Who has some mods they would like to install? How about some repair or even cleaning the 4Runner. Maybe we can get together at someone's place who has space and access to tools some Saturday, Sunday or even a weeknight if schedules permit.

Depending on what work is done, we can photograph the work and do a write-up for the VA4ROC website.

One thing I need to do is get behind my lower dash, behind the stereo to locate the controller box from my Cobra 75 WX ST CB. The guys who mounted it shoved it way back there and I can't reach it to connect my SWR meter.

Anyone else have a project they want to work on?

 

I need to extend my rear breather, change my drivetrain fluids to synthetic, cut a hole in my airbox for the deckplate mod, etc, etc. Yeah, I'm real far behind


Chris

 

I'm in. Let's come up with a date and see if somebody volunteers their garage. I have a set of intermittent wipers and relay, that's been waiting to go in for almost a year. Need shocks, and have strange electrical problem. I also have a decent set of tools and will bring them along.

 

hey i dont really have any mods do be done right now, well i have started on a set of sliders. WE have a large shop with air tools and such(a big plus) that could possiblly be used. Let me know

 

Damn, over the past few weeks I rebuilt my idler arm, swapped out Warn hubs for Aisins, and got my sliders on, so I don't have anything that needs to be done right now. However, I would offer up my garage, tools, FSM's, and services for anybody that wants to venture to Burke. I don't have as cool of a setup like runnerboy, but I think I may live a little closer to some of the VA guys.

Runnerboy, where is your shop located?

Matt

 

I'm out in Middleburg. bout 45 miles west of DC on highway50

 

Middleburg is a glorious drive. If the weather is good I'll take the top off for that one.
How about we come up with a few projects and a tentive time range of 2 weeks or so and perhaps one of our garage fellows can make an official invitation?

 

Either location works for me.

 

Okay, I'll make an official invitation for Saturday, July 18th. It's not as pretty a drive to Burke as Middleburg, but I have beer (and other cold beverages) and could throw some brats and dogs on the grill for lunch.

About the only thing I have outstanding is changing the oil, but I'd gladly assist with any mods you guys need help with.

If anything, it'll give us a chance to meet, check out each other's rigs, and swap ideas with each other.

Let me know if you're interested and I can get you directions.

Matt

 

July 18 maybe a problem because I think that's the same day for the ride out to the Drive In movie.

 

Scratch that idea then. :pat:

I officially rescind the offer on the 18th and extend it for the 25th.

 

For some reason that quote struck me as funny...cruel to both children and animals :chicken:

 

I can't make the 25th, my GF and I have that day off and we agreed to find a long weekend destination. Will come if that falls through, but I will check for other dates. Damn, gonna miss the BRAT! :cry:

 

I've got a laundry list of things to do...and 2 4Runners to do them to.

Interesting question, tho, that I'm surprised noone's asked yet...does the shop out in Middleburg have a LIFT?!?

If so....then whoaaa nellie. ; ) I think some project scheduling and reprioritizing would be in order with that in mind. If not....still would be fun to do a Mods weekend out there. Got room to pitch tents? Ya never know...there may be projects that might need a whole weekend to complete...just to get the 4Runner back on the road. ; )

Matt, let's say...we'll keep the relatively short projects relegated to the Burke Facility...unless you got room for house guests. ; )

As well, I have begun to aquire a fair set of tools, in terms of sockets, wrenches, etc. Also recently acquired a pair of nice metal ramps. Those are handy, as well as a 3-Ton jack and extra tall jack stands that can be tossed in the back of my 4Runner for whereever the project is.

There's my .02 for the moment.

Peace,

Sean

 

No i dont have a lift in the shop. Techically its not mine, My dad runs his business outta there, but there are always open bays and we have free run of the place.

 

Sean,

Your suggestions are fine by me. I just realized that Saturday is July 26th, not the 25th, so I'll be around if anybody wants to come by. I too have a 3 ton jack and a pair of 3 ton stands, but feel free to bring whatever you'd like.

I have a small compressor, but no tools for it--just use it primarily for tire inflation and inflating all my son's blow-up toys. I have an assortment of hand tools like wrenches, vise grips, torque wrench, sockets/wrenches, snap ring pliers, grease gun, and of course, hammers

Matt

 

Here's a suggestion, how about we set another date a bit further, like August, and then everybody will have the time to pencil it in and collect their parts and tools. My SR5 wiper stalks are buried somewhere after my move, not to mention I may try to find some rear leaf springs solution before this happens. Anybody can have spontaneous gatherings whenever they please of course. I;m looking for a calendar plug in for the website so people can enter their own ideas, will see what happens.

 

I picked up a pair of those $8 mud flaps from Pep Boys to put on since I got rid of the running boards. My tires have been kicking up rocks into my sliders.

 

I still can't make 25th, so have fun. Send pics.

Next time I would like to do;
New Batt cables (hopefully solving the former "weird electrical problem"), Wiper install, Shocks all around.

Later I would love some help with Rear springs, rear diff fludi change, and if anybody has some body work experince I would pay for some attention to my rear Q Panels.

I'm stoked to help out and have a chance to see everybody's trucks...

 

Hi guys,

Well, for one of my projects I'm starting early on....the whole exhaust system (sans oem header and downpipe).

Yesterday my new Catalytic Converter arrived ( 2 week slowboat delivery from N.J. - argh) and the Gibson Muffler system I scored of Ebay arrived Wednesday.....needless to say the UPS guy was chuckling. Since I'm currently out of registration "grace" due to failing emissions test (original Cat go bye bye), I have to get this baby done ASAP.

I started the project yesterday late afternoon, after spending all day restoring the '88 Black paint job with Meguire's 3 Step System.....and oh baby!!!! While you can still see the imperfections in the paint that time and abuse has done to it...it's mirror reflective now! Actually kinda proud of myself, due to the 5+ hour job. ( Picture Anthony Michael Hall in "Breakfast Club" giving himself a "shot" in the arm...there you have it).

Of course, as I was finishing that up, the UPS guy shows up with the Cat....as well as...Sue tells me she's going to get her hair cut and colored. Now....why would I provide you with that detail? Good question. For future project reference...the hair cut and coloring process can take atleast and hour and a half to 2 hours....got it? Yup...and she's headed to Great Falls to have it done (add another near hour for round trip driving).

Ok, so....here goes....The 4Runner gets backed up onto the ramps (gotta love the 12 inch lift!) and under I go. Since the cat is being pulled .... I elect to unbolt it at the down pipe (front flange) since I replaced the down pipe last summer due to a crack in it, thus newer bolts = lesser effort right? Wrong...those year old bolts were so rusted that dogs and babies were screaming in the neighborhood from their torqued squeaking while being rotated...ugh. So, one half hour later...they're off, and I unhook all the rubber hanger grommets and remove the assembly in whole going forward and out the side.

Now, I'm taking pics of all this, so that'll help later for anyone going to attempt this. Let me give you the highlights of where it ended last night.

* First impressions of Gibson's kit is outstanding. They literally provide it all.

* Factor this...even if you're leaving the Cat on, or replacing it...you'll still need the oem headpipe with the flange (b/w Cat and Muffler). I promise you....go buy a new one. As well as a 1 and 3/4" Clamp (for the wishbone hangers immediately behind the rear cat flange) as well as 2 Sets of new bolts from both ends of the Cat flanges ( I guess only one if not replacing Cat).

Needless to say...if the rain hadn't begun around 8:30pm....I'd have gotten pretty well thru the project. I lost time from 7 to 8pm while running to Advance Auto Parts in Vienna for the above replacement parts ( total approx $35 ).

Right now I've got the tailpipe and Muffler hung and loosely connected. I'm headed outside to measure and cut/fit the head pipe to Gibson's headpipe adapter ( 1-3/4" to 2-1/4") and then proceed from there.

If anyone wants to stop by on their lunch break if you work locally, near McLean, email/PM me and I'll call you/give you directions. I'll keep taking pics and document this all for those who need to do it in the future.

Have a great day, folks!