Mysterious black box

TRunner · 09-15-2003, 08:18 AM

I was under my truck trying to find the reason that some smelly red fluid is leaking and discoverd this wierd black box bolted to my transfer case. It has no wires going to it and is not shown in the Haynes repair manual anywhere. It is bolted on to a 3/8" thick PL bracket with reinforcement on the backside. It could take a serious blow and not get knocked off. The bracket is bolted to the transfer case using two of the existing bolts on the transfer case. The only thing I can come up with is that it is some sort of tracking devise used by aliens :alien: wating to find the opertune time to probe me

. So I switched cars with my wife untill I could poll you guys for an idea as to what it is. Any ideas?

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flecker · 09-15-2003, 08:40 AM

OK, it's either one of two things... might be Lo Jack

Or the Mafia has found you after your years of hiding in the witness protection program!!! Lock the doors and grab your ammo!

You might take it to the dealer and let the device explode there

They need a wake up call!

***midiwall*** · 09-15-2003, 09:08 AM

It's a harmonic balancer. It's there to help recuce sympathetic vibrations coming from the transfer case.

It's does much the same job as the balancing weights on your wheels.

AznSky · 09-15-2003, 09:16 AM

So you gave it to your wife? How caring!!!

:alien:

H-man · 09-15-2003, 09:48 AM

i thought that was called a vibration dampner? but that is correct it is to reduce transmissin vibrations. i dont mean tocorrect you i was wondering myself
thanks

TRunner · 09-15-2003, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mpulver
It's a harmonic balancer. It's there to help recuce sympathetic vibrations coming from the transfer case.

It's does much the same job as the balancing weights on your wheels.

That doesn't do my wife any good then....

I guess I will leave it alone then. Do all Runners have these?

***midiwall*** · 09-15-2003, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TRunner
That doesn't do my wife any good then....

I guess I will leave it alone then. Do all Runners have these?

There have abeen a couple of threads here about them, and I think the consensus was that only V6's have them. I have one on my '96 with the 3.4L.

Do a search on "harmonic balancer" for a bit more background.

Mark

4RunnerKid · 04-20-2005, 07:10 PM

bringing back an old thread, i know... do you guys know if these can be removed without serious vibration? or are they pretty essential?

Ironmike4x4 · 04-20-2005, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4RunnerKid

bringing back an old thread, i know... do you guys know if these can be removed without serious vibration? or are they pretty essential?

Well the factory would not put it on to save money in the first place if it wasn't important so I would just leave it on.

4RunnerKid · 04-20-2005, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ironmike4x4

Well the factory would not put it on to save money in the first place if it wasn't important so I would just leave it on.

yeah, i would have to agree... toyota probably did put it there for a reason. i was just looking to see if i could gain a little more ground clearance with this skidplate. guess not...

BCtoyota · 04-20-2005, 11:02 PM

Mazda

4RunnerKid · 04-21-2005, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCtoyota

Mazda

Praufet · 04-21-2005, 08:35 PM

I don't know why, but read a post that just says mazda made me laugh out loud.

Adam F · 04-21-2005, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCtoyota

Mazda

Honda

AgRunner06 · 04-21-2005, 11:08 PM

This thread is going downhill REAL fast...

4RunnerKid · 04-22-2005, 01:45 AM

yeah, it definitely is...

so, anyways... can i possibly move it farther up? would that even be an option? i'm only asking because that damn thing hogs ground clearance... and i always manage to hit it when i come down on rocks...

smr4runner · 04-22-2005, 02:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRunner

It could take a serious blow and not get knocked off.

Just imagine what would happen if you didn't have it on there. Just leave it in.

leebee · 04-22-2005, 02:17 AM

i have a 93 runner also, you shouldnt be hitting that box as your tcase crossmember and skid should be taking all the impact. you may want to look at doing a drive line lift if you are having clearance problems. 4crawler has a pretty good write-up on that mod.

lee

4RunnerKid · 04-22-2005, 03:05 PM

i would love to do a drivetrain lift, but without a body lift i'm limited to an inch or two... doesn't even seem worth it... i might still do it eventually. i just need to protect the t-case for now. i'm actually getting this skid done sunday, so i'll post pics for you guys.

d0ubledown · 10-02-2006, 09:06 AM

yay for old thread revivals. ok so on the weekend while doing a pretty gnarly trail, it looks like i did some major damage to this 'box' (among other things

. just for clarification, its the one thats shaped like a half a hexagon or something? anyways..its umm..quite bentup now. the bracket holding it up has folded up quite a bit. i havent noticed any vibrations during driving. maaybe a slight whir i noticied on the drive home, but i dont notice it anymore. im guessing a replacement is in order..but for the time being, is it detrimental in any way to my driveline? enough that if i cant get to it ASAP..worse things will happen?

at least ive got that much more clearance now!

TRunner · 10-03-2006, 10:43 AM

Hmmmm.... "whirrrr" sounds... yeah I had some of those.

I am not too sure when in the time-line of events this thread was a hot topic for me, but I do know that afterwards at some point in time I was driving down the freeway and pole vaulted the rear end of my truck with the drive shaft. So that being said, I am leery of giving any advice other then have a good professional check it out for you. Especially after causing that much damage to your undersides!

bob200587 · 10-03-2006, 11:05 AM

mitsubishi

CopenHagen_Smokeless · 10-04-2006, 02:23 PM

the red smelly fluid is obviously tranny fluid and i believe the black box is just a wieght to balance ur transfercase, if it is aliens, id leave the rig with ur wife, take a picture and post it

d0ubledown · 10-04-2006, 06:58 PM

yeah..so i had a better look at it this afternoon. the bracket holding it has completely folded up and that box is now pretty much upside down. ill have to bend it back to somewhat normal shape..just to get the bolts off. so far, no vibrations. its still there so still counteracting the vibrations im sure...just not in its original location

...yet another thing to put on my fix list..

09-15-2003, 08:40 AM	#2 (permalink)
flecker Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: White Mountains, Arizona (Yes it does snow in AZ) Posts: 505	OK, it's either one of two things... might be Lo Jack Or the Mafia has found you after your years of hiding in the witness protection program!!! Lock the doors and grab your ammo! You might take it to the dealer and let the device explode there They need a wake up call! __________________ Rigs: Way to many over the years to list. Current ones are- 1988 xtra cab, 84 beater.... more to come I am sure. If you can't dazzle em' with your brilliance... just baffle em' with your bull

09-15-2003, 09:08 AM	#3 (permalink)
*midiwall* Sponsoring Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Seattleish, WA Posts: 9,078	It's a harmonic balancer. It's there to help recuce sympathetic vibrations coming from the transfer case. It's does much the same job as the balancing weights on your wheels. __________________ ~ Mark '96 4Runner Limited S/C MI - 370cc injectors, Air! horns, Airaid MIT, ATS A-arms, 285/75/R16 BFG MTs, Bored TB, Brembo slotted, Cobra 75 WXST, Deckplate, Downey headers, Hayden cooler, IPT valve body, Level 10 torque convertor, Meanstreak exhaust, OME/OME rears, On-board PC (XM, Nav, WiFi, etc), Port 'n Polish, Remote Start, SAW fronts, Hilux console, SMT-5, Stubb's sliders, Supra MAF, TJM-17, 2.0" pulley, Viair 450c, Walbro 190, Weasy2k cams

09-15-2003, 09:16 AM	#4 (permalink)
AznSky Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 2,796	So you gave it to your wife? How caring!!! :alien: __________________ Rob

09-15-2003, 09:48 AM	#5 (permalink)
H-man Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: littleton colorado Posts: 103	i thought that was called a vibration dampner? but that is correct it is to reduce transmissin vibrations. i dont mean tocorrect you i was wondering myself thanks __________________ My Rig-2000 4Runner Sway-A-Way coil-overs OME rear springs,Total Chaos upper control arms,285\75\R16 MTR's,custom rock sliders,Safari snorkel,cust. rear tire carrier,ARB locker,E-Locker,4.88 gears, Manual hub conversion,Marlin Crawler,cust. front skid plate,cust. gas tank skid plate,transfer case skid plate,TRD Supercharger,TRD Headers,mandrill bent exhaust w/Flowmaster,7th injector Kit,ARB front bull bar,Warn XD9000 Winch,TRD Tranny cooler, Lars disco's,Optima battery,internal cage, power tank

04-20-2005, 07:10 PM	#8 (permalink)
4RunnerKid Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Sac + SLO, CA Posts: 1,033	bringing back an old thread, i know... do you guys know if these can be removed without serious vibration? or are they pretty essential? __________________ -Mikey- 1993 4Runner ~ TG HD/RUF front \| All Pro rear \| 37" Krawlers \| Marlin UM06s \| 12" King 2.5s \| 2" air bumps \| 12" Fox 2.0s \| Aussie front \| Lock-Right rear \| 5-speed swap \| TG 4.7s \| 5.29s \| 4xInnovations cage \| bumpers \| sliders \| t-case skid \| K&N intake \| Flowmaster 40 \| Optima red top \| clear lenses \| PIAA 1400s \| LED rock lights \| PIAA superwhites \| stereo Polygoats 4-Wheel Drive Club Poly Performance

04-20-2005, 11:02 PM	#11 (permalink)
BCtoyota Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Prince George B.C Canada Posts: 48	Mazda

04-21-2005, 08:35 PM	#13 (permalink)
Praufet Contributing Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Fort Worth/College Station, TX Posts: 835	I don't know why, but read a post that just says mazda made me laugh out loud. __________________ --Brian '94 4Runner SR5 4WD 285 Terra Grapplers on FJ80 wheels\|Rancho 9000s on all 4 corners\|Cruiser coils\|Marlin Rear brake line Stereo CDT Audio CL-61A\|CDT Audio CL-6X\|Profile 640 and Profile 600M\|Audiobahn 100Q

04-21-2005, 11:08 PM	#15 (permalink)
AgRunner06 Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: The Lone Star State Posts: 2,418	This thread is going downhill REAL fast... __________________ "I'm your huckleberry." - Doc Holiday - '93 4runner - Sold! Current Ride - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 ext.cab, pewter, 5.3L, 3.42s, fully loaded, 68K miles. FREE ROCKET!!!!

04-22-2005, 01:45 AM	#16 (permalink)
4RunnerKid Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Sac + SLO, CA Posts: 1,033	yeah, it definitely is... so, anyways... can i possibly move it farther up? would that even be an option? i'm only asking because that damn thing hogs ground clearance... and i always manage to hit it when i come down on rocks... __________________ -Mikey- 1993 4Runner ~ TG HD/RUF front \| All Pro rear \| 37" Krawlers \| Marlin UM06s \| 12" King 2.5s \| 2" air bumps \| 12" Fox 2.0s \| Aussie front \| Lock-Right rear \| 5-speed swap \| TG 4.7s \| 5.29s \| 4xInnovations cage \| bumpers \| sliders \| t-case skid \| K&N intake \| Flowmaster 40 \| Optima red top \| clear lenses \| PIAA 1400s \| LED rock lights \| PIAA superwhites \| stereo Polygoats 4-Wheel Drive Club Poly Performance

04-22-2005, 02:17 AM	#18 (permalink)
leebee Contributing Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: marlbank, canada Posts: 2,450	i have a 93 runner also, you shouldnt be hitting that box as your tcase crossmember and skid should be taking all the impact. you may want to look at doing a drive line lift if you are having clearance problems. 4crawler has a pretty good write-up on that mod. lee __________________ 93 sr5 v6 auto, 4x4 Photos http://s866.photobucket.com/albums/a...albumview=grid there are quite some attractive ladies on here with Toys. (compliments of ironmike) ifsc 3(.0) http://tlca.org www.of4wd.com www.sontt.com

04-22-2005, 03:05 PM	#19 (permalink)
4RunnerKid Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Sac + SLO, CA Posts: 1,033	i would love to do a drivetrain lift, but without a body lift i'm limited to an inch or two... doesn't even seem worth it... i might still do it eventually. i just need to protect the t-case for now. i'm actually getting this skid done sunday, so i'll post pics for you guys. __________________ -Mikey- 1993 4Runner ~ TG HD/RUF front \| All Pro rear \| 37" Krawlers \| Marlin UM06s \| 12" King 2.5s \| 2" air bumps \| 12" Fox 2.0s \| Aussie front \| Lock-Right rear \| 5-speed swap \| TG 4.7s \| 5.29s \| 4xInnovations cage \| bumpers \| sliders \| t-case skid \| K&N intake \| Flowmaster 40 \| Optima red top \| clear lenses \| PIAA 1400s \| LED rock lights \| PIAA superwhites \| stereo Polygoats 4-Wheel Drive Club Poly Performance

10-02-2006, 09:06 AM	#20 (permalink)
d0ubledown Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: vansterdam BC. Posts: 1,432	yay for old thread revivals. ok so on the weekend while doing a pretty gnarly trail, it looks like i did some major damage to this 'box' (among other things . just for clarification, its the one thats shaped like a half a hexagon or something? anyways..its umm..quite bentup now. the bracket holding it up has folded up quite a bit. i havent noticed any vibrations during driving. maaybe a slight whir i noticied on the drive home, but i dont notice it anymore. im guessing a replacement is in order..but for the time being, is it detrimental in any way to my driveline? enough that if i cant get to it ASAP..worse things will happen? at least ive got that much more clearance now! __________________ sonny ------- 1998 4Runner LTD. Fabtech CO fronts, OME/Pro Comp rears, SS rear links, Revtek diff drop, oem elocker, ARB RD90, 4.88's, 315/75/16 MT/R's on FZJ-80's, Trail Gear sliders, ARB Prado Bar, 1.5" 4Crawler BL, Tundra Brakes, wabfab disco's, IPF's...satoshi'd deckplated & ISR'd. SOLD!!! new ride: 1997 FZJ80. ome/arb/bfg/etc. when clinton lied..nobody died

10-03-2006, 10:43 AM	#21 (permalink)
TRunner Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 827	Hmmmm.... "whirrrr" sounds... yeah I had some of those. I am not too sure when in the time-line of events this thread was a hot topic for me, but I do know that afterwards at some point in time I was driving down the freeway and pole vaulted the rear end of my truck with the drive shaft. So that being said, I am leery of giving any advice other then have a good professional check it out for you. Especially after causing that much damage to your undersides! __________________ Ted 2007 Toyota FJCruiser Model - 4704 4x4 SUV

10-03-2006, 11:05 AM	#22 (permalink)
bob200587 Contributing Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 2,853	mitsubishi __________________ 87 4runner 4x4 SR5 22RE ARB Bull Bar, 31X10.50 Mastercraft M/T's, Stock 4.10 Gears, Flowmaster Muffler, LCE Header AISIN Manual Hubs, Marlin Crawler Sliders 190XXX miles

10-04-2006, 02:23 PM	#23 (permalink)
CopenHagen_Smokeless Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: currently CT, but only for a year Posts: 15	the red smelly fluid is obviously tranny fluid and i believe the black box is just a wieght to balance ur transfercase, if it is aliens, id leave the rig with ur wife, take a picture and post it

10-04-2006, 06:58 PM	#24 (permalink)
d0ubledown Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: vansterdam BC. Posts: 1,432	yeah..so i had a better look at it this afternoon. the bracket holding it has completely folded up and that box is now pretty much upside down. ill have to bend it back to somewhat normal shape..just to get the bolts off. so far, no vibrations. its still there so still counteracting the vibrations im sure...just not in its original location ...yet another thing to put on my fix list.. __________________ sonny ------- 1998 4Runner LTD. Fabtech CO fronts, OME/Pro Comp rears, SS rear links, Revtek diff drop, oem elocker, ARB RD90, 4.88's, 315/75/16 MT/R's on FZJ-80's, Trail Gear sliders, ARB Prado Bar, 1.5" 4Crawler BL, Tundra Brakes, wabfab disco's, IPF's...satoshi'd deckplated & ISR'd. SOLD!!! new ride: 1997 FZJ80. ome/arb/bfg/etc. when clinton lied..nobody died

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