I've heard of those valves, seems it'd be pretty convenient. Too bad the oil filter part of the change can't be made that easy without going remote- if they even make remote kits for 4Runners.
Will love to see what you settle on, and pics of course. The hole in my skid would be too small for a hand. It is just big enough that the oil doesn't hit the skid on its way out and that's about it.

 

On the filter, I just reach in from the front and do it blindly under the alternator with a couple of paper towels or a cut bottle to catch the oil. Who knows I may even start my own build thread once I get the photobucket thing figured out. Not that I really have any plans for a build, but it is a good way to document maintenance like yours does.

 

You could always get one of those filter relocation kits and move the filter somewhere easier to get at...

 

Document maintenance....yep. If there were no maintenance there'd about be no thread, would there?
Looking forward to your thread, rworegon. There's bound to be a ton of useful info in it if your posts are any indicator.

I've thought on a filter relocator but I'm leary. I don't have particularly small hands but they are girly and long fingered like spiders so they fit well enough. I get to the filter either from up top or through the side and like rworegon use a cut bottle (large veggie oil bottle works great) as a funnel.
Still gotta moan about it after years of changing oil on the Ford 2.9. Filter right there on the bottom and even upright so you can get it off with no spills. Tucked up enough it's protected but in an open enough spot it was easy to get to.

 

Was pointed to your thread by "rworegon" am inspired.....

Soccer mom I think not!

 

Wusuuuuuuuuuuuuuuup, Hab? hehehe.

Just checkin in....... You're such a go get'r I need to check in more often so I can keep up! lol.

 

Hey Kitty's...will have to check out what you've got. Welcome and critique, comment, suggest, whatever. The more the merrier.

Chef, I'm trying to keep up with YOU! Check your thread as often as possible, don't always post something 'cause I've got nothing good to add. I like what I see though.

 

Hab, I see that you saw those side markers over on Kitty's thread. A bit jealous are you?? j/k

A couple of people in the ski parking lot and one curious local LEO who drives a Tacoma asked how it was done. Ritzy's mod lives on.

 

I AM jealous! I'm in the middle of veggie garden start-up season but all that's left is the planting, then I can turn my attention back to the 4Runner. I did manage to do some damage on the left spring on the trailer with a second load of compost. Apparently 4cu ft of poo was a bit much. The 96 pulled it home slow, sure and steady. Tundra brakes are definitely a plus!

 

Hehe, after seeing Kitty's rig...pulled up the European EPC and tracked down the part number for the marker light assy 81730-20192 ~$16 (includes, base with wire, gasket, lens, bulb) and it appears US dealers can order it. Same part number for both sides. But, yours from the yard will work just as well.

http://autopartmaster.com/en/?action...cod=8173020192

Nice on the garden. Mine awaits the roto-tiller in the next day or two. Oopsie, on the trailer spring.

 

Recommendation needed: Favorite variety of corn to plant in the garden, if you plant corn? Hope your planting is going well so you can be back to playing in/on the 4Runner soon.

 

So far corn has been a bust for me but I keep trying it anyway.
Last year we saw the corn plants twitching and ran out to the garden to see what's what. A squirrel, that's what. Darn thing gnawed through every single corn stalk for reasons known only to it.
This year I'm trying Sugar Dots and Kandy Korn even though the spelling irritates me.
Will plant two separate squares though I don't care if they mix. By the description I'll prolly like the Sugar Dots better. Hopefully this year I'll be able to confirm that!

Stupid squirrel.

 

They have scarecrows to keep birds away why not scaresquirrels?... you need to get a dog hab... I only know "sweet corn" and "cow corn" and of course "indian corn" only the first is for human eating... there is "blue corn" and "red corn" but they don't grow in these parts... I wonder if you could hybrid blue corn and sweet corn and get a blue coloured roasting corn that was sweet?...

 

Mmmm, sweet weird colored corn protected by Scaresquirrels....


Yeah, my 15 and 16 year old Terv and Mal died January and February of last year and the word got out that spring. I trapped hundreds of mice, chipmunks roamed free as did the squirrels. We've got a number of redtails and a few owls around, even saw a few perched inside the garden fence last year. Numbers of critters seem to be down so far but it's too early in the season to see what's what. C'mon hawks and owls!

 

What you need is a nice Akita... I know/have known several and they are all excellent dogs well suited to an outdoor lifestyle and also excellent house dogs...

they have an adorable "pouncing' trait... when they are excited to meet you they will "pounce" on their front paws while waging their tail... generally friendly with folks they know or sense mean no harm but very protective of family/property... very good at reading people... a good dog to keep you and the stoker safe from creeps...

 

Hi. I see you guys have some nasty weather around your area tonight. Hope it does not get too close or, better yet, does not materialize. If it does, that it dissipates quickly with no damage.

 

Nothing but soaking rain so far, and the leading edge has gone by.

 

Thanks rworegon. We're good so far, a lot of rain and a few thunderboomers. Definitely people west of us got the short end. The hubby spent some time in the middle of a downpour making a new drainage for the garden since my old one became part of it when we added more rows.

Got a ton of yard junk done.
*whine* I wanna work on the 4Runner again. Ok, I wanna have money to buy some of the stuff I'd like to put on the 4Runner so I can work on it again...
I'm gathering thoughts and ideas for a few cheap mods I wish to do-
and I've STILL got to get those side markers on. Sheesh!

We're talking about trying out Flat Nasty soon so maybe some pics in the future???

 

Thanks for the weather update x2. Hope it stays good.

I got a ton of yard work done yesterday and did some skiing on Mt. Hood today.

Oh, CV axle shafts are in my near future as I discovered a split boot and old grease flung everywhere on the left side. So far, no noise.....a summer project before next winter snow season.

 

What fun things have you been up to on the '96?