Hi All, I've been lurking around since about August of 2009 when i decided it was time to replace my Dodge Dakota. I thought reading about other peoples 4Runner experiences was a good way to decide if this was a vehicle I was interested in. About 2 weeks ago I pulled the trigger on an 03 Limited V8, Galactic Gray with charcoal interior and I couldn't be happier - everyone's comments were right on the money and I was able to be an informed buyer, knowing things about the 4Runner that even the original owner didn't know.
I bought my runner with 3 items that needed attention. (1) Front calipers were frozen, so I replaced those this weekend and turned the rotors. (2) It is due for a timing belt replacement which I am hoping to get done this week. It's cold out and would take me a couple days to do so I would rather pay to have it done and get it back quicker
(3) The last item is my 4Low actuator was locked up from non-use. I've searched the forums a lot but have not seen this solution posted before; if it has been I apologize but will share my experience anyway.
I've tried the actuator daily but have gotten no response except for a slight, high pitched hum that I can hear with the drivers side door open. Yesterday, I crawled underneath and took a socket and a plastic deadblow hammer with me (the kind you get with a laminate flooring kit.) I loosened the actuator mounting bolts by 3 or 4 turns each, then had my 9 year old daughter turn the Hi-Lo switch back and forth every 4 seconds. I then took the hammer and gave the actuator a good sharp rap on all sides, and would sometimes pull the motor away from the transfer case and then hit the end of it to drive it toward the case. After two minutes of this, the actuator started working! Now it shifts and is ready for use in less than 2 seconds and I'm seriously excited! I evenly tightened the mounting bolts back, a turn at at time, while my daughter continued to move the switch, to make sure that nothing was binding up. IMPORTANT: If anyone else tries this, be careful not to get a finger between the actuator and the case since it pulls tight against the case in one of the positions.
I don't know if anyone else would have luck with this method, maybe I just got lucky, but it sure beats pulling the transfer case and buying a new actuator.
Anyway, I am really glad to be a full-fledged part of this community. I've been following the threads for a long time and feel like I know a lot of you pretty well. Happy Runnin'!
