jason in tn's 1997 4Runner Build-Up Thread - "the family truckster"
#706
spent some time working on the runner today. finally got around to doing the tundra brake upgrade. I have to say I was expecting more, it may be that I have bigger issues than I thought but I didnt notice any difference. Im still planning on doing disks on the rear and I hope that with these new fronts I may finally have good brakes.


I have a couple new noises to track down as well, a real bad whinning coming from the front of the engine and a growl, Im guess a couple pulleys now have bad bearings but not sure which ones. anyway thanks for checking in everyone.


I have a couple new noises to track down as well, a real bad whinning coming from the front of the engine and a growl, Im guess a couple pulleys now have bad bearings but not sure which ones. anyway thanks for checking in everyone.
#707
Weird not better braking. New fluid all around even? Rears properly adjusted? I know, of course but it's the only questions I can think of. Can't say I noticed much difference (other than not warped and pulsing) either, for regular braking. I have noticed a non-return of the warpedness, seemingly shorter harder stops and better stopping while towing.
Can you carefully check the alternator and power steering pump with a stethoscope or pretend stethoscope since they're right on top and still stay safely away from pulleys and fan?
I like the yellow!
Can you carefully check the alternator and power steering pump with a stethoscope or pretend stethoscope since they're right on top and still stay safely away from pulleys and fan?
I like the yellow!
#708
Hab this thing has fought me from day one as far as brakes, I pulled the drums today and it could use new shoes "again" but at one time everything was new and it still had a spongy pedal, and lack luster stopping. I adjust everything up, bleed the system and the work good for a few days and then back to same old same old. To be honest they probably are working better I just expected a lot more.
First time I've ever painted calipers, I thought is give it a shot, already had the high temp yellow, glad you like it.
First time I've ever painted calipers, I thought is give it a shot, already had the high temp yellow, glad you like it.
#710
I hadn't thought about the hoses, I've never changed them. You are the second person to bring them up today so it's definitely something I'm going to look into, it would sure explain a lot.
#711
I know I read that many people thought that old brake lines would become stretchy and would swell up, making the pads and shoes not grab as well. It might be worth a shot.
When I looked at mine they were really cracked and worn. I replaced them with ss braided lines but didn't notice much difference.
When I looked at mine they were really cracked and worn. I replaced them with ss braided lines but didn't notice much difference.
#714
well in an effort to get the runner drivable again I decided to just go ahead and rebuild the drum brakes again. My plan was to upgrade them anyway possiable which left me little to no options. I was led to believe that some other tundra parts would fit, they dont. I was told that the tundra master cylinder was a direct bolt on this is untrue, I was also told the wheel cylinders are bigger, we the ones I bought were the exact same bore as my original ones, but I did use them. I did discover an adjustment that I was not aware was there, the push rod from the booster to the master cylinder is adjustable, I mesured my and sure enough it was slightly out of adjustment. long story short my brakes are working very well, they still dont have the pedal feel that I would like them to have but its much better than it has been. I still want to replace the lines as suggested but I couldnt get the localy so that will have to wait.
I was also able to trace down my grumble sound on the front of the engine, or most of it anyway. the alternator had a bearing going out. I think the idler pulley for the a/c is bad as well but I feel a lot safer running it the way it is now.
the only thing pic worthy is a buddy of mine gave me a pair of clear markers and I got the installed, I think they look much better.

anyway thats it for now thanks for checking in.
I was also able to trace down my grumble sound on the front of the engine, or most of it anyway. the alternator had a bearing going out. I think the idler pulley for the a/c is bad as well but I feel a lot safer running it the way it is now.
the only thing pic worthy is a buddy of mine gave me a pair of clear markers and I got the installed, I think they look much better.

anyway thats it for now thanks for checking in.
#715
well in an effort to get the runner drivable again I decided to just go ahead and rebuild the drum brakes again. My plan was to upgrade them anyway possiable which left me little to no options. I was led to believe that some other tundra parts would fit, they dont. I was told that the tundra master cylinder was a direct bolt on this is untrue, I was also told the wheel cylinders are bigger, we the ones I bought were the exact same bore as my original ones, but I did use them. I did discover an adjustment that I was not aware was there, the push rod from the booster to the master cylinder is adjustable, I mesured my and sure enough it was slightly out of adjustment. long story short my brakes are working very well, they still dont have the pedal feel that I would like them to have but its much better than it has been. I still want to replace the lines as suggested but I couldnt get the localy so that will have to wait.
I was also able to trace down my grumble sound on the front of the engine, or most of it anyway. the alternator had a bearing going out. I think the idler pulley for the a/c is bad as well but I feel a lot safer running it the way it is now.
the only thing pic worthy is a buddy of mine gave me a pair of clear markers and I got the installed, I think they look much better.
anyway thats it for now thanks for checking in.
I was also able to trace down my grumble sound on the front of the engine, or most of it anyway. the alternator had a bearing going out. I think the idler pulley for the a/c is bad as well but I feel a lot safer running it the way it is now.
the only thing pic worthy is a buddy of mine gave me a pair of clear markers and I got the installed, I think they look much better.
anyway thats it for now thanks for checking in.
#716
Wow it's been longer than I thought since I've updated my thread. Hasn't been much to report, been on a couple wheeling trips over the past few months but other than that life has just been really busy.
All that said a huge change "at least for me" is on the way, I'm not home but the first box of parts arrived today, I'll be posting more about it as things move along over the next few weeks.
All that said a huge change "at least for me" is on the way, I'm not home but the first box of parts arrived today, I'll be posting more about it as things move along over the next few weeks.
#718
Ok so here's what's coming

I have toyed with the idea of a 5 speed swap for a long time but had always talked myself out of it, I decided if/when the auto gave up I would dig into it then, well after my last wheeling trip I was forced to start thinking about it, the auto over heated twice to the point it wouldn't pull and the fluid is black.
I've been doing a lot of research on this swap and although it's going to be a lot of work I think it will be worth it in the end and so far I'm coming out cheaper than rebuilding the auto.
I've already got a new Asian clutch kit, LUK flywheel, trans and Tcase, pedal assembly. There's a few things I still need to gather up but its getting to be a fair pile of parts.
I've enlisted the help of a buddy of mine too help with the wiring side of things. It's probably going to be a month or so but it will be starting soon so stay tuned.

I have toyed with the idea of a 5 speed swap for a long time but had always talked myself out of it, I decided if/when the auto gave up I would dig into it then, well after my last wheeling trip I was forced to start thinking about it, the auto over heated twice to the point it wouldn't pull and the fluid is black.
I've been doing a lot of research on this swap and although it's going to be a lot of work I think it will be worth it in the end and so far I'm coming out cheaper than rebuilding the auto.
I've already got a new Asian clutch kit, LUK flywheel, trans and Tcase, pedal assembly. There's a few things I still need to gather up but its getting to be a fair pile of parts.
I've enlisted the help of a buddy of mine too help with the wiring side of things. It's probably going to be a month or so but it will be starting soon so stay tuned.
#720
I'm going to try and do a really good job of documenting things as they go at least better than I normally do.







