trailbikerider's 2002 4Runner Limited Build

More boring maintenance stuff.

Placed an order for the Power Stop Z32 kit (drilled/slotted rotors + ceramic pads) for my TBU. Even though my current setup is less than a year old, it's already warped fairly bad. I also have a pretty bad pull to the right while driving and while braking. When I have everything apart, I'm going to inspect the passenger caliper and make sure it isn't frozen up. If it isn't, I'm going to grease the shit out of the guide pins so this doesn't happen again. I'm wondering if dirt got into the pins while wheeling, because this just started after my Crown King trip in July.

Also going to inspect the rear brakes to make sure they're working; I would hate to put new front pads and rotors on and have these warp in less than a year again.
 
Well, no real updates. A little over a week ago I wrapped up my cross country drive back home and I am now in Michigan. No hiccups along the way, so another win in the books for the Toyota.

I feel really bad though for what I'm about to do to this truck this winter. I've been meaning to buy some Eastwood frame rail coating and fluid film and go to town on the frame, but I've been spending all of my time so far looking for a place to live. Once the dust settles with that I'll be able to tend to that as well as some other neglected maintenance items.
 
I am now in Michigan.

I feel really bad though for what I'm about to do to this truck this winter.

What takes you back to the Motherland? I am actively working to return to Marquette. I have an phone interview set up tomorrow. I love that place. I love Michigan.

I do feel bad for the pretty west coast rigs I would be moving to there, but I swear upon whatever you find holy, I will get a power washer and be out there weekly under those rigs blasting away in addition to fall coating.
 
What takes you back to the Motherland? I am actively working to return to Marquette. I have an phone interview set up tomorrow. I love that place. I love Michigan.

I do feel bad for the pretty west coast rigs I would be moving to there, but I swear upon whatever you find holy, I will get a power washer and be out there weekly under those rigs blasting away in addition to fall coating.

Just found that Phoenix wasn't where I wanted to live anymore, so I came back. Plus I was homesick. However, I may try Colorado at some point in the future.
 
July 15th, 2017

Install went well today! Got both the RPMFab front bumper and the RCI front skid plate installed. I thought that I was going to be able to use 3 of the 5 mounting points up front for the skid plates, but as it turns out 3 of the bolts for the original skid plate were snapped off, so there are only 2 out of 5 holding it on to the front. I guess I'm going to have to drill them out... yay

I was going to raise the 881s up one perch, but as it turns out, I didn't have the right tools to do so and neither did O'Reillys, so I will probably pay the shop I take it to to align it to also move the springs up.

Untitled by Blake Nichols, on Flickr

Untitled by Blake Nichols, on Flickr

Untitled by Blake Nichols, on Flickr

Untitled by Blake Nichols, on Flickr

Untitled by Blake Nichols, on Flickr

Question on the bumper... did you have to chop the frame ends like other bumpers
 
It's a momentous occasion! (not really)

The first CEL since my ownership began popped up this morning on the way home from breakfast. Thought it was odd that the VSC Trac lights showed up with it, but I guess that's normal? Weird engineering on Toyota's part, but....

Had the code ran, and it's the infamous P0420 code. My buddy has a good scanner at his shop and he's going to run a catalyst efficiency test to see what's actually going on. I'm hoping it's just one or both of the oxygen sensors. I guess if I have to replace one of the cats, it's not the end of the world. Rock Auto has them for ~$170 ish a piece.
 
Damn those wheels look good. Super clean looking for sure. I thought I had my mind made up on some F5s but this really makes me rethink my decision.
 
Nothing really new has been done since the move back; this winter has really hindered my motivation to work on either of my two vehicles.

I'm currently fighting a losing battle with rust on my front bumper and sliders. The high pressure wash from the car wash took the paint off of the sliders, and I keep touching them up yet the rust finds it's way in somehow. That and the powdercoat on the bumper has failed after only 6 months.......... really not happy about that. RPM is trying to tell me that's "typical" when dealing with cold and salt yet I call BS. I've seen plenty of friend's rigs with powdercoat on them hold up just fine. They are willing to split the cost to recoat it with me, so I'll be doing that in the spring along with putting a coat of POR15 on the sliders.

Here are a few photos since I've been back.

Untitled by Blake Nichols, on Flickr

Untitled by Blake Nichols, on Flickr

Untitled by Blake Nichols, on Flickr
 
Unfortunately, this is the end of this build. I sold the truck yesterday to make room for my new daily driver; a 2005 Acura TL A-Spec 6MT.

The gas mileage was killing me, and that coupled with the fact that none of my friends back home wheel and the closest trails are 3+ hours north made it so I couldn't justify keeping it.

I'm happy though, I sold it to a local guy who's plans are to turn it into an expo rig and possibly SAS it down the road. He's had a couple of T100s and LCs in the past.
 
Unfortunately, this is the end of this build. I sold the truck yesterday to make room for my new daily driver; a 2005 Acura TL A-Spec 6MT.

The gas mileage was killing me, and that coupled with the fact that none of my friends back home wheel and the closest trails are 3+ hours north made it so I couldn't justify keeping it.

I'm happy though, I sold it to a local guy who's plans are to turn it into an expo rig and possibly SAS it down the road. He's had a couple of T100s and LCs in the past.

Sad to see you go. Pics of the new ride?
 
Sad to see you go. Pics of the new ride?

Just the one for the time being:

29249615_10155512329488247_5153632279436759764_n.jpg
 
Thought I'd pop back in and say hey! I ended up getting rid of the Acura after a short 5 month stint, and am back in a Toyota much sooner than I anticipated!

Picked up an '06 Tundra DC back in August out of Arizona and had it shipped up here. Had just over 100k on it. I've done a few modifications, basically just replicating what I had done on my 4Runner. I have a local fab shop (JCR Offroad/Victory 4x4) making me a set of sliders next week.

Untitled by Blake Nichols, on Flickr
 

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