THatfield's 2000 SR5 Build/Record (Big Pic Warning)

[THatfield]

THatfield's 2000 SR5 Maintenance/Build

This thread will be a combined record/build of things I do to the 4Runner. Although not exciting, most posts will more than likely be maintenance, with only a few being mods.

Anyways, here's the truck.

2000 Toyota 4Runner SR5
Millennium Steel
5VZ-FE 3400 V6, 115,xxx miles
A340F 4 Speed Automatic
4WDemand Part Time 4WD

Power Locks, Windows, Mirrors, Sunroof
A/C, Rear Heater, Limited Fender Flares and Running Boards, Tow Package

Sony Stereo with shallow mount subwoofer/amp package under drivers seat

Michelin 265/75/16 Tires

Here's some pictures for now. I need to find an empty parking lot and take some better ones.

Night I got her:


Some quick pictures I took today (i'll update these with better ones soon)




Next to my buddies BMW


I bought the 4Runner because I like SUV's, I like 4WD, and my family has had great luck with Toyota's. I began searching while I tried to sell my previous SUV, a rusty and banged up Infiniti QX4 that I paid way to much for. I was able to finally sell the QX and buy the 4Runner within a span of 3 days.

So far, I love the 4Runner. The mod bug is beginning to bite but I am attempting to fight it off as I start school this fall. Perhaps once I've been in school a year or two I can start to lift, tires, etc. The only real problem with it is the gas gauge doesn't work, but it is beginning to move after I've put some Techron in the tank (or I'm just going crazy..)

Enough blabbering. Here's a future maintenance list, preferred fluids list and future mods list.

Future Maintenance:
- <strike>Timing Belt, Water Pump (+Gasket), Idler Pulley, TB Tensioner, Drive Belts, Thermostat </strike> Completed October 2013
- <strike>Transmission Cooler</strike> Completed July 2014
- <strike>PCV Valve, Throttle Body Cleaning, MAF Sensor Cleaning </strike> Completed February 2014
-<strike>Fuel Filter</strike> Completed September 2013
-Transmission Fluid and Filter
-Differential Fluids and Transfer Case Fluid Change.
-<strike>Fuel Gauge Sending Unit</strike> Completed December 2013
-Rear Axle Seals, Bearings, Brakes and Parking Brake Cranks
-Steering Rack Replacement
-Valve Cover Gasket Replacement


Future Mods:
-<strike>Fog Lights</strike> Completed August/September 2013
-<strike>TRD Decals</strike> Completed July 2013
-<strike>Transmission Cooler</strike> Completed July 2014
-<strike>Upgrade Headlights, either via bulbs or projector retrofit</strike> Upgraded to PIAA JDM Xtreme White 4500K Bulbs November 2013
-<strike>LED Tails</strike> Completed December 2015
-<strike>DRL's disabled </strike> DRL's disabled July 2013
-<strike>Interior LED Conversion</strike> Completed June 2015
-Lift, Tires
-Sport Hood

 

[THatfield]

Reserved

 

[THatfield]

Saving this for later

 

[THatfield]

I had 4 things to do...

I had 4 things I wanted to get done yesterday on the Runner, and I got one of them done. I wanted to change the oil and filter, install fog lights, apply my TRD decals, and Plasti-Dip my emblems.

I got the oil change done. And that's it. The dang oil filter had me going for a better part of an hour. I started at 3:20 and was done by 5:30. The oil filter kicked my butt. Eventually I was able to get it off, but I had to use an oil filter cap because someone (presumably the same guy who seafoamed it! stupid stupid stupid!) over tightened the oil filter. :dammit:

Oh well. So My fog lights, TRD decals and emblems still need attention. All in due time I suppose.

 

[THatfield]

Mounted my Scangauge

I took the time today to use an idea from a Tacoma World thread to mount my scangauge to the headliner. In the write up, OP originally uses 3M double sided tape, and then later decides to epoxy it. Someone replies with the idea of using the screw that holds the clip to the tape measure to hold the clip to the scangauge. I liked this idea the most, because sticky adhesives do not do well when my 4R is parked in greenhouse mode. Well, it works great, except I stripped the screw (cheap crap :happens but it's in. One of these days I'll replace it, but it holds fine and looks great. It will look better once I tuck away the wiring for the gauge. Here's a pic


I also decided to test fit my fog lights for fitment. They fit as described, behind the stock location. (a little to big to fit in the slot snugly, but they do go right behind the bumper). So hopefully these workout alright.

 

[THatfield]

Finally got around to giving the trusty 4Runner a good wash. She looks so good clean.... I'm going to miss driving it when I'm on vacation for 2 weeks. :moping:



Yes... this TRD decal is slightly crooked. :AK47:


Yes sir!


Good and clean


And then, in tandem with my story yesterday

Story:

Not something I did per se, but some friendly fella parked his Silver 2000 SR5 4Runner with blue interior, 6 spoke SR5 wheels, bug guard and door visors right next to my Silver 2000 SR5 4R with blue interior, 6 spoke SR5 wheels, bug guard and door visors today at the local mexican joint. We talked for a quick second and both went on to the restaurant... i happened to have a window seat and watched them walk to my truck when they left, only to laugh their butts off realizing it wasn't their truck.

My dumb arse was too hungry to think about taking a photo. I wish I would have. it was like deja vu!

Some guy today parked his MINT condition beautiful first gen next to mine in my apartment complex.... if he appears to be a tenant, we are going to have to have a talk...


And I had some fun with these pictures:

 

[zrgjkfukfhu]

I had 4 things I wanted to get done yesterday on the Runner,

 

[THatfield]

Houston, we have a clunk

So I return from a vacation to find a pleasant clunk in my 4Runner's front end. Specifically the driver front wheel. And I can feel it. I immediately began to think my LBJ went :rip:. Crawl under for an investigation and was surprised to find this:


Woohoo. In other news, I'm not sure if I should order a new radiator or just do a B&M Cooler install (Radiator is about $120, b&m is about $60). I'm thinking I should just man up and do the Radiator. In that case I'm going to order my timing belt and water pump as well and just get it all knocked out :boxer:. Is there any reason why certain kits contain cam seals, idler pulleys and stuff? I don't think that all needs replaced does it?

Just need $$$ first. Once that's done, I think i'm going to go for a Toytec OME coil kit with a diff drop and then tint. Stock height is just to boring. K&N intake is also on the wish list, as well as Sequoia/Tundra Rims.



Yeah. So the mod bug bit. As much as i tried to fight back. Now to balance my budget for school and my 4Runner.

 

[THatfield]

I had 4 things I wanted to get done yesterday on the Runner,

Let me guess, you didn't get shit done either? :flipoff:

 

[THatfield]

Cleaned her up good today. I really need to get these fog lights in. It looks so plain without them. Just need to muster up the courage to fight the rust. :flamethrwoer2:



Needs lift though. Real bad.

 

[Que]

be watching for your fog light write-up as I want to do that also. heck I need to find all the parts first

good looking rig ya got

 

[fightman80]

Nice truck man!

 

[THatfield]

be watching for your fog light write-up as I want to do that also. heck I need to find all the parts first

good looking rig ya got

Thanks! I'll do a quick write up, although I am only using factory components.

Nice truck man!

Thanks fightman! You're truck is a huge inspiration! I love your satoshi and even considered doing a 98 Bumper/clear blinker swap before I bought my fogs.

It'll look better (and I'll feel more worthy) once I have a lift on her. I have to take care of the timing belt/water pump and radiator first. :whipping2

 

[THatfield]

Well, it's been an eventful few days for the 4Runner who, by the way, is affectionately known as Jessie. She has been having an issue with rough idle since I purchased her in July, and I just tacked it up to the need for a tune up. However, new plugs and wires were already in place, and the fuel filter looked like it had been replaced as well (had a purolator tag on it). So, I didn't think much of it as it became more intermittent.

Fast forward to 2 weeks ago, I'm driving home from work, around 250 miles on my tank of gas and she stalls. I'm frantic, checking scan gauge, hoping she would fire back up. She did, and I continued home, about 3 miles. She dies once again. I now think, she must be low on gas. My gas gauge is always pegged on E, and I was told by the previous owner that 270-280 was about as far as he went with it before he refilled, and I had been doing the same without a problem for nearly 3 months. Well, sure enough I get her to the gas station, and she gulps down 17.3 gallons of fuel. 4 more than usual. I had burned nearly ever last drop, including the reserve.

Fast forward once again, a week and a half later/last friday. She's at about 245 (BUT, I put in 5.5 gallons at 210. this should have secured me AT LEAST enough gas to go until 315) and I'm headed to a friends to pick up something then to the gas station to fill her up the rest of the way, as I had forgotten about the 5.5 I put in 2 days prior and was thinking she was low. I let off the gas slowing to look at an address, and when I go to reaccellerate, she had stalled. I shifted into 'N' as I had done previously (as I cursed under my breath) and tried to fire her back up. She wasn't firing. I pulled off the road, and called a family member for help. I get some gas in a gas can (thinking I had run her dry once again, not remembering the 5.5 gallons I had put in not 2 days prior, ~25 miles ago) pour it in, and fire it back up. She stumbles to life (not her usual Toyota "I'M ALIVE BUT DAMN I NEED SOME AIR" Roar she lets out) then chokes and dies. I couldn't get her started from there. I had it towed via AAA, and diagnosed it as what we hoped was the fuel pump.

Fast Forward to today

Bought an Airtex Fuel Pump (I pray to god it lasts...), fuel pump screen, and a new fuel filter and prepare to change it out. My dad (whom I still ask for help when I work on my truck) lifts up the rear seat to undo the electrical connections, and finds a mass of duct tape HIDING A HUGE A-- HOLE IN MY FLOOR. What kind of a f%@#ing dumba-- cuts a hole in the floor of their truck!? This indicated to me the fuel pump had been changed before. So, we continued onward, after 3 or 4 jokes about Billy Bob and Jethro down at Shadetree Mechanic's Shop cutting a god damn hole in my floor some time ago over some natty lights and skoal. Dropped the tank, and found more fun stuff...

The float for my sending unit, detached from the sending unit and FLOATING IN THE TANK. Now we really know someone had no fu$&#ng idea what they were doing when this was done. We eventually discovered that the fuel pump had been replaced already (obviously by the hole, but the non-OEM pump pretty much confirmed it) and we installed the airtex, even attempted to reassemble sending unit. It now reads all the way on F instead of E like it used to :suspicious: I guess I can't win all the time. Lol. We buttoned everything back up, including re-duct taping the hole (which will be fixed properly before winter!) and rebuttoned up the intake and associated components we had disassembled during troubleshooting friday night. She fired right up, gave me the loud Toyota Intake Roar like usual. So then we decided to do my fuel filter while it was on jack stands and while we were doing fuel system work, so did that real quick and now she runs like a dream. A full tank of gas and some Chevron Techron fuel system cleaner (which I LOVE :hug and she's as good as... well, not new, but as good as we could get her with the time and resources allotted.

Lessons Learned:

1. Let Billy Bob and Jethro cut holes in the floors of their K5's and Bronco's. Leave my Yota da f--k alone!!

2. If you're buying a 4Runner, it's worth a look under the rear seat to see if some dumbass cut into your rear floor. I would have haggled a little more had I known THIS existed (my fault though, should have looked).

3. The job really isn't that bad to do as long as you have help. My dad and I wrapped everything up in a shade under 3 hours, and we took our time doing things (do it right the first time!)

Things to wish/pray about:

1. I hope this Airtex Fuel Pump doesn't die for a long time

2. Maybe one day my gas gauge will feel compelled to work....

Anyways, if you read through all of that, good job. Pat yourself on the back, grab a cold brew or other beverage of choice, and be glad that some hill billy didn't cut a hole in your floor! Now to start re-saving for the $350 timing belt kit I was saving for. :wave:

A picture

 

[THatfield]

Parts fairy!

The parts fairy came to my house, but I wasn't home. So I hopped over to his office and picked em up. I ordered a Timing Belt/Water Pump kit from jdmpartsman on eBay.

It includes:
1 Timing Belt Mitsoboshi TB271M
1 Idler Roller NSK 13503-62040
1 Tensioner Roller Koyo 13505-62070
1 Front Crankshaft Seal KP/Stone/THO 90311-40022
2 Front Camshaft Seals KP/Stone/THO 90311-38051
1 Water Pump Aisin 16100-69398-83
1 Water Pump Gasket Aisin Included
1 Hydraulic Tensioner Toyota 13540-62021
1 Toyota Genuine Power Steering Belt
1 Toyota Genuine Alternator belt
1 Toyota Genuine Air Conditioning Belt
1 Thermostat Toyota Genuine 90916-03075
1 Thermostat Gasket Aisin 16325-62010

It's a very good kit and should freshen up the front half the engine nicely, and all parts are OE/OEM and many have Toyota Genuine Boxes/Labels on them. Very nice kit.

However, for the first time ever I will not be doing the job. I work nights and a very erratic schedule, and my dad (who helps me work on my truck) is working 6 days a week at Honda (he drives a Tacoma though! LOL) so we just can't find the time to meet up and block off a solid 2 days to make sure it gets done. So I'm taking it to Toyota Direct, here in Columbus. They have a very good parts and service department, and I was pleased with their quote for labor. I will admit also, I was rather intimidated by the job, and I am a little more comfortable sending it to the professionals who have the right tools to get it done correctly.

Once this is done, It's on to Sway Bar Links, Transmission Cooler, and then..... LIFT.

imp:

 

[THatfield]

She's all scheduled to go under the knife. one week from today she'll be sporting all kinds of new parts! arty:

After that, I'm slapping on a transmission cooler and sway bar links. Then it's game on with the mods. :heh:

Mod list:

-Lift: Thinking either FJ/LX Wraps and Eibachs up front with Billies, or going all OME with either Billies or OME shocks. Looking for around 3 inches of lift. Diff drop will also go on.

-Bumper: Thinking 4xInnovations since ODL has gone AWOL. Add in PIAA fogs and a set of Hella driving lights I got a deal on. I would go ARB but I want something a little more bolt on

-Tires: Duratrac's or Terra Grapplers. Wrapped either on my 3 spoke SR5 16 inchers or Sequoia/Tundra 17's

-Tint: I would like to pick my nose in peace. Matching the back privacy glass on the fronts with a nice strip across the top.
that should keep my wallet empty through tax time. :smokin:

Yeah, and I said I was going to hold off on mods. hahahahahahaha what an idiot

Edit: been reading on the ARB, and I am comfortable cutting and drilling. Maybe if 4WP or Auto Anything has some good xmas deals.....

 

[THatfield]

Hell yes.

Trans cooler is up next.


I am shopping around for an ARB Bumper. Hoping I can maybe possibly slightly get a slight percentage off during a holiday sale here soon. I might just be kidding myself waiting for a deal, but I've heard such thins exist... haha.

The plan is as follows:
-Bumper
-Lift
-Tires

this corresponds with christmas, my birthday, and tax time. :rofl:

 

[TheArkMaster]

Well shit man. Lots to do. Lots done. Props though. I'm jealous of the color. Silver has always been my favorite T4R color. I feel you with the holidays. Hopefully I can find some good deals on everything.

 

[THatfield]

Well shit man. Lots to do. Lots done. Props though. I'm jealous of the color. Silver has always been my favorite T4R color. I feel you with the holidays. Hopefully I can find some good deals on everything.

Definitely lots to do. At least now I have a plan, but I get so excited (and impatient...) thinking about the finished product I change my mind on what I'm doing.

I do however, have a lead on some Sequoia wheels. :dance:

Thanks, I love the color as well. Silver to me is just a clean looking color, similar to black. Unfortunately, this silver paint has been neglected a bit, but she still shines up nice after a wash and wax.

Good luck to you on the deals, may our holidays be full of parts bought at discounted rates. haha

I think I'm going to have the windows tinted this weekend before it gets to cold and the shops close up for the winter. Having the fronts matched to the back.

 

[JoeT4R]

[MENTION=83023]THatfield[/MENTION] let me know how the Duratrac's or Terra Grapplers are for ya. I'm sporting some pretty bald and crappy Michelins that the p/o put on here.