Kung's Build Thread (pic heavy)
- Thread starter Kung
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Kung
New member
It should now. 
Update - I got the 4Runner back, and it is most DEFINITELY fixed. The culprit - two of the four rims I have are out of round.
They took the tire/wheel combo that balanced the easiest, and then pulled off ALL of the tires and mounted/balanced them on that rim. All 4 tires balanced with almost no weight.
Once that was done they knew it wasn't the tires. So they noticed that two tire/wheel combos were significantly worse. They measured the runout on those two and it was way off; they then did a visual inspection, and found that there were actually high spots on the inside of the rim itself.
So the bad news - I have to buy a new set of rims.
The good news - I get to buy a new set of rims!
Better news - my dad's friend owns a salvage yard and has a line on a LOT of different parts, so he's going to keep an eye out on any rim sets that come his way.
Update - I got the 4Runner back, and it is most DEFINITELY fixed. The culprit - two of the four rims I have are out of round.
They took the tire/wheel combo that balanced the easiest, and then pulled off ALL of the tires and mounted/balanced them on that rim. All 4 tires balanced with almost no weight.
Once that was done they knew it wasn't the tires. So they noticed that two tire/wheel combos were significantly worse. They measured the runout on those two and it was way off; they then did a visual inspection, and found that there were actually high spots on the inside of the rim itself.
So the bad news - I have to buy a new set of rims.
The good news - I get to buy a new set of rims!
Better news - my dad's friend owns a salvage yard and has a line on a LOT of different parts, so he's going to keep an eye out on any rim sets that come his way.
nice to know there's a good shop in my hometown!
do you recall who was the specific technician with whom you dealt?
Kung
New member
Yep, it was Greg. Any of the guys there are good - there's another guy (Gary) with whom I go to church, and he knows his stuff too.
If you ever drive through and need a place to crash or such (or a beer or two LOL) lemme know.
Yep, it was Greg. Any of the guys there are good - there's another guy (Gary) with whom I go to church, and he knows his stuff too.
If you ever drive through and need a place to crash or such (or a beer or two LOL) lemme know.
I may take you up on that... the next time I may come through or back home will probably be in March for St. Pat's...
Kung
New member
So I'm walking out to the 4Runner the other day and see a smallish puddle on the ground. *frown* Crank it up and the P/S pump is whining. Which led me to believe the rack was leaking - and sure enough, today I got confirmation:
(In case it's hard to tell, it's right below where the steering column connects to the steering rack.)
This is of note because
A) it's a Safari LTD rack and
B) I've had it a whopping 6 months.
This being said, I called them up, and spoke with Colin; he asked if I could get a pic of where it was leaking. I did and sent it to them, and an hour later they tell me they'll cover it AND return shipping. They did have to charge my CC (to make sure I'd actually return it) but most places do that. So, thus far I'm happy even considering.
(In case it's hard to tell, it's right below where the steering column connects to the steering rack.)
This is of note because
A) it's a Safari LTD rack and
B) I've had it a whopping 6 months.
This being said, I called them up, and spoke with Colin; he asked if I could get a pic of where it was leaking. I did and sent it to them, and an hour later they tell me they'll cover it AND return shipping. They did have to charge my CC (to make sure I'd actually return it) but most places do that. So, thus far I'm happy even considering.
Kung
New member
True, but by the same token, excellent support, so hey.
Awaiting the new steering rack. In the meantime, on the advice of the shop that found the problematic rims, I have a completely new set of rims (Tacoma rims) that I had put on my 4Runner....
...and now it shakes worse than it did before.
*facepalm*
At this point I'm bringing it to the local Toyota dealership to see if they can figure it out, and if they can't, to be honest, it may just be time to trade this in on a newer model. I'd rather not, but I don't have the time to devote to finding the problem, as I've done that for the last year and a half or so. :/
Kung
New member
Update: Pretty sure the rack is just fine.
I brought the enormous weight of my troubleshooting skills to bear on this issue, and have traced the problem down to...
...an idiot mechanic who last looked @ the rack.
Because of this, Safari has asked that I pay for shipping the rack back to them, and frankly I can't really complain about that. *shrug* So, thus far, their product is intact. I'll know for sure on Friday.
I brought the enormous weight of my troubleshooting skills to bear on this issue, and have traced the problem down to...
...an idiot mechanic who last looked @ the rack.
Because of this, Safari has asked that I pay for shipping the rack back to them, and frankly I can't really complain about that. *shrug* So, thus far, their product is intact. I'll know for sure on Friday.
Kung
New member
Waited a few days, and while I'm not sure the rack is leaking, I've seen a drip or two here and there. I've already got the replacement rack, so I figure I'll go ahead and have it thrown in there.
ALSO...big update on balancing. I've done darn near everything that can be done, and I went to the place of purchase (Fort Leonard Wood) and told them all that's been done. The guy agreed that a replacement set of tires wasn't overreaching at this point. He asked if I wanted the same tires; I told him it was probably best to get a more on-road tire just in case, to see if what Toyota has to say about it is true (that a more aggressive tread is knocking it out of balance - LOL).
So anyways, he asked how many miles had been put on there; I told him. He hemmed and hawed, did some finger and toe counting, and then all of a sudden says "How about you just pay tax - $32 - and we'll cover the rest?"
LOL - I said "Uh, I think I can handle that." That's pretty d@mn fair. So we'll see if this fixes it.
ALSO...big update on balancing. I've done darn near everything that can be done, and I went to the place of purchase (Fort Leonard Wood) and told them all that's been done. The guy agreed that a replacement set of tires wasn't overreaching at this point. He asked if I wanted the same tires; I told him it was probably best to get a more on-road tire just in case, to see if what Toyota has to say about it is true (that a more aggressive tread is knocking it out of balance - LOL).
So anyways, he asked how many miles had been put on there; I told him. He hemmed and hawed, did some finger and toe counting, and then all of a sudden says "How about you just pay tax - $32 - and we'll cover the rest?"
LOL - I said "Uh, I think I can handle that." That's pretty d@mn fair.
So we'll see if this fixes it.
BlazeRunner
Member
Aww, c'mon dude... Ford?? :barf:
That's not an upgrade
That's not an upgrade
Kung
New member
I would normally agree...but that being said, in 160K+ miles on my 2004 F150, I've had to replace a battery and the right rear blinker light. LOL That's IT.
Plus the local Ford dealership here actually is EXCELLENT (and support is everything) and the local Toyota dealership is not. LOL
I'd love to get the Tundra, but there are no deals around here - seriously, I'd have to pay like $40K to get what I want. And the frame flex....meh.
Last edited:
madbomber08
New member
What does a 2013 f150 cost?
Kung
New member
MSRP for what I want (2013 F150 SuperCrew 4x4) is probably about $38K. Around here, due to the whole end of year thing, you can get them for as low as $29.5K or so (2013, 4x4 Supercrew, either EcoBoost or 5.0, with the XLT trim). If I trade in my old truck (2004 F150) that'd bring it down to $25K or so; another $4K or $5K if I sell my T4R, so I'd have a $21K note on the truck.
Note: I'd MUCH rather not trade in OR sell this thing, but after tallying up everything I've done to track down the balance issue (not everything's been posted on here) I've spent an average of $300 or so a month for the last few months...and that's a payment. :/ I'm sure the issue is fixable but either it's some weird arcane issue OR the local Toyota techs are not the brightest.
Kung
New member
...aaaand it's gone. (The 4Runner, that is.)
We'd been wanting to get a truck for a long time; and right now there are crazy deals. We walked into the local Ford dealership (some dislike their vehicles, but the last 3 we've owned have been rock solid - in fact, my older 2004 F150 is now with my parents, running just fine) not expecting to buy one.
Well, they met our demands. We essentially paid $28.7K for a 2013 F150 SuperCab 5.0L XLT 4x4 with a ton of options, and got almost $5K for our 4Runner as a trade-in. I HATED to see it go, but I can guarantee I'll own another one in the future.
Please don't hate me. *sob* LOL
We'd been wanting to get a truck for a long time; and right now there are crazy deals. We walked into the local Ford dealership (some dislike their vehicles, but the last 3 we've owned have been rock solid - in fact, my older 2004 F150 is now with my parents, running just fine) not expecting to buy one.
Well, they met our demands. We essentially paid $28.7K for a 2013 F150 SuperCab 5.0L XLT 4x4 with a ton of options, and got almost $5K for our 4Runner as a trade-in. I HATED to see it go, but I can guarantee I'll own another one in the future.
Please don't hate me. *sob* LOL
Kung
New member
I know, right? Half of me is happy that I've got a nice new vehicle; the other half is sad that I don't get to screw around with and build up the 4Runner.
I can tell you, though, that it was this thread and the mods that got me such a good deal. They flat out told me "Normally anything over about 7 years, we'd just send to the auctions, but this vehicle is so nice, and the mods you've done are actually worthy mods, that we'll sell this easily."
Not too many bulletin boards out there that actually make you money! So I'll be back for sure in the future - and I don't plan on leaving (unless someone's making me). This is a GREAT bunch of people.
I can tell you, though, that it was this thread and the mods that got me such a good deal. They flat out told me "Normally anything over about 7 years, we'd just send to the auctions, but this vehicle is so nice, and the mods you've done are actually worthy mods, that we'll sell this easily."
Not too many bulletin boards out there that actually make you money!
So I'll be back for sure in the future - and I don't plan on leaving (unless someone's making me). This is a GREAT bunch of people.
downpour11
New member
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