r/3rdGen4Runner 39m ago

❓Advice / Recomendations Best current deal on LBJs?

Upvotes

Who has the hot tip on where to get the best deal on a pair of LBJs?

Much thanks in advance


r/3rdGen4Runner 42m ago

❓Advice / Recomendations Noise

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Upvotes

Could this noise be brake booster failing? Was driving and noticed brake pedal felt softer. Feels like I got air in lines.


r/3rdGen4Runner 53m ago

❓Advice / Recomendations Leak

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Upvotes

Is this a big problem changed hoses and radiator about 2500 miles ago


r/3rdGen4Runner 1h ago

❓Advice / Recomendations Idle Humming Sound

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Upvotes

r/3rdGen4Runner 1h ago

🧠 General Ranking the most painful repairs?

Upvotes

Hi,

I recently had the transfer actuator die on my '02 SR5 & this repair was beyond my capabilities. No user error, nothing. Just decided to die.

My 4Runner was turned into a 2Runner. Given I'd added Bilsteins, new UCAs, etc this just you know, hurt bad. Not that I'm looking to sell, but pretty much any value in the vehicle, beyond separated parts, felt like it vanished overnight.

Obviously, LBJs, the timing belt/water pump, head gasket failures are all potentially if not usually catastrophic, but...I'm just gonna throw out there the transfer actuator might be up there in terms of pain. It doesn't kill the vehicle, it just removes the one feature that defines the character of the 4WD 4Runner.

Not to mention the expense of the parts & labor -- f'ing yikes. And at least in my area, the availability of the OEM part was nearly non existent.

Anyway, if I'm voting the most painful/unfortunate repair, it's this.

In for a penny, in for a pound with these vehicles. I went ahead and did it. Woof.

The shop is taking apart the old actuator to see why it failed & if they can rebuild it, they're just going to give it to me.


r/3rdGen4Runner 2h ago

❓Advice / Recomendations HELP

0 Upvotes

I own a 1996 4 runner 6v.
And I was doing some off roading and spun out and crashed, I bent my pinion and my rack. And apparently my sub rack as well. All my research says it's gonna be a pricey fix. I really don't want a shop to do it, I have moderate experience work I mt on cars, Is it even worth trying to fix? Car is worth like 2800$, so I can't put a huge amount of money into it. Anything helps!


r/3rdGen4Runner 2h ago

❓Advice / Recomendations Milestone/MX

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4 Upvotes

Almost at 200k! Up to date on all routine maintenance. Recently started feeling a weird scraping/rubbing under my right wheel well every few tire rotations. Any ideas?


r/3rdGen4Runner 3h ago

❓Advice / Recomendations Lifting/Suspension

2 Upvotes

Hi! I am looking for advice on the best lift brand to use to redo the suspension on my 2000 sr5. It has 127k miles on it and is basically in brand new condition. I got it from a family who's grandma had driven it since it came from factory, garage kept. It is very much my dream car to build so I want to do everything the best I can to protect its longevity. I have looked into so many different brands of all different price ranges but am having a hard time finding what the best set up would be. I would like to get upper control arms, a 2.5 inch- to 3 inch lift (I would prefer 3inch). I would prefer to do it all myself so would prefer an easy brand to install. As well any advice on parts I should replace with it.


r/3rdGen4Runner 3h ago

📸 Post Your Rig Just replace the LBJs already

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57 Upvotes

I saw all the posts, had it on my to do list, and have nobody to blame but myself. Just get them replaced!

I’m thankful nobody else was around or involved, god dang speed bump took me out.


r/3rdGen4Runner 3h ago

❓Advice / Recomendations My transfer case exploded on the freeway…

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17 Upvotes

I also see this random bracket not attached to anything I’m assuming it’s the culprit, any advice on what parts I’ll need?


r/3rdGen4Runner 4h ago

❓Advice / Recomendations How to adjust my headlights vertically? 1998

3 Upvotes

r/3rdGen4Runner 5h ago

❓Advice / Recomendations How clean does the block mating surface have to be?

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6 Upvotes

This is after a lot of time with the scotch-brite pad and WD-40, but Timmy the Toolman's looked like factory.


r/3rdGen4Runner 7h ago

🧠 General Had to Brake extremely hard at low speed now car shakes at highway speeds & Violently shakes when braking from high speeds.

4 Upvotes

Basically title - to avoid an accident earlier from someone running a red, I had to basically full brake from low speed like less than 10mph. Shook the whole car forward as I stopped but seemed fine until I got up to 60+mph it was shaking a bit and when I had to slow down it now violently shakes. Any ideas where to start before I begin dissecting?


r/3rdGen4Runner 9h ago

🧠 General Fat lip bumper

2 Upvotes

Want to see the way people trim or alter the fat lip front bumper


r/3rdGen4Runner 16h ago

❓Advice / Recomendations Car died while cruising on the freeway

7 Upvotes

3rd gen 4Runner. I was just cruising on the freeway going 60 when rpms dropped to 0, and the lights for VSC OFF, VSC TRAC OFF, and oil pressure went on. I checked engine oil level and it’s correct with no leaks under the car. No CEL either. Car would crank but won’t start. Timing belt was done in Feb. Has anyone dealt with this before or have suggestions on what it could be?

**UPDATE - I checked EFI fuse 20A and it was blown. I put in another and tried to start the car and it blew too.


r/3rdGen4Runner 17h ago

❓Advice / Recomendations 2000 4Runner warm start issue?

2 Upvotes

Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this quirk with their 4Runners. 2000 4WD SR5 with 250k miles, has CEL P0420 for possible bad cat, or o2 sensor, tends to have a slight sloppiness when starting up after being driven for a while, and that’s my question. I wouldn’t describe it as sputtering exactly because it doesn’t bog out, or not fire up just seems like the initial combustion cycle on warm starts sounds and feels a little sloppy. So has anyone else experienced this and what has it turned out to be for yall? Let me know, thanks!


r/3rdGen4Runner 18h ago

❓Advice / Recomendations Need help with door alignment

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3 Upvotes

Just took off my doors to repaint them, and wouldn’t putting on my rear passenger side door the hinge began scraping the door. I checked to see if any of the screws were crossed threaded, and they were not. Does anyone have a solution or reason why this would be happening and way to fix it as I do not want it to rust there. I was thinking, bumping the mount with a mallet or something to try and move it, but I want to see if anyone else had this problem before


r/3rdGen4Runner 19h ago

📸 Post Your Rig Just picked up this Hilux Surf this weekend!

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179 Upvotes

Picked this 1997 Hilux Surf SSR-G 1KZ-TE 5M/T this weekend! Im in love, ive had a 97 and 98 4runner, never the Surf! Worst thing about the RHD is the blinker is on the right hand side now. I cant tell you how many times I turned my wipers on by muscle memory... 🤣


r/3rdGen4Runner 19h ago

🧠 General Heater bypass - gasket or sealant?

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2 Upvotes

On his 3rd gen headgaket replacement video, Timmy the Toolman uses a silicone form-in-place gasket (from Toyota) for the heater bypass, instead of the factory $7 gasket. Admittedly, there isn't that much pressure involved, so maybe either would work, but any idea why?


r/3rdGen4Runner 20h ago

❓Advice / Recomendations Concerning noise

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4 Upvotes

Whats this chatter? Best heared from under the truck. It has a bad transmission could that be a factor?

When I first heared it I was immediately concerned it was a knock but its not really coming from the lower end


r/3rdGen4Runner 22h ago

🔧Modifications Optimal

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83 Upvotes

r/3rdGen4Runner 23h ago

❓Advice / Recomendations 1997 Toyota 4Runner SR5, 4x4. Going to replace Brake Hoses. Doesn’t look like the two front or the one rear needs crush washers. Do they?

2 Upvotes

r/3rdGen4Runner 1d ago

❓Advice / Recomendations Fenders

4 Upvotes

Might be a dumb question but better to be safe than sorry; do the limited edition fender panels with the thick fenders look the same as the regular ones once the fender is taken off (with holes obviously)


r/3rdGen4Runner 1d ago

🛒 Rig Shopping Follow up to previous 4Runner shopping post

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5 Upvotes

Hey everyone! A few days ago I posted asking for questions about what to look for in a 3rd Gen 4Runner as I was going up to Maine to look at one. I just got back from looking at it and taking a test drive, and here's what I've uncovered.

The car was originally a Florida car, and then it was shipped up to PA/New England about 5 or so years ago. It's been owned by a mechanic so he had the undercarriage oil filmed every winter so there is minimal rusting on the frame.

The rockers are completely shot on this car, but I live in a state where inspections aren't required so while I would get them replaced in the next few months, it isn't an immediate "need to get this done". (Also, I have a buddy who works in automotive so he's helping me replace them).

From the test drive, I got it up to about 30 miles an hour on a bumpy road and didn't hear any noises and it drives perfectly straight. All electronics work as well, currently it's stuck in RWD and they told me it needs a transfer case switch in order for it to be able to shift into 4WD. This car has the automatic transmission, and shifts smoothly.

I've attached a couple photos of the rocker panels as well as the frame, and if anyone sees any major red flags out the gate, please let me know as I'm seriously considering placing an offer on this vehicle. Thank you so much guys! You've been a massive help in my research/search for a 4Runner!


r/3rdGen4Runner 1d ago

❓Advice / Recomendations Head gasket - changes in gasket design make me nervous.

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1 Upvotes

I am doing my head gasket after it got hot and started leaking coolant into the cylinder. Head is skimmed, tested and ready to reinstall.

Looking at the new gasket the design is clearly different. The old one was a multi-layer design with metal in the middle layers. The new one is some sort of composite design, but with only one layer. I bought it from Yotashop as 'OEM'. Did Toyota redesign the gasket? Is this good to go? I realy, really, really, don't want to have to do this again sometime soon.