Finally! A few weeks ago, I obtained a new-to-me '99 4runner, SR5 4x4 with an auto transmission. I had been looking for a rig to simply get around town and for transport to and from ski resorts in the winter here in Missoula (attending the University of Montana).
Test driving it, the brake pedal was soft and the steering was a bit...off. I didn't really realize the extent of it until $4k later after the purchase and I took it onto the highway...the steering wheel acted like a drunken madman and couldn't be controlled in any way above 60 mph.
Upon learning of this problem, I took it to midas (the closest car-repair place to campus) and had them go through the front end. Turned out that nothing was wrong with the front suspension (on the bright side), but it was instead the driveshafts (BOTH of them) were greatly out of balance and one of them was even tweaked to the point that it had to be straightened. The master cylinder was put on as well @ this time.
It handles much better now. Finally driveable at high speeds but a bit of the wobble is still there. Other mods so far include a Kenwood head unit, deep cleaning the interior (it was coated a billion times over with dog hair), Bugflector, window rain deflectors, a sunroof deflector, Ultragauge, ISR mod, and new plugs/wires (have yet to be put in).
An OME rear 890 coil lift with 5100's is in the mail as well, in addition to front tundra billies that will be used with the stock coils. Steering rack and front/rear sway bar bushing kits were also purchased; a total of about $550 from wheelers.
I've been a long-time lurker, and this is my first 4runner...I feel almost ahead of the game knowing about LBJ issues and the 'pink milkshake' right off the bat. A tranny cooler is definitely on the list of mods in the near future, right after a set of 265/75r16 Duratracs...
Test driving it, the brake pedal was soft and the steering was a bit...off. I didn't really realize the extent of it until $4k later after the purchase and I took it onto the highway...the steering wheel acted like a drunken madman and couldn't be controlled in any way above 60 mph.
Upon learning of this problem, I took it to midas (the closest car-repair place to campus) and had them go through the front end. Turned out that nothing was wrong with the front suspension (on the bright side), but it was instead the driveshafts (BOTH of them) were greatly out of balance and one of them was even tweaked to the point that it had to be straightened. The master cylinder was put on as well @ this time.
It handles much better now. Finally driveable at high speeds but a bit of the wobble is still there. Other mods so far include a Kenwood head unit, deep cleaning the interior (it was coated a billion times over with dog hair), Bugflector, window rain deflectors, a sunroof deflector, Ultragauge, ISR mod, and new plugs/wires (have yet to be put in).
An OME rear 890 coil lift with 5100's is in the mail as well, in addition to front tundra billies that will be used with the stock coils. Steering rack and front/rear sway bar bushing kits were also purchased; a total of about $550 from wheelers.
I've been a long-time lurker, and this is my first 4runner...I feel almost ahead of the game knowing about LBJ issues and the 'pink milkshake' right off the bat. A tranny cooler is definitely on the list of mods in the near future, right after a set of 265/75r16 Duratracs...
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