What Did You Do To Your 3rd Gen Today?

[6uam671_T4R]

It was a few days ago, but I put in a Kenwood DMX7706S double din.

CarPlay is really cool, my favorite feature.

No bezel trimming required, pretty much a direct bolt in upgrade.

A tip on the mysterious and confusing orange/white illumination wire that many people leave disconnected for fear of frying their rheostat - Metra 70-1761 has an orange/white wire in position 10 of the larger connector labelled "dimmer" which can be connected to the orange/white of the Kenwood harness labelled "illumination". This wire gets 12V power when you turn your running lights on and will dim the display and hard buttons. It also switches the style of some apps such as changing the CarPlay Maps app from light/white style to dark/black for night driving. Pretty slick.

This unit does NOT have a dedicated power antenna wire so your power antenna will always be up when the unit is powered on, even when you are not listing to the radio. Guess I will have to do Taco whip or add a switch, we'll see.

Otherwise the install was fairly straightforward. You could literally do it in 30 minutes if you have the harness already wired up. However the backup camera is another story...that took a long time.

Here is a list of parts I used for the install:

Metra 70-1761 Radio Wiring Harness For Toyota 87-Up Power 4 Speaker
Amazon.com: Metra 70-1761 Radio Wiring Harness For Toyota 87-Up Power 4 Speaker: Car Electronics

Metra 40-UV43 Male to Female Motorola Antenna Cable
Amazon.com: Metra 40-UV43 Male to Female Motorola Antenna Cable: Car Electronics

SCOSCHE MDAB 1988-05 GM Micro/Delco Antenna Adapter; Tip only
Amazon.com: SCOSCHE MDAB 1988-05 GM Micro/Delco Antenna Adapter; Tip only: Car Electronics

ICESPRING USB 3.0 Male to USB 3.0 Female AUX Flush Mount Car Mount Extension Cable for Car Truck Boat Motorcycle Dashboard Panel -(3 Feet - 1 Meter) (I used this to replace an accessory/cigarette plug with a USB port)
Amazon.com: ICESPRING USB 3.0 Male to USB 3.0 Female AUX Flush Mount Car Mount Extension Cable for Car Truck Boat Motorcycle Dashboard Panel -(3 Feet - 1 Meter): Computers & Accessories

Car Backup Camera, Rear View Camera Ultra HD 12 LED Night Vision,Waterproof Reverse Camera 140° Wide View Angel with Multiple Mount Brackets for Universal Cars,SUV,Trucks,RV and More
Amazon.com: Car Backup Camera, Rear View Camera Ultra HD 12 LED Night Vision,Waterproof Reverse Camera 140deg Wide View Angel with Multiple Mount Brackets for Universal Cars,SUV,Trucks,RV and More: Car Electronics

Does that USB plug below the unit work just like ones in newer cars? Assuming it's plugged into the Kenwood unit.

 

[edgarmata1110]

going to change this babies


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[photoleif]

timing belt, water pump, parking brake adjustment. replaced a shoulder bolt that the tech from last time was too lazy to put in.

edit: oh and also added a grab-handle, the one on the driver's side that the factory omits.

 

[photoleif]

and I now got to buy some brand new tires after it's fixed up. Went with Goodyear Duratracs with studs for winter 4running.

good choice. i really like my duratracs. they're delightfully squishy and quiet at all speeds, but not sloppy, and seem durable. they seem fine on snow and a little patchy ice so far (no studs).

 

[3bears]

Sounds like you're accusing me of doing something shady??

It's having it properly repaired, having the vehicle State inspected then selling it. The repair will be disclosed, as it will be visible.

The shady used car dealers around here will have a thin sheet metal cover placed over a rotted area, a fresh layer of under coating sprayed then advertise it as having a NEW frame, replaced by Toyota.

sorry, I did not mean to imply you would do that...guess I wasn't thinking before typing it
I apologize

 

[smaaiah]

I haven't done anything to it yet. Planning an 8 hour trip (530) miles for the holidays. 99' 4R wit 256k miles. I just registered for this forum so I am wanting to post about information on the timing belt and water pump. I don't have service records for the vehicle I bought it last year. Don't know if I should replace the timing belt/WP before the trip.

 

[spartacus]

I haven't done anything to it yet. Planning an 8 hour trip (530) miles for the holidays. 99' 4R wit 256k miles. I just registered for this forum so I am wanting to post about information on the timing belt and water pump. I don't have service records for the vehicle I bought it last year. Don't know if I should replace the timing belt/WP before the trip.

If you can do it. Although if the truck is running good i.e no overheating , no leaks, no smells of coolant etc you can add 530 miles to it without any issues. Although look at the timing belt loosen the top plastic cover and slide it forward and make sure the timing belt doesn't have cracks etc. Never the less on used vehicles, always do a complete tuneup and replace all fluids also in these trucks replace lbj's with oem to avoid known failure.

 

[Brian.]

I haven't done anything to it yet. Planning an 8 hour trip (530) miles for the holidays. 99' 4R wit 256k miles. I just registered for this forum so I am wanting to post about information on the timing belt and water pump. I don't have service records for the vehicle I bought it last year. Don't know if I should replace the timing belt/WP before the trip.

spartacus nailed it IMHO, but it's always nice to have a second opinion.

So, if you have the time, money and means to do the timing belt and water pump before your trip, that is easily the best course of action. Swapping out all fluids, the radiator (known failure point, takes out the transmission when it goes) and the lower ball joints (common and very well known failure point thanks to the way they're designed. Impossible to "check" them in the normal sense).

On my recently bought '99 the brake lines were all cracked and falling apart and it wandered all over the road like crazy until I replaced all the bushings. Mind you, my 4runner only had 192k when I bought it, one owner, unmodified and no indication it was ever driven hard... and my LBJ's were completely shot.

But I did all of that work over a few thousand miles, having done the radiator and LBJ's first as they're easily the most important in terms of A) your personal safety from not having a wheel fall off and B) cost of repairs if they fail. The timing belt fails, you simply stop moving forward (non-interference engine so no valve to piston contact) and do the job once towed at no additional cost.. well, the belt may tear up some plastic shrouds, but not Thousands in additional costs.

Lean on these videos: 3rd Gen T4R DIY Maintenance, Repair and Modification Videos

and use this search: Alternate Search for T4R - 3rd Gen Section

Best of luck

 

[snydmax]

I haven't done anything to it yet. Planning an 8 hour trip (530) miles for the holidays. 99' 4R wit 256k miles. I just registered for this forum so I am wanting to post about information on the timing belt and water pump. I don't have service records for the vehicle I bought it last year. Don't know if I should replace the timing belt/WP before the trip.

Seeing as your new, there is no need to start a new thread for timing belt/WP... its all over the forum.

Watch "Toyota time with Timmy the Toolman," his Timing belt video is very thorough as all are his videos... get or make yourself a crank pulley tool... find your favorite "aicabinman" kit on eBay... buy a new crank pulley bolt from Toyota.

Also the 5VZE 3.4 L is non-interference so a timing belt failure won't kill your rig, but could certainly leave you stranded on the roadside.

-matt

 

[Brian.]

Seat swap. Took me less time to realize the stock 4runner seats suck than to swap them out though, sadly enough. I think I spent about 8 hours between cleaning them, swapping the seatbelt hardware, swapping the mounting "feet" and getting them bolted in. Idea from this thread:

BMW E90 3-series Seat Swap

Physically bolted in, still have all the wiring to do:

Much, MUCH firmer than stock.. and that is a good thing. Sadly, the seats I found are the "base" model electric, but they're an easy enough swap that if I should see the nicer seats for the right price in the future I'll just swap and sell these.

 

[panisome]

Installed some cali-raised ditch lights and took it up into the mountains with my dog Eska.

now THAT is one happy looking dog! Great picture!

 

[dcshipwreck]

wife bought me new tires for christmas so I finally got to mount my trd pro wheels!

tires are 255/80/17

<a href="https://imgur.com/jwSlFKO"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/jwSlFKO.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

 

[Bdnewyork]

Seat swap. Took me less time to realize the stock 4runner seats suck than to swap them out though, sadly enough. I think I spent about 8 hours between cleaning them, swapping the seatbelt hardware, swapping the mounting "feet" and getting them bolted in.

Did you use F30 seats? I read through that entire thread and the Reddit thread that inspired it and came away with the conclusion of it being simpler (better aligned mounting points) to use F30 (or F32) seats over E90s. Am I correct with that? Re mounting feet, the Reddit OP dude was talking about making and selling mounting bracket sets to eliminate the need for retaining the 4runner mounting feet and to gain a bit more headroom:

3rd gen. Upgraded my F30 seats to F32 seats : 4Runner

I've yet to ping him; but I don't see any updates on that.

Looks fantastic btw!

 

[Brian.]

Did you use F30 seats? I read through that entire thread and the Reddit thread that inspired it and came away with the conclusion of it being simpler (better aligned mounting points) to use F30 (or F32) seats over E90s. Am I correct with that? Re mounting feet, the Reddit OP dude was talking about making and selling mounting bracket sets to eliminate the need for retaining the 4runner mounting feet and to gain a bit more headroom:

3rd gen. Upgraded my F30 seats to F32 seats : 4Runner

I've yet to ping him; but I don't see any updates on that.

Looks fantastic btw!

Yup, F30 seats (forget the specific car) based entirely on those same posts. The mounting feet are a PITA to deal with, being both riveted (easy to remove with good drill bits) and spot welded (I used a cold-chisel and just beat them into submission, then straightened them back out with more BFH blows and my bench vice/anvil). They do come off and work to secure the new seat in place though.

I'd completely forgotten that he said he might do the feet, I bought the seats months ago and have just been letting them collect dust in my storage. I'm not particularly happy with the rear outside mount, it's something I'll likely address, but in a 1-off kinda way. Probably not anytime soon either, my wife brought home another stray so I've been told to focus on that in the coming months ('66 Beetle). Her used car lot is getting close to needing another mechanic to help me out...

 

[panisome]

This unit does NOT have a dedicated power antenna wire so your power antenna will always be up when the unit is powered on, even when you are not listing to the radio. Guess I will have to do Taco whip or add a switch, we'll see.

clean install - looks great!- I suffer the same antenna issue - unlike you (where I guess the signal prompt does not exist with the new HU) however I cannot figure out how to make my antenna go up ONLY when I want radio on my aftermarket Kenwood Excelon KDC X998. Forum search continues.

 

[Shugashane562]

New wheels and tires

Shortly after painted my 5 star OEMS I got a maaaajjjjooor hookup. I got this brand new in boxes Boyd Coddington 17x9 w/ Toyo Open Country radials 285/70r/17 with 60% tread left. All for FREE. My cousin called me and said meet me at the tire shop I’m getting new tires and you can have my Boyd’s that have been sitting in my garage for 2 years. I never got up so quick to the tire shop I went haha. So stoked looks so much better and fills in the fender flares!

 

[stuckinthemud]

A week ago my starter began to click with no spin. Had to turn the key several times before it would start. 4 days later it got to the point that it just wouldn't start. Thursday after work I pulled the starter(after watching tim's video), what a pain in the a**. I pulled the wheel, the brake line and the transmission dip stick tube. I did not have to remove the exhaust bracket.The plunger and hot contact were in bad shape. My local Toyota stealer wanted $92.00 for contacts and plunger. Nope, too much. I ordered a plunger and contact kit from Victory Lap on Amazon for $17.00. It arrived at 8:30 this morning. 2 hours later it was installed and started right up. Next project, valve cover gaskets. They started leaking on the exhaust about 2 months ago, judging from the black caked on oil it's been leaking for a while.

 

[Opie!]

wife bought me new tires for christmas so I finally got to mount my trd pro wheels!

tires are 255/80/17

<a href="https://imgur.com/jwSlFKO"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/jwSlFKO.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

Wow, that looks great. I don't think I've seen a 3rd Gen with a snorkle before. And the TRD Pro wheels are a perfect compliment. Are you getting any tire rub?

 

[dcshipwreck]

Wow, that looks great. I don't think I've seen a 3rd Gen with a snorkle before. And the TRD Pro wheels are a perfect compliment. Are you getting any tire rub?

thanks!

very minor tire rub and only at the front on turn/compression on the inner fender liner and plastic portion of the front bumper. it doesn't bother me much and will massage things eventually to where it doesn't rub on its own. plus I plan on removing the plastic on the front bumper and just running the metal portion.

 

[jweitzel]

Nearly finished separating the frame from the body...
New (well, not rotted) frame coming soon