2001 4Runner build/fix log

[tx_shooter]

<not like I do not have anything else to do> I have been thinking about raising my hitch into the cross bar lately. It sits low enough that it does hit pretty often when going down ledges. If I raise it up it would reduce the amount of hits and would also raise up my hitch rack to reduce impacts on it as well.

I think I can do it in a day. A replacement stinger mount is ~$20 and could be welded into the hitch crossbar pretty easy. Then it is just bracing it and paint. For the integrity of the cross piece I would probably go no more than 1/2 up into the cross piece.

 

[Oswego]

Mathematically/Geometrically I wonder what the difference in angles would be if you did move it. How much lower does it sit....1-1/2" - 2"?

 

[balakay]

Ots at least 2.5" below the bumper not including the ring around the end of the tube. Less if you're comparing it to the bottom of the shackle mounts.

 

[tx_shooter]

If I bring it up to equal to the shackle mounts then I am still gaining almost 2" of clearance.

 

[Oswego]

just flip the entire tube upside down (shackle mounts & hitch) and gain 3"

I can't see all the mounting brackets but it may be a similar amount of work

 

[tx_shooter]

I debated that but would have to make a decent amount of clearance cuts to the rear bumper.

 

[tx_shooter]

Pulled the hitch last night to work on it this afternoon. I had to get a little aggressive using an angle grinder to remove the stock receiver. Tomorrow morning I will finish the fitting and final adjustments on the receiver. I do plan to reface the new receiver about 1" to shorten it a touch. The recovery points I welded on a few years ago made the whole process a good bit more difficult than a stock hitch would have been.

 

[tx_shooter]

Just needs a few loops for trailer chains and some paint.

 

[tx_shooter]

Finished up and painted with a couple matte clear coats. It will look odd having such a clean part on the 4Runner for a little while. But once it has some wear on it the hitch will fit in with the rest of the rig. I should be able to bolt it onto the rig at lunch or after work today.

 

[tx_shooter]

And mounted.

 

[tx_shooter]

Back to the "repair" side of this build log. I went to the range yesterday - no issues. That afternoon my sammich maker and I went to go have dinner with some friend's and the 4Runner started throwing P00300 and P0304 misfire codes. The motor was running rough but we were already in town so I topped off the fuel tank with fresh fuel from a different gas station than last time. It ran a touch better after a few miles and was able to get us home after dinner but was still throwing the misfire codes. So last night I left the battery disconnected to wipe the fuel map just hoping maybe to get lucky with that.

I also looked up the last time I ordered spark plugs for this thing. It was just a few months ago in 2017; so considering the mileage since then these plugs probably should have been replaced late last year. New plugs are on order now and hopefully they clear the issue up.

I am making a note to self to replace the coils and wires in January or February. To my knowledge they are the original coils with 350k miles on them now.

 

[tex]

As I was reading this I immediately thought coil packs. Sounds just like what my friends F150 was doing. His coils started to go out 1 by 1 so after the 3rd failed he ordered the rest and did them all.

 

[tx_shooter]

I kept debating doing the coil packs over the summer just due to age but kept putting it off for not fixing something that is not broke. Well - looks suspicious of being broke now.

 

[tx_shooter]

Spark plugs should be here on Friday. I ordered ignitors that should be here tomorrow. Hopefully this thing is running like a champ by Saturday.

 

[Oswego]

if anyone with a 4.0 has similar issues - remember I have a spare. Only thing wrong with it was the spun bearing.

Of course all the parts would be sitting for years outside, but I know those parts get pricey quick and for our old-school members shipping $ would prob be all I needed - heck most of you I'd cover that on for all the help over the years.

 

[tx_shooter]

Hopefully my Tacoma stays trouble free another 100k miles.

 

[tx_shooter]

Replaced plugs and ignitors while letting the battery sit disconnected for two hours to clear any codes or ECU mapping issues. Still stumbling at idle a little but pulls better. The PCV valve is a little sticky when trying to hear it rattle so I plan to replace it tonight.

 

[tx_shooter]

Changes spark plug wires today and the stumbling is gone. So far a couple test drives have had good results all the way up to 5k RPM. I will put a tank of fuel through it tomorrow to double check everything.

So at 355k miles: spark plugs, ignitors, and spark plug wires. This summer I will do valve cover gaskets and fuel injectors.

 

[TacoXpo]

355! Nice!

 

[tx_shooter]

So the previous owner of this 4Runner installed an adjustable panhard bar for the rear with the common not correct fit heims. After the 150k miles I put on the rig the heims are crap now. I can shake the bar by hand and hear it rattle with the vehicle weight on it. I debated replacing the heims vs building a bushing for one end and keeping an heim on the other. In the end I decided to do it right the first time with a Sonoran Steel adjustable panhard bar with bushings on both ends. It will be nice for the rear axle to be a lot more stable again.