Ruby Tuesday - rad4runner's Mods and Restoration

[RAD4Runner]

Windshield Leak - NOT

Earlier I had my windshield replaced because it was leaking. I think I did an excellent job refinishing the pinch weld with POR-15 and the glass tech did his job installing the glass. However, it still leaked at the upper right hand corner. I noticed that it was not leaking at the pinchweld-adhesive-glass interface, but rather between the two metal sheets of the pinch-weld on video here:
https://youtu.be/1XuS75uymk0

I suspected the seam on the upper right-hand corner of the pinch-weld/A-pillar so ... I taped the surroundings of windshield like below, but when it rained, it still dripped at same location.

I remember that the dripping was worst when I brake or turn a corner, so the idea of water pooling somewhere made sense...
I probed right under the roof sheet metal where water could accumulate around that corner with a tissue paper and found moisture... where the inner sheet metal forms a trough (green arrow) against the outer roof sheet metal...

That strongly points to this worn out seal on the gutter here...

To verify, I covered the whole roof, including the gutters with tarp before it rained again...

RESULT: NO LEAK!

WHAT'S NEXT:
I already have Dynatron 550 seam sealer whose recommended application is either bare metal or primed metal, so I think my next steps would be:
1) Double-check by hosing down that gutter.
2) Thoroughly steel brush everything I can reach on the gutter,
3) Apply the Dynatron 550 by hand, squeezing it well into the crack, let dry,
4) Prime
5) Paint

Your thoughts please, guys?
I wonder why it's not dripping from the door frame pinch-weld which is directly below the gutter.
Do you think the Dupli-Color / store bought spray can primer and paint would be good enough?

 

[onemanarmy]

I think that will be better than it left the factory.

yes on the paint. multiple coats of paint though.

 

[SomeDay]

Rear window can be operated by tailgate key switch even with ignition on.

Does this mean that the tail gate window rolls down automatically when I turn the key in the gate keyhole? That doesn't happen in mine, but i'd love it. I want it!

 

[RAD4Runner]

Does this mean that the tail gate window rolls down automatically when I turn the key in the gate keyhole? That doesn't happen in mine, but i'd love it. I want it!

Yes, if you restore the system to the way I describe it above...

 

[SomeDay]

This mod will allow one to roll rear window down from inside the rear deck (i.e., when camping in truck), without having to scramble over to front, put key in ignition in order to lower window from console switch.

I love this also! I have to do it!
But first things first, I need to solve all the electrical problems I already have

 

[RAD4Runner]

Return Trip Photos from Texas to So Cal.

Return Trip Photos from Texas to So Cal.
Happy to drive a more quiet truck... but when I picked her up, I started missing the 6th gear of my loaner Mini-Cooper - LOL!

Took the I-20 Corridor from TX to New Mexico...

Then Hwy 82 that ascends to Cloudcroft, NM where it was snowing as I passed through:

Then back down southwest on hwy 70 IIRC...
Arrived at White Sands National Monument trailhead to back country trail/campsites as sun was setting... Hike was easy over rolling dunes, except that it was hard to see the trail markers in fading light. Coordinates to campsite would have been great.

Panorama Video at Sunset:
https://youtu.be/OljONVODql8

Woke up to a wonderful sunrise:

~original[/IMG]

Grits and some drip coffee. Brought some pork and beans but forgot my Leatherman in the truck. From now on that is staying on my backpack - LOL!

View of campsite among the dunes... Bibler iTent is around the center...

Backcountry Trail Panorama:
https://youtu.be/g9bnpy-58ZQ


Ruby Tuesday among the dunes surrounding the Loop Drive (tourist drive)... The loop drive has a boardwalk over the dunes so the handicapped can also enjoy the beauty...

Tourist Loop Drive-Through:
https://youtu.be/TPHlB3G3x_E

Took the 10 Freeway from Las Cruces, NM to AZ, and to Joshua Tree National Park where my friend from the dark side (LOL!) met me for overnight camp and sight-seeing...

Mural In honor of the few and the proud... in Twenty-Nine Palms...

Woke up and moved here to observe first-light, but it was not as dramatic...

This is called Skull Rock... It's on Google Maps. Right off the road...

To match my only set of cuff links (believe it or not, from Nordstrom) ...

 

[RAD4Runner]

How To Check A Fuse

This procedure should work for most, if not all of our ATO fuses, but I will illustrate using the Engine Fuse because that's what I'm helping Someday with right now.
We will check:
1) IF there is voltage coming to the fuse,
2) IF there is voltage going through that fuse, and
3) IF none, verify that the fuse is blown (no continuity).

Set multimeter to voltage DC range immediately higher than 12VDC; That's usually 20VDC.
Negative (black) probe to "COM"
Positive (red) probe to "V"

The Engine Fuse (15A) is on the driver-side kick panel fuse block. Note the grounding screw into the body. This will be the ground reference point for most voltage checks. Touch the negative (black) probe to this for most voltage checks.

NOTE:
Some fuses like Hazard-Horn may not require IGN to be on because they are connected to battery through fuses with no switch in between.
I will also check which side of the engine fuse is the supply side, and will update picture ASAP.


(to be continued...)

 

[SomeDay]

Thanks a lot! :thanks:

 

[RAD4Runner]

Thanks a lot! :thanks:

Cool.
Pls let me know what u find, and we'll take the next step

 

[Nervo19]

Thank you for the fuse tutorial. This is very timely for me. I hope I get a chance to try it out tomorrow.

 

[RAD4Runner]

Thank you for the fuse tutorial. This is very timely for me. I hope I get a chance to try it out tomorrow.

Always a pleasure to help, Nervo. Thanks to you and others too who share their experience and knowledge.
It saddens me to see fellow Yota owners unnecessarily spend time and money replacing things that are not broken when often times what's needed is simple troubleshooting that they're intimated to do because no one is there to walk them through the process.

BTW, FOLKS,
I updated the drawing and procedures to mention turning Ignition Switch on. Some fuses like Hazard-Horn may not require IGN to be on because they are connected to battery through fuses with no switch in between.
I will also check which side of the engine fuse is the supply side, and will update picture ASAP.

 

[Nervo19]

Thanks for the help. It turns out I had a bad brake light switch! I did a write up in post #56 in my build thread linked below. After all the diagnosis it takes seconds to change. My fuse box is pretty clean now :bluejump:

https://www.yotatech.com/f199/nervo19s-89-4runner-22re-slow-rehab-284200/index3.html

 

[RAD4Runner]

How to Make Side-facing Marker Lights Double as Turn Signals

In these days of distracted drivers (and harsh California winters -LOL!), I want the truck and my intentions as visible as possible. This project adds marker lights that will blink alternately with turn signals. Added marker light will be more visible from the side of the vehicle, or to the driver in my blind spot.

NOTE: For best/guaranteed results use LED bulbs (or bulbs with lower power rating than turn signal bulbs) for the added clearance/marker lights. Use stock incandescent bulb (or LED with parallel resistors) for turn signal.

Concept is as follows:

• Added marker light requires much less current than the turn signal bulb to turn on. I bought the rear side-marker lights from an earlier Camry like this from the pick a part. An LED marker light would work as well- and probably be brighter, but needs to be tested as I did here.
  I have the Trail Gear LED used as front fender-mounted turn signal on my truck (here). I'll rewire that to test.
• Connect positive terminal of added marker light to positive side of existing tail light circuit ("A" in illustration).
• Connect negative terminal of added marker light to the positive side of the turn signal circuit for that side ("B" in illustration).
• When turn signal contact is open, the turn signal bulb is OFF, AND tail lights are on there will be 12V at "A" and "B" is connected to ground through the filament of the turn signal bulb. Added marker light will be ON.
• When turn signal contact closes, and tail lights are on, there will be 12Volts at "A" and also 12V at "B". There is no difference in potential between the two sides of the added marker lights so it will be off.

Schematic:

Physical Setup:

Video of circuit test is below. I just need to properly complete connections and mount the added marker lights... Considering on side of bumper corner so I would not need to drill holes into the body.
https://youtu.be/Hx7D8MqwC4Q
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Hx7D8MqwC4Q" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[slacker]

^ nice ! ...

 

[Chuckles89]

Sweet! I'll be adding a rear side turn signal to my 3rd gen whenever I get my high clearance rear bumper put on

 

[RAD4Runner]

Thx, guys!
It's disappointing how our trucks do not have turn signals visible from the side especially to driver in our blind-spot, while European models (like the Hi-Lux they tried to kill in Top Gear) already had it int he 80's.

^ nice ! ...

I'm sure same concept would work very well with the Trekker's fender mounted markers.

Sweet! I'll be adding a rear side turn signal to my 3rd gen whenever I get my high clearance rear bumper put on

I put a fender mounted dedicated turn signal on mine, but will rewire it to work like this one - double as marker that blinks alternately with turn signals.

 

[RAD4Runner]

Replaced Hood Vibration Dampeners

Replaced Hood Vibration Dampeners...
Vibration dampening dumplings are toast...

When one problem becomes the solution for another... Crazy Dog likes to attack footwear - LOL!

Cut to size and scalloped to help secure it to the bracing.

I siliconed it ONLY on side that faces the brace so when sheet and/or brace flex, the pad will stay stuck to the brace and not peel off.

 

[RAD4Runner]

BTW... Good tool for working on the cowl...

 

[Chuckles89]

My hood has come apart like that, but flip flops may be a little too ghetto for me...

 

[RAD4Runner]

My hood has come apart like that, but flip flops may be a little too ghetto for me...

LOL!

I can see the hood vibrate while driving.
The globs of sealant were not really meant to hold them together, just to keep the sheet metal from vibrating against the brace.
Someday, I'll buy windshield urethane for a better fix. LOL!