No longer a poser, picked up my first T4R.

[poser]

I'm finally a legit member of the board, as I picked up a 3rd gen the other day.
White 2001 SR5, V6 4x4. 163k miles and really clean for her age.
Timing belt was done at 90k.

I sold my 2008 Tundra with the 5.7 (to get rid of the payment) and paid cash for the runner with what I had last over from payoff.

So far I really love this little truck. It may be slow (compared to the Tundra LOL), but it's got a cool about not found in many other vehicles. Lots of character.

I'm already thinking about what mods I want to do, heck I was thinking about that before I found one. I'd like to get the plate style bumpers eventually, but man those things are pricey. I found a thread on another site where a dude made his own, I may try my hand at that. Just gotta source a good saw, or borrow a friend's plasma cutter.
It's got some BFG all terrains that are almost new, so a lift and bigger tires will wait until I need new tires.

I'll get out and snap some decent pics in the next day or so.

I'm pretty pumped to be roll'n in my first 4runner. Now I need to get me a t4r.org sticker.

 

[sterbenlicht]

I've been an American muscle car guy for...well ever. I just got my first non-muscle car about a month ago and I was determined to make it a 3rd gen 4Runner. I'm not even looking back. 4Runner and Land Cruiser owners always seem to love their trucks so much they won't get rid of them. Now I see why.

 

[shootmymime]

Sweet congratulations on the adoption! Lol. :worthless: need pic and plans on what you going to do.

 

[poser]

One thing I'm on the fence about is bike rack for carrying the mountain bike.
Roof rack or hitch rack?

Also, there's two buttons in there I'm not totally clear on what they're for. One is the "ECT" button above the radio and the other is to the left of the steering wheel, looks like a drive train diagram with an X in the middle.

 

[Supermoney]

The ECT is Electronic Controlled Transmission. Always leave it on or you will be even slower. Changes the shift points, stays in a better powerband.

The center diff lock you are speaking of I am guessing because its a 01. Only lock the center diff when you are on surface with not much traction, snow, ice, dirt / mud. It makes both driveshafts turn in sync. Keep it off for dry pavement, etc.

Also yes the 3.4 is very slow but also very reliable

Pics!

 

[Hepar]

Congrats! Look forward to the pics. Hurry up!

 

[tre9er]

Also yes the 3.4 is very slow but also very reliable

Hey, better than the 3.slowwwwwww (3.0)

 

[d0nkeyxpunch]

Congrats! 3rd gen 4Runners have timeless design.

 

[Atrox Caeda]

One thing I'm on the fence about is bike rack for carrying the mountain bike.
Roof rack or hitch rack?

Also, there's two buttons in there I'm not totally clear on what they're for. One is the "ECT" button above the radio and the other is to the left of the steering wheel, looks like a drive train diagram with an X in the middle.

Do a hitch mount... if you do roof its pretty high as is and if you start lifting it it will become a big PITA. Plus I've seen several instances wherein someone drives their bikes into their house while going into the garage. Also you can't go into drive thrus, parking garages, and safety wise you might drop a bike on yourself or break a window. I have a Yakima tray hitch mounted bike rack and its perfect.

I don't leave the ECT on and get better mileage for it.

Multimode 4WD in '01, allows you to run it into either 2WD, "AWD", and true 4WD. By just pushing the button on the transfer shifter you get AWD, and can engage it anywhere under 55mph. If you need more even power all around push the center diff lock button. If you are climbing something steep don't hesitate to put it in low range. Alot of people really hold off on doing that and it doesn't make much sense to me, it will keep everything working cooler.

 

[tre9er]

Only use center diff lock on loose surfaces as it will bind when turning on hard surfaces.

You can push the 4WD button up to 55 (or is it 60?) MPH but DONT shift the transfer case into 4L without being stationary, in Neutral (some will argue).

 

[poser]

good to know, thanks!

How long should it take 4wd high to engage? Can I treat that as AWD and run normal speeds?

 

[tre9er]

Yes, though I wouldn't make a habit of doing 80 down the interstate with it on, personally

 

[poser]

Yes, though I wouldn't make a habit of doing 80 down the interstate with it on, personally

I gotcha, I was more thinking driving on ranch roads or in snowy conditions. It doesn't snow or ice down here but once a year maybe, but we usually find ourselves in DFW around Christmas.

What's everyone's experience on sand? 4h with the center dif lock turned on?

 

[Brique]

As stated above, ECT allows you to choose between having your transmission shift for power (pwr on) or shift for fuel economy (ECT off, no indicator light on).

As a heads up, if you have trouble getting your 4wd/awd to turn on, I had the same problem when I first got mine. The electronic awd/4wd needs to be activated periodically to keep the actuators working. When I first got mine, the PO had clearly not used it in a long time, if ever. When I hit the button the first time, I got flashing 4wd lights on my console, indicating failure to engage, and it wouldn't stop blinking until I stopped, and turned the engine off, removed the key and restarted. I was eventually able to resolve the issue by attempting to turn it on and driving for a while slowly on a straight stretch of road and giving it time to move the actuator. Once it eventually kicked in, I turned it off again, then turned it on again and let it try again. The second time it took a little less wait until it kicked in. After repeating this several times it was able to work itself loose and now kicks in immediately. The center diff lock was stickier and I found I had to help it engage/disengage by punching the gas for a half second while driving slowly (20-30mph) on a straight stretch of road. The extra push on the drive train apparently helped it kick loose and do its thing. Again, rinse repeat and it works like a charm now.

 

[poser]

Thanks!
Yesterday I was worried that there was something wrong, as it took forever to engage. After reading your post, I've tried it a few more times this evening, and it engages right away.
Thanks for the tip!

 

[Supermoney]

Go into reverse it should pop in (or out) instantly.

 

[Dutch-Runner '99]

Now I need to get me a t4r.org sticker.

I keep forgetting to post about this... Whats a brotha gotta do to get a sticker!

 

[derpiful]

I keep forgetting to post about this... Whats a brotha gotta do to get a sticker!

See here: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/general-discussions/75712-order-your-toyota-4runner-org-decals-here.html

 

[poser]

I found a rack that just made the short list. Roof basket rack, with integrated bike mounts.

Products » Vagabond X | Küat

 

[Brique]

Go into reverse it should pop in (or out) instantly.

Ah, never thought to try reverse...