What is this hole for near hatch?

[TOYO74]

Thanks for the snarkyness. I read my manual when I got the car, but in all honestly I have only had this vehicle for < 6 months, so I am not an expert on everything and I am figuring out a lot as I go along.

Snarkyness not intended. But you need to know basics before you head out. If you think that is being a smart-ass then get over it. Getting your feelings hurt by hearing you need to know your vehicle better is less than the pain of being stranded because you can't find your spare. With all the money you are spending on your vehicle (which looks great!) , I would think you would want to be more familar with it.

 

[Ryan1975]

Your one warning. No politics. Even in jest.
-mod-

 

[TerraCrawler]

Snarkyness not intended. But you need to know basics before you head out. If you think that is being a smart-ass then get over it. Getting your feelings hurt by hearing you need to know your vehicle better is less than the pain of being stranded because you can't find your spare. With all the money you are spending on your vehicle (which looks great!) , I would think you would want to be more familar with it.

TOYO74, I do want to know the basics and even more, and then keep learning more, thats why I have started so many threads here......I ask ALOT of questions, and get great answers and I am appreciative of those answers. I learned what that hole is for today, which is fantastic! BTW, my feelings are not hurt, takes more than discussion with anonymous people on a forum to hurt my feelings. I will be back tomorrow asking more questions, just as I always have, just keep learning. Sure there will always be the "RTFM" crew, and props to them, because the manual is awesome. First thing I did was read the manual, but I apparently forgot anything about that hole, probably because I have never actually had to do a tire change in the 4runner........anyways, expect more questions and I'll expect all kinds of answers, but honestly I appreciate all of them, in life you take what is useful forward, leave the rest behind.....live by that and little will shake you up.

 

[Jeremy556]

Well yeah, you have to become familiar with any new tool. But regardless of the experience level with any jack, there are rules I follow when using jacks, and making sure my body is clear of the vehicle is one I live by. I realize not everyone does this, I see people all the time go under vehicles supported by only jacks........not for me. Whether its a Military 5-ton or a Honda civic, I always am cautious with a jack.

The handle of a hilift is just as unforgiving and much less expected of a danger. Keep any body parts you value out of the arc of the handle

 

[TOYO74]

TOYO74, I do want to know the basics and even more, and then keep learning more, thats why I have started so many threads here......I ask ALOT of questions, and get great answers and I am appreciative of those answers. I learned what that hole is for today, which is fantastic! BTW, my feelings are not hurt, takes more than discussion with anonymous people on a forum to hurt my feelings. I will be back tomorrow asking more questions, just as I always have, just keep learning. Sure there will always be the "RTFM" crew, and props to them, because the manual is awesome. First thing I did was read the manual, but I apparently forgot anything about that hole, probably because I have never actually had to do a tire change in the 4runner........anyways, expect more questions and I'll expect all kinds of answers, but honestly I appreciate all of them, in life you take what is useful forward, leave the rest behind.....live by that and little will shake you up.

Excellent! We can all learn something from everyone. I like your build and the things you have done. Keep up the good work.

 

[kenwilliams0803]

The handle of a hilift is just as unforgiving and much less expected of a danger. Keep any body parts you value out of the arc of the handle

This. Flip the lever when you shouldn't and you are in the way, and you get a broken chin, wrist, or much worse.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[4RunnerAquasport]

Mine gets a little difficult to crank after getting out in mud and dust, so it doesn't hurt to drop your spare and clean/maintain the pulley system once in awhile. Also, being a flat lander and never having navigated on rocky trails, I took this class last year at Rausch Creek off road park in Pa. They teach proper hi lift and winch techniques as well. It's not cheap but learning most of this stuff will take years. I camped near there and made a full weekend out of it. Thinking about going again because I work too much and don't get much practice with my hi lift and winch.
Instructional Classes

 

[Cymon]

Mine gets a little difficult to crank after getting out in mud and dust, so it doesn't hurt to drop your spare and clean/maintain the pulley system once in awhile. Also, being a flat lander and never having navigated on rocky trails, I took this class last year at Rausch Creek off road park in Pa. They teach proper hi lift and winch techniques as well. It's not cheap but learning most of this stuff will take years. I camped near there and made a full weekend out of it. Thinking about going again because I work too much and don't get much practice with my hi lift and winch.
Instructional Classes

This! Awesome place to start. Learned so much from even the 101 course. I have a brief overview of the 101 course here, which I was lucky enough to be in with [MENTION=119302]4RunnerAquasport[/MENTION] (2 Florida 4runners in one Pennsylvania off road class lol!).

Posts 14-23:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/222282-cymons-weekend-warrior-mfd-thread.html

 

[mnofpeace]

Tough crowd!!!!

 

[MossJenks]

The handle of a hilift is just as unforgiving and much less expected of a danger. Keep any body parts you value out of the arc of the handle

That's what I'm talking about. A Hi-lift isn't just another jack - it's an entirely different beast. A beast from a different age. They also tend to be relatively unstable (which you can use to your advantage sometimes) and require completely different jack points vs a convensional jack. It won't go under the frame rails and you can't just stick it under a bumper and expect it to do anything other than damage the vehicle.

 

[mustangr2]

I learned the hard way how to change the spare out. Within the first month after I got mine I was on a trail and blew a stock tire. So I had to do a change out on the trail. It wasn't easy but learned a lot from doing. I have changed plenty of tires but on sports cars and sedans mostly. I would say for anyone who hasn't done I would recommend doing it at least once.

 

[TerraCrawler]

[MENTION=120701]Cymon[/MENTION] did you travel to PA for the class? I am camping in TN currently and there is a major offload park here (Windrock) so likely other companies offer those classes, they look like a lot of fun.

 

[Cymon]

[MENTION=120701]Cymon[/MENTION] did you travel to PA for the class? I am camping in TN currently and there is a major offload park here (Windrock) so likely other companies offer those classes, they look like a lot of fun.

Yes, we travel to Maryland a few times a year to visit family (it's where my wife and I grew up). It was a ton of fun, we actually did the class as an anniversary present to ourselves, and shockingly to her she had as much fun as I did. I would certainly look into it at Windrock as they may have some consultation companies that contract out and use the park (that's how the Off Road Consulting works up at Rausch Creek). The lessons and information that we learned have been invaluable, and it really taught us how capable these trucks are even in stock form (I did the course still with the crappy OEM dunlops still on), what the limitations are, and how to protect the vehicle in different off road scenarios.

In all honesty before the course I was looking at suspension upgrades and all of the other stuff that I thought I would need for off-roading. After the course we came to the conclusion that all we "needed" was some upgraded skidplates and sliders to protect the vehicle as we bashed the heck out of the OEM ones and some better tires, at least for our intended use of the vehicle.

 

[lojack323]

Mine gets a little difficult to crank after getting out in mud and dust, so it doesn't hurt to drop your spare and clean/maintain the pulley system once in awhile.

Not to derail the thread but what kind of maintenance are you referring to for the pulley system? Dropped my spare the other day to check the tire pressure and noticed it was pretty opposite of smooth to crank with all the dirt on there.

 

[Saker]

[MENTION=166904]TerraCrawler[/MENTION],

There are 2 holes on the opposite end of the truck you will also need to become familiar with.
They are under the hood above/near the headlamps. Depending on how much you load the T4R down, you will defiantly be visiting them!

 

[4RunnerAquasport]

Not to derail the thread but what kind of maintenance are you referring to for the pulley system? Dropped my spare the other day to check the tire pressure and noticed it was pretty opposite of smooth to crank with all the dirt on there.

I have a pressure sprayer (although not on full pressure) I use to wash the under side of my truck. Then I sprayed some white lithium grease on it, but that may attract more dirt. A good silicone spray might be better......someone out there might have a better product for it. I've never gone as far as taking it apart tho

 

[Pete00]

Could not agree with you more. Have taken a few basic classes with our stock Trail and stock Jeep JK Sport. OEX was at Mid-Atlantic Overland Festival and Appalachian Rendezvous and they were giving some basic free instruction and they were great.

 

[Grug556]

Well best of luck to you. But seriously, you want to practice with that hi-lift on a hard level surface. Like a parking lot. You seem like a good guy. I'd hate for you to lose a head or something.

Agreed, my high lift looks wonderful on the wall hanger in the garage..where it stays!