2001 Toyota RAV4

[Mike]

Hitch installed. Not sure what my plan is with it, but I've always wanted one. I guess I'll get a bike rack because I don't dig hoisting bikes on a taller vehicle.



Used Blizzaks going on this week. I've grown tired of chaining up once a week to go up the mountain.

Really impressed with what a 15 year old Toyota can do.

[ScottyB]

see if you can grab a Saris Freedom Superclamp 2 platform rack. my dad picked one up over the holidays and its Tits McGee.

i love my hitch mount rack, and i bet you'll enjoy it too. super easy on/off and you can put grody stuff on there after a ride and it won't drop mud and goop all over your roof. and if you ever drive into a low garage your butt won't pucker at the sound of the bike getting mangled if you forget its up there.

[Mike]

Blizzaks on this thing make a foot of snow child's play. Didn't think I'd have fun with this thing... so wrong. There's something satisfying about something that gives no fucks and just does its job.

[Apoc]

Vids or didn't happen

[Mike]

Something like this is going to happen this year.



Features:

- High enough to fit rubbermaid buckets underneath
- Basic window blackout system (custom/cut/stitched sheets w/ hooks should suffice)
- Hinged platform directly behind the seats because they need to move forward a few inches from driving position for me to be able to lay down straight
- Modular so it can easily be removed

Any thoughts on material? Wood is an obvious choice. What's the load-bearing ability of PVC? Google shows me beds made of it. Might be a little flimsy considering the height I want? Carbon fiber is cool too. So is titanium. Maybe all I need is a nicely cut piece of plywood and I could use the rubbermaid bins for support? Although that might get old having to pull out the bed to get into things.

[ScottyB]

cool! i've seen some of those and it looks like a great way to camp in the car.

wood 2x4's should be great - put it together with a Kreg pocket hole jig, trust me you'll love it. i wouldn't lay plywood on the bins, you'll have to heave it up or pull it all the way out any time you want stuff that's up towards the front.

[Mike]

Why 2x4s over PVC? PVC has the added bonus I can pretty much store them in a box when not in use.

That jig is pretty rad.

[.RJ]

Use wood. Careful with the pocket holes, they dont make very strong joints.

[Mike]

Time for another oxygen sensor No, not the same one.

[Mike]

Let's do an update!

That O2 sensor blinked at me for about a year before I got it fixed. Was seized so more than I could deal with.

A few months ago the transmission started acting up. I thought it may have been the end until I hopped on the Google and found that all of these cars eventually need an ECU repair. The solder used by Toyota was faulty, it eventually develops micro cracks, connections are no longer connected, and typically it loses control of your trans. There was a 10yr warranty extension on that... Didn't quite make it. I attempted to resolder the board myself and think I did a splendid job given my limited soldering ability, but it didn't resolve the problem. $250 and a core exchange later, I had a resoldered board sent to me from a company in NC. If I didn't catch and repair the issue quickly enough, the trans would have eaten itself. Got lucky.

Picked up a hitch extension (didn't know these were a thing) to get the rear rack out past the spare tire better. Money well spent, but it seems these things have a bit of play in them... I suppose that goes for any sort of extension (thinking socket wrench). I still can't fully open the rear door with the rack installed (and tilted down). Horizontally swinging rear doors are dumb as hell.

After two years, the headlight cleaning I did had gone hazy again. These headlights are notorious for this. Last time I did it I was on the road to bring it home so I didn't do the sealing process. This time I did. I probably could have polished the lenses more, but it was a huge improvement. Used a Turtle Wax kit. Seemed pretty toxic so hopefully it works well.

I drive it about once a week. It went through some real shit this winter - blizzards, giant road-trips, off-roading. 151k and it still doesn't give a fuck. I'm about to get a free Ford Transit Connect (gas included) for a few years so this car will be seeing even less use... Maybe rent it out?

Changes planned? I need to get some winter wheels. I'd also like to get some oversized tires, but the all-seasons that came with it were brand new and I can't justify that.

Cost of ownership over two years has been about $600. Can't complain.

[Jake]

Where's the Transit coming from?

Put the RAV on Turo and let it earn that $600 back, and then some.

[JPolen01]

Used a Turtle Wax kit. Seemed pretty toxic so hopefully it works well.

I lol'd. The more it smells the better it works, right?

[Mike]

Where's the Transit coming from?

Gonna be president of my bike team. It's a vinyled up perk.