Powder_Hound Build Thread

[blackoutt]

6/6/2017
126,1789

Oil change, rotate and balance tires. All were at 6/32.

Nothing fancy, but keeping her running and prepped for a trip to Jackson WY.

DAMN THAT'S A LOT OF MILES! :zoom:

Assuming you've got an extra number in the end there we're keeping neck and neck. I'm headed off to the Northeast for a 3k mile trip in a couple weeks so we'll keep the race interesting. First to 200k buys the first round?

 

[Powder_Hound]

DAMN THAT'S A LOT OF MILES! :zoom:

Assuming you've got an extra number in the end there we're keeping neck and neck. I'm headed off to the Northeast for a 3k mile trip in a couple weeks so we'll keep the race interesting. First to 200k buys the first round?

well then...it's a better then avg T4R! LMAO! will edit to reflect "low miles"

 

[Powder_Hound]

It's radio upgrade time...

It was time to replace the old factory JBL head unit and get rid of the cassette tape aux adapter. I didn't want to mess with changing out amps, speakers and all the wiring so I opted to simply swap out the head unit at 128,715. The good old JBL served me well for 128,711 miles, but it's time to get with tech!



Replaced with:
Kenwood Excelon DDX594 receivier
RadioPro 4 RP4.2-TY11 radio interface



All in all it took about 4 hours for my first ever car radio install and using Posi-Products Posi-Twist connectors made the wiring connections a breeze. Stuffing all those wires inside wasn't a simple task, but in the end I got it done!!! Thanks againg T4R.org for giving me the confidence to do this upgrade!

 

[Powder_Hound]

New tires!!!!

6/5/2017
130,451

New BFGATKO2 C rated 265/70/17's installed! I wanted 285 or 275, but they wouldn't fit the spare location. There was interference between panhard bar and V8 7300 lb. tow hitch!!! As I want the spare of same size I was forced to go with 265's as I don't have room on my roof for a spare and I use my hitch.

Sonce I went with 265/70/17's and C rated I have a T4R with
1) Better MPG
2) Better snow traction
3) Better acceleration
4) a happy wife! (No cutting/chopping/new rims, etc...)
5) room (about 1/2" clearance) to park in the garage
6) the same size tire I've been running for the last 12 years with "no problems mon"!

 

[Gavino18]

Nice looking rig!

You'll like those tires. I have thrown everything at mine and they are champs. Expensive buggers tho :scared:

 

[Powder_Hound]

New wiper wiper wiper blades!

11-8-17
130,117

Nothing fancy, but these Bosch Icons are the best wiper blades I've ever run. Now, I'm ready for all that a Colorado winter can throw at me!

 

[Powder_Hound]

Nice looking rig!

You'll like those tires. I have thrown everything at mine and they are champs. Expensive buggers tho :scared:

Thanks!

Agreed, but I don't know why there are so many haters on these tires!!! The original was awesome and these are better IMHO!

 

[Miranthis]

DAMN THAT'S A LOT OF MILES! :zoom:

Assuming you've got an extra number in the end there we're keeping neck and neck. I'm headed off to the Northeast for a 3k mile trip in a couple weeks so we'll keep the race interesting. First to 200k buys the first round?

Um, that amount of mileage makes it still very young. My 2008 T4R had 162K before I bought it in October and i am already to 166K. Hell, my HS age son is still driving the 2001 Sienna with 290K on it and I have put over 300K on several Camrys (a 98 LE and a 2005 SE) and now we have a 2011 SE with almost 200K and a 2012 LE with 128K. The 92 4X4 short bed single cab Hilux i traded for the 98 camry in early 1998 had almost 135K on the clock when I traded it. Mileage in Toyotas is expected. Heck, I changed the plugs in the Sienna just recently (for the first time) as I figured it was about time as she is pushing the 300K mark (i know it has been at least 260K since we bought that one and I have never changed them before.

The mods are cool, but you are not making any waves on mileage until you are pushing 300K IMHO.. We'll be watching.

 

[Gavino18]

DAMN THAT'S A LOT OF MILES! :zoom:

Assuming you've got an extra number in the end there we're keeping neck and neck. I'm headed off to the Northeast for a 3k mile trip in a couple weeks so we'll keep the race interesting. First to 200k buys the first round?

He's got the million mile Tundra beat! Probably has another million in herlane:

 

[Powder_Hound]

Maintenance

12-7-17
132,771

Oil Change

Little mother fers at Jiffy Lube charged an unexpected extra 10 bucks to remove the factory skid plate?!?!?!?!?! WTF Jiffy Lube - learnted that is not a company directive, but that a franchise owner can price things however they see fit. They already charge extra for 4wd and extra for added oil for the V-8 which I am okay with, but another 10 bucks to remove 2 friggin bolts is not cool...

 

[Powder_Hound]

Replaced busted cup holder/tray in rear armrest

I finally got around to replacing the cup holder/tray in the center arm rest. One of the cup holder arms had been broken for 7ish years, but in the last year the entire assembly started acting weird. Tray pulled out completely about 3 months ago and the damn thing rattled more than a can of rattle paint! For just under $200 I got the parts and now I have a functioning cup/holder tray assembly that doesn't rattle like a pissed off snake any more!

Armrest removed - there is 1 screw on the driver side behind plastic metal plate cover of armrest bracket. Once screw is removed you can slide the armrest slighly back and up which will allow the entire armrest to be removed.



Note the female "square" opening on passenger side of armrest. This slides over male square on passenger side of seat. Also note the upside down zipper. This is the side you start to unzip fabric to allow for fabric to be pulled back over armrest to gain access to 3 screws attached to plastic cupholder/tray assembly.



Once zipper is pulled along back of armrest you can peel back fabric to expose 3 screws. These 3 screws need to be removed. Once removed pull/tug on cup holder/tray assembly an remove plastic cupholder/tray assembly.





Image is of the armrest dissasembled and broken cup holder/tray assembly displayed with tray not attached any more.



Reverse the process to install new cup holder/tray assembly. You need to push firmly on cup holder/tray assembly to get 3 holes to line up with openings, but not a big deal. I used a paperclip to pull on the hidden zipper to pull fabric closed. Then you need to tuck in both ends of zipper inside of fabric on either side of armrest. Line up the square on passenger side, slide the pin into the correct slot to allow the screw to line up on driver side. Once screw is tightened attach plastiv cover over bracket and voila...project done.

 

[Powder_Hound]

Maintenance - Air and Cabin filters

12-15-17
132,743

Replaced cabin and air filters - pretty gross for 13,000 miles...hmmmmmm

Air Filter


Cabin Filter


What I used

 

[Powder_Hound]

2004 4th gen replacing headlights.

2-8-2018
133,400

I sanded the original headlights once to refinish, but as most state after about 9 months of light driving they were clouded up again.

Stevenson Toyota West quoted $1250 and change for this job over the phone.
$360 / headlight assembly and
3 shop hours at $140

I laughed at the quote and said no thank you! Ordered OEM lights from Stevenson for $210 \ headlight assembly and about $20 on a few different clips I needed. The entire project took right at 2 hours to do on my first attempt. I’m not sure where 3 shop hours would be close on this one.

Clouded and not much help at night.


After install with new OEM replacement headlight assembly. All clear now!


Side by side the before and after


5 bolts to remove
1 is hiding behind black trim panel on top of bumper


3 on top of light assembly easily accessed when radiator shored trim is removed


The last little PITA was accessed by removing fender liner bolts and using a few words children should not hear!


This was a very worthwhile project and $$$’s saved we’re well worth the time. Easy for your average T4R owner!

 

[Powder_Hound]

Heater Core replaced

Well F@#$! Partially clogged heater core did not fix with a flush.
3-7-2018
134,152

This was well beyond my scope so had Mountain States Toyota replace heater core! :ybrick: Not a cheap repair at $1500+, but we’ve got heat for another 14 years...I hope. Heat registering at 168 degrees at registers.

 

[Powder_Hound]

Caliper and pad replacement

Replaced passenger front caliper and front brake pads. Not a major repair, but I haven’t touched brakes since high school auto mechanics!

3-10-18
134,171

The inevitable stuck caliper piston (1 of 4 pistons was stuck) on my 04 Sport needed to be replaced. 1st brake work since 87 was a success! 1 new passenger front brake caliper, new brake pads for both front brakes and a bleed.


The before showing inboard brake bad with about 50% more wear than outboard.



Images shows 2 caliper bolts that need to be removed and the brake line banjo bolt.



New caliper installed.



...and new caliper with new pads.

 

[Powder_Hound]

Shifter Lock Assembly

Planning to install a new shifter lock assembly tomorrow. My shifter has had multiple issues during is 138,000 mile life. It’s now sloppy and won’t stay in 4th or 1st so it’s finally time to replace. I’ll add more intel tomorrow as I’m doing the procedure, but outside of the replacement cost it should be fairly straight forward.

 

[Powder_Hound]

Project complete! The old assembly was beat up a bit. The plastic holding the metal pin was cracked, the black plastic guide for P was busted, and the pin spring was pretty stiff.

.

Old shifter removed


.

New shifter lock assembly installed and complete!

 

[AuSeeker]

Did you purchase a new shifter, if so where did you buy it and how much was it?

 

[Powder_Hound]

Did you purchase a new shifter, if so where did you buy it and how much was it?

I did. It was a bit spendy at $560 from the online parts dept. at Stevinson Toyota West. However, the shifter is brand new and she shifts like she did when I purchased her 14 years ago. Hopefully I’ll get more than 138K on this one.

 

[AuSeeker]

I did. It was a bit spendy at $560 from the online parts dept. at Stevinson Toyota West. However, the shifter is brand new and she shifts like she did when I purchased her 14 years ago. Hopefully I’ll get more than 138K on this one.

OK I got it all confused I was thinking it was someone else in your other topic when you first posted about your shifter issues and you buying a new shifter.