Bluesky 07
Senior Member
Congrats and welcome to the asylum. ;-)
Pre-Purchase Info, Modifications, Write-Ups, Quick Links, and FAQ's
- Thread starter iBison
- Start date
Congrats and welcome to the asylum. ;-)
New here
Hello everybody,
Amazing source of info here. A big THANK YOU to the experienced members!
I'm new to this forum and, sadly, to Toyota... so far I had no brand loyalty, drove everything from Ford, Dodge, GM, Mazda, Hyundai etc. With my recent purchase of a 2007 4runner, I think I found the brand deserving my loyalty. I just love the way it adheres to the road, regardless of road quality (or lack thereof, for that matter).
Having to work towards my 15 replies, I'll try to post here a few questions. Perhaps, they have been answered somewhere else, but I couldn't find them, yet... If the answers are available somewhere, please reply with links.
A bit of background: Although I'm in Canada, my T4R was originally sold in the US. It's the V6, 4WD, 7 seat, pretty basic, 126.000 MILES. I'm "mechanically inclined" and have access to a full garage (and discounted parts pricing), through a buddy who is auto mechanic. Further, most of my vehicles were purchased used and "beefed up" by myself, for a few more good years of life expectancy. On the T4R, so far, I've changed most fluids, regardless if needed or not (oil, transmission, diffs, transaxle, brake and power steering).Which brings me to my first question:
1) Is there a way of changing the center console display, from MPG / Fahrenheit to L/100 Km and Celsius? The odometer is in miles and the speedometer in miles and Km, but it would help a lot of mental conversions... On the other hand, the confusion is a good excuse, when getting pulled over for speeding... hypothetically speaking...
2) I replaced the spark plugs with Bosch platinum, before reading here and other forums, that Toyotas like only NGK and Denso. I've had some very positive previous experience, on other vehicles, with the Bosch platinum. Since I've done the fluid changes at about the same time (one day after purchase), it's impossible for me to tell if there is any negative / positive effect from the Bosch spark plugs. If however, somebody on here can justify it for me, I wouldn't hesitate to replace them with NGK's, although I only have about 3000 Km on them.
3) I'm contemplating a valve gap inspection / adjustment and replacing the timing chain (I held off on the coolant / thermostat replacement to combine it with the timing chain). I've pretty much decided on the valve inspection / adjustment but question the timing chain... so far, I could only find info on the timing belt replacement in the V8. Any advice on the V6 timing chain replacement, would be appreciated. I know it's meant to last forever, but my definition of "forever" might be different then somebody else's...
4) I'd like to remove the second row bench seat. As far as I know, my model doesn't have the side curtain air bags, but is there any other electronics (seat belt pretensioner?) connected, that would trigger some faults without the second row seats? I'd like to keep the 2 rear jump seats, as they are easily removable / foldable out of the way (and give me that bit of extra weight on the rear axle) although never / rarely actually used. If you guessed that I need cargo capacity, you are right... I do have a trailer hitch so I could pull a trailer for cargo...
5) Is there a compromise to be found, when it comes to the front diff and transaxle oil, vs. the rear diff oil? In my owners manual it specifies 75W-90 GL5 for transfer case and front diff and 80W-90 GL5 for
the rear diff. It would simplify things, having one compromised oil for both...
6) Last but not least: I took it to my northern property, off grid and road systems, with the last bit of snow, still on the ground. While it performed extraordinarily, a bit more ground clearance sure would help... so the question is: Is there any lift system out there, that's "safe" for the OEM alignment and direction components? I'm only talking between 1"-2",
plus a slightly bigger tire. I don't have the height control option.
BTW. I used Liqui Moly gear oils and Eneos engine oil (after engine flush with a Liqui Moly product) and transmission fluid (W/S, after filter/screen replacement and magnet cleaning. I don't have a transmission cooler to flush).
I greased the driveshaft points and flushed / filled the brakes and power steering with lubricants / oils of unknown manufacture / grade . They were however, the products used by the shop for BMW / Daimler / Porsche / Audi / Land Rover etc., for similar applications.
Looking forward to your replies.
Keep up the good work!
Hello everybody,
Amazing source of info here. A big THANK YOU to the experienced members!
I'm new to this forum and, sadly, to Toyota... so far I had no brand loyalty, drove everything from Ford, Dodge, GM, Mazda, Hyundai etc. With my recent purchase of a 2007 4runner, I think I found the brand deserving my loyalty. I just love the way it adheres to the road, regardless of road quality (or lack thereof, for that matter).
Having to work towards my 15 replies, I'll try to post here a few questions. Perhaps, they have been answered somewhere else, but I couldn't find them, yet... If the answers are available somewhere, please reply with links.
A bit of background: Although I'm in Canada, my T4R was originally sold in the US. It's the V6, 4WD, 7 seat, pretty basic, 126.000 MILES. I'm "mechanically inclined" and have access to a full garage (and discounted parts pricing), through a buddy who is auto mechanic. Further, most of my vehicles were purchased used and "beefed up" by myself, for a few more good years of life expectancy. On the T4R, so far, I've changed most fluids, regardless if needed or not (oil, transmission, diffs, transaxle, brake and power steering).Which brings me to my first question:
1) Is there a way of changing the center console display, from MPG / Fahrenheit to L/100 Km and Celsius? The odometer is in miles and the speedometer in miles and Km, but it would help a lot of mental conversions... On the other hand, the confusion is a good excuse, when getting pulled over for speeding... hypothetically speaking...
2) I replaced the spark plugs with Bosch platinum, before reading here and other forums, that Toyotas like only NGK and Denso. I've had some very positive previous experience, on other vehicles, with the Bosch platinum. Since I've done the fluid changes at about the same time (one day after purchase), it's impossible for me to tell if there is any negative / positive effect from the Bosch spark plugs. If however, somebody on here can justify it for me, I wouldn't hesitate to replace them with NGK's, although I only have about 3000 Km on them.
3) I'm contemplating a valve gap inspection / adjustment and replacing the timing chain (I held off on the coolant / thermostat replacement to combine it with the timing chain). I've pretty much decided on the valve inspection / adjustment but question the timing chain... so far, I could only find info on the timing belt replacement in the V8. Any advice on the V6 timing chain replacement, would be appreciated. I know it's meant to last forever, but my definition of "forever" might be different then somebody else's...
4) I'd like to remove the second row bench seat. As far as I know, my model doesn't have the side curtain air bags, but is there any other electronics (seat belt pretensioner?) connected, that would trigger some faults without the second row seats? I'd like to keep the 2 rear jump seats, as they are easily removable / foldable out of the way (and give me that bit of extra weight on the rear axle) although never / rarely actually used. If you guessed that I need cargo capacity, you are right... I do have a trailer hitch so I could pull a trailer for cargo...
5) Is there a compromise to be found, when it comes to the front diff and transaxle oil, vs. the rear diff oil? In my owners manual it specifies 75W-90 GL5 for transfer case and front diff and 80W-90 GL5 for
the rear diff. It would simplify things, having one compromised oil for both...
6) Last but not least: I took it to my northern property, off grid and road systems, with the last bit of snow, still on the ground. While it performed extraordinarily, a bit more ground clearance sure would help... so the question is: Is there any lift system out there, that's "safe" for the OEM alignment and direction components? I'm only talking between 1"-2",
plus a slightly bigger tire. I don't have the height control option.
BTW. I used Liqui Moly gear oils and Eneos engine oil (after engine flush with a Liqui Moly product) and transmission fluid (W/S, after filter/screen replacement and magnet cleaning. I don't have a transmission cooler to flush).
I greased the driveshaft points and flushed / filled the brakes and power steering with lubricants / oils of unknown manufacture / grade . They were however, the products used by the shop for BMW / Daimler / Porsche / Audi / Land Rover etc., for similar applications.
Looking forward to your replies.
Keep up the good work!
1. You would think so, but I've never seen anything on it.
2. IDK, I went with long life ones recommended.
3. I've never head any recommendation on replacing the chain and when I did my head gaskets I was in there and saw no reason to replace it. "Adjusting" the lifters is not hard, but if any of them need to be adjusted you need to replace the "shims" so you will need to measure them all and if any are out of spec order the shims and when they get in replace them. This involves pulling the cams. I only did mine because we were doing the head gaskets. I was able to swap a tight one for a loose one on each head and didn't need to buy any.
I don't know about 4 or 5.
6 . The most common and budget friendly is Bilstein 5100 shocks and FJ springs. Do a search, there are tons of threads.
I would post specific questions in the main part of the forum where you will get more responses.
Thanks iBison
Attached .pdf, what I found re. #5. Please let me know, it the attachment didn't work.
As for # 3, logic tells me that over time (130.000 miles) the timing chain will stretch. While the purpose of the tensioners is to take up this stretch, there is no way of telling if / when the tensioners reach their limits. Therefore, even perfectly adjusted valve clearance / lifters will not work as designed, if the timing is off (even so slightly). I did this on most vehicles I bought used, for my own peace of mind... especially on interference engines...
We'll keep you posted over the next few days after the valve clearance inspection / adjustment.
Attached .pdf, what I found re. #5. Please let me know, it the attachment didn't work.
As for # 3, logic tells me that over time (130.000 miles) the timing chain will stretch. While the purpose of the tensioners is to take up this stretch, there is no way of telling if / when the tensioners reach their limits. Therefore, even perfectly adjusted valve clearance / lifters will not work as designed, if the timing is off (even so slightly). I did this on most vehicles I bought used, for my own peace of mind... especially on interference engines...
We'll keep you posted over the next few days after the valve clearance inspection / adjustment.
Thanks
I guess, because I just purchased it, without ANY maintenance records, I go out of my way to make sure everything is up to par... If I do it all now, it will not let me down for the next 200.000 miles (I hope). I've accounted for all these costs prior to the purchase decision, so I might as well go ahead...
As for the lift, I believe anything that is not stock, will change the angle / camber of the wheels and therefore would affect alignment components. I haven't decided yet, what to do, but something will be done, sooner or later.
First off, this coming weekend, I'll take out the second row of seats to see what that does for me.
I guess, because I just purchased it, without ANY maintenance records, I go out of my way to make sure everything is up to par... If I do it all now, it will not let me down for the next 200.000 miles (I hope). I've accounted for all these costs prior to the purchase decision, so I might as well go ahead...
As for the lift, I believe anything that is not stock, will change the angle / camber of the wheels and therefore would affect alignment components. I haven't decided yet, what to do, but something will be done, sooner or later.
First off, this coming weekend, I'll take out the second row of seats to see what that does for me.
jhnparkersil
New member
08SprtEdtn4wd
New member
Center console cover for the limited
I'm looking to swap out the center console upper cover on my sport edition for a Limited one because this will give me two extra slots to be able to drop in OEM switches. Does anyone know if these are swappable? Also, i'm pretty sure I found the part number for the Limited part, 5882235020B0, can anyone who has done this swap or who had a Limited confirm that this is it? See pics.
I'm looking to swap out the center console upper cover on my sport edition for a Limited one because this will give me two extra slots to be able to drop in OEM switches. Does anyone know if these are swappable? Also, i'm pretty sure I found the part number for the Limited part, 5882235020B0, can anyone who has done this swap or who had a Limited confirm that this is it? See pics.
Attachments
Citysunset
New member
Very impressive! Thank you for the effort. I'll be using many of these (just bought mine too). Enjoy the new rig!
DeuceRunners
New member
Did you ever get an answer? PM me and I will check. My wife has an 03 Limited and I have an 04 SR5. I'm lazy so I'm not going to check unless you would like me to real quick
Not sure if this would help considering mine is an SR5 and yours is the Sport.
S p a r k y
New member
Did you ever get an answer? PM me and I will check. My wife has an 03 Limited and I have an 04 SR5. I'm lazy so I'm not going to check unless you would like me to real quick
There are no differences but the two slots, you can swap no problem!
I understand they're all bulletproof ... my question is this - how's v6 vs v8? My question comes from the concern that (with other manufacturers) v6 is pretty weak comparing to v8 and for instance in case of wearing 33's will have serious issues pulling a light trailer without full re-gearing. Any thoughts on that subject?
gointlospe
New member
YODAEXPRESS
New member
Thanks for this Write up, your a life saver! I'm looking at a 2006 4runner v6 4wd with 177k for 8.9k.
After following your advice I had toyota check it out and they told me this is whats wrong with it.
BODY AND ACCESSORIES, RECOMMEND TIMING COVER RESEAL-LEAKING BADLY, RECOMMEND POWER STEERING RACK-LEAKING, RECOMMEND BOTH FRONT CV BOOTS-LEAKING, POWER STEERING FLUSH W/RACK, RECOMMEND OIL PAN GASKET-LEAKING, RECOMMEND FRONT AND REAR SHOCKS/STRUTS-LEAKING, RECOMMEND POSITIVE TERMINAL-CORRODED, RECOMMEND 4WD ACTUATOR-4 LO INOP.
I can still buy this 4runner for around 6k, but is it even worth it? seems more like a headache. thanks everyone.
After following your advice I had toyota check it out and they told me this is whats wrong with it.
BODY AND ACCESSORIES, RECOMMEND TIMING COVER RESEAL-LEAKING BADLY, RECOMMEND POWER STEERING RACK-LEAKING, RECOMMEND BOTH FRONT CV BOOTS-LEAKING, POWER STEERING FLUSH W/RACK, RECOMMEND OIL PAN GASKET-LEAKING, RECOMMEND FRONT AND REAR SHOCKS/STRUTS-LEAKING, RECOMMEND POSITIVE TERMINAL-CORRODED, RECOMMEND 4WD ACTUATOR-4 LO INOP.
I can still buy this 4runner for around 6k, but is it even worth it? seems more like a headache. thanks everyone.
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