What did you do with your 4runner today?

[rhoyneriver]

Having installed a backup camera above the license plate, the spoiler should be quite a bit easier as far as running wire and navigating the back window movement.

I remember coming across a spoiler install when researching mine and it seemed pretty simple.

I noticed you're a fellow JoCo 4Runner owner. Do you happen to have a link to the spoiler rear camera install? I wonder what are the downsides of running it there vs. the rear license plate?

 

[eleven14]

I noticed you're a fellow JoCo 4Runner owner. Do you happen to have a link to the spoiler rear camera install? I wonder what are the downsides of running it there vs. the rear license plate?

Howdy neighbor. Here's a link to one of the spoiler installs but I remember coming across a few in my research.

If you decide to go the license plate route, feel free to ping me with questions. I'm pretty OCD and it took 2x longer due to routing cables thru the rear hatch and back into the cabin.

 

[rhoyneriver]

Added some cheap $6 key fob cover. Fits like a glove and I'm hoping it helps prevent accidental panic button presses which has plagued me since I bought the truck 4 years ago.

Imgur: The magic of the Internet

 

[AuSeeker]

Added some cheap $6 key fob cover. Fits like a glove and I'm hoping it helps prevent accidental panic button presses which has plagued me since I bought the truck 4 years ago.

Imgur: The magic of the Internet

Looks good!

Where did you get the fob cover, got a link.

 

[rhoyneriver]

Looks good!

Where did you get the fob cover, got a link.

Sure, it's this one from Amazon. There are other colors (solid blue and black/white) not on that product page, but the same Rpkey brand. Amazon.com: Rpkey Silicone Keyless Entry Remote Control Key Fob Cover Case protector Replacement Fit For 1999-2009 Toyota 4Runner 2001-2008 Toyota Sequoia HYQ12BBX HYQ12BAN HYQ1512Y Black red button : Automotive

 

[Hi-desertT4R]

Added some cheapie light pods I had laying around to the bumper. Went for a drive to explore desert south of town that we haven’t really explored. Found a few small hill climbs and exercised the 4WD.

 

[aemravan]

I cut off my door/quarter mounding pieces because I can’t stop modifying this damn thing and the lack of wider rear flares really sucks.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Jeebus]

'04 V6 owner here, just got diagnosed with the awesome head gasket issue (at 270k km, 167k mi). As with any other car issues that people get, it comes at the most convenient time where I am getting transferred for my job, and I definitely won't be able to bike to my new location.

The job is going to cost me a pretty penny, but I hope to keep this car maintained enough to last a long time.

Huzah!

 

[miller507]

These showed up just in time for melt off and mud season. They should get a lot of use this hunt and next snow season.

What brand? The have a better fit than the ones I have.:thumb:

 

[rdruss]

Replaced brake fluid. It takes a lot!

 

[Drcoffee]

Decided to take the extra step and paint my CATs red and and engrave the license plate number on them. Then build a cable cage around it and secure it to the frame. Even if they cut them off, a sawzall cant cut steel cable easily. More of a deterent.

 

[Bassturd]

What brand? The have a better fit than the ones I have.:thumb:

Security chain company. I opted for used ones off of Amazon and they showed up pretty much new.

 

[miller507]

Security chain company. I opted for used ones off of Amazon and they showed up pretty much new.

Same ones I have unfortunately one of them broke which is no big deal, nothing a little welding can't fix. I do recommend you to use a strong rope to keep tension rather than the dumb rubber ones.

Bonus Pic of some carnage during some "light" wheeling

 

[Bassturd]

This was on the Mineral Gulch trail just above the Barracks trail near Zion.

 

[Boone47]

Replaced the parking brakes. If anyone knows the design engineers, I’d like to send them a no-thank you note.

 

[SurferUK]

Replaced the parking brakes. If anyone knows the design engineers, I’d like to send them a no-thank you note.

I've read numerous horror stories about this...not looking forward to when mine need changing...

 

[SurferUK]

Today I confirmed there is indeed a limiter at 180kmh on JDM vehicles...the engine was turning over at 3500rpm...cruising speed :lookout:

 

[AuSeeker]

I've read numerous horror stories about this...not looking forward to when mine need changing...

For the most part the parking brake shoes and hardware only get replaced IF you have rust issues and the mounting hardware fails or you just choose to replace them for whatever reason, the parking brake only gets used when parking and the wear on the parking brake shoes is non-existing in a normal scenario since the wheel never moves to wear the shoes while parked.

As far as it being a horror to replace them IMHO comes from most people who never had much experience in replacing old style "drum" brakes, I have done more drum brakes than I can count or ever remember, some are rather easy but many others are sorta complicated in the fact if you don't get all the hardware installed exactly right and in the correct location and orientation the brakes don't work, but if you have done them many times it's not all that hard to do, especially if you have a diagram of how to assemble the hardware and shoes.

Also it helps if you have the correct tools to do drum brakes, there are some specialty tools for some of the hardware pieces, but it can be done without them if you're creative enough.

But as I mentioned, you shouldn't have to ever replace the parking brakes unless some of the hardware fails, unless you just choose to do so.

 

[SurferUK]

For the most part the parking brake shoes and hardware only get replaced IF you have rust issues and the mounting hardware fails or you just choose to replace them for whatever reason, the parking brake only gets used when parking and the wear on the parking brake shoes is non-existing in a normal scenario since the wheel never moves to wear the shoes while parked.

As far as it being a horror to replace them IMHO comes from most people who never had much experience in replacing old style "drum" brakes, I have done more drum brakes than I can count or ever remember, some are rather easy but many others are sorta complicated in the fact if you don't get all the hardware installed exactly right and in the correct location and orientation the brakes don't work, but if you have done them many times it's not all that hard to do, especially if you have a diagram of how to assemble the hardware and shoes.

Also it helps if you have the correct tools to do drum brakes, there are some specialty tools for some of the hardware pieces, but it can be done without them if you're creative enough.

But as I mentioned, you shouldn't have to ever replace the parking brakes unless some of the hardware fails, unless you just choose to do so.

Thanks! Is it possible the shoes will need replacing due to age? I agree with what you're saying though, how could they ever wear? Seems to me that an extra strong parking pawl in the transmission would be a maintenance free solution!

 

[AuSeeker]

Thanks! Is it possible the shoes will need replacing due to age? I agree with what you're saying though, how could they ever wear? Seems to me that an extra strong parking pawl in the transmission would be a maintenance free solution!

The parking brake shoes shouldn't deteriorate from age, it's just friction material, the only way they could deteriorate would be from a bad rear axle seal leaking fluid, so if you have a failed seal then I would recommend replacing the parking brake shoes especially if you use the parking brakes often and or they have to pass a vehicle inspection.

The transmission parking pawl really has nothing to do with the parking brakes, the parking brakes on the other hand is the backup in case the pawl does for some reason fails.