New Owner: Looking for Advice & Opinions

[A2toHgt]

Greetings,

I recently bought a single owner '99 4runner Limited. It's a nice, fully stock truck that I'm looking to do some upgrading too. A couple questions:

1) Do the BIGGER Tundra brakes fit under the stock 16" wheels? Are Tundra brakes are worthwhile mod? I got a shimmy so a brake job is coming soon.

2) The dreaded PINK milkshake. Is there any way to check for this without doing a trans fluid change?

3) What's the best modification you've done and why?

As a little background, I live in an area that gets meters of snow. I'm looking to improve handling in inclement weather mostly. Looking to do some light off-roading too.

cheers,
-h-

 

[KingPrat]

Congrats on the purchase!

1) Make sure you check out the Informational Thread Sticky at the top of the forum. The TBU is covered in-depth many times on here, but it is a wealth of knowledge for these vehicles. Lots of time and effort put into that thread. This is the best TBU thread: Click Here

2) Go onto the Toyota Owners website and enter your VIN, you will get a full service history (as long as it has been done at the dealership...) If it has happened on your truck, likely there will be record of a repair or remedy in the service history.

Also, replacing your radiator is good preventative measure.

3) TIRES. A good set of tires is key in assuring that your truck will be able to live up to its capabilities.

A favorite quote from my Jeep days - "A great 4wd system can be rendered useless by crappy tires."

 

[99problems]

Greetings,

I recently bought a single owner '99 4runner Limited. It's a nice, fully stock truck that I'm looking to do some upgrading too. A couple questions:

1) Do the BIGGER Tundra brakes fit under the stock 16" wheels? Are Tundra brakes are worthwhile mod? I got a shimmy so a brake job is coming soon.

2) The dreaded PINK milkshake. Is there any way to check for this without doing a trans fluid change?

3) What's the best modification you've done and why?

As a little background, I live in an area that gets meters of snow. I'm looking to improve handling in inclement weather mostly. Looking to do some light off-roading too.

cheers,
-h-

Welcome fellow '99 Limited owner. To answer your points:

1.) [MENTION=86720]KingPrat[/MENTION] is exactly right to link the TBU thread since it has everything there, but yes the limited wheels (known around here as the "star" wheels versus the "split-spoke" SR5 style) will clear the 231 mm TBU as long as you're willing to trim the dust shield (no biggie, do it). It's a worthwhile upgrade imho, and I'd also suggest upgrading your brake lines at the same time to stainless steel (for better pedal feel and peace-of-mind).

2.) Radiator situation is easy: if you've still got the original in then it's time time to replace. You can add an optional trans cooler if you want to, but the new radiator should hold you in good stead for many more years.

3.) Best personal mod was bumping up to the 265/75/16 size tires because it perfectly corrected the factory speedometer error. Other than that the OME springs and Bilstein 5100 shock combo really smoothed out my dying suspension.

Bonus: Something you may not have considered yet but will want to look into: your lower ball joints. There are several examples of failed LBJs leading to a bad day around here, but that's for another day. Congrats on the purchase!

 

[A2toHgt]

Welcome fellow '99 Limited owner. To answer your points:

1.) [MENTION=86720]KingPrat[/MENTION] is exactly right to link the TBU thread since it has everything there, but yes the limited wheels (known around here as the "star" wheels versus the "split-spoke" SR5 style) will clear the 231 mm TBU as long as you're willing to trim the dust shield (no biggie, do it). It's a worthwhile upgrade imho, and I'd also suggest upgrading your brake lines at the same time to stainless steel (for better pedal feel and peace-of-mind).

2.) Radiator situation is easy: if you've still got the original in then it's time time to replace. You can add an optional trans cooler if you want to, but the new radiator should hold you in good stead for many more years.

3.) Best personal mod was bumping up to the 265/75/16 size tires because it perfectly corrected the factory speedometer error. Other than that the OME springs and Bilstein 5100 shock combo really smoothed out my dying suspension.

Bonus: Something you may not have considered yet but will want to look into: your lower ball joints. There are several examples of failed LBJs leading to a bad day around here, but that's for another day. Congrats on the purchase!

Thanks guys. All good tips.

Regarding the radiator, it was replaced in the last about a year ago by the PO. At the same time, the transmission fluid was flushed so I'm concerned there might have been some mixing of the trans fluid and coolant.

The car has around 3k miles after the work, with no obvious transmission issues, so I think I'm good. I just want another way to check.

 

[alumarine]

Thanks guys. All good tips.

Regarding the radiator, it was replaced in the last about a year ago by the PO. At the same time, the transmission fluid was flushed so I'm concerned there might have been some mixing of the trans fluid and coolant.

The car has around 3k miles after the work, with no obvious transmission issues, so I think I'm good. I just want another way to check.

If the rad was replaced then you don't have to worry about the rad.

Worry if you want about mixing of the fluids but if they look good it's hard to find out if they ever mixed.

You could look in the overflow bottle.
If it mixed and they didn't clean that out it might show.

 

[ray k]

Thanks KingPrat, I had no idea about the Toyota owners website.

 

[3bears]

Thanks guys. All good tips.

Regarding the radiator, it was replaced in the last about a year ago by the PO. At the same time, the transmission fluid was flushed so I'm concerned there might have been some mixing of the trans fluid and coolant.

The car has around 3k miles after the work, with no obvious transmission issues, so I think I'm good. I just want another way to check.

like said earlier, get the service reports that can tell you a lot. Like if the LBJ's have been done.
As far as pink milkshake....my records showed that my car went into the dealer with a drivability issue. The repair, replace radiator and flush tranny. So I fear I might have bought a vehicle that has a bad tranny. well that was about 35k before I bought it, and ive put another 30k on it since with no issues

if no reports of LBJ's being done, I would make that a priority

yes TBU is worth it and I did all my brake lines front and rear at the time (SS lines)

If your 4wd and lockered, get out and exercise them and make sure they work correct before you need them

 

[A2toHgt]

Anyone else care to chime in with their favorite mod?

 

[tarsun]

new seats

my old ones were like an evil torture device.

although replacing the valve cover gaskets to get rid of the billowing smoke was a plus... lol

the remote oil filter is a joy every 5,000 miles and makes almost zero mess.

the tundra brakes were nice but i only put about 20 miles on the car before i changed to the tundras. so i dont know what a good set of stockers would have been like.


to me, its more about fixing the problems as they come up and keeping the car running well. i have not really "modified" that much on it.

i had a basket on the roof but took it off a year later. I used it once in that year.

bigger AT tires
231 brakes
seats
valve cover gaskets
plugs and wires
remote oil filter
oil catch can
CAI
exhaust
shocks
springs
sway bar links
load levelers
rear axle seals and bearings
diff fluid
trans fluid
t case oil
timing belt
water pump
coolant
t stat
remote trans cooler
volt and oil pressure gauges
ground wire kit
tire rod ends
LBJ
some paint here and there
new interior lights

 

[SpidermanGeek]

but yes the limited wheels (known around here as the "star" wheels versus the "split-spoke" SR5 style) will clear the 231 mm TBU as long as you're willing to trim the dust shield (no biggie, do it).

Really? Huh, I always got those reversed. I thought the Limited wheels were the split-spoke.

Why would the Limited wheels be referred to as "star"? I see nothing in the pattern that makes it look like a star.

 

[octanejunkie]

Really? Huh, I always got those reversed. I thought the Limited wheels were the split-spoke.

Why would the Limited wheels be referred to as "star"? I see nothing in the pattern that makes it look like a star.

I always knew these 99 rims to be referred to as 5-star rims.

OP, are these the rims you have?

 

[SpidermanGeek]

^^ Yeah, that makes sense. Those are the SR5 wheels, no?

↓ these are Limited "split-spoke" (because it looks like 3 spokes split in two)? ↓

 

[octanejunkie]

To answer your mod question, I'm not into wheeling, otherwise that is where most of the serious mods come in. I did upgrade/replace my suspension to get a mild lift and level out my truck, but not for wheeling.

I think my projector retrofit was the most meaningful mod I've done so far. Halos and LED mini lightbars on the filler plates under the headlights are my DRL solution to running my headlights all the time. Clear corners with amber LEDs was just for fun but look boss, IMO.

Upgrading all my interior light to LED bulbs was a great mod. I had no idea how many stock bulbs were burnt out till I replaced them.

Getting a dash cam, while not a mod, is a good addition as was swapping the factory head unit for a Bluetooth Pioneer, but now my stock speakers need to go.

With an aftermarket headunit came an antenna switch mod. I hate the antenna being up all the time when I'm not using the radio.

I swapped my drivers side seat foam, not a mod but my butt doesn't know that. It just feels better. LMAO.

I don't feel I need the TBU with the driving I do and I run 265 M+S LTs for better rain and snow driving - the factory brakes work fine for me.

My truck already had a big 3 upgrade (wiring) when I bought it but if I needed more power I'd swap up to a high amp alternator and do the big 3 and add another fuse box. Never just add circuits, fuse them.

I have all the parts for the rear diff breather mod and I'm gonna order me some Rav4 sprayers for the windshield wipers.

If I ever need to go into the gas tank ill do the vent line mod (cut it a bit shorter, and if I were so motivated I'd add an aux gas tank in lieu of the spare tire between the frame rails.

There are plenty of vanity mods you can do to personalize your rig, read satoshi grill mod, but a good cleaning and some touch-up painting of sun-bleached plastics go a long way to making your truck look fresh.

Good luck and have fun.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

 

[octanejunkie]

^^ Yeah, that makes sense. Those are the SR5 wheels, no?

↓ these are Limited "split-spoke" (because it looks like 3 spokes split in two)? ↓

Yes, those are split spoke, but I see those on earlier year trucks a lot. I didn't realize those came on 99 limiteds.

I just did a google search for 99 "4runner limited" and found a bunch of FS ads with the SR5 rim.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

 

[mtbtim]

I'll give you two links, one to a DIY Video thread I started on this forum that includes videos [MENTION=102606]infamousRNR[/MENTION] and I made together and videos from other members as well. The second link is to the YouTube channel [MENTION=102606]infamousRNR[/MENTION] and I started a little over a year and a half ago. If you like what you see, I suggest you subscribe so you are notified every time we upload a new video to our channel.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/217550-3rd-gen-toyota-4runner-diy-videos.html

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9EMiD9KPy61kJ6hdXcbjxA

From these two links, you will learn how to perform preventative maintenance on your 3rd Gen, do many of the common repairs, and do many of the common modifications like installing a suspension lift and doing the Tundra Brake Upgrade.

If you have questions, do a Google search first for your answer because more than likely somebody has already asked the same question and you'll find threads on this forum and other forums covering the subject matter. If you still can't find what you're looking for, pose your question on the forum. There's lots of super knowledgeable dudes on here that will help you out.

Welcome to the club!

 

[A2toHgt]

I always knew these 99 rims to be referred to as 5-star rims.

OP, are these the rims you have?

Yes, I have those 5-spoke 16" wheels. So they don't clear the big tundra brakes?

 

[3bears]

yes those do,, I have the big tundra brakes and those wheels. Picked up another one for my spare, the stock spare wheels wont fit
so if you get a flat, you have to put the spare on the back and move a wheel to the front,
I have heard some people carry a spacer just for that situation, Id rather just have a fitting spare wheel

 

[3bears]

new seats


the remote oil filter is a joy every 5,000 miles and makes almost zero mess.

what, where and how.

 

[octanejunkie]

the remote oil filter is a joy every 5,000 miles and makes almost zero mess.

what, where and how.

Yes [MENTION=172415]tarsun[/MENTION] please do show and tell

 

[tarsun]

it is behind the passenger side headlight. Where the airbox would be. ill post a picture up in a bit. i have to see if i have one on my phone. it is a pretty generic kit but DO NOT use the hoses that come in the kit. they are GARBAGE. just throw them away. i picked up some high pressure, heat heat, petroleum safe hydraulic hose. this was after i blew off the return line and lost 8qts in 15 seconds on rt80...