So I've "officially" joined the club! ('06 T4R Purchased)

[stanleybb50]

So I've "officially" joined the club! ('06 T4R Purchased with lots of pics)

*edit - Here's how she looks right now:

I just want to thank those who helped with advice/etc in my other thread. Now that I made the purchase, I thought I would start another to show the pics/etc. I bought this beauty yesterday and absolutely, 100% could not be happier!

2006 (carfax says it wasn't purchased until Feb. '07)
SR5
V8
4wd
33.5k Miles
Sunroof
17" Alloys
Bull Bar (I think that's what it's called)
Not a scratch on her - as good as new.

Listed at $25k. Talked them down to $22.5.

Everything I've been looking for over the past 2.5 months!

I'll most likely keep everything mostly stock. Potentially considering a CAI. Definitely going to get the weathertech (or whatever that other brand is that I noticed you all discussing on this forum) cargo liner and mats/etc. Might consider better speakers.


(**Edit - removed some of the dealer pics, because my pics in this thread were getting out of hand...)

These are the dealer pic's obviously:

And a pic of her when I pulled in the driveway and then garage for the first time!

And some of my favorite pics below (all with cheap LG phone mind you - not bad IMO):

***(Before Klasse AIO)

***(Both Below After Klasse AIO)

And I thought I'd throw in this pic of the car I traded in (that I'll miss dearly). Picture taken at my grandparents house:

And, finally, a picture of me and the wife on our wedding night 2 1/2 years ago from Mt Washington in Pittsburgh.

I look forward to many years with my new ride! Even though I see it was maintained very well with oil changes/etc on the Toyota website, I'll most likely get dirty and get the oil changed again soon, change the fluid in both diffs & center, lubing the driveshaft/etc (thanks to the explanation threads I saw on the subject), and may consider having Toyota flush the trans fluid in the near future (just so I know I'm starting fresh and clean 'n healthy with my ownership!)

 

[Casper421]

:welcome: Sweet lookin rig!

 

[Johnny Utah]

pretty awesome man. Good work and welcome!

 

[Cali4Runnea]

I posted on the other thread, but congrats again, it's gorgeous! And I loovvee the wedding picture, it must have been a beautiful wedding! You must be showing off your two favorite loves, they're perfect!

 

[stanleybb50]

Thanks! And thanks for the input and help through the whole search process. I still could not be happier!

If no one minds, I'm going to use this thread partially as a way for me to track maintenance/etc. ***I won't "bump" this thread every time I make an update, but rather will just go in and "Edit" this particular post. That way, no matter where I am/etc, I'll be able to see what I've done throughout ownership. (Yes, writing it in the mainenance book would do the same thing, but hopefully no one minds).

4/16/11 - 4/17/11 - 33.6k (ish) miles
- Changed all 4 brake pads/rotors to Napa Ultra Premuim
- Changed front calipers
- Greased sunroof channels as best as I could
- Installed Weathertech mats (front/back/cargo)
- Inspected cabin filter (pretty clean - must have been changed recently)
- Sprayed out all that blue windshield garbage and filled with Rain-X (that's all that I will use)

4/20/11: 33.8k (ish) miles
- Greased Driveshaft fittings (and put quite a bit in the slide yoke (I think it's called that?) - like maybe 15 pumps with the grease gun? Driveshaft "clunk" gone for now). The U joint fittings only took maybe 2-3 pumps before I could start to hear them expand.
- Rear Diff Oil to Mobil 1 Syn
- Transfer Case to Mobil 1 Syn
- Front Diff to Mobill 1 Syn
- Re-bleed of the brakes just in case any air was present and to drive out some of the old fluid.
- Dropped and inspected spare tire. Not bad, but needed spun on the hanger.
- Removed 3/4 of bolts from the back portion of the front skid plate. Got it far enough down to change diff. (Other was frozen and couldn't be removed. 3 good bolts received healthy dose of anti-seize.)

Not bad for about a week and a half of ownership thus far! Next will be the oil/filter, air filter, battery maintenance with water, and a good coat of Klasse acrylic paint protectant "all in one" this weekend. I'll come back and just "edit" this post after I finish. (When I edit, it should not "bump" the thread to the top from my understanding.)

4/23/11 - 34k miles.
- Changed Oil to Valvoline Durablend (my fav oil) and Purolator Pure-One filter (which I have since read about that the oil "flow" may not be so good in these.. Will likely change to something else for next oil change around 40k or sooner miles as I put miles on slowly).
- Of course this meant putting anti-seize on the skid plate bolts (which there were only three of due to someone in the past).
- Added water to the battery.
- Intake air filter changed to Fram.

4/30/11 - 34.1k miles
- Good 'ole wash 'n wax (using Klasse AIO). First time with the Klasse - I'm impressed!
- Found a little spec of rust around the rear hatch garnish. Found the TSB. Will try with the dealer, but will likely just fix on my own... Not a bad spot at all, but needs stopped before it grows.

5/4/11
- JA's ''part one'' of his fog light mod. Excellent write up can be seen here http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/49526-fog-lights-parking-lights-mod.html

7/21/11 - 36.4k miles
- Catalytic Converters changed via Sulfur TSB (approximate $2,500 job) for Free under warranty!
- Magnaflow 12586? (22" Magnaflow Muffler) installed in place of stock muffler.
- Perfect sound. Sulfur smell seems gone for now. Just the almost burning plastic smell of the brand new cats on the way home. (no hint of sulfur yet).

7/31/2011 - 36.8k miles
- Everstart (Walmart) Battery Installed. Battery died up at camp. Got jumped, and had battery tested. Was tested to be bad. (Only 450 CCA's left on the old one). New battery is 750 cca's. I would have gone with an Optima if the Walmart near camp had anything other than their brand! Hopefully this thing will last.

8/6/11 -
- Plasti Dipped the center grill portion of my grill. Pics in a post below.
- Installed AVS Ventvisors

8/27/11 - 37,700
- Removed Hydrocarbon Filter
- Seafoamed 1/2 in intake, 1/2 in my half tank of gas.

8/31/11 - 37,850
- Removed Resonator and turned exhaust out to side with Gibson tip. Worried exhaust may be too loud now... Also, Air Lift 1000 arrived in mail. Just need to install. Will update after install.

9/10/11
- Installed Air Lift 1000

9/24/2011 - 38,498 miles
- Changed oil to Mobil 1 Advanced Full Synthetic + Toyota filter.

10/11/2011 - 38,900 miles
- Rotated Tires (Fronts crossed to rears; rears moved to front only)
- Swapped rear tailpipe for one with resonator (Stock Replacement "Walker" brand). Tone of Magnaflow now perfect.

3/10/2012 - 44,100 miles
- Changed Oil to Mobil 1 Extended Performance Full Synthetic (15,000 mile Mobil 1) + Toyota filter.
- Repacked Driver's CV Joint & replaced outer CV Band for each inner CV boot.
- Installed JVC HDR81BT stereo & Axxis steering wheel controls
- Lubed Driveshaft


April, 2012 (45,000 miles)
- Bilstein 5100's fronts. Set at. 85 with 1'' topout spacer
- Rear 1'' Cornfed
- Repaired Air Lift 1000 valves
- Blackhoused headlights
- Alignment/inspection (needed nothing for inspection)
- Rotated tires

June, 2012: approximately 46,500 miles:
- greased calipers with silicone grease. One starting to freeze. Unstuck and greased it (passenger inside lower piston)
- Replaced front rotors with Centric Premium
- From pads to whatever Pep Boys OEM equivalent was called. (These are semi metallic, which I hope will not warp my rotors as fast as ceramic). I can already feel a much stronger grip from these pads. I'm done with ceramic...
- Klasse AIO + SG applied.
- New clear coat type tire shine applied... I forget the name currently and too lazy to go look.
- Repaired rust from rear license plate garnish
- Touched up all spots in need of touch up paint/clear coat touch up as well.
- Installed a Scanguage II unit.

9/3/12 - 49,800 miles
- Changed oil. Mobil 1 full synthetic + OEM filter.
- Lubed front sway bar bushings
- Changed air filter. Fram xtra guard.

11/11/12 - 52k miles
- Klasse AIO + Klasse Sealant Glaze to protect in the winter

3/23/13 - 56k miles
- Changed oil. Mobil 1 Ext Performance and OEM filter.
- Greased poly bushings
- Installed new Toyo Open Country AT2's (P265-70-17)
- ATX Crawl wheels 17x8 0 offset

4/7/13 - 56.5k miles
- Changed serpentine belt to Napa. Cold startup squeak now gone.

4/15/13 - 57 ish miles
- Napa Premium rotors and Adaptive One pads
- Napa front calipers (both)

5/20/13 - 58k miles
- inspection (nothing needed)
- Rotated tires
- fixed leaky air Lift 1000 so I'm ready to tow our new travel trailer - picking up tomorrow
- Installed P3 brake controller
- Fitted mirror extensions

6/1/13 - 58.7 miles
- Changed out 7 qts of trans fluid (3 via pan, 4 via lines/etc)
- B&m super cooler transmission cooler installed (70264) - increased capacity and cooling for towing the new travel trailer

8/5/13 - 60.8 miles
- Changed rear brakes to Raybestos semi metallic pads. The squeak from the Napa Ultra Premuim rotors in the back is FINALLY gone. I just reused the rotors...

 

[stanleybb50]

First time 4Wheelin' in the new ride! - Pics

Just took her out today up at my father in law's club. They have like 200 acres to roam (where I can). Most of the trails are quad trails and get a little thin. But I definitely had some fun. The last pics are of after I got home and cleaned her all up because she deserved it!

Loved the diff lock and 4 low!!! The wife was impressed as well. Wish I would have gotten some action pics going through the mud. There's a couple below where I stopped, got out and took some pics when I was climbing a slightly challenging portion though with some big ruts.

T4R's.... FANTASTIC.

 

[pdx650]

List of maintenance

Like the list of maintenance you've logged.

Ever since I've bought my '97 runner in January, I've been recording fuel mileage, maintenance and taking photos of the work too.

Good job.

 

[stanleybb50]

Thanks PDX650!

I thought I would update this thread since I just plasti dipped the center portion of my grill today. I think it came out pretty well!

 

[JB.]

Just took her out today up at my father in law's club. They have like 200 acres to roam (where I can). Most of the trails are quad trails and get a little thin. But I definitely had some fun. The last pics are of after I got home and cleaned her all up because she deserved it!

Loved the diff lock and 4 low!!! The wife was impressed as well. Wish I would have gotten some action pics going through the mud. There's a couple below where I stopped, got out and took some pics when I was climbing a slightly challenging portion though with some big ruts.

T4R's.... FANTASTIC.

Hadn't seen this post but I really enjoyed it. Prompted to me re-live, in vivid detail, getting familiar with the truck when I first got it.

Fun stuff, enjoy.

 

[stanleybb50]

Hadn't seen this post but I really enjoyed it. Prompted to me re-live, in vivid detail, getting familiar with the truck when I first got it.

Fun stuff, enjoy.

Thanks! I'm slowly gaining 4wheel'in experience as we go here. Still extremely novice and scared to do too much.

On another note, I'm starting to worry about how "pic heavy" I'm making this thread... I may tone it down some in the future and create an album or something.

 

[deedst4r]

More pics! Love the plasti-dip! More pics of it! and you plasti-dipping the emblems now?

 

[stanleybb50]

More pics! Love the plasti-dip! More pics of it! and you plasti-dipping the emblems now?

Sorry, but leaning towards not doing all the emblems. If it was a white, silver or black 4r, I might, but not sure if it would look right on this color.

Maybe ill get ambitious though one of these days.


- Sent via Tapatalk for Android

 

[stanleybb50]

I just felt compelled to share this... I bring this up mainly because my wife absolutely hated my old Honda Accord (the car I had before my T4R).

First, we're at camp the other day with my wifes family. My father-in-law is a huuuuuuuge proponent of "only buy American", but I'm all for "buy the best car/etc" (even though I am a big conservative - that argument can be made on both sides as many "foreign" cars are more "american" than American cars/etc).

Anyway... we were talking about my T4R and my plans to take it wheeling later that day at camp, and my wife says to all "I love that thing!" She went on to add that it's so comfortable and smooth/etc. (This made me sooooooooo happy to hear).

Then, last night I was changing the tie rods in her '06 G6 before inspection/alignment and she took the T4R out by herself for the first time since I bought it (to Target...lol). Anyway, when I met her at the shop to drop off her car, she practically ran out of the 4R and was like "I love that thing!!!! It's so easy to drive, I love the exhaust sound, I love the handling - I love everything!! Want to trade?" - She went on to say "I'm serious about trading...lol" and added that she's never been able to get in a more comfortable driving position than with my car.

I might see another T4R in our future..! A part of me thinks - hmm.. maybe I could trade her car in for the down payment on a Tundra or something - then I think "naaaa - i love my 4R!". (But, honestly, she could not have made me happier with her comments - meant so much!) I said "see why I still look forward to driving it every day???" and she quickly answered "YES".

But I'll tell ya, the fact that the wife loves the ride so much now, it almost making me double-think my "lift" plans that I'm planning on doing in the next couple months. I'd hate for it to make the ride more harsh and her not like it or anything... Was planning on going with the Bilstein 5100's all around, front adjusted to .85 with a total 1" top-out spacer installed above the coils for a net of around 1.85" (using the topout rather than the 1.75" setting so I don't compress the coil as much) - and then getting a 1" spacer for the rear. So I'll essentially be getting a 1.85/1 lift.

Since she likes the ride so much now, I'd hate for her to "dis-like" what I do to it! Thoughts (if any)?


Sorry for the "novel"!!!!

 

[pdx650]

second one

Get your wife one (t4r) too and keep yours.

 

[deedst4r]

I've heard 5100's make the ride better. But get her a T4R as well! It's such a great car in every way i wouldn't trade it for anything.

 

[stanleybb50]

Haha, yes - definately working at this. Or maybe a Highlander? We'll see. She did sound receptive, but also likes not having a car payment on her '06 v6 G6 (which I might add only has 31,000 miles.)


- Sent via Tapatalk for Android

 

[Cali4Runnea]

Looks like you've really been enjoying your runner, and having a ball up in the hills, that's awesome!!

 

[blue4run]

I just felt compelled to share this... I bring this up mainly because my wife absolutely hated my old Honda Accord (the car I had before my T4R).

First, we're at camp the other day with my wifes family. My father-in-law is a huuuuuuuge proponent of "only buy American", but I'm all for "buy the best car/etc" (even though I am a big conservative - that argument can be made on both sides as many "foreign" cars are more "american" than American cars/etc).

Anyway... we were talking about my T4R and my plans to take it wheeling later that day at camp, and my wife says to all "I love that thing!" She went on to add that it's so comfortable and smooth/etc. (This made me sooooooooo happy to hear).

Then, last night I was changing the tie rods in her '06 G6 before inspection/alignment and she took the T4R out by herself for the first time since I bought it (to Target...lol). Anyway, when I met her at the shop to drop off her car, she practically ran out of the 4R and was like "I love that thing!!!! It's so easy to drive, I love the exhaust sound, I love the handling - I love everything!! Want to trade?" - She went on to say "I'm serious about trading...lol" and added that she's never been able to get in a more comfortable driving position than with my car.

I might see another T4R in our future..! A part of me thinks - hmm.. maybe I could trade her car in for the down payment on a Tundra or something - then I think "naaaa - i love my 4R!". (But, honestly, she could not have made me happier with her comments - meant so much!) I said "see why I still look forward to driving it every day???" and she quickly answered "YES".

But I'll tell ya, the fact that the wife loves the ride so much now, it almost making me double-think my "lift" plans that I'm planning on doing in the next couple months. I'd hate for it to make the ride more harsh and her not like it or anything... Was planning on going with the Bilstein 5100's all around, front adjusted to .85 with a total 1" top-out spacer installed above the coils for a net of around 1.85" (using the topout rather than the 1.75" setting so I don't compress the coil as much) - and then getting a 1" spacer for the rear. So I'll essentially be getting a 1.85/1 lift.

Since she likes the ride so much now, I'd hate for her to "dis-like" what I do to it! Thoughts (if any)?


Sorry for the "novel"!!!!

Thats crazy I got you message on the exhaust. (doing some thinking) And see this.
You had a accord before the tr4. I had a 03 accord that I traded towards my blue tr4.
I like the car somewhat until I started to have the famous TRANSMISSION FAILURE!!!
yes like many other honda owners my was going out and I just could not deal with it anymore. a car that has 69k on it and was well maintained has a $3500 failure! the car
was booked at $7400 Thats half the value is it worth it? I decided that I would rather take the $$$ and get me a tr4 and I couldn't be happier.
By the way I have the V6 and not sure what to do with the exhaust? Also want to do a 3 inch lift. I have completed the interior mod's for the most part.
Peace...

 

[Cali4Runnea]

I just felt compelled to share this... I bring this up mainly because my wife absolutely hated my old Honda Accord (the car I had before my T4R).

First, we're at camp the other day with my wifes family. My father-in-law is a huuuuuuuge proponent of "only buy American", but I'm all for "buy the best car/etc" (even though I am a big conservative - that argument can be made on both sides as many "foreign" cars are more "american" than American cars/etc).

Anyway... we were talking about my T4R and my plans to take it wheeling later that day at camp, and my wife says to all "I love that thing!" She went on to add that it's so comfortable and smooth/etc. (This made me sooooooooo happy to hear).

Then, last night I was changing the tie rods in her '06 G6 before inspection/alignment and she took the T4R out by herself for the first time since I bought it (to Target...lol). Anyway, when I met her at the shop to drop off her car, she practically ran out of the 4R and was like "I love that thing!!!! It's so easy to drive, I love the exhaust sound, I love the handling - I love everything!! Want to trade?" - She went on to say "I'm serious about trading...lol" and added that she's never been able to get in a more comfortable driving position than with my car.

I might see another T4R in our future..! A part of me thinks - hmm.. maybe I could trade her car in for the down payment on a Tundra or something - then I think "naaaa - i love my 4R!". (But, honestly, she could not have made me happier with her comments - meant so much!) I said "see why I still look forward to driving it every day???" and she quickly answered "YES".

But I'll tell ya, the fact that the wife loves the ride so much now, it almost making me double-think my "lift" plans that I'm planning on doing in the next couple months. I'd hate for it to make the ride more harsh and her not like it or anything... Was planning on going with the Bilstein 5100's all around, front adjusted to .85 with a total 1" top-out spacer installed above the coils for a net of around 1.85" (using the topout rather than the 1.75" setting so I don't compress the coil as much) - and then getting a 1" spacer for the rear. So I'll essentially be getting a 1.85/1 lift.

Since she likes the ride so much now, I'd hate for her to "dis-like" what I do to it! Thoughts (if any)?


Sorry for the "novel"!!!!

Aww, your novel is sweet! I think that is awesome your wife has joined the T4R side and loves it like you do! We are in the process of purchasing my hubby an '08 Tundra, and my 4runner is what made him want a truck! Everytime he gets in it and drives it, he talks about how nice it is, easy, comfortable, with nice passing power for just a V6. I tired to convince him to look into a 4runner for himself, but he really digs the Tundra, lol. I say, start shopping for a Runner for your wife! Find a few nice looking ones of autotrader, and call her over to the computer, and say "What do you think of these?" =D I think she'd get pretty excited, I know I would! And that way, you can do what you'd like to your runner with no guilt trips about it being uncomfortable for your wife!

 

[stanleybb50]

Thats crazy I got you message on the exhaust. (doing some thinking) And see this.
You had a accord before the tr4. I had a 03 accord that I traded towards my blue tr4.
I like the car somewhat until I started to have the famous TRANSMISSION FAILURE!!!
yes like many other honda owners my was going out and I just could not deal with it anymore. a car that has 69k on it and was well maintained has a $3500 failure! the car
was booked at $7400 Thats half the value is it worth it? I decided that I would rather take the $$$ and get me a tr4 and I couldn't be happier.
By the way I have the V6 and not sure what to do with the exhaust? Also want to do a 3 inch lift. I have completed the interior mod's for the most part.
Peace...

3 inch lift sounds great! (You thinking 3" front and 2" rear?). I don't follow the bigger lifts as much, because I know I literally can't go that high and still get in my garage... lol. That would look great though.

Loved my Honda. Miss it and the manual transmission sometimes, but then I put my foot into the torque and power of the T4R and I don't miss it anymore! Ironic we both came from the Accord world.

And regarding the v6/v8 in terms of sound - I think there's a tread out here somewhere. With the v6 being a "bigger 6" with larger pistons, the sound isn't too bad at all from what I understand. You still might want to consider just swapping the muffler over to the 18/22/24" Magnaflows.

Here's the clip for the v8's (which doesn't help you I realize): http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/81985-v8-exhaust-sound-video-clip-compilation-thread.html

This is for the 5th gen, which is the same displacement/etc as the 4th gens, but had dual vvt or whatever. (I think there's at least 2 post ups of clips on there) http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/91540-magnaflow-flowmaster-sound-clips.html

Might be a couple in here: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/perfo...8-exhaust-note-question-print.html?perpage=10

Some discussion here: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/perfo...ermarket-exhaust-v6-4x4-no-drone-options.html

But I'd recommend just going to youtube and searching for like v6 Tacoma exhaust; v6 4runner exhaust; or Toyota 4.0 exhaust or something like that. (I say Tacoma because there are a lot of Tacoma's out there, and we could assume they'd have an almost identical sound to them.

Aww, your novel is sweet! I think that is awesome your wife has joined the T4R side and loves it like you do! We are in the process of purchasing my hubby an '08 Tundra, and my 4runner is what made him want a truck! Everytime he gets in it and drives it, he talks about how nice it is, easy, comfortable, with nice passing power for just a V6. I tired to convince him to look into a 4runner for himself, but he really digs the Tundra, lol. I say, start shopping for a Runner for your wife! Find a few nice looking ones of autotrader, and call her over to the computer, and say "What do you think of these?" =D I think she'd get pretty excited, I know I would! And that way, you can do what you'd like to your runner with no guilt trips about it being uncomfortable for your wife!

Not a bad idea at all. The only issue is that her '06 G6 only has about 31,000 miles on it right now. She bought it new in late '05. I just feel like it has so many more miles left in it, but the trade-in value is garbage now... It's like it's worth more to us with those low miles than we could possibly trade it for, if that makes sense. We'll see. I think my goal is in a couple years to start shopping for her. Right now I think the Highlander would be ideal for her, and she seems to like the looks of them. I guess when we start searching, I'll have her test drive a couple Highlanders and see how it goes!