Keyrunner intro and soon to be build thread

[Keyrunner]

Hi all. I am a new member but not new to the site. I am frequently wasting time at work drooling over build threads and dreaming of taking my truck to the next level. I have a 1999 limited 2wd auto with 120000 on the clock. I have already tackled the deck plate mod and plasti-dipped the emblems from member's write-ups. It has come time for some routine/preventative maintenance before I can move forward on any more mods. I have been interested in switching to taco LBJs and OTREs. Would this be a waste of time for a daily driver that only ever sees some sand or grassy parking lots? I would like to possibly lift up to 3'' in the future and move up to 33's at the next tire change.

I know it needs a wash, these are for introduction purposes only

 

[4-Ripcord]

:hello:

 

[Keyrunner]

New grille and lights installed

I rigged up some extra fog lights I had laying around the house and installed my new grille. I still need get a relay installed and maybe purchase a better switch.
ARKRWLR turned me onto some nice lighted scion ones which I will probably purchase.

Sorry for the big pictures





Action shot. Ha.



I like how it came out but the lights are slightly under-powered which makes them useless.
I will be scouring classifieds for some hella's or KC's and hopefully be able to add some to the lower valence as well.

I left the grille black because I am considering painting the trim, bumpers, and wheels. The trim and bumpers have some scuffs which drive me crazy.
The black gives me a good idea on how it will contrast with the silver.

 

[Keyrunner]

Starter showing signs of age

As the post title says, I think my starter is on its way out. Lately it has been finicky, either cranking like normal, 1 crank and a couple clicks, just clicks, or like 5 minutes ago, the truck started but the starter continued to turn over(?). I know I am at the point of a major maintenance, being at 125000, so I guess I should add the starter to the list. I guess my question is does this sound familiar to anyone and if so does it sound like a simple contact replacement issue?

Over the next month I will be starting a maintenance overhaul starting with:

Oil and filter change
Spark plugs and wires
Air filter
Transmission fluid
Rear axle fluid
Brakes (possible tundra upgrade - still debating it)
Struts shocks and springs (possible small lift)
Tire rotation, re-balance (with weights inside), and alignment
Timing belt
Water pump
Starter contacts (hopefully that is all that is needed)

I'm sure I am forgetting something but all will be addressed. I have researched most of these repairs and maintenance procedures so they should all be a breeze. I am excited to get the 4runner back to tip top shape. I would like to keep it for as long as I can, which, knowing Toyota, will be a very long time.

 

[TCMach]

Pretty sweet truck man! As far as switches go I use OTRATTW contura II switches in my truck (website here. You've got me curious with that grill, are you going to be continuing the black theme elsewhere in the truck?
As far as the starter goes I had a problem where my starter just clicked once and gave up. I ended up replacing the contacts which was a real pain (not so much the actual repair but just getting to everything) and that helped but it still sucked. Then I replaced the battery with a bigger one and that combined with the contacts fixed it. Starts perfectly every time.

 

[Keyrunner]

Pretty sweet truck man! As far as switches go I use OTRATTW contura II switches in my truck (website here. You've got me curious with that grill, are you going to be continuing the black theme elsewhere in the truck?
As far as the starter goes I had a problem where my starter just clicked once and gave up. I ended up replacing the contacts which was a real pain (not so much the actual repair but just getting to everything) and that helped but it still sucked. Then I replaced the battery with a bigger one and that combined with the contacts fixed it. Starts perfectly every time.

Thanks Tyler! I just recently replaced my battery with a big duralast gold so I know the battery is strong. Hopefully I can get this tackled this weekend before it leaves me stranded somewhere.

I have since replaced my ''satoshi'' styled grille with the stocker for the time being since I was unable to achieve the look I wanted. Also, my cheap lights burnt out already so I am waiting until I can get some real Hellas or PIAAs in the grille.

The grille material I was finding at the hardware stores around here was not the look I wanted to go with, and the material was a PITA to try to fit how I wanted.

As for continuing the black look throughout the truck, to me painting the bumpers and flares black looks best on lifted trucks with big tires to carry the theme to the ground. I hardly ever go offroad (being in sw Florida + 2wd = not many trails and I hate mud) and being stock I don't think I could pull this look off. So I think I will eventually spend the money to get the flares and bumpers repainted. I will wait until I have my new grille installed so that it can be paint matched to the rest of the truck as well.

 

[TCMach]

If you do end up lifting it I could see some black wheels, big tires, and black fenders/bumpers/grill looking really sick. I totally know what you mean about the grill. I obsessed over doing a satoshi at first but for my application (hidden behind my Hellas) it wasn't worth the time or effort. I ended up just painting the stocker black and leaving the yota symbol chrome. Works for me haha. I also used a duralast gold and have always had good results with them! Mine is a 24F-DLG if your curious about the model. Who knows I may get another duralast gold and run dual batteries! Oh the possibilities.
Also I re read your first post and you talked about swapping to Taco LBJs and OTREs. Personally I think it's a waste plus you lose some of your turning radius when you swap. If you don't do much 4wheeling I don't see them doing you much good. I used 4runner parts when I redid mine and they seemed fine for me.

 

[downpour11]

As the post title says, I think my starter is on its way out. Lately it has been finicky, either cranking like normal, 1 crank and a couple clicks, just clicks, or like 5 minutes ago, the truck started but the starter continued to turn over(?). I know I am at the point of a major maintenance, being at 125000, so I guess I should add the starter to the list. I guess my question is does this sound familiar to anyone and if so does it sound like a simple contact replacement issue?

Yup, that's exactly what happened to me. My starter took a good 5 months to FINALLY go out. Grab a new starter from auto zone. Mine was a b**** to get out because it was caked with grime and grease and CV grease from over the years lol I also had to remove some brake line brackets to wedge the damn thing out. But, the new one bolts right up hahaha.
I'd replace it before it completely breaks and you get stranded somewhere!

 

[SkidPalace]

I'd give the starter contacts a try. The parts are very cheap right from the Toyota parts counter. I only did the contacts and just filed the plunger smooth. Works perfectly. I just removed the starter and replaced the contacts while it was still in the engine bay. Took about a half hour if I recall correctly.
Here's the parts I used:

 

[89s rule]

Huge pics Batman!

Looks like no one answered your ? about the Taco LBJ and TREs I did the swap this summer, turning radius is reduced, if your just a pavement pounder I would stick with the stock 4runner stuff.

 

[Keyrunner]

Small update..big problem..

Hey guys its been quite awhile since I have done anything to the truck and I finally took a trip to Toyota for parts. I picked up a water pump, timing belt, coolant, and starter contacts. I crawled under the truck to plan out the starter contact swap and noticed a leak. My first thought was rear main seal. I thought I would post up some pictures and get some of your thoughts.

Anyway..here are some pictures of the leak

 

[kball]

Could be your valve covers. You need to track down the highest point the oil is leaking at.

 

[Keyrunner]

I just had my valve covers done about 2,000 mi ago. I will start high and work my way down the engine to see where I end up. Thanks

 

[Keyrunner]

So I followed your suggestion Kball and started from the top, down. From what I could see of the valve covers looked clean with no leaking, but when I reached around the back of the motor I found the leak. The back of the driver-side valve cover is leaking. I had the valve cover gaskets replaced not too long ago but I am having trouble finding my receipt for the work. Hopefully the repair is still within warranty...but then again maybe it is a sign that I should do this one myself.

Does anyone know how long of a repair this would take, ballpark for someone with medium mechanical skills?

 

[Keyrunner]

Small update

Haven't posted on this in awhile. Since the new year I have installed new starter contacts to fix my starting issue, and a B&M 70268 super cooler for the transmission. The installs for both were straight forward, I know both subjects have been beaten to death, and I am very happy with the results. I plasti-dipped my wheels, redid my license plate surround and bottom bumper valence. I will insert some pictures before I start asking questions about future mods.


I am looking to purchase some spidertrax spacers, FJ cruiser rear coils and shocks to fix my sag, and add some interior LEDs. I picked up a soldering iron for the first time and I am planning on adding some LEDs to the cup holders and door handles. From those of you who have done this mod or any mod that requires adding power to an accessory near the gear shift/cig lighter, where should I grab power that will turn the lights on when the running lights come on?

Also, I have seen threads very few threads where the FJ cruiser rears are used. Would this be a waste of time, even if I can get the parts for really cheap?