wow! seems like life has been a bit busy for you... congrats on gettin hitched and the move! hope it works out for you...

 

Yeah life has been pretty crazy. Thanks for the words of encouragement. Everything has been going really well so far!

 

Not a whole lot going on with the build as of now, but I did get to wash her last weekend. I almost forgot how good she looks when she is clean.

 

still need to get some va plates?

all of these plate combos are available:

"4evr4rn"
"4runnin"
"yota-tec"
"4x4ever"

i'm sure there's more, try them out here:
https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/dmvnet/...sp?PLT=&PLTNO=

 

Yeah we are actually going to be heading to the DMV today to get new licenses and plates. I have been browsing the DMV website for a while and came up with a couple that I like.

4X4RNR
TRD4X4
PIT-PA - I'm a die hard Steelers fan
OAKL3Y
SEU - My alma mater (St. Edward's Univesity)

My favorites are the first 2 but I think I like the TRD4X4 one the best. What do you guys think?

 

Well it has been waaaayyyyy too long since I have updated the thread...
Unfortunately, I have not had any time to work on my truck since we moved here because life has just been really crazy....When we got here we were spending all of our free time moving in and getting settled, and recently I have been really busy with work...
I was able to get my title and registration transferred to Virginia and I finally have custom license plates, pictures to come soon!
On another note, I have been dying to get out and see what kind of terrain this area has to offer and I just so happened to stumble across this thread: https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f15/...2011-a-245811/. I am really hoping that I can go because I haven't been wheeling in over 2 months!

 

Finally got my new plates (sorry for the crappy night pictures, I will try to take some more during the day when I get a chance):

 

like

 

Again it has been too long since I updated, but now that my busy season is over hopefully I will have some more time to work on my rig.

I have been thinking and talking about it for months but it really is time to change my timing belt, water pump, thermostat and all the other stuff that goes along with that. I am about to hit 190,000 and I really don't want to risk completely destroying my engine if my timing belt snaps. I have found some good writeups and I really want to try to do it myself because I want to learn, but it would be awesome to have some help from someone who has more experience than I do. So, is there anyone in the DC Metro area that would be willing to help me out? I would be happy to pay you for your time and help. Also, I am looking for a timing belt kit (belt, water pump, idle pulleys, thermostat, etc.) online that has OEM parts, does anyone know where I can find one? So far the ones I have found on eBay aren't OEM and I won't get anything but OEM. Thanks in advance!

 

Jimmy, not sure if you have replaced the timing belt already, I though I let you know that you will need a special tool to compress the belt tensioner, here is a link for it: http://www.amazon.com/Schley-SCH9730.../dp/B000I1E92Q

Also I always order my OEM parts from this site: https://www.trdpartscenter.com/partl...?siteid=215054

They seem to have the best prices online for OEM Toyota parts. I did my own T-belt and before that I had never worked on this engine. I have to say that it was very simple. I would recommend you to get the Haynes manual for the truck, specially if you like to work on your truck. I used this manual as the only reference for when I did my T-belt. Also Jimmy, not sure if you knew but these engines are what is called a "non interference engine" meaning that if the T-belt were to break with the engine running, it will not destroy the engine. Thank you Toyota!!!!! Let me know if I can assist you in anyway with this job!!! Good luck to you!! I have about 4000 miles left on mine, and I always do the timing belts following the owners manual. In my 1997 truck, the manual says to replace the T-belt every 60K miles. I'll probably document the process with lots of pictures to benefit anybody that would like to do this on their own.

 

Hey Jose thanks for all the info! I have not changed out the timing belt yet so the links you provided will definitely come in handy. I am definitely planning on buying the tensioner tool and in a thread that I recently read, I think that there is even a tool that you can buy that will help with removing the crankshaft bolt. Anyone know anything about this or where I could buy one?

Thanks for the link to the OEM parts, but I was really hoping to buy everything in a kit because I assume that it will be a little cheaper...Does anyone know if/where I can find an OEM timing belt kit?

I will definitely keep an eye out for the Haynes manual, I have been wanting one for a while, I just haven't found a reason to buy one. Now seems like a pretty good time though so I will definitely pick one up.

That is great to know! It definitely makes me feel better that my engine won't be completely destroyed if the timing belt snaps.

Thanks for all the advice, I feel much more confident that I can do this myself now. I will be sure to let you know if I run into any problems or need any more help.

 

Jimmy, Jose here, check this out, I found what appears to be the harmonic balancer removal tool for the 5VZE 3.4L:

http://www.etooldirect.com/schley-pr...er-holder.html

Also, here is the link to a OEM T-belt full kit for the 3.4L on ebay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Toyota-TIMIN...-/180729034728

Jimmy I would still shop around for all of the components separate and see if you could get a better price, Although I think that for this kit includes, and the fact they offer free shipping, I think it is a good deal.

About the Haynes manual, I got mine at my local Autozone for like $20.00. Here is a link for the manual from amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listi...&condition=new


Hope this is what you were looking for. Take care!

 

Jose you are the man!!

That is the exact tool and timing belt kit I have been looking for. I couldn't find the tool because I was searching for "02 4runner timing belt tool" and didn't think to search for the engine type....

I was finally able to find a timing belt kit, but they wanted $400 plus $40 for shipping. The one you were able to find is perfect and the price seems pretty reasonable too, considering what is included in the kit. Like you suggested, I may do a little more research to make sure that the parts aren't available for cheaper elsewhere.

After my post last night, I went on ebay and ordered up the repair manual for $20 shipped so that is on its way.

Thanks again Jose!!

 

Small update: I still haven't gotten around to doing my timing belt because I haven't had any free time to even think about it because I have been so busy with work. My busy season is over at the end of the month so hopefully I can get it done after that.

Currently I can't drive around with my Yakima loadwarrior on my truck because my PIAA's stick up too high for me to even think about fitting in a parking garage. So, I started doing some research on how to mount the lights lower on the rack and I found these:

http://www.amazon.com/PIAA-74000-1-2.../dp/B004TXS0SS

They are PIAA universal tube mounts that will fit round tubes from 7/8" to 1.25". I just ordered up 2 pairs and I will use them to mount my lights on the lower support bar of the Yakima to lower the lights. If they work out my Yakima light mounts will be up for sale so let me know if you're interested.

 

I will be hitting up Rausch Creek next weekend with irab88 and maybe a few other guys so this weekend will be a lot of prep work and getting my lights remounted on the Yakima. Hit me up if anyone is interested in going, I'm sure it will be a good time!

 

This is one of the nicest 4runner I have ever seen! I like a small things you have done that really make it stand out!

What made you go with 4.88's instead of 4.56?

 

Thanks for the compliment! I have put a lot of work into it so its nice that others appreciate it.

I decided to go with 4.88's because I wanted to leave the option open to move up to 35's. Now that I have had 33's for a while, I am hoping to move up to 35's when I need new tires, so I am glad that I went with 4.88's.

 

As planned, I was able to get my lights remounted with the new PIAA light mounts. It would have been a fairly simple process, but, as usual, I decided to take it a step further and make it a little more difficult. I made it more difficult by installing a new Sure Seal weatherproof plug and receptacle and completely replacing all the wiring to account for the new plug and receptacle. I went with a new receptacle that is mounted flush to the roof and secured with a rubber gasket and screws which allows for a much cleaner install and a much better waterproof seal.

Before:



The total height of the rack with the old mounts: 12"



New mounts:



In progress:


I also added some quick disconnects right after the lights in case I need to replace a bulb or remove one for any reason:



After:



Total height of the rack with the new mounts: 7" for a total reduction of 5", much better!



Finally, new Sure Seal plug and receptacle, much cleaner install:

 

This weekend I went up to Rausch Creek with Ian (irab88) and we had a blast! They are definitely in a dryspell and the trails were pretty dry but we did manage to find some mud. We were even able to go in the mud pit that is normally a red-black rating. I didn't take a ton of pictures because I was having too much fun on the trails but Ian did a great job of being the resident photographer and videographer so I'm sure there will be more to come. On to the pics...

Camp setup/before pics:



Flexin' it out:




Gotta love that IFS flex


Couple of trail action shots:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ddmm...ature=youtu.be




Mud pit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmLGxRr485c


The carnage:







I also have to give a huge shout out to Ian! When I moved to DC, I couldn't move everything and unfortunately my camping gear was one thing that had to stay behind, but Ian was nice enough to let me take the other bed in the trailer. I can vouch for Ian's craftsmanship and work on the trailer, it held up to a downpour of rain and even some hail and didn't leak at all! Thanks and awesome job Ian, we will have to do it again soon.

 

Ian had a pretty cool ap on his phone that allowed him to track our progress and speed. Here is a map of the trails that we hit on Saturday. Thanks Ian!