Top photo is AFTER, the bottom photos are BEFORE...Looks good huh?!
I've been looking all over the Ultimateyota and Yotatech forums for advice on lifts, tire sizes, engine tune-up recommendations, and ideas for everything else. I'm fairly new to 4WD Toyota's as this is my 1st! I've previously owned a 1984 single cab 2WD 22R pick up, and a 1993 2WD 22RE pick up. Both were flippin' sweet, and taught me a lot about the do's and don'ts of modifications and routine maintenance. Now I own my 2000 4Runner and I'm rolling over the same knowledge I learned from previous trucks and applying it to my 4Runner.
I bought my 4Runner with 93K miles and now have almost 140K. During that time I've had the timing belt, serpentine belt, water pump, thermostat, seals, etc replaced and had the fuel system cleaned as well. Immediately following that maintenance the truck ran great. Since then I've experienced hesitation, stalling, poor mileage, etc. I thought about replacing the injectors, or spending another $100 to get the fuel system cleaned again. Here's where the forums prove to be priceless.
I went to my local auto parts store (in this case Kragen's) and purchased a can of throttle body cleaner, mass air flow sensor cleaner, and 4 bottles of Sea Foam system cleaner. I saw this forum thread...http://www.yotatech.com/f123/seafoam-injector-intake-cleaner-good-stuff-64836/ and followed the same council as Andy by pouring Sea Foam through the PCV valve and flushing out the carbon deposits that way. I did the entire fuel system, including replacing my fuel filter and spark plugs after all the chemicals where applied. WHOA! I mean seriously WHOA! what a difference. I spent around $40 on chemicals, $80 on parts, and two hours of labor only to have my 4Runner running great once more. I'll never take my truck to the "stealership" again to only get an additive put into the fuel tank and have the throttle body cleaned. I'll put this procedure on the 10-15K maintenance list minus the plugs and fuel filter.
Next is to build and install custom rock sliders, and wire my new 8" 150 watt lights properly without risk of fire. I've already got the lights mounted, just need to run the wire and install the factory switch. My friend Jack (JackFab) and I will built the sliders next weekend when we're down in S.D. for the baby shower. Going to buy a new surfboard too. I'm stoked!
