San Diego > Anyone doing their own work?

[jhmoore]

I'm a first-time 4Runner owner with a 2018 TRDORP. I'm not a "car guy" and don't know how to do my own work... but I want to learn.

I've built three houses myself. I was a combat arms instructor in the Army (.45, M16, various machine guns, demolitions & other things that go boom in the night). My younger self used to perform complex animal surgeries. I know my way around the use and field maintenance of SCUBA diving gear and photography gear...

So I'm not completely incapable...

...but my life has just never included working on or knowing anything about cars. Sadly.

I want to learn how to do some level of field repairs on the 4Runner & have been thinking about how to go about learning. I've seen some advice to just start tearing thing apart and doing stuff. Get your hands dirty with projects.

I was thinking that, before tearing apart my shiny, brand-new baby, maybe it'd be good to watch others who know what they are doing work on theirs... and help out as appropriate.

So... anyone in San Diego doing their own work on anything that resembles a 2018 TRDORP mechanically? Would you mind having me come watch, ask questions, and help out where you feel is appropriate?

I'm in the University City area.

Thanks!

 

[themuffinman619]

I do most my own work. I’ve helped a few others work on their rigs as well. Hit me up if you need help. I’m in east Chula Vista.

 

[jhmoore]

I do most my own work. I’ve helped a few others work on their rigs as well. Hit me up if you need help. I’m in east Chula Vista.

Thanks [MENTION=119665]themuffinman619[/MENTION] , do you have any projects coming up?

 

[themuffinman619]

Got some front suspension stuff to do that I've been putting off.

 

[YetiX]

Hey John, I do almost all my own work on my 4th Gen. Did an oil change yesterday morning, although I have a different engine but the basics are the same. I have a couple of electrical projects coming up so I'll keep you posted. I'm also just across 52 from you in Clairemont.

 

[jhmoore]

Hey John, I do almost all my own work on my 4th Gen. Did an oil change yesterday morning, although I have a different engine but the basics are the same. I have a couple of electrical projects coming up so I'll keep you posted. I'm also just across 52 from you in Clairemont.

Sounds great [MENTION=114745]YetiX[/MENTION] . I sent you a PM with my cell phone.

 

[jhmoore]

Got some front suspension stuff to do that I've been putting off.

[MENTION=119665]themuffinman619[/MENTION] , let me know when you plan to do this!

 

[jhmoore]

Got some front suspension stuff to do that I've been putting off.

[MENTION=119665]themuffinman619[/MENTION] , let me know when you plan to do this!

 

[BrianSD_42]

What kind of work do you imagine yourself doing on a completely brand new 2018 4Runner?

I mean even in the next 3 years it should be pretty minimal at best with near 0 mechanical work. I guess if you count swapping out the suspension but why pay for that package and then swap it out.

:bat:

 

[jhmoore]

What kind of work do you imagine yourself doing on a completely brand new 2018 4Runner?

I mean even in the next 3 years it should be pretty minimal at best with near 0 mechanical work. I guess if you count swapping out the suspension but why pay for that package and then swap it out.

[MENTION=65101]BrianSD_42[/MENTION] — I don’t know what work, if any, I will choose to do to it. This year I’m just keeping it stock. I am tempted by some of the electrical stuff... because I carry a whole boatload of electronics when I’m adventuring.

My primary interest is in learning at least basics so that I might be able to deal with some stuff in the field... repairing things... I don’t want to be that guy using a satphone to call Triple A from the Arctic Circle because he doesn’t know how fix a flat... ;-)

 

[BrianSD_42]

Well the good news is there are certainly a lot of projects you could do on it yourself that are not mechanical. Plenty of cool stuff documented in the build threads.

 

[Wigglepuppy]

Good post and congrats on the new rig. I'm kind of in the same boat. I'm down in Pacific Beach, so also not too far. . . I'm sensing the makings of a San Diego T4R get-together.

 

[Drunner97]

[MENTION=65101]BrianSD_42[/MENTION] — I don’t know what work, if any, I will choose to do to it. This year I’m just keeping it stock. I am tempted by some of the electrical stuff... because I carry a whole boatload of electronics when I’m adventuring.

My primary interest is in learning at least basics so that I might be able to deal with some stuff in the field... repairing things... I don’t want to be that guy using a satphone to call Triple A from the Arctic Circle because he doesn’t know how fix a flat... ;-)

Unless you're hauling ass regularly or rocking crawling the chances of anything outside of changing a tire in the field is slim to none for you. That being said there's a few things that everyone should know how to do on the trail and in general:

Changing a tire - Flats happen. It's a part of off road life

Checking and maintaining fluids

Suspension components - It's a good habit to check torque on important bolts after each run. Nuts and bolts can work themselves loose. I've had UCA, LCA, and rear link bolts all work themselves loose before. Know the torques and keep an eye on them. Good thing to do is mark your bolt heads with a paint pen for quick visual inspections.

CV Axles - Chances of blowing out an axle is a lot slimmer than more people realize. I went many many many trips without killing one. I finally broke 2 in one trip, but that was because I was rock crawling with a locked front end. Regardless, it's good knowledge to know how to swap one out.

Tie rods - Tie rods can get bendtor damaged easily; hit a rock or a dip too hard and you can trash a tie rod. A spare set can get you home but you gotta know how to swap them out and try to keep your alignment close at the same time.

95% of people who wheel will never have these issues. I tend to drive a little too fast when I can, and a little too hard when I'm in the rocks. I carry spare parts and the tools to swap them out because I'm not a big fan of being stranded in the middle of nowhere. The best way to learn is doing it all yourself with help. When you do the new suspension, find someone experienced to watch over your shoulder and tell you what's next, but make sure you do the work. Rotate your tires regularly (3-5k miles) so you have experience getting them on and off. Most of all, know your limitations off road. Sounds like your new to the scene so stick to the bunny course at first. Fire roads and graded dirt roads will get you to plenty of places.

 

[phqduphead]

The Toolbox and How to Use It
https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?sh...nner.org/showthread.php?t=132953&share_type=t

 

[APhelps]

Never done any real off-roading in my T4R besides going up to bigbear when it actually snowed. It certainly is something I'd like to get into (minus breaking parts).

I've done a ton of car work (went to school to be an automotive tech and then went to be an electrical engineer). I'm gearing up to rebuilding my suspension so I'll probably try to do all / most of the work at the MWR repair shop in Miramar (DOD employee).

 

[jhmoore]

I'm gearing up to rebuilding my suspension so I'll probably try to do all / most of the work at the MWR repair shop in Miramar (DOD employee).

[MENTION=146513]APhelps[/MENTION] , I no longer have a CAC card, so am not sure if I could get onto base, but if I could, I’d be interested in watching/helping if you didn’t mind...

 

[APhelps]

[MENTION=146513]APhelps[/MENTION] , I no longer have a CAC card, so am not sure if I could get onto base, but if I could, I’d be interested in watching/helping if you didn’t mind...

If you wanted to help/watch/curse with me I'd gladly come pick you up. I'll probably try and tackle this sometime after the new year though.

Definitely going to pick up the few tools (timmythetoolman) has listed/shown in his videos, they really seem to help do the trick.

I don't have much faith in my old suspension (215k) and my T4R isn't really set up to off-road (mall crawler) but I definitely want to start getting into it since it should be out in the wild (4wd e-locker). Plus I think my dog would love being out there. Seems like you mentioned two fairly easy ones in another post though.

 

[jhmoore]

Thanks [MENTION=114745]YetiX[/MENTION] for the invitation over today to work on your daughter's 4Runner. It was great to meet you and to learn about rear suspension.

Thanks also to Kate for taking my Katie out with her!

Looking forward to hitting a trail with you one of these days.

 

[YetiX]

Thanks [MENTION=114745]YetiX[/MENTION] for the invitation over today to work on your daughter's 4Runner. It was great to meet you and to learn about rear suspension.

Thanks also to Kate for taking my Katie out with her!

Looking forward to hitting a trail with you one of these days.

Likewise, great to meet you and Katie. Too bad we couldn't get the springs in, but the Bilstein struts actually made a huge improvement to the ride.

Btw, I found my 19mm combo wrench. I just didn't pull my tool drawer out far enough, it was at the back. :ybrick: Oh well, now I have one for my garage tool chest too.

 

[jhmoore]

but the Bilstein struts actually made a huge improvement to the ride.

I haven't planned suspension for anytime too soon, but I wonder if better struts would make the 4Runner easier on my wife's neck? Even around town she finds bumps painful sometimes...