Love my new/old 4runner, but a few "issues"...

[Martinjmpr]

Hey, just found this site. I've got a new-to-me '99 4runner SR5 and I'm hoping the collective wisdom here can help me with some minor (but annoying) issues with my new baby:

1. Ever since I went 'wheeling about a month ago I get a "clunking" or ratcheting noise when I turn sharply to the left. I'm hoping it's not a CV joint because I've heard those are $$ to replace. What else could it be? Oddly enough, I went 4 wheeling this past Sunday on a trail with some tight turns, and I did not notice the sound. I was in 4low and rear diff locked, don't know why that would make a difference, though.

2. The ashtray is driving me crazy! It won't stay closed! Now I'm not a smoker so I keep change in the ashtray, and I understand that the ashtray is not designed for that kind of weight (seems like the previous owners weren't smokers either so for all I know they may have kept change in there as well.) Does anybody know of a way to replace the spring holding the ashtray closed with a stronger one? I had the same problem in my previous vehicle, an 04 Tacoma, but the Tacoma, being newer, had a less worn ashtray.

3. There is an aftermarket stereo and it sounds like total crap. There is what appears to be a sub-woofer under the passenger seat - does that seem reasonable? I looks like a factory installed item, does anybody know if a subwoofer was standard or an option on the 99 SR5s? It sounds to me like the sub isn't even connected. I'm wondering if the aftermarket stereo was installed by someone who didn't know what he was doing. What I'm considering at this point is finding a factory stereo and putting it back in. I was pretty happy with the AM/FM/CD/Cassette deck in my Tacoma.

I've also got a question about T-belt replacement but I'll put that in another topic.

 

[Spencer]

Well is it a speaker? Your sure is not the rear passenger fan?

 

[ric]

well as far as 1) its kind of hard to tell online, would be much easier to pinpoint the problem if we could see or "hear" it. CVs are only about $90 from NAPA with a lifetime replacement, they are pretty easy to replace.
2) IIRC there isnt a spring holding the ashtray in place on the 99s, it has slides, so maybe take the mount out, and very lightly bend the slides, making just tad harder to open.

Have you checked out http://www.ultimateyota.com/ TONS of 3rd gen info there, and pretty cool people to boot, lol (excluding myself,lol)

 

[RR90]

Hey Martin,

1) You might check the stabilzer bars - my '00 SR5 was radomly making a clunking \ ratcheting type noise also just about a month ago. I suspected the CV joint but the mechanic found one broken stabilizer bar and the other was worn.

2)I'd try Ric's suggested above by bending the slide slightly.

3)My '00 has a factory installed fan under the passenger seat (turns on\off with the controls on the back side of the center counsole). That's probably what you have under there unless the former owner took the fan out and rigged some sort of sub into the fan cavitiy somehow??? It would be a creative place to hide a sub.

 

[Martinjmpr]

Thanks for the pointers. Now that I think about it, it almost certainly is the fan because I do have the rear heater (but why no rear AC? Seems like an odd way to do things.)

One other thing I've noticed: It seems to sit a bit low in the rear. Not a big deal as I plan on an aftermarket suspension anyway.

As for the ashtray, I may try to jury-rig a velcro strap to hold it in place. One of the nice things about having an older vehicle is that I'm not so concerned with keeping it "pristine."

 

[RR90]

Don't know why they didn't tie the AC into the back, but you really don't need too. The AC on these T4R's really cool the whole cabin down well without it, even in the hottest temps. You could use the fan I guess (set to cold) to help circulate air. I've only used it occastionally (set to hot) on sub zero winter days - it does seem to help warm the cabin better.