the shop that mounted my wheels/tires, that is in process of being fixed).

Put them on in the driveway, did a quick measurement and I gained 1" of ground to fender height just by putting these on.

Then I drove it across the neighborhood to a church parking lot to take a few full pictures.

More pics this weekend when I bust out the big camera (5D MkII).

Next up is a decent polishing/detailing on the outside and then a bit of frame wire wheel/coating as it warms up. I'd also like to get a rear spring spacer to level off the drivers rear to the passenger rear, and then maybe a small spacer for the front to gain 3/4-1" additional height.

 

[JVC8790]

Thread Bump, no major updates, I've been spending most of my time getting my other car ready for car show season and attending a few events (Euro District in Louisville, and Alpine VAG Fair in Helen, GA).

I've really been enjoying this as a daily and the gas mileage hasn't been a huge issue since I've been driving city with previous cars and only getting 1-2 mpg less with the 4Runner.

I did get a CEL and VSC Light, replaced the gas cap with one for $9 from Advance Auto but that only temporarily solved it. I'll be ordering an OEM one and that hopefully will do it. No codes are stored when I read with my code reader so I'm thinking its the gas cap situation.

I placed an order on 4/8 for a GOBI Ladder, I'll update the thread as I get updates, but the 8-12 weeks is really quite a long time to wait. I figured I'd get in line and start waiting so I can get it this summer rather than wait til winter.

 

[JVC8790]

For those still paying attention here, I have some leftover Spidertrax spacers for sale.

FS: 1.25" Spidertrax, set of 4. Bought them used to space out stock wheels, but then found a deal on new wheels. Spacers only, no lug nuts, located in Cincinnati but will ship. $80 OBO+Shipping.

 

[T4Rmiller]

For those still paying attention here, I have some leftover Spidertrax spacers for sale.

FS: 1.25" Spidertrax, set of 4. Bought them used to space out stock wheels, but then found a deal on new wheels. Spacers only, no lug nuts, located in Cincinnati but will ship. $80 OBO+Shipping.

Ill take em. can you do 80 shipped to Indy?

truck is looking good. Im building mine currently. White 04 sport. Just about finished getting it cleaned up and running good. Now starting to look at wheels and tires and trying to find time to get my Bilstein 5100 thrown on.

 

[JVC8790]

Ill take em. can you do 80 shipped to Indy?

truck is looking good. Im building mine currently. White 04 sport. Just about finished getting it cleaned up and running good. Now starting to look at wheels and tires and trying to find time to get my Bilstein 5100 thrown on.

Sorry, sold em last night locally!

I got really lucky with these wheels/tires when it came to the deals I got. I'm not sure I would have jumped on wheels/tires this soon if they weren't priced right. That being said I kinda want 5100's in front just to bring the nose up a tad higher.

 

[JVC8790]

Picked up some 3rd Gen Tacoma TRD Offroad Fronts this past weekend, hoping to put them in within the next few weeks and will report back with measurements of the additional lift beyond 2nd Gen Tacoma (rumor has it 1" additional).

I also took off my running boards, did an oil change, and greased the driveshaft which made quite the difference. I think it still needs a few more pumps of grease, but the thud/tightness at stops seems to be mostly gone.

Sold the Spacers to a local who came to pick them up in this beast. Said he has driven it to Alaska and back. He also has a 1st Gen 4Runner with a 7MGTE and a Tacoma he'll be putting the spacers on.

Also installed my TRD Oil Cap I got during the TRD Sale. I bought the Radiator Cap too, but the marking on it was different (1.3 on the new cap, vs 1.1 on the old, presuming this is bar (approx 14.7psi per bar IIRC).

Then went and picked up a kayak from my inlaws so we can go out next weekend. Ordered two J hooks to mount this and one other one we have on the roof of the 4Runner and will probably just mount those to some strap on Thule cross bars I have for easy install/removal without utilizing the factory bars and not having to buy the LFD Aftermarket Bars that I want.

 

[JVC8790]

Pulled the codes today (after previously not having any with the CEL/VSC Lights for the Gas Cap).

It has triggered P0031, looks like upstream AFR/O2 Sensor, the only curiosity I have is if this may not be only the fault of a bad sensor, but also the fault of a cracked exhaust manifold (which I have). If anyone has any insight let me know, otherwise I'll go about the O2 sensor first.

I'll start spraying PB Blaster on the O2 Sensors tonight and apply for the rest of the week and order the replacement(s) to do this weekend.

 

[T4Rmiller]

I also have a leaking manifold and I also had that code as well as codes for each downstream sensor. Replacing the downstream with a Denso replacement took care of that code (that sensor should not be affected by the cracked manifold) The codes for the downstreams did both return though even after replacing them as well. Honestly I just did the o2 spacers and those codes have not returned. Im pretty sure I have at least 1 exhaust leak after the cats which can throw codes for those downstream sensors, but like I said I just went the easy route and threw on the spacers instead of searching for leaks.

 

[JVC8790]

I also have a leaking manifold and I also had that code as well as codes for each downstream sensor. Replacing the downstream with a Denso replacement took care of that code (that sensor should not be affected by the cracked manifold) The codes for the downstreams did both return though even after replacing them as well. Honestly I just did the o2 spacers and those codes have not returned. Im pretty sure I have at least 1 exhaust leak after the cats which can throw codes for those downstream sensors, but like I said I just went the easy route and threw on the spacers instead of searching for leaks.

Thanks for the input. This code appears to be for a bank 1 sensor 1, nothing yet for downstream so I'll try replacing the one that is triggering the CEL and go from there. They're only like $40 for Denso so it's a small price to fix.

I'm planning to get DT headers, but not in any immediate rush given the extra cost and current condition of mine that aren't THAT bad.

 

[T4Rmiller]

Thanks for the input. This code appears to be for a bank 1 sensor 1, nothing yet for downstream so I'll try replacing the one that is triggering the CEL and go from there. They're only like $40 for Denso so it's a small price to fix.

I'm planning to get DT headers, but not in any immediate rush given the extra cost and current condition of mine that aren't THAT bad.

ya, Im dreading the day I decide to do the headers. looking at the studs though the wheel well, I can tell its gonna be a nightmare.

 

[JVC8790]

ya, Im dreading the day I decide to do the headers. looking at the studs though the wheel well, I can tell its gonna be a nightmare.

I have a friend that used to be a tech for a living that left the industry and came over to corporate america. He does side work out of his garage where he has a lift, so I can tell you I'll be throwing him all my cash to have him do it/help me do it instead of kill myself on the ground.

Update also,

took the 4Runner out this weekend with some new Kayak racks and a leftover set of Thule bars I had from my wagon. The J hooks were bought on Amazon, 2 pairs for $54 total.

My friend with his Civic came out, hopefully he'll be joining the T4R Club soon with either a 3rd or 4th gen as an adventure rig (keeping the Civic for DD use)

 

[JVC8790]

Filled up my T4R this morning before work, noticed it was leaning pretty heavy to the drivers side. I've read about it, but never really noticed it.

Got into work and ordered a 15mm Dobinsons leveling spacer (in favor of the 10mm from OME).

That will be here Thursday along with my GOBI Ladder! Hoping to get one or both of them installed that night!

 

[T4Rmiller]

I have a friend that used to be a tech for a living that left the industry and came over to corporate america. He does side work out of his garage where he has a lift, so I can tell you I'll be throwing him all my cash to have him do it/help me do it instead of kill myself on the ground.

Update also,

took the 4Runner out this weekend with some new Kayak racks and a leftover set of Thule bars I had from my wagon. The J hooks were bought on Amazon, 2 pairs for $54 total.

My friend with his Civic came out, hopefully he'll be joining the T4R Club soon with either a 3rd or 4th gen as an adventure rig (keeping the Civic for DD use)

I actually used to be a tech as well, but that industry sucks IMO and I couldnt be happier that I got out. I still have a few friends still in the game as well. Have you talked to your buddy about it. wonder what hew has to say about how hard it would be and how much he would charge. Of course it hard to say because of manifold studs but from what Ive seen you can pretty much count on it going to shit

 

[JVC8790]

I actually used to be a tech as well, but that industry sucks IMO and I couldnt be happier that I got out. I still have a few friends still in the game as well. Have you talked to your buddy about it. wonder what hew has to say about how hard it would be and how much he would charge. Of course it hard to say because of manifold studs but from what Ive seen you can pretty much count on it going to shit

He used to own a Euro shop here in Cincinnati and they boomed like crazy, business fall out and they split ways to stay friends. Now he's much happier doing side work to keep the fun tickets flowing but he's typically booked AT LEAST a month out, so if its urgent, its not for him, haha.

I haven't had many conversations with him about the headers specifically, but put it this way. I drop my car off with him (any of my cars for that matter), tell him he has as much time as he needs and if anything comes up to put my stuff on the back burner, then when I pick it up I ask him what the cost is then. I've never been surprised the bad way, but have been pleasantly surprised a few times when his quote was on the low side and I know he'll do it right.

Whenever the time comes I'll have him ballpark me a figure, of course any broken/rusted hardware will be a bit pricier to replace and the labor to do so.

 

[JVC8790]

Got a box yesterday! (actually two)

One was a 15mm Dobinsons rear leveling spacer. The other was this one!

Admittedly, the box threw me off a little bit as I ordered it specifically "without", more details below.

It's not mounted (or likely even where it will be perfectly located) but I had to throw it up there just for looks. It SHOULD make tossing the kayaks up top a bit easier, more so for somewhere to hold onto to keep balance while standing on the back bumper (or the hitch step I plan on making for fun).

I'll get it mounted up this weekend and take some better pictures as well! I want to clean up a bit of rust on the edge of the tailgate before mounting this up just to be sure that it doesn't get worse under the ladder brackets.

That being said, I need a new tailgate and will be keeping my eyes open for a white one within a reasonable distance of Cincinnati, OH.

 

[JVC8790]

Got the ladder all mounted up! (looks mostly the same as the test fit haha)

The only thing I noticed is that the passenger side bar does barely contact the spoiler. I'm going to loosen up the bolt on top and put a small washer under it and tighten back down. The drivers side has perfect clearance in my opinion.

After I got it mounted up, I decided to play around with some leftover metal I bought for a project on my Volvo. There is a local metal supply place that has tons of stuff, the only issue is that they have a $30 minimum, and by weight that means you have to get like 50lbs to make it worth going. No worries though, every time I go I stock up on metal plate, tubing etc, just for little projects like this.

I'll put my HF Flux Core Welder to use later this week and slop this thing up. I'll grind it down a little and toss some grip tape on top. I know I can buy something similar for $20-30, but I already had the material and its a fun little garage project.

 

[JVC8790]

Well, the welds not may be the prettiest, but I'm happy with my cheap HF Flux core welder. Plenty of small projects going forward that I might get myself into knowing I've got the machine decently dialed in.

Threw some black high temp engine paint on it.

Finished it off with some grip tape and installed this morning.

It sticks out about 4" past the hitch receiver.

 

[JVC8790]

No major updates to report here, just a few little things.

Replaced both of my front O2 sensors last week since I had a code for bank 1 sensor 1. CEL is now gone. I did both sides just for peace of mind and since they were $40 each.

Left my house for a 5hr road trip with no lights on the dash.

Picked up a Maintenance Light after I stopped for gas (which I have since re-set)

Got a TPMS light for the TPMS sensors that I never put into my new wheels/tires when I installed them. I will be doing the bypass mod with a wire tap this evening or sometime this week to defeat.

Then the VSC OFF/VSC Tracs lights came on. I'm not sure what caused this one so I might have to get a fancier scanner to read any trouble/diag codes. I tried the gas cap (which was just replaced with an OEM one recently).

Then, on my way home from my 5hr each way road trip to Chicago, I picked up a big ol rock in my windshield. Submit a claim to have that fixed with $0 deductible glass. Luckily it didn't hit paint, much easier to replace glass! I'm guessing this was around a golf ball sized rock, hit the windshield while I was changing lanes so I didn't see it coming but boy was it loud!!

Also, does anyone have an issue seeing the turn signal lights and or gas gauge? I'm 6'2" and find with my seating position and steering wheel that I have trouble seeing the turn signal indicators.