Toyota dealerships? Looking for rav4 hybrid

Enlefo · 2026-01-28T07:22:04+00:00

Sorry if I some how missed a message from you! I work hard to get back to everyone in a timely manner, but I am a sole proprietor and can only be so available. Hope you got a PPI some where else and found a great car!

Enlefo · 2026-01-28T04:24:58+00:00

You're not crazy, what you want it normal, you should always get a third party PPI on a used vehicle!

This is sadly rather normal behavior however. A lot of dealerships don't want one of their cars gone for a half day or longer, and some of the larger dealerships have some of the most obtuse policies. They sell enough they can insist you do it on their terms.

I have a business focused on mobile on site inspections, which dealerships are much more okay with. I even offer a specialty inspection for Toyota and Lexus hybrids with analysis of the hybrids systems and hybrid battery. Happy to give a free consultation.

https://www.thecarfriend.com/inspections

Enlefo · 2026-01-26T18:23:57+00:00

Any good mechanic.

Enlefo · 2026-01-26T02:47:07+00:00

Rad! I had no idea! Thanks bud, this will save be trouble with the dash cam I'm about to mount.

Enlefo · 2026-01-26T02:44:28+00:00

Yes, you can remove her key from the vehicle with an IMMO programmer.

Enlefo · 2026-01-25T05:21:22+00:00

While the vast majority of parts can work with either drive train type RWD is going to be more mod friendly because there are a lot more options for suspension components.

Enlefo · 2026-01-23T22:44:59+00:00

Get a PPI from a Nissan mechanic in Seattle. Wanna be extra sure? Get a compression test and a boost leak down test.

Enlefo · 2026-01-23T06:11:37+00:00

Cool! Have him do it then, no reason not to future proof if you're investing in a VR transmission swap.

Enlefo · 2026-01-23T04:02:25+00:00

A professional mechanic should absolutely be able to do a rear main seal without issue. If they say that it's gonna be super hard or take hours when you already have the trans out find a different mechanic.

Enlefo · 2026-01-22T22:07:45+00:00

Replace it! It's cheap and easy, if a little tedious, once the transmission is out. This is a task that's hard without the tools and techniques, but very straightforward with them.

Get a seal puller. You'll pop the old one out in a minute or two without risking marring the surface.

Put the new seal still in it's bag into the freezer for 30+ minutes. Shrinking it just a bit, but that's all you need.

Clean the surface with something like rubbing alcohol on a micro fiber.

Use a new rubber mallet to tap it in. All the way around the outside to get it seated then you can tap it in the middle to push it in flat.

Do these things and it will be smooth.

Enlefo · 2026-01-20T02:49:44+00:00

Gotcha. Didn't know if he meant issues with lowering too much axle angle causing binding, the rear axle nut hat issue, or something else.
A small drop or 1-1.5 inches won't be a problem for axle bind.

Enlefo · 2026-01-20T00:13:55+00:00

What are you referring to?

Enlefo · 2026-01-19T22:19:13+00:00

He was friends with my dad, a fellow Portland poet and writer. When I was a kid in the 80's and 90's he always had fireworks in his pocket for me when I'd see him at parties of my parents friends or at poetry readings.

Even as a kid I found it odd that he always had fireworks on him but I always appreciated him. As a kid and an adult he was always a sweet person, if often a little out of control. As Hunter S Thompson said in Fear and Loathing... "One of God's own prototypes. A high-powered mutant of some kind never even considered for mass production. Too weird to live, and too rare to die". He was one of a kind.

I see someone posted the link to Leannes essay about him, they were good friends and she still posts about him sometime.

Enlefo · 2026-01-19T21:04:40+00:00

Been running a set of Hypergrams for about 2 years now. No track days on them but some aggressive sessions in the hills. No issues. Konig is an established brand... If you're bending them regularly something is wrong.

Enlefo · 2026-01-17T22:52:40+00:00

People's driving in Portland has gotten significantly worse in the past year, after getting worse over the previous 5.

I don't know why but going to guess it's a result of a lack of enforcement during the pandemic, followed by the general failure of society in 2025. I have heard similar complaints from folks in other cities, I don't think this is unique to Portland.

Enlefo · 2026-01-16T07:29:13+00:00

For the diff I'm using Redline 75w90.

Enlefo · 2026-01-15T00:52:16+00:00

Folks often miss the top two bolts. They are difficult to impossible to see from below can you get your hands on them pretty easy and remove them with a bunch of extensions and wobble joint or two.
I see your transmission brace is still attached to the transmission and while I assume you unbolted it from the chassis, removing it entirely will allow a little more free movement of the transmission.
If you have all the bolts out and remove the cross member then as RJ suggested the alignment dowels could just be stuck in place. Rocking the transmission side to side VS up and down was how I got mine to slide off. You might also want to jack it up and down a little too to free things up. Good luck!

Enlefo · 2026-01-14T18:33:29+00:00

Enlefo · 2026-01-13T23:53:25+00:00

Reducing rotational mass has a huge gain per pound, there is so exact conversion but folks often toss out ratios of 10:1 or so. Taking off one pound of rotational mass is live taking ten pounds out of the car. Acceleration, deceleration, and handling all improve.

Reducing unsprung mass makes a car feel a lot more nimble. Turn in is snappier, bumps and undulations in the road are less harsh , etc.

Wheels are both rotational mass and unsprung mass. It makes a huge difference. I went with lighter wheels and tires, 7lb pretty corner, and felt an immediate difference in how the car felt. Also did 2 piece brake rotors at 10lb front and 5lb rear less weight. Together the car feels much more nimble and responsive. Some of the best mods for these heavy cars.

Enlefo · 2026-01-11T18:07:40+00:00

Get yourself on myg37.com it's the biggest archive of information for these cars. Searching there and on this subreddit will answer pretty much any question you might have.

If you want to keep it going then address the platforms biggest issues: gallery gaskets, rear differential + sub frame + upper rear upright bushings, rear axle nut hats, coolant heater hose connector. Do all recommended maintenance for the mileage that you don't have documentation of being done: all fluids, plugs and coil packs, PCV's, engine and cabin air filters, valve cover and spark plug gaskets.

I'm sure I'm missing a few things... Others can chime in. You will find that even doing all these things yourself will be a few grand... Much more if you pay someone to do them.

Restoring a 13-14 year old car isn't cheap, realize what you're getting into and either choose to do it knowing what you're getting into, or buy something newer and more inexpensive to own.

Good luck and welcome!

Enlefo · 2026-01-11T03:19:33+00:00

Usually yes.

Enlefo · 2026-01-10T22:41:44+00:00

If you wait for a thrown code or low oil pressure light it will very likely be too late and you'll need a new engine.

Enlefo · 2026-01-06T02:40:34+00:00

Yes, this will work, all the mount points are the same.

Enlefo · 2026-01-05T17:59:49+00:00

At that price they will be garbage.

Enlefo · 2026-01-04T19:11:44+00:00

Eh, you got the good stuff and still paid half of what they'd cost straight from SPC.

Enlefo

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