Phil's 2008 Limited V8 NON-build thread ! :0

[pjbrownva]

So, I decided to start a thread for my new T4R.

I'm calling it a **non-build** thread, because I don't plan to customize much, and any mods I do will be fairly minor.

On the other hand, I'd like to use this thread to share and get input on several issues and fixes for my new 4th Gen.

I sunk my old 4Runner a little over two weeks ago. See here if you're interested in a fun read.

Without further ado, here we go!

-------------

I saw the car on ebay, called the dealer, cut a deal yesterday, took Amtrak, the dealer picked me up at the station, went to the dealership, completed the paper work and then drove home.

Here's my new baby...


I'll include the ebay link here, but after a while the link will expire. Until then, it has LOTS of photos.

The car is super-clean... it's a Florida car.

I've attached a few shots, including one of the undercarriage... no rust at all.

It does have some issues. I'll post a reply for some info on my experience thus far, and also asking for help / advice on the issues.

-Philip

 

[montana_jeepn]

Score! She is a beauty. Do you mind sharing what you paid? I think anyone would be proud to own that one.

 

[CXS]

That's one nice looking Runner Phil! Congratulations!

Now be careful launching your boat! :bolt:

 

[flyfisher4822]

Read the sinking 4runner story. Sorry to hear it. I think we all learned something through your experience.

Fun to see you getting right back at it! Nice truck. Let us know how it goes.

 

[pjbrownva]

Without further ado, here we go!

*** THE DEALERSHIP EXPERIENCE...

So far, so good. I liked the dealer, and he seems to be straight.

When I examined the car, the roof rack had some damage. We agreed that I would get the parts and he would reimburse me. It's written on the contract, and I feel comfortable that he will honor it.

I got it from C. L. Hyman Auto Wholesale.

I dealt with "Andy", (his real name is Joseph).

I like Andy, I like the deal, and I'm happy with the car... that is, once I sort out a few issues, which I hope won't be a huge endeavor.

Pricing wise... it wasn't a bargain -- but I got what I wanted, and the car is loaded and extra, extra clean. I looked at over 400 4Runners on-line (!!!), and made a spreadsheet of the top 47 contenders (!!!) -- A bit OCD, I guess... but without the spreadsheet, it was hard to keep track of everything. (hehe!) ound:

I sorted the spreadsheet based on different criteria, and compared the trade-offs.

The bottom line is that these trucks command a premium. If you want a nice one, you either have to look for a long
time and be patient, or you have to hand over the Benjamins to get what you want.

I'm not saying that it was a bad deal, and I'm definitely not criticizing Andy or the dealership. They knew they had a nice truck, they negotiated a little, and then it was time to either buy it or move on (my assessment... they were very nice and easy to deal with).


THE TRUCK

2008 Limited V8, 108K. Sun roof, navigation, blue tooth, tow hitch, factory transmission cooler.
Zero rust. Florida car.

Here are few more shots of the new rig.


THE ISSUES...

ISSUE 1) NAV & RADIO DIED

On the way home the Radio / Nav system went out. No power. Nothing. I visually pulled & inspected both of the radio fuses under the hood, and they look good.

Today I pulled the battery, let the vehicle sit for about 15 min, and then reconnected it.
Still nothing from the radio.

Is there some way to try to reboot these things? It is a model E7008.


ISSUE 2) Power mirrors won't move. The heated part works.

I haven't looked for a fuse yet. That will be my first check. If the fuse is good, I guess checking the connectors inside the door panel would be the second check. Hopefully this will be an easy fix.


ISSUE 3) Slight shimmy at highway speeds.

I'm assuming it's either the wheel balancing or alignment.
I plan to have it checked at a local shop... one that has a hunter road-force wheel balancing system.


ISSUE 4) The car has a faint smell of cigarettes.

I've taken out all of the mats, and sprayed down the carpets, mats and head liners with Febreeze, i've put in air fresheners and one "odor absorbing" container. Also, it's a really nice day today, so I also have all of the windows open so that the truck can air out. I'm thinking that I can get the smell out. It's not really that strong... I'm just very sensitive.


If anyone has thoughts, especially on the NAV / Radio and on the power mirrors, I'm all ears. :wink2:



-Phil

 

[pjbrownva]

Here's more info...

The car fax was clean. 1 Owner. Water pump and timing belt were replaced.

Also, a few of the dash lights are blown (for the LCD MPG computer display, and for the HVAC controls)...

Not a biggie. I ordered $20 bucks worth of bulbs from All Electronics Corp.

:nerd:

When they arrive, I should have enough to replace all of the bulbs. I might as well do them all while I have the dash apart. Since three bulbs already blew, all of the others are probably on their way out too.

P.S... the 28 volt bulbs are for my 24 volt trolling motor on my boat... it wasn't a mistake.

 

[pjbrownva]

Score! She is a beauty. Do you mind sharing what you paid? I think anyone would be proud to own that one.

Thanks Montana. They knocked a grand of the asking price. After a short conversation, I told him that I was willing to buy the car today, but we needed to agree on price. I said, "I know you have an ask of $21,900... but we all know that you also have a 'take' price. What can you do for me price wise? How much can you knock off for me?"

Andy put me on hold, shuffled some papers, and after a while came back and said he could do $20,900. I asked if there were any dealer fees and/or charges, and said only $100, and that includes them getting temp and permanent tags for me. So it was $21,000 even, plus tax and tags.

Here's a cute one. (or so I thought) In the photos, I really didn't like the custom rims... I wanted factory. So before the call, I had already told my buddy my plan to knock another $500 to $1K off the price, once we've agreed on a price. :boxing:

So I said... "Listen Andy, that's a fair price. I understand you have to make money and I don't begrudge you that. At the same time, $21K is a little more than I want to spend... I noticed you have about 4 other 4runners on your lot.

Would you help me out. Why don't we swap the custom rims on my truck for the factory rims on one of the other trucks on your lot. Then you can charge a premium for the truck with the custom rims... and in return, I'd like you to cut
a grand from the price for my truck. I think that's a good win-win."

Pretty smooth, huh? I think it *could* have worked, except that Andy said (and I believed him)... that he really didn't want to swap any wheels because all of the cars were already photographed and on his website and on ebay. So it would be a hassle.

I gave in, and said... OK... the truth is I don't think I like those rims, and I'm afraid that my wife will hate them. I can't drop $20K on a truck, and bring home something that my wife hates. Why don't we swap the rims for stock ones and just call it even. You can still get a premium for the custom rims on the 4Runner you put them on.

I was SHOCKED when he said no... he really didn't want to change any wheels.
But then he said... "my cars are already on ebay... people have been looking at them, and some people have already bid. I don't want to change that in the middle of an auction, or suddenly have the car I'm marketing change the wheels. It might cause me problems."

He was right, so I threw in the towel... NOT!

I told him that I'd try to get factory rims and sell the aftermarket ones myself.
But then (always leave the door open...) I said, listen, if I don't get to that, would you at least do me this favor... If my wife doesn't like the rims, when you get a new 4Runner in, BEFORE you photograph it. Can I drive down and swap rims, so that I can have the stock ones, and you can have the custom ones. Just an even swap. It would really be helpful.

He agreed to that. (It's a reasonable request)... and I believe he would honor it... but the truth is, after all of that, I've become attached to these rims.

They're 18" rims, and they look really good in person. The photos don't do justice. In the photos I actually thought they diminished the appearance of the truck, but after seeing it live, I really like it.

BTW, would you believe that negotiating is one of the major skills that I need in my job. I'll bet you'd never believe that! :wink2:

That's one nice looking Runner Phil! Congratulations!

Now be careful launching your boat! :bolt:

:iagree: I think I'll not only chock the wheels, but also use one of these for the truck... :ballchain:

Read the sinking 4runner story. Sorry to hear it. I think we all learned something through your experience.

Fun to see you getting right back at it! Nice truck. Let us know how it goes.

Yeah... It was sobering to hear some of the tales in that thread that involved DEATH. I didn't realize it then, but now I realize that I'm very lucky that I didn't get hurt or even killed. After all, I was standing behind the truck releasing my boat, when something popped, and the whole kit-n-kaboodle started rolling down the boat ramp headed DIRECTLY FOR ME! Suppose I somehow didn't notice, or panicked, and slipped and fell trying to run out of the way. It could have been tragic. Thank god it wasn't... and now I'm like :lookout: thinking of the fun I'll have in my replacement.

 

[CXS]

THE ISSUES...

ISSUE 1) NAV & RADIO DIED

It is a model E7008.

I had the same nav radio - mine died but it was a slow death. Suddenly dying points to a bad connection on the back.

ISSUE 2) Power mirrors won't move. The heated part works.

I think if the heating function works you have a good connection. My guess is they were moved manually too often. At least that what I was told why one of mine stopped working.

ISSUE 3) Slight shimmy at highway speeds.

I'm assuming it's either the wheel balancing or alignment.

Probable, they may have put different tires on it to sell it w/o balancing. Pretty common with dealers.

ISSUE 4) The car has a faint smell of cigarettes.

Bring it to someone who has an ozone machine. They seem to work best on getting rid of the stink.

 

[pjbrownva]

I Suddenly dying points to a bad connection on the back.
...

Bring it to someone who has an ozone machine. They seem to work best on getting rid of the stink.

Thanks for the info CXS. Your spot on for the OZONE machine. I found a local place that will rent one for $49 for a day. I think that would do the trick!

I hope you're right about the bad connection. If that's what it turns out to be, then the fix is easy.

For the mirrors... can you buy a replacement motor for them? (assuming of course that the motor is the problem).

 

[Jailguard]

With the cigarettes try leather cleaner on the seats also. I bought my sone and older Olds for his 16th birthday and it had a smell of Cigs in the leather the cleaner really helped.

 

[CXS]

For the mirrors... can you buy a replacement motor for them? (assuming of course that the motor is the problem).

Sure but it may be more affordable to go with aftermarket mirrors instead. I just move mine by hand but my truck isn't nearly as nice as yours.

 

[ebg18t]

Looks good. If the mirrors are really broken just manually move then to the right position and forget it. In all reality how often do you adjust your mirrors?

 

[snowboardwcu]

Hey Phil, I thought I recognized your UN. congrats on the new truck!

You know I have to ask, what happened to the old one? Got any seat motors left over?

WRT your issues, ozone is the way to go if ozium doesn't do the trick, looks like your already on that. The nav is interesting. I hate mine in my 05, trade ya an older nav for those nice rims? Lolololol.:roll:

 

[pjbrownva]

With the cigarettes try leather cleaner on the seats...

Thanks Jailguard. That's something I should do regardless of how the truck smells. After all, who knows what may have happened on those seats, especially if the previous owner had a teenage son !!!

I remember what I did when I was in high school and my dad let me use the car for a date. :frisky:
(Wispers to date... "Use the force to conquer my light saber!!!...you can do it!" (hehe!) :lightsaber:

Sure but it may be more affordable to go with aftermarket mirrors instead.

Might have to go that route... but I think I'd try a repair first. I haven't researched recently, but with my old T4R (the sunken treasure as I like to call it!), I broke a mirror, and in some reviews for some of the aftermarket mirrors,
people complained that the aftermarket weren't as sturdy and sometimes vibrated at highway speeds. So I'll try to stay with factory (at least for the enclosure around the mirrors) if I can.

Looks good. If the mirrors are really broken just manually move then to the right position and forget it. In all reality how often do you adjust your mirrors?

Not an option. I'm 6'3, and my wife is 5'1. We both need different settings to see properly when we drive. Telling my wife I spent $20K on a new truck, but she has to go to the other side of the truck to manually adjust the right outside mirror before she drives it... that won't fly.

I'll need to get a fix and/or replacement.

Plus, when I'm towing the boat, I sometimes readjust the mirrors to better see what's near the boat, or I'll angle them down further when I try to parallel park with the boat attached. It can be a big help.

 

[pjbrownva]

Hey Phil, I thought I recognized your UN. congrats on the new truck!

Thanks, Snowboard. I'm really pumped up about it. I went from pretty bummed out about my sunken treasure two weeks ago (although I did try to keep a good perspective, and a good sense of humor... but it still wasn't exactly a FUN experience), to being really excited about my upgrade to essentially the same truck, but better... real leather, power seats, factory Nav, backup camera, V8, lighted vanity mirrors, bigger front brakes, higher towing capacity, projector headlights, LED tail lights, lower MPG :laugh: (hehe! -- it can't all be good!) , homelink for garage doors... etc, etc.

You know I have to ask, what happened to the old one? Got any seat motors left over?

Sorry, the old one had manual seats. They were covered with a very high quality vinyl, but they weren't power.
Try posting a WTB for one... and explain the thread that you really want one for free, and link to the relevant thread.
Someone might have a few old vehicles that they part out, and they might be willing to oblige.

OTOH, I now have seat memory in this new truck!!! :cowboy: :dance:

But I'm still happy to brainstorm about ways to try to add memory to power seats without it. Who knows, if we develop a decent solution, we might be able to sell a few on a cost - plus basis, and make a little beer money while helping others out too!

The nav is interesting. I hate mine in my 05, trade ya an older nav for those nice rims? Lolololol.:roll:

That's a good one:rofl::rofl: .:clap2: .:clap2:

Funny thing is, if you had caught me yesterday afternoon, I would have agreed to swap them for some decent 17" factory rims, as long as they had good tires on them too! But now I'm in love :bluejump: I can't see parting with the rims, unless my wife decides she doesn't like them... and only then, I would reluctantly sell them. :happy:

 

[CXS]

Not an option. I'm 6'3, and my wife is 5'1. We both need different settings to see properly when we drive.

I think I can guess your wife's vision is blocked by the mirrors too. Mine is 5' and hates them for that reason. She came up with the idea for what I have now.

Not exactly a style many people would use. :biggrin1:

 

[ebg18t]

Not an option. I'm 6'3, and my wife is 5'1. We both need different settings to see properly when we drive. Telling my wife I spent $20K on a new truck, but she has to go to the other side of the truck to manually adjust the right outside mirror before she drives it... that won't fly.

I'll need to get a fix and/or replacement.

Plus, when I'm towing the boat, I sometimes readjust the mirrors to better see what's near the boat, or I'll angle them down further when I try to parallel park with the boat attached. It can be a big help.

Ahh. I understand. Here is a site to look at aftermarket mirror options:
https://www.go-parts.com/0309-toyota-4runner-side-view-mirror-left-driver-p-53856.html

 

[COn4mer]

My '07 had a pretty strong cigarette smell when I bought it six months ago, but only when I turned on the fan. Even if you get rid of the smell from the interior, it might return when you turn your fan on. I did try a new charcoal cabin air filter in mine which didn't help, but I'm not really sure if that just filters the incoming fresh air, or recirculated air also. Next, I bought a can of aerosol deodorant from Wally's that was designed to clean out the air duct system, I can't remember the brand, but you set it inside the car, start the engine and turn on the fan at high speed on recirculate. Then, you activate the aerosol tip at which point it starts spraying a wide mist until the can is empty, and close the windows and doors and let it run for 15 minutes. My car did have a pretty strong deodorant smell in it for about a week but it dissipated after that, and there hasn't been a hint of cigarette smell since then.

 

[pjbrownva]

My '07 had a pretty strong cigarette smell when I bought it six months ago, but only when I turned on the fan. ...

you set it inside the car, start the engine and turn on the fan at high speed on recirculate. ...

Thanks COn4Mer. I'm going to take a form of that advice.

I just ordered an OZONE machine today off of Amazon (I can use one for more than just my car)... so I plan to run the OZONE machine for 15 minutes in the car just like you did with your treatment.... engine on, Fan on high, recirculate mode.

From what I was told (and what I've read)... that should do it.

I also know not to breath OZONE, so I may hold my breath to turn of the car, then lock it up and let it sit over night, and the next day air it out.

If the smell isn't gone, I can always do another treatment.

That's my plan... I'll update in a few days after I've done it to let everyone know how well it worked.

-Phil

 

[pjbrownva]

Ahh. I understand. Here is a site to look at aftermarket mirror options:
https://www.go-parts.com/0309-toyota-4runner-side-view-mirror-left-driver-p-53856.html

Thanks, ebg18t. I sure can't complain about the price!

I'll still have to confirm that the motors in the mirror are bad before I look at a replacement. But for $55 per mirror, I can't complain. I'm assuming they'll be
black, so I may want to have them painted, but I have a good body shop that will take care of that, plus, I didn't really mind having black mirrors, so maybe I'd just leave them black.

-Phil