locked up
Member
Build highlights as of 3/31/2025
2003
Part Time 4WD (Manual T-case swap)
V8
Limited
LB42 Leather
220,000 miles
Dobinsons 1-3.5" IMS Coilovers (+100lbs/black)
Dobinsons C59-325 coils (black)
Dobinsons IMS59-50701 Shocks
1/2" Body Lift
Extended brake lines
265/70 R17 Kenda Klever ATs
Toyota 17" Wheels
5th Gen Rear Axle locked
5th Gen Front Brakes
Lost Trails Hidden Winch Bumper
8K Vevor winch
Current Pic:
---------------------------------------------
I picked this up a couple of days ago (December '23) and it's currently in the shop getting a good once over...
Motor has plenty of power and it drives nice and straight.
Dealer said "The PO said they did timing belt and water pump" ... but no sticker so I will redo it all.
Known issues are the 4wd actuator, bad fan clutch & a cracked coil pack.
There is also a small section of the frame we need to address for rust but it's nothing like the horror stories I have seen on youtube.
Shop seems to think they can easily cut out the bad spots and plate them.
Hopefully they don't find much more so I can get this on the road and get rid of my Jeep.
Plans:
Fix EVERYTHING noted above.
The front seems a little stiff so may investigate swapping something else in.
There are dents and dings that I am going to try to correct or at least minimize.
Might repaint/recolor it as well.... the black is sexy and all but it's hawt here in TX.
If I don't do a color change I might just do a white roof to reflect that sun!
If I keep the black I may look for some of the newer Limited wheels.
I generally like black wheels on white/silver vehicles and shiny metal on black/dark blue.
I will need to refurbish headlights so I may crack them open and convert to something brighter.
Grill needs some love. Emblems were plasti-dipped. Not sure if I like it.
On the inside I also want to replace the dash so will probably do a coverlay unless I find a nice one at the 'yard.
I am also going to look at replacement carpet, refurbishing the leather and some new floor mats.
Audio is the JBL system but I want something more modern.
I will investigate swapping that out for something touch screen assuming I can keep the steering wheel controls.
May remove the running boards and relocate the lights in them to under the body. We will see if they are necessary for the wife. lol
UPDATE:
Truck is done with the initial inspection.
Will have the shop mess with the AC Condenser because I don't have those tools.
Got a few things to sort out myself once I get it back and up first on my DIY list is a wheel bearing.
Truck has a slight pull to one side under heavy braking and the passenger side bearing is to blame.
I've changed out plenty of unit bearings in my Jeep XJ/YJ/TJ days so I feel like this is a project I an handle.
I came across this wheel bearing and ordered it:
Amazon.com
Arrives on the 9th supposedly.
As much as I am a fan of OEM parts, the prices on them are bonkers ... about $500 for both the bearing and hub then I'd need to press together!
I'm opting for a complete unit because I want nothing to do with what I say Eric the car guy go though!
2005 Toyota 4Runner Front Axle, Wheel Bearing, & Hub Replacement -EricTheCarGuy - YouTube
I did see some options on rock auto for just the bearing but this saves me a trip to get things pressed out/in and I should be able to do it all in one swoop.
This one has some mixed reviews so I called Detroit Axle directly and they confirmed that price is correct and the store is actually theirs and not a knock off (although the part may come from China). I also suspect that (based on the photos) the people that had failures have 2wd trucks and didn't realize the stub axle is required to hold it all together on a 4wd unit. That is a lesson I learned the hard way in one of my Cherokees as a young lad when we pulled a shaft to limp it home after some front end problems.
----------------------------------------
All information here is cross posted over here:
Locked Up's 4Runner | Toyota 4Runner Forum [4Runners.com]
Just in case
2003
Part Time 4WD (Manual T-case swap)
V8
Limited
LB42 Leather
220,000 miles
Dobinsons 1-3.5" IMS Coilovers (+100lbs/black)
Dobinsons C59-325 coils (black)
Dobinsons IMS59-50701 Shocks
1/2" Body Lift
Extended brake lines
265/70 R17 Kenda Klever ATs
Toyota 17" Wheels
5th Gen Rear Axle locked
5th Gen Front Brakes
Lost Trails Hidden Winch Bumper
8K Vevor winch
Current Pic:
---------------------------------------------
I picked this up a couple of days ago (December '23) and it's currently in the shop getting a good once over...
Motor has plenty of power and it drives nice and straight.
Dealer said "The PO said they did timing belt and water pump" ... but no sticker so I will redo it all.
Known issues are the 4wd actuator, bad fan clutch & a cracked coil pack.
There is also a small section of the frame we need to address for rust but it's nothing like the horror stories I have seen on youtube.
Shop seems to think they can easily cut out the bad spots and plate them.
Hopefully they don't find much more so I can get this on the road and get rid of my Jeep.
Plans:
Fix EVERYTHING noted above.
The front seems a little stiff so may investigate swapping something else in.
There are dents and dings that I am going to try to correct or at least minimize.
Might repaint/recolor it as well.... the black is sexy and all but it's hawt here in TX.
If I don't do a color change I might just do a white roof to reflect that sun!
If I keep the black I may look for some of the newer Limited wheels.
I generally like black wheels on white/silver vehicles and shiny metal on black/dark blue.
I will need to refurbish headlights so I may crack them open and convert to something brighter.
Grill needs some love. Emblems were plasti-dipped. Not sure if I like it.
On the inside I also want to replace the dash so will probably do a coverlay unless I find a nice one at the 'yard.
I am also going to look at replacement carpet, refurbishing the leather and some new floor mats.
Audio is the JBL system but I want something more modern.
I will investigate swapping that out for something touch screen assuming I can keep the steering wheel controls.
May remove the running boards and relocate the lights in them to under the body. We will see if they are necessary for the wife. lol
UPDATE:
Truck is done with the initial inspection.
Will have the shop mess with the AC Condenser because I don't have those tools.
Got a few things to sort out myself once I get it back and up first on my DIY list is a wheel bearing.
Truck has a slight pull to one side under heavy braking and the passenger side bearing is to blame.
I've changed out plenty of unit bearings in my Jeep XJ/YJ/TJ days so I feel like this is a project I an handle.
I came across this wheel bearing and ordered it:
Amazon.com
Arrives on the 9th supposedly.
As much as I am a fan of OEM parts, the prices on them are bonkers ... about $500 for both the bearing and hub then I'd need to press together!
I'm opting for a complete unit because I want nothing to do with what I say Eric the car guy go though!
2005 Toyota 4Runner Front Axle, Wheel Bearing, & Hub Replacement -EricTheCarGuy - YouTube
I did see some options on rock auto for just the bearing but this saves me a trip to get things pressed out/in and I should be able to do it all in one swoop.
This one has some mixed reviews so I called Detroit Axle directly and they confirmed that price is correct and the store is actually theirs and not a knock off (although the part may come from China). I also suspect that (based on the photos) the people that had failures have 2wd trucks and didn't realize the stub axle is required to hold it all together on a 4wd unit. That is a lesson I learned the hard way in one of my Cherokees as a young lad when we pulled a shaft to limp it home after some front end problems.
----------------------------------------
All information here is cross posted over here:
Locked Up's 4Runner | Toyota 4Runner Forum [4Runners.com]
Just in case
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