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Comments
Steve, Host
The location for the interior filter is probably described in the operating manual. If not, you might talk with the parts guy (and look at his database with him) at a dealership. Some of them are pretty helpful.
The clunking noise after stopping may indicate that the driveshafts (universal spiders and slip joints) need lubrication. This is not hard job and should usually be done with oil changes, but lots of places neglect it (even if they say they did all the recommended lubrication).
If you do a coolant change or flush, use the Toyota coolant. It's different from most aftermarket stuff (less silicates, if I remember correctly, and easier on your water pump) and not too expensive compared to the labor involved and possible problems.
If you chage your oil frequently (according to the schedule recommended by the manufacturer) I don't think you need to run synthetic, though it wouldn't hurt. The main thing is not to delay oil changes. A number of recent engines seem to be sensitive to extended oil changes, and will sludge-up rather than just start burning more oil.
For the transmission fluid, if it's an automatic it uses some form of ATF, while the transfer case and manual transmissions generally use regular gear oil (80W-90 or something similar). Follow the manufacturer recommendations for time and mileage, and if you're not sure about the history of the vehicle, changing these (a flush may not be necessary) is cheap insurance.
Plugs don't need to be replaced very often, so I just use what the manufacturer recommends and put anti-seize compound on the threads when reinstalling. Get a torque wrench to do the plug installation.
There's very little about maintenance procedures in the owners manuals, so you might want to check into a service/repair manual set for your vehicle. They're available in different forms (sometimes on CD in addition to paper) and from both the manufacturer and aftermarket. Also, search here and other sites (can't mention them here) for more detailed maintenance discussions.
And for those of us driving every year on snowy or salted roads, this is a reminder to us of WHY Toyota recommends cleaning the underside once in a while, eh?! ;-)
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
On another note, I talked with a 2003 4Runner Sport owner today. Like me and my SR5, he too said there is way too much 'bounce' in the vehicle, and the vehicle wanders at highway speeds. He said both his early 90's and late 90's 4Runner's had much better road manners. He has the Bridgestone's, I've got the Dunlops. Glad to know I'm not the only one with this experience.
Any experience with this as a past issue? How did you solve it?
I am going to try and put some armor all on the door weatherstripping and see if this has any effect. Seems to make the doors quieter on VW's.
Thanks
I too am like you, I don't care about interior dimensions, it's gotta have room for my big butt and some room to stretch out. I went from a '98 Suzuki Sidekick Sport to a '99 Explorer and it was like going from a sardine can to a Leonard building. It just fits me, and is comfortable. I knew the Suzuki was a bad sign when I test drove the thing, sat in it, and the door wouldn't even close. It bounced off my hip. BUT, I didn't pay for it, so I didn't really have a say so. I had to get used to getting in, leaning to the right to shut the door, then leaning to the left to put the seat belt on, then trying to get level so I could drive.
The '99 and '01 4Runners I drove both felt the same, didn't have enough room. It didn't lack much matching the Explorer, but the main thing was the seats. They were too narrow before the sides tapered outward. If that was an improvement on the '04, then I would have to consider it. I didn't get a chance to drive a Pathfinder, so I'm not sure how it compares as far as room, but from everything I read the seats were definitely more comfortable than the Toyotas pre-'04.
Have been looking everywhere trying to find evidence that 3rd row seats and side/side-curtain airbags exist in the same package. Am not bothered about whether it comes in V8 or V6.
CarsDirect and KBB allow the two options to be selected in tandem. Am I dreaming or do I need to special order?
Thanks in advance
EB
They will confirm and get back to me on Mon or Tue they say...we will see!
-D
I am a large butted, 250 lbs chap and I have no problems squeezing into my 1999 4runner.
I'll just have to shop around some more. I loved the look on that thing. I still think about it once in a while. That big hood scoop just did something for me, ya know? haha
I guess if the loss of directional control results in hitting a curb or something that would cause you to potentially roll-over that stability control could indirectly be said to have prevented a roll-over but that's not a common situation.
I doubt that anyone makes a retrofit stability control system since you would have to tie into the car's computer to control the ABS and engine power (since that's how most stability control systems work).
Steve
They were quoted 6-8+ months to order an 05 4runner which is the same as saying it can not be ordered. He 'thought' they could find one that I wanted in another part of the country but I am not sure they exist.
Has anyone seen or purchased the following:
05 V6 Runner 4WD Limited
Side air bag option
Radio/CD Changer option
Spoiler
X-REAS (sp?) -the rear shock upgraded option
NO 3rd row
NO Sunroof
NO NAV
I have never seen one like that and even the Toy web site does not let you price one out this way.
I really liked the runner but it looks like I may have to find another option.
Thanks. D
Unfortunately I don't think stability control can be retrofitted due to the number of components involved. In addition to an adequate braking system you need one or more accelerometers to figure out the direction of vehicle travel/rotation, and a steering sensor to figure out driver intent. Unless a vehicle was already pre-equipped to some degree (maybe VSC was an option that was available but not installed, so the wiring and sensors might be there) it would probably be cheaper to trade for a newer vehicle that had the technology.
The 4th generation (2003+) 4Runners all have this as standard equipment and I've heard that some 2000+ or 2001+ models had it as well. Maybe others can provide more specific information.
Personally, I don't care for the look of the Sport and I don't think you can get leather in that trim line, right?
-D
I guess I will have to wait until my ship comes in. Until then, just extra care on rain-slick curves...
Go to http://www.tirerack.com/tires/index.jsp
and read the reviews. On this thread, owners with the 17" Michelin Cross Terrains are ecstatic about their tires, especially in icy conditions.
Also, canddmeyer makes a great point, don't get crazy with the oversizing part. A good rule is this:
If your size is 235/75R15, and you want bigger tires..
changing the 235 number by one size (say 265, being wider) you have to change the 75 by taking away the same amount you added, here being 30. Thus, your aspect ratio, or height, now becomes 45. Your rim sizes stays the same. So you would go from 235/75R15 to 265/45R15 to keep computers and speedometers correct. It gets really fun when you change wheel sizes!!!
http://toyota.fusz.com/New-Inventory.asp
275/75/16's might work. I would like to get some
good all weather tires, not mud tires or anything
like that.
But I do have a question regarding the 4x4 operation.
When I shift from H2 to H4, both the center differential lock light and the 4 wheel drive light start flashing and they keep flashing until the 4 wheel drive system is fully engaged.
At that point, the center differential lock light stops flashing(goes off) and the 4 Wheel drive light stays on.
So my question is, is the center differential lock light supposed to flash during that time ? Is this normal ?
Thanks
Not too long ago, someone answered my post by saying that he had a similar noise with a Rav4 during cold weather. As I recall, he believed the noise was coming from an interaction between the exterior cowling at the base of the windshield, and the glass itself. I also recall that he reportedly solved this noise problem by carefully injecting (spraying) some WD-40 between this cowling and the exterior windshield glass. Let us know how you make out.
Well mine sounds like one anyway, thanks Toyota, Oh what a feeling!
A few posts ago there was a conversation about engaging 4WD. Wait til you're stuck and find out you cannot engage 4WD cuz you can't get the vehicle to move to engage it. Oh, what a feeling!
Ref a 2003 4runner sr5 .. 55000 miles.
A dealer has had this suv for a month and cannot find the problem.
Symptoms are that it runs fine up to about 30/40 mph, then if you press on the gas, even slightly, the engine falters. Idles fine, will rev up as far as you like as long as it is standing still. It is performance under load that causes the problem.
Things checked have been "bad gas", tank was drained and a fuel drier added to a new tankfull, no help. fuel pressure is apparently ok, checked under load I am told. NO ENGINE WARNING LIGHT SHOWS and hookup to the diagnostic computer shows nothing!
I have no reason to think the service rep is not trying, he tells me he has talked to Toyotas Gurus in california and they are puzzled as well. Any suggestions would be welcome, better yet has anyone had the same problem? Feel to contact me at skiplex@insightbb.com if you want to chat.