What Did You Do To Your 3rd Gen Today?

[habanero]

96 4Runner 272,715 miles

I've decided to replace the non-abs spindles with the abs spindles that were originally on the truck. I will have a new bearing and the manual hub pressed in and put the abs ring in there instead of the spacer.

Replaced the sway bar link bushings with poly because the not-that-old rubber was cracking. Oh, that fine Moog quality. :bored:

Rebooted the right side cv shaft using the cv boot kit from Toyota. Did the left a couple weeks ago. Used kball's excellent write-up http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-ge...-cv-axles.html for the basic info. Did not need the band clamp tool for the manual hub cv boots, and there are 2 clips to remove the tripod joint rather than one. Messy, not difficult. Not quite the same as the add shafts, but not hard to figure out...

Weirdly there are 3 ear-type clamps

and 1 Oetiker style boot clamp.

There is a special tool for that last one, but I was able to use the ear type tool for all 4, the Oetiker clamp requiring a screwdriver to push the end into place.

The tool for the nut on the back of the manual hub (Alltrade 648874 1/2-Inch Square Drive 4 Pin Toyota Locknut Tool, $12.99 on Amazon), impromptu hub holding tool aka spare tire (requires people weight unless using impact which the tool isn't really made for), breaker bar and cheater. 203 ft lbs isn't easy to undo. I guess that's the point.

I'll have to put the bulb for the abs light back in the dash. I modded this truck so it doesn't use the abs for speedo and that's how I'll be keeping that so no worries there.

 

[StreetCreeper]

Got tired of the terrible horns on this thing, so I figured I'd finally put to use one of the pairs of Hella Supertones I've had sitting around for years that were intended for my WRX(4 cars ago). About a half hour and a bit of wiring later and they were in.

They're basically invisible with the current grille in, and I'd probably paint the cage on them black if I get around to a Satoshi style grille.

As far as how loud they are, they literally made my roommate jump when I hit the horn. I'm sure I could have just plugged them into the factory wiring, but his reaction made wiring up the relay worth it.

I really need to do this too. Stock 4Runner horns are a joke and living in California—my middle finger is starting to wear out from being flipped so often.

I think these Hella horns are in my near future!

 

[Twan]

I really need to do this too. Stock 4Runner horns are a joke and living in California—my middle finger is starting to wear out from being flipped so often.

I think these Hella horns are in my near future!

Like I said, they literally caused my roommate to jump. It was the first upgrade I did to my motorcycle. I got a coupon code from NASIOC way back that made them real cheap, and they're still popular enough that it's probably still floating around on there.

 

[Tyota89]

Took mine out to a lake with the family. Guy thought it wascool that I backed up that close he got stuck few spots over.

Also replaced rear end link bushings, other bushing looks fairly worn but not enough to put the work into changing them out.

Then replaced interior led lights, still need to do the cluster and radio area. Not sure of the light combo I want to do. Maybe 5500k and red/orange.

 

[busmup808]

Took mine out to a lake with the family. Guy thought it wascool that I backed up that close he got stuck few spots over.



Also replaced rear end link bushings, other bushing looks fairly worn but not enough to put the work into changing them out.



Then replaced interior led lights, still need to do the cluster and radio area. Not sure of the light combo I want to do. Maybe 5500k and red/orange.

That looks like American Lake!

 

[Unner]

New spark plugs, oil change, transmission fluid change, front diff and transfer case fluid change, fixed the surface rust on the underside of my hood, and installed my new hood insulator. She just needs a new timing belt and water pump here in about 3k when she hits 90k since the last change and she'll be good to go for a long long time.

 

[Tyota89]

That looks like American Lake!

It is right across from it.. Seqalitchew Lake.

 

[4runninxit4]

Did a little work to fit some LEDs

 

[busmup808]

What did you do to your 3rd gen today?

Installed my awning, but the stock brackets are just a bit to low. I have to make another set before this weekend. Camping @ the Oregon Coast.

 

[LookAtThatDog]

Finally fixed my starter contacts. Got my dad to help, its def a 2 person job. Theres so little room to move around, it makes it a pain.

 

[A.Wilson013]

Took mine out to a lake with the family. Guy thought it wascool that I backed up that close he got stuck few spots over.

Also replaced rear end link bushings, other bushing looks fairly worn but not enough to put the work into changing them out.

Then replaced interior led lights, still need to do the cluster and radio area. Not sure of the light combo I want to do. Maybe 5500k and red/orange.

That looks like American Lake!

Looks like Sequalitchew to me :argue: I like that emoticon, haha

Right across from the tower, yes?

 

[coleb10]

Hood addition

Purchased a 3rd Gen Thunder Cloud Metallic hood (first two photos) locally and removed the insulator. Installed the insulator on the '97 hood today. There was some insulation loss around a few of the holes when removing the fasteners. There wasn't sufficient material left around those areas to help hold it against the hood to my satisfaction. Since I was changing the oil on my 4th Gen I used the thickest sections of my Royal Purple 5 quart jug to fab up some extra support for the new fasteners. They aren't the exact same size or anything but who cares. This insulator isn't going anywhere. Only 3 or 4 of the holes actually needed help but I made one for each fastener anyways.

Also installed a pair of 99-02 headlight assemblies.

 

[Ed_C]

I really need to do this too. Stock 4Runner horns are a joke and living in California—my middle finger is starting to wear out from being flipped so often.

I think these Hella horns are in my near future!

$9.99 Harbor Freight horns. Get some 99 cent flat black paint if you don't like the chrome finish

 

[ugamurph]

What did you do to your 3rd gen today?

The 4Runner got new shoes. [emoji6]

Much better stopping power now.

 

[3bears]

$9.99 Harbor Freight horns. Get some 99 cent flat black paint if you don't like the chrome finish

even with a relay, might be worth the gamble

 

[vtferret]

I did possibly the easiest mod of my life. I had my Dad hunt down a Vermont Strong plate (he found one at a yard sale) and mail it down to me here in Florida. Gotta let my Vermont pride shine! I went to Lowes and bought the mounting pieces (little plastic square things with screws). Went to put the plate on with those, and found out that the stock front bumper mounting holes don't line up with the plate, but they do have small holes where it looks like you could screw in to mount a plate. Didn't feel like doing that right this moment though, so I got some good ol' fashioned zip ties and zipped it into place. Cheapest and easiest mod ever, cost nearly nothing, and it must have added AT LEAST 40 ft/lbs of torque.



Oh, and of course I waited till it was raining to put it on. As is Vermont tradition.

 

[jacobbert9]

Averaged 25.8 mpg on a trip from Oklahoma City to Dallas :trophy:

 

[AZBub]

Averaged 25.8 mpg on a trip from Oklahoma City to Dallas :trophy:

Tail wind downhill in neutral? 4 cyl? The absolute best we have seen since ownership has been 22.5 driving like an 80 year old in a cadillac.

 

[volkinator]

Rear Suspension

Today I installed 'new' to me coils and shocks in the rear. The previous owner didn't know anything about the rear and the driver side post had actually broken off! So I replaced the shocks (cheap gabriel's from auto zone) and while I was in there I installed the 99 coils. Wow the stance is much better. A little bit of rake, and it's right where I want it now. The plan is to do either SS1.2 or OME 2" lift down the road, so I need something to get through until then. But now it's just a little frame rust to deal with! Gosh I'm loving this truck!

 

[ThorInc]

Change the the drive shaft seal from the tranny since it was slowly leaking & installed a URD short throw shifter. I like it!