Yotard's 95 4Runner Build
Aug 1, 2014 | 11:32 AM
#21
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Hoses are goodyears and were changed with the radiator but they seem to still be in good shape..water pump was last done with the timing belt at 120,000 and I am at 153,000 now. From my experience though water pumps either puke all the coolant out or you get a overheat condition in traffic and when you rev the engine you cool down...am I wrong about that?
Aug 14, 2014 | 06:58 PM
#22
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From: CA
overheating on hot days
I have been chasing an overheating problem that is very strange, at least to me. 3.0 95 4Runner auto trans
I replaced the radiator 3 years ago about 15,000mi ago with a 3 row all metal. I flushed and changed the coolant, new thermostat and hoses non toyota.
Ever since then on very hot days and going up hill the temp will go up as long as the I am going up hill. I never let it get passed 2/3 way up. I can run the AC all day long on flat ground no problem, but try to go up a hill and I start to overheat on hot days 90 degrees plus. Running the heater slows a lot. Needle will just move above center rather than climbing 2/3 to red.
Last weekend I put in a toyota 82C 180F thermostat and flushed the coolant and put on a new radiator cap and put on an aisin fan clutch, yes the shroud is on it.
You are all going to start telling me head gasket right?
Well last night I ran a coolant hydro carbon test on the radiator and it bubbled for 5 min when the truck was warm and it never changed color.
Oil is clean, oil cap is clean, coolant is clean and not losing coolant.
Pressure tested the system holds pressure, cap is fine.
What test should I run now?
I replaced the radiator 3 years ago about 15,000mi ago with a 3 row all metal. I flushed and changed the coolant, new thermostat and hoses non toyota.
Ever since then on very hot days and going up hill the temp will go up as long as the I am going up hill. I never let it get passed 2/3 way up. I can run the AC all day long on flat ground no problem, but try to go up a hill and I start to overheat on hot days 90 degrees plus. Running the heater slows a lot. Needle will just move above center rather than climbing 2/3 to red.
Last weekend I put in a toyota 82C 180F thermostat and flushed the coolant and put on a new radiator cap and put on an aisin fan clutch, yes the shroud is on it.
You are all going to start telling me head gasket right?
Well last night I ran a coolant hydro carbon test on the radiator and it bubbled for 5 min when the truck was warm and it never changed color.
Oil is clean, oil cap is clean, coolant is clean and not losing coolant.
Pressure tested the system holds pressure, cap is fine.
What test should I run now?
Well I ran the hydrocarbon test one more time to be sure and it passed. I took it to an exhaust shop for a back pressure test and it passed. I have narrowed it down to the CSF all metal 3 row radiator I installed 2 summers ago since I have only had this problem since then. I ordered probably close to the last if not the last factory Toyota radiator in the US for this vehicle. They stopped making the factory radiator in May of this year and I had 3 different dealers tell me they couldn't get it before finally finding the last one online in a warehouse in FL and I live in CA. I got it yesterday and will install it this weekend along with an autometer gauge and see how it does
Aug 24, 2014 | 11:33 AM
#23
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I put in the new radiator and hooked up my autometer gauge inline on the top radiator hose. I also put new spark plugs, cap and rotor, and wires all parts were oem. I had an air bubble that wasn't allowing the thermostat to open at first so I pulled the thermostat and filled the lower hose then put the thermostat back in and filled the engine through the upper hose. No more air pocket and everything is working well. Hoping this is the last radiator will need for this truck since I bought a factory radiator.
Sep 16, 2014 | 03:14 PM
#24
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From: CA
rear diff exploded
Well I did the 500mi break in of never driving over 50mph and only half an hour at a time and then I changed the gear oil. I have been driving it for 4 months with about 2000mi on the gears. I took it up to tahoe this past weekend and it did great until I hit the dirt road that my cabin is on. This is a dirt road, I have driven my Honda Accord down it many times. I wasn't in 4x4, I was simply going up a gravel hill and suddenly it sounded like a jar of marbles rolling around in the rear with an occasional clunk. I jacked it up and ran it and it actually sounded fine, took it out again with the tailgate down and definitely the coming from the gears. I left it up there at the cabin for the weekend and will go up there this coming weekend with the original 3rd that I kept and swap them to bring it back home. Once I see what failed then I will start figuring out who to yell at. Right now I am just so frustrated.
Sep 16, 2014 | 03:38 PM
#26
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From: CA
Sep 20, 2014 | 06:09 PM
#28
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Well I got lucky. Pulled the diff and it is just fine. Started looking for the sound. Dropped the rear driveshaft sound was still there. Finally found it broken rear shock mount. It was a lot of work for nothing but at least everything is ok.
Sep 23, 2014 | 06:17 AM
#29
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I bought a new bushing for the rear drivers side OME shock, just a rubber one from the parts store just because I was tired of listening to it clunk around. It was just the upper bushing and the washer...The nut was still there but the washer and the bushing were completely missing. I guess some how the nut wore through the washer? I checked all of the other shocks just to be safe and they all are fine.
Oct 4, 2014 | 08:36 AM
#33
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Lumens are 1500 each for a 3000 total. I will post some pictures of them at night but they make quite a difference. I bought the flood version after looking at the chart of their beam patterns. When I put the winch bumper on I might switch to a 10" bar with flood spot combo. But I'm still impressed by this setup as small as they are
Last edited by Yotard; Oct 4, 2014 at 08:37 AM.
Oct 6, 2014 | 06:58 AM
#34
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Before w ge nighthawk platinums on high beam. The nighthawks are a significant upgrade in light production from the low end bulbs. The second pic is the leds and the high beams on at the same time. These are incredible for their size.
Last edited by Yotard; Oct 6, 2014 at 07:05 AM.
Nov 12, 2014 | 06:20 PM
#38
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Well I was gone hunting half of October and remodeling my upstairs laundry lately so I haven't started welding yet but I plan to start this coming weekend and will post pictures as soon as I've got something.
Nov 12, 2014 | 06:28 PM
#40
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Well I hunt public land so bucks are pretty scarce but I have a lot of fun exploring with the 4Runner in the tahoe forest. Explored a couple old gold mines. I always come back with something though this time it was 3 rainbow trout and these 2 German Browns
