Ruby Tuesday - rad4runner's Mods and Restoration

[RAD4Runner]

Did you paint the canopy roof?

I think it came stock in red, but was faded and some Fiberglas was showing so I took it to a body shop for a quick touch-up just to protect the material.

 

[RAD4Runner]

Transmission Noise - Sounds like Input Shaft Bearing

So I made it to Lubbock, TX and transmission started making unusual noises:
- First, 2nd and 3rd gear sounded like a semi going uphill.
- Fifth still had the usual "whine".
- One time I stopped and put it in neutral with clutch released, I heard rhythmic clunking from tranny.
- Shifting and acceleration are still good and strong.
- No problem cruising at 80 MPH (although I don't feel comfortable on TX single-lane highways with no median and speed limits up to 75MPH).

Yotatech folks think it's input shaft bearing and say I could still make it back to So Cal. Yes, she made it all the way to Dallas and I could have driven her all the way to Houston, then Galveston (for a coast-to coast road trip), but I wanted to play it safe so I needed tpo leave her in the shop.

We originally took her to Plano Transmission, shop with great reviews on Yelp, but shop is full and I wanna get her done within next week for the drive back to So Cal. Shop owner sent us to manual transmission specialist Cooksoon's Transmission that he contracts manual transmissions out to...

Cookson's has poor YELP reviews but I put my faith in Jeff's (of Plano transmission) recommendation because the former does manual trannys for Jeff.

On our 45-minute drive down to south Dallas, tranny noise did not manifest it self... pretty intermittent, and I'm still getting my 19-MPG's.

Got myself a zippy 4-banger loaner for my trip to Houston

 

[Chuckles89]

I hope the transmission rebuild goes well :lever:

 

[Adventure Copan]

So I've never heard of that place, but I'm not out that way much. I looked online and they have consistent horrible reviews everywhere. I'll be praying you are the exception to that. Sry that happen to ya bro!! Keep us posted and let me know if you're closer to Grapevine and we'll grab a cup of joe! -Daniel

 

[Adventure Copan]

Any news [MENTION=80771]RAD4Runner[/MENTION]?

 

[RAD4Runner]

I hope the transmission rebuild goes well :lever:

Any news [MENTION=80771]RAD4Runner[/MENTION]?

Thanks a lot, guys!
I called the shop (from Houston) today
Manager said:
1) Clutch pressure plates and flywheel had wear (was replaced 40,000 miles ago), and recommended that clutch be replaced and flywheel "resurfaced".

2) Transmission needs rebuild.

3) Clutch fork also needed replacement

All of the above would total $1600. I asked him to please only do transmission rebuild, and I'll deal with the clutch later.

I do not have clutch slippage, and clutching was smooth.
How legit is the need to resurface the flywheel?
How about clutch fork needing replacement?

I'll pick up truck on Friday morning, and keep Y'all posted.
Merry Christmas!

 

[wallytoo]

Thanks a lot, guys!
I called the shop (from Houston) today
Manager said:
1) Clutch pressure plates and flywheel had wear (was replaced 40,000 miles ago), and recommended that clutch be replaced and flywheel "resurfaced".

2) Transmission needs rebuild.

3) Clutch fork also needed replacement

All of the above would total $1600. I asked him to please only do transmission rebuild, and I'll deal with the clutch later.

I do not have clutch slippage, and clutching was smooth.
How legit is the need to resurface the flywheel?
How about clutch fork needing replacement?

I'll pick up truck on Friday morning, and keep Y'all posted.
Merry Christmas!

not likely legit to need a new clutch @ 40k miles. that would probably be one source of the horrible reviews. i hope it works out for you, rad.

i consider myself fortunate to have gone coast to coast to coast in my '87 in july with only a headlight needing replacement on the trip. 8500+ miles. i know how you feel about humming along at high speeds on those undivided two lane roads.

my water pump failed the night i arrived back home, in my driveway. that would have sucked to replace in death valley, or anywhere else on the road.

wally

 

[Chuckles89]

I would definitely replace the clutch fork with a new OEM one. They are just stamped sheet metal and when they wear through on the pivot points, you have to pull the transmission to replace it and that isn't much fun. The one for my 3rd gen was $40 I think.

 

[wallytoo]

i guess it also depends on how much the shop is going to charge to "just fix the transmission". the clutch parts and the flywheel should amount to about $200 to $300, no labor. forget resurfacing, too. a new one goes for less than $40. (paid $90.79 for an aisin clutch kit and $37.79 for a luk flywheel - rock auto).

wally

 

[RAD4Runner]

Thanks a lot, guys!

It's really difficult to find both a competent and honest shop. That's why it's always good to find them through recommendations from forum members along the way before the trip.

Hard to determine whether one's up-selling you unless you actually see the parts which is not possible because for insurance / liability reasons one is not allowed in the shop.

I first took it to Plano Transmission shop really has excellent reviews, and Jeff the owner is straight-forward but shop was full (so reviews must be legit) so he sent me to Cookson's because it's that shop that does his manual tranny's, so hoping the latter does a good mechanical job.
Will keep you posted.

 

[Adventure Copan]

I hate that for you!! Praying for ya! -Daniel

 

[RAD4Runner]

Transmission Noise - Sounds like Input Shaft Bearing - Update

Hi guys!

As mentioned above, Cookson's Transmission only did the transmission rebuild. I'll take care of the clutch fork when it's time to replace the clutch.
I picked up the truck today and I see indications that the job was done well.

• Shifting is pretty smooth I think, except a little harder (tighter?) to get into first and second gears. I need someone who drives another first-gen to compare.
• All the symptoms I described earlier all gone.
• Tranny case very clean.
• The back-up switch wiring is secured well. This was how it looked when I first got the truck
• AND... (drum-roll)... the 5th gear whine, that had always been there since I got the truck in 2012, is gone

.

So far so good. Ready to drive back to So Cal via southern corridor (I-20, I-10, to Phoenix, to Joshua Tree camping) tomorrow AM.

Really appreciate all your inputs.
Happy New Year!

BEFORE: SHIFTER DID NOT "REST" EXACTLY AT THIRD/FOURTH GEAR AXIS. FIXED NOW.
http://vid1166.photobucket.com/albu... slash Clutch/20161230_164214_zpsje6x1nbc.mp4

 

[wallytoo]

sounds like a good outcome, RAD.

 

[RAD4Runner]

sounds like a good outcome, RAD.

Seems like it, Wally. Getting ready to drive back from TX today. Hoping to meet Adventure Copan along the way.

 

[Adventure Copan]

Call me [MENTION=80771]RAD4Runner[/MENTION]!!

 

[RAD4Runner]

Call me [MENTION=80771]RAD4Runner[/MENTION]!!

I did

And isn't this cool? I've never seen other 4Runners with this cap still on...

Great meeting you, Daniel! Best wishes with the move.

 

[Adventure Copan]

I did

Great meeting you, Daniel! Best wishes with the move.

AWESOME meeting you! Love getting to learn more about others. Bring the Runner to HND someday or just visit via plane!

 

[Chuckles89]

That's awesome!

 

[RAD4Runner]

Fender-Mounted Turn Signals Retrofit

(I did this a while back and realized I haven't posted here, yet so...)

I always use my turn signal to turn or change lanes, and I want driver in my blind spot to see and anticipate my move in case I do not see him, so he can alert me or react accordingly. On the first-gen 4Runner, driver to my left or right do not see the rear turn signal nor the front one because front one faces front. So a fender -mounted turn signal makes good sense.

Heck, even the beat-up Yota they tried to kill on Top Gear had it, so I'm surprised that U.S. model cars are not required to have fender mounted turn signal. Let's fix that!

I decided to use the Trailgear Amber LED Lights because:

1. I like the robust and simple mounting. Standard screws, minimal cutting into body panel. (Snap-in fixtures use flimsy hidden clips and require larger cuts in body panel so I do not trust that.)
2. Waterproof construction of polycarbonate!
3. LED so no need to replace bulb

It came in the mail quickly thanks to Off-Road Warehouse, San Diego and Trail Gear for excellent customer service and quick shipping.

As-Built Location:
Right below the antenna, similar to location on pick up they tried to kill on Top Gear. Upon installation I realized it angled a little too high, so IF you're going to do this, I recommend to place it below imaginary line level with bottom of door handle.

Prep work:
I want minimal crevices to catch dirt and retain moisture/salt crystals so I shaved off the rim in back.

Mounting Hardware:
M4 screw is ideal, but I already have stainless steel 8-32's. I'll just use those.

Mounting
Opening for wires.

Mounting Holes:

I applied a thin (approx 1/16") layer of RTV, let it harden a little, then apply more to fill up the mounting holes and opening for wires

Installed:

Ran Wires along existing loom under fender:

... To front right corner behind and below marker light...

Tapped off (stripped, wire-wrapped-soldered, insulated) green wire with yellow stripe (pos for right turn signal). Please check schematic for left side, white with black stripe (ground). Also tapped off positive for marker light (green wire) and ran other (insulated) end to fuse box for future use.

Done:

In Action:

 

[Dropzone]

(I did this a while back and realized I haven't posted here, yet so...)

I always use my turn signal to turn or change lanes

Installed:

I like that! I was going to do another signal mounted on the mirror but the fender mount has better visibility

Thanks a lot, guys!
I called the shop (from Houston) today
Manager said:
1) Clutch pressure plates and flywheel had wear (was replaced 40,000 miles ago), and recommended that clutch be replaced and flywheel "resurfaced".

I do not have clutch slippage, and clutching was smooth.
How legit is the need to resurface the flywheel?
How about clutch fork needing replacement?

I'll pick up truck on Friday morning, and keep Y'all posted.
Merry Christmas!

sorry your christmas present ended up being transmission rebuild.
I had a clutch in my Trekker make it through 3 transmissions:hungry:
I didn't resurface the flywheel until tranmission #3