2006 4Runner V8 Limited

[navin]

Sport Edition fabric is different.

[V1GiLaNtE]

Sport Edition fabric is different.

It's a "pleather"esque material right? I've only seen it through a window, but never sat on it.

[V1GiLaNtE]

PM me what you paid?

PM'd :thumbup:

We've been driving the 4Runner to work this week and every day I fire up that V8 and just rumble through traffic so effortlessly puts a smile on my face. The sunroof, power rear window and bitch'n sound system may also be contributing factors.

I've run 2 full tanks through it and the onboard readout gave me about 18.9mpg average on the first tank. After the 2nd fill up and cruising on 66W Sunday afternoon I was averaging about 22mpg.

Considering the XJ consistently gets ~14/15mpg, I'll take it.

[Senor_Taylor]

PM me what you paid?

PM'd :thumbup:

We've been driving the 4Runner to work this week and every day I fire up that V8 and just rumble through traffic so effortlessly puts a smile on my face. The sunroof, power rear window and bitch'n sound system may also be contributing factors.

I've run 2 full tanks through it and the onboard readout gave me about 18.9mpg average on the first tank. After the 2nd fill up and cruising on 66W Sunday afternoon I was averaging about 22mpg.

Considering the XJ consistently gets ~14/15mpg, I'll take it.

I wheeled with a guy with a 4th gen V8 and I was blown away by his exhaust. I asked him what he had and apparently all he had done was a raptor muffler from advance auto welded in. Sounded amazing.

[navin]

Sport Edition fabric is different.

It's a "pleather"esque material right? I've only seen it through a window, but never sat on it.

Nah, not pleather... The only way I can describe it is maybe like the waterproof seat covers that people buy, but you know nicer since its a factory item.

[RawrImAMonster]

PM me what you paid?

PM'd :thumbup:

We've been driving the 4Runner to work this week and every day I fire up that V8 and just rumble through traffic so effortlessly puts a smile on my face. The sunroof, power rear window and bitch'n sound system may also be contributing factors.

I've run 2 full tanks through it and the onboard readout gave me about 18.9mpg average on the first tank. After the 2nd fill up and cruising on 66W Sunday afternoon I was averaging about 22mpg.

Considering the XJ consistently gets ~14/15mpg, I'll take it.

Xterra is averaging about 13.5 around town and 17.5 to Charlottesville and back. I would be happy with those numbers. I'm sure something else is still fucked up with it.

[Senor_Taylor]

PM me what you paid?

PM'd :thumbup:

We've been driving the 4Runner to work this week and every day I fire up that V8 and just rumble through traffic so effortlessly puts a smile on my face. The sunroof, power rear window and bitch'n sound system may also be contributing factors.

I've run 2 full tanks through it and the onboard readout gave me about 18.9mpg average on the first tank. After the 2nd fill up and cruising on 66W Sunday afternoon I was averaging about 22mpg.

Considering the XJ consistently gets ~14/15mpg, I'll take it.

Xterra is averaging about 13.5 around town and 17.5 to Charlottesville and back. I would be happy with those numbers. I'm sure something else is still fucked up with it.

Dude, please just light that thing on fire already.

[RawrImAMonster]

I'm getting rid of it as soon as I can find a replacement. Stock lowish mileage WRX wagons are hard to find.

[V1GiLaNtE]

I'm getting rid of it as soon as I can find a replacement. Stock lowish mileage WRX wagons are hard to find.

*Ahem* Coulda,shoulda

I shoulda never sold that car. Oh well.

[*insertusernamehere*]

I'm getting rid of it as soon as I can find a replacement. Stock lowish mileage WRX wagons are hard to find.

*Ahem* Coulda,shoulda

I shoulda never sold that car. Oh well.

Nah you just got rid of a headache. Now this is the kind of headache you really need

[V1GiLaNtE]

So it's been about a month of ownership thus far and it's been a joy. I've put about 1,600 miles on it. Slowly working on a couple of minor things I mentioned before. Replaced both bulbs in the lcd display for about $8 at the dealer. Still need to order the seat release button. It's about $7.

Also went ahead and replaced the cabin air filter with an oem Denso filter (NO, the other filter was not originally pink).



Next up I'm looking at removing the running boards, debadging, and ordering a set of Husky or WeatherTech mats. After some research I may jump on the LED band wagon and upgrade all the interior lights.

Looking towards 120k I'm planning on upgrading the tcase/differential fluids with Mobil1 as well as replacing the spark plugs per the maintainence schedule.

[V1GiLaNtE]

Few small updates:

- Oil and filter change done recently. Switched to TRD filter and Mobil1. I've already put 5k miles on it
- Approaching 120k. Time to look at new plugs, diff fluids and transfer case fluids. Will definitely make the switch to synthetic
- T4r.org had a group buy on WeatherTech digital fit mats. The current mats are nasty and these will provide lasting protection to the carpet.

After putting all those miles on the vehicle it's time to start investigating a suspension refresh. Starting to get a little bouncy on bumps and the body roll is noticeable. I had it loaded down last weekend for 3 days of camping and tubing and we were basically touch n' go on the bumpstops. Not good. Old Man Emu by ARB makes a nice "low lift" kit with about 2" of lift. I think that paired with a set of 265/70/18 AT's will about square this rig away suspension wise. 2" keeps the CV angles happy and shouldn't kill MPGs.

Still averaging about 19mpg.

[V1GiLaNtE]

This guys is running the same lift but went up to 275/70. Looks good IMO.

[*insertusernamehere*]

That guy has an e36 in his garage

[*insertusernamehere*]

The truck is pretty nice too.

[Kaan]

That guy has an e36 in his garage

that doesnt give him extra street cred in my eyes lol

[*insertusernamehere*]

That guy has an e36 in his garage

that doesnt give him extra street cred in my eyes lol

The taillight caught my eye. Had to say something lol

[V1GiLaNtE]

I picked up a "new-used" ARB 50qt fridge/freezer the other week for about the same price as one of those fancy coolers. I got tired of dealing with groceries getting soggy and wet when we go camping and picking up a $$$ cooler didn't help solve that problem entirely.

The fridge weighs ~55lbs completely empty and without a proper way to secure it in the rear of the 4Runner it would only be a matter of time before it came flying through the front windshield in emergency braking. What I ended up doing was designing and cutting a "plate" from 3/4 birch which perfectly fits the contours of the cargo area. Birch being lightweight and sturdy enough so I was not racking up the excess weight in the rear. It's not completely finished, but the plan is to wrap it in some matching automotive carpet as well as run longer bolts to mount it to the already existing the holes in cargo area so that it's secure.

To keep the fridge in place, I'm still debating whether to keep it simple and mount d-rings to secure the fridge with ratchet straps or go a little more fancy and flush mount some tie down track with quick releases.

DSC_0539 by Cabell Spicer, on Flickr

DSC_0538 by Cabell Spicer, on Flickr

Powering the fridge correctly is another project I'm spinning up. The 12v in the cargo space is a 'switched' outlet. It's OK now running around, but is grossly inadequate for powering the fridge for extended periods of time. The plan is run a fused 10awg wire back into the cargo area that will power a Blue Sea fuse box. This keeps the power clean and no chance of voltage drop. From the Blue Sea box, I'll wire up an additional 12v plug and usb plugs that will be available all the time.

My thoughts are to mount my 500w inverter in the rear and keep it plugged into the 'switched' 12v for items not needing constant power. This brings us to the battery. Dual battery setups are costly and heavy. By keeping my battery to the stock Group 27F, but upgrading to a deep-cycle battery with bigger CCA numbers I can confidently run the fridge for 2-3 days without draining the battery so much I can't start the rig. I've considered running an additional solar setup on the roof to help top off the battery. I think for weekend camping the upgraded battery will do. I'll likely add in a battery voltage meter in the rear which has programmable alarms for different volts. I should note, the ARB fridge has smart circuitry built in that will cut the fridge off if it senses voltage drop.

Other than those projects, I'm at 120k maintenance. I just made a big order for OEM CV axles + seals, gaskets for drive-line fluid service + Mobil1 75-90w gear oil, and OEM spec spark plugs.

After a weekend camp-out, my once babied CV boots ripped from trail riding. The plan is to keep those and rebuild for spares.

[Senor_Taylor]

How did you manage to rip your CV boots? Maybe 4runner boots are more brittle or something or you're just out there going for broke.

Love the fridge. I've dreamed about getting one along with the whole over land set up with a Roof Top Tent and slide out kitchen. You're living the dream!

[V1GiLaNtE]

How did you manage to rip your CV boots? Maybe 4runner boots are more brittle or something or you're just out there going for broke.

Love the fridge. I've dreamed about getting one along with the whole over land set up with a Roof Top Tent and slide out kitchen. You're living the dream!

I suspect the boots must have already had a tear in them when I purchased the vehicle. Water crossings can be harsh. Honestly, @ 120k they are at the end of their life anyways. New axles should last me till 200k+.

I love roof top tents, but they have a lot of downsides. Decreased mpgs, increased COG, can't park in garages, and if you want to go anywhere you have to pack up the tent to roll out.

A high quality ground tent like OZ tents, I think, is the way to go. :thumbup: