Have Googled this as well as searched on this site; looks like I have a 9-12" -ve ground from mid passenger side of top engine compartment firewall to engine block at level of spark plugs? Is this a -ve ground?

1997 4runner sr5 5 speed 3.4L....

 

Yes, that is a OEM ground location for the 5vz-fe.

 

The ECM ground goes to a manifold bolt on the right side of the engine .

I am really not sure just what your trying to ask.

I run the grounds off the battery one to the inner fender

one to the cast steel engine block

one to the frame because I have a habit from doing trailer lights..

I make my own to what ever length they need to be.

Then you have the list of ground points for all the minor electrical circuits

I have seen these kits on Ebay with a whole bunch of extra grounds for what ever reason .

 

Was trying to ascertain if this was the spark plug ground, a radio ground or what exactly was being grounded. I cleaned them up and will replace that wire with heavier gauge, that is one puny length of wire. Tricky to reach the bolt on the back of the block....