What did you do to/in your 5th Gen today?!

Auto dimming dash lights

I wanted automatic night dimming dash lights as described in this thread:
Dear Toyota, please fix this in the next production year of the 4Runner

So I ordered a light control sensor from eBay for under $13, including shipping. I made sure it was from a US distribution center so it would ship quickly. It’s a Chinese knockoff, but it has the same part number as the Toyota OEM. 89121-50020. If you look on Toyota websites it’s listed for around $120. That’s nuts; it’s a simple photo sensor.
New Automatic Light Control Sensor For Camry Corola Lexus LS430 89121-50020 | eBay

I carefully pried off the black plug on the front of the dash near the windshield. There’s a small electrical plug attached. Take it off and plug in the real sensor. I tested it before snapping it into the dash. With headlights on and the dimmer switch *not* clicked in the full bright position, by covering the sensor then shining a flashlight on it, I could demonstrate the light dimming action. Then I seated it fully into the dash.
Works well, I like it.

Interesting. In this case, does the dimmer dial influence the brightness at all anymore? Or, is it fully controlled by ambient lighting sensor now (besides the full brightness 100% click on the wheel)?
 
Okay, sorry, I searched but apparently with as popular of a mod as it is, I can't find reliable instructions with pictures for installing a 1" Cornfed front spacer kit with no other modifications.

So yes or no question: does the 1" cornfed front spacer kit with no other change require disassembly of the strut?
 
Interesting. In this case, does the dimmer dial influence the brightness at all anymore? Or, is it fully controlled by ambient lighting sensor now (besides the full brightness 100% click on the wheel)?

The dimmer range works just like before, except as described below:
When you set the dimness you want in the dark, then shine a light on the sensor, after 3 seconds the dash lights go to a brighter level. This higher level I estimate as almost two times brighter. When you set the dimmer wheel to the highest level before clicking it to max, the dash lights go to full brightness as if clicked to max. When you set the dark dimness to say half brightness then shine the light on it, it gets brighter but does not go to full max click brightness.
 
Installed a Rhino Pioneer Backbone, solo. Used our Jeep hardtop lift. Doesn’t help you have to locate it, adjust the cross bars, remove it, drill the holes, tge reinstall it. I have some tips if anyone is interested

Was hoping it didn’t need the fairing, but it does. I even used the Gorilla tape trick. Just to much wind noise. Fairing is on order
 
The dimmer range works just like before, except as described below:
When you set the dimness you want in the dark, then shine a light on the sensor, after 3 seconds the dash lights go to a brighter level. This higher level I estimate as almost two times brighter. When you set the dimmer wheel to the highest level before clicking it to max, the dash lights go to full brightness as if clicked to max. When you set the dark dimness to say half brightness then shine the light on it, it gets brighter but does not go to full max click brightness.

This is extremely helpful. Thank you for the tips! I checked my sensor blank and it has the wiring harness attached, so it looks like I'll try this one out! Thanks for posting the eBay part too!
 
Okay, sorry, I searched but apparently with as popular of a mod as it is, I can't find reliable instructions with pictures for installing a 1" Cornfed front spacer kit with no other modifications.

So yes or no question: does the 1" cornfed front spacer kit with no other change require disassembly of the strut?

Nope, it sits on top of the coil over between the top hat and the upper shock mount. Post pictures of your spacers so we can be sure of what you got but that's how it should be.
 
watched a sunset

<a href="http://imgbox.com/whSDxMFY" target="_blank"><img src="https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/a3/4a/whSDxMFY_t.jpg" alt="image host"/></a>
 
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Nope, it sits on top of the coil over between the top hat and the upper shock mount. Post pictures of your spacers so we can be sure of what you got but that's how it should be.

Okay. thanks, that's what I thought but I've seen a few different installation instructions and brands with totally different approaches.

Just the 1" spacers shown on this page of their website.

I'm assuming this is not a situation of needing extended studs since the material thickness is more like 1/2" or something?

[edit: I guess the page kind of says the disassembly isn't necessary for the 1" one. Kinda not hard to miss though with the web page layout...]
 
Installed my winch. Used a pelfreybilt hwms that I purchased from bamf and my smittybilt x2o 12k that I got on amazon for a steal.

Overall setup costs me about $650.

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Well after many close calls, last week was the deal sealer and I invested in a dash cam. Black Vue front and rear. The deal sealer was a lady who cut me off and when I honked at her she brake checked me 2-3 times. I went around her and admite I hit mine e brakes on her as well(not using good judgment). She flow and took pictures of me and I did of her as well. When i got home I called 311 to make a report they transferred me to 911 told them what had happened. Next thing I know cops are at my house they asked "you know why where here?" I said I called you, they told me no. The lady that had cut me off called 911 and said I pulled a GUN on her!! No I know dash cam won't show me inside the car but she said she didn't know why I had honked at her to begin with.

 
Wrote a check and paid it off 5 years early. It feels different sitting in it now. Our goal is to never borrow another dollar.

Oh and we ordered celebratory RSG angled sliders with top plates, powder coated. :D
 
Well after many close calls, last week was the deal sealer and I invested in a dash cam. Black Vue front and rear. The deal sealer was a lady who cut me off and when I honked at her she brake checked me 2-3 times. I went around her and admite I hit mine e brakes on her as well(not using good judgment). She flow and took pictures of me and I did of her as well. When i got home I called 311 to make a report they transferred me to 911 told them what had happened. Next thing I know cops are at my house they asked "you know why where here?" I said I called you, they told me no. The lady that had cut me off called 911 and said I pulled a GUN on her!! No I know dash cam won't show me inside the car but she said she didn't know why I had honked at her to begin with.


Sounds cheaper to just let her be an ******* :lmao:

Do you like all the features of the Black Vue? I'm considering a 2-channel cam as well. How difficult was the install?
 
I wanted automatic night dimming dash lights as described in this thread:
Dear Toyota, please fix this in the next production year of the 4Runner

So I ordered a light control sensor from eBay for under $13, including shipping. I made sure it was from a US distribution center so it would ship quickly. It’s a Chinese knockoff, but it has the same part number as the Toyota OEM. 89121-50020. If you look on Toyota websites it’s listed for around $120. That’s nuts; it’s a simple photo sensor.
New Automatic Light Control Sensor For Camry Corola Lexus LS430 89121-50020 | eBay

I carefully pried off the black plug on the front of the dash near the windshield. There’s a small electrical plug attached. Take it off and plug in the real sensor. I tested it before snapping it into the dash. With headlights on and the dimmer switch *not* clicked in the full bright position, by covering the sensor then shining a flashlight on it, I could demonstrate the light dimming action. Then I seated it fully into the dash.
Works well, I like it.

Amazing.
Ordered!
 
Wrote a check and paid it off 5 years early. It feels different sitting in it now. Our goal is to never borrow another dollar.

Oh and we ordered celebratory RSG angled sliders with top plates, powder coated. :D



Great work, and congrats! Being debt free is a FANTASTIC feeling and a great way to live.



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Well after many close calls, last week was the deal sealer and I invested in a dash cam. Black Vue front and rear. The deal sealer was a lady who cut me off and when I honked at her she brake checked me 2-3 times. I went around her and admite I hit mine e brakes on her as well(not using good judgment). She flow and took pictures of me and I did of her as well. When i got home I called 311 to make a report they transferred me to 911 told them what had happened. Next thing I know cops are at my house they asked "you know why where here?" I said I called you, they told me no. The lady that had cut me off called 911 and said I pulled a GUN on her!! No I know dash cam won't show me inside the car but she said she didn't know why I had honked at her to begin with.


I've been putting off buying this exact setup. Today I almost got smashed by a flatbed truck, dude was staring off into space, driving down the MIDDLE of the road, and swerved to miss me at the last second after I already swerved onto the shoulder to avoid being hit. People are ****ing idiots. Glad you weren't hurt but definitely giving me more reason to stop stalling and buy my camera lol
 
Just picked mine up, did some small things. Some Toyota valve caps for tires, Toyota hitch plug, snorty antenna. Got a big list of stuff I want to do.
 
Installed RAD Rubber Engine Splash Guards today. Can't believe how flimsy the OEM ones are; these are so much thicker and should wear a long, long time. You have to push really hard to get those 5/16" fasteners in. I ended up tapping on them with a rubber mallet and that seemed to get the more stubborn ones to finally go all the way home. Going to order extras because I can tell already that when you pull them out they are very easy to break.
 

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