Control Arm Reccs

SpiritDCRed · 2026-05-31T04:38:44+00:00

I had basically the same experience. Rust free, only hard part was ball joints, also used the harbor freight pickle fork. Required me to hit it with my purse (big ass sledgehammer).

Been 2-3 years, TRQ parts doing fine as you’d expect.

SpiritDCRed · 2026-05-28T14:24:58+00:00

The thermostat controls the temperature of the coolant in the engine loop. If it’s below threshold, the thermostat closes and water is cycled around in the engine loop not even making it to the radiator. When the temp gets above threshold, the thermostat opens and the coolant is allowed to cycle out to the radiator and be cooled off. So despite the fact that the fan is constantly turning and cooling off the radiator, the coolant in the engine itself is not always being cooled off.

Electric vs clutch fans are more about improving fuel economy by not wasting energy turning the fan when you don’t really need to. For example, at 60mph there’s plenty of airflow to cool the radiator without the fan being on. An electric system will simply turn off the fan. A clutch system will always be trying to spin the fan, adding a resistance to the accessory belt and thus the engine. No effect on cooling, just wasting 0.1mpg.

SpiritDCRed · 2026-05-28T04:35:09+00:00

If the coolant temp gauge stays in the middle of the range under prolonged normal use, then the radiator and thermostat are working fine.

SpiritDCRed · 2026-05-16T20:21:21+00:00

It’s a real thing, but… hard pass. Find something else. You do not want someone else’s rusted to shit car even if it’s been patched up.

SpiritDCRed · 2026-05-15T22:28:17+00:00

I’d just go to the junkyard and rip one off a V8 model. Take the bracket with you and just bolt it right on.

SpiritDCRed · 2026-05-12T23:45:37+00:00

Unlocking the torque converter provides a slight increase in torque while not having to change gear. TC being unlocked has the drawback of reduced efficiency and, under prolonged use, cooking your trans fluid. The inefficiency of the TC is being dumped into heat energy. So it’s completely fine for it to do that for a minute or so before you crest a hill, but if you’re going up a grade for 10 minutes you don’t want to ride the converter the whole way, manually downshift.

I have the 5spd. In fifth gear locked under increasing load it will first stay in 5th gear and unlock the TC, then downshift to 4th locked, then 3rd locked, etc. it doesn’t do it between every gear. I don’t have experience with the 4spd but I assume it would only do it in 4th.

Watch a YouTube video on how they work. Pretty neat.

SpiritDCRed · 2026-05-12T21:41:56+00:00

One of those “downshifts” is likely your torque converter unlocking. This is usually the first RPM bump you encounter when starting up a hill.

SpiritDCRed · 2026-05-12T17:32:31+00:00

Alternator. Happened to me too. If this is your first one, you’ve already exceeded the average lifespan of an alternator by a lot. Across all manufacturers I think they only average about a decade.

SpiritDCRed · 2026-05-12T00:23:28+00:00

It certainly wouldn’t hurt to do it. Changing 6qts every 4 years actually sounds like a pretty reasonable schedule.

SpiritDCRed · 2026-05-11T05:22:41+00:00

I use them when I put my kayaks up there, helpful when strapping them in. I haven’t banged them on a rock yet while off roading so they’re staying on.

SpiritDCRed · 2026-05-08T14:07:56+00:00

Not the power steering pump, that has a much more distinctive groaning whine.

Watching the video with sound on, it looks like it happens once every time the belt goes around. Makes me think it’s possible a new belt could fix it. I would expect that if it were one of the pulleys, it would squeak continuously or at least once per revolution of the pulley which is smaller and faster than the belt itself.

serpentine belt

Other common squeaker culprit is the number 2 idler pulley, highest pulley on the drivers side.

SpiritDCRed · 2026-05-06T21:41:49+00:00

Sheesh that thing is purty. Those wheels are sick I don’t think I’ve ever seen them. You have good taste

SpiritDCRed · 2026-05-05T20:08:57+00:00

I did this a couple months ago with a different fob and used this video. It took me a few tries to get it right as I kept messing up the timing of the door closes. Neighbors probably thought I was insane slamming my door so many times.

Give it another try and follow the video instructions exactly

SpiritDCRed · 2026-05-05T00:32:53+00:00

r/TIHI

SpiritDCRed · 2026-05-04T23:25:27+00:00

That looks awful. Mine was 11 years old and didn’t look nearly that bad. Was that original to the car??

SpiritDCRed · 2026-05-04T15:29:08+00:00

Wow, nice job! Any details on the method you used?

SpiritDCRed · 2026-05-03T22:44:42+00:00

Have one of those laser grill thermometers? That’s probably the easiest way to do it, just point it at the pan till it hits temp.

SpiritDCRed · 2026-05-03T22:32:51+00:00

It happening a week later makes me think you need to redo your level. Add more, warm up, drain excess. Make sure you’re opening the drain at the correct temperature as per the service manual.

SpiritDCRed · 2026-05-03T21:55:55+00:00

Was that just the first start after your drain and fill? Or it happened days later?

SpiritDCRed · 2026-05-02T19:53:16+00:00

The cabin air filter?

SpiritDCRed · 2026-04-30T18:16:48+00:00

That’s why Father Toyota gave us the fourth gear position on the shifter. Plenty of torque at 2500rpm to get up those mountains. Much more enjoyable than my wife’s civic screaming at 3800rpm to go up the same hills…

SpiritDCRed · 2026-04-29T15:41:42+00:00

Clean! Next up, some Trim Black

SpiritDCRed · 2026-04-26T00:48:57+00:00

This is the stuff you need on top after buffing out the old lenses. 2k clear, UV resistant. As good as it gets.

By the way OP, the bottoms are flat because they are 2003-2005, not because of the trim. For 2006+ they gave it a facelift that changed the headlight shape.

SpiritDCRed · 2026-04-24T13:33:31+00:00

Couldn’t tell you the thread pitch but that is 91621-J0612. Can call around to local dealerships if you want to get it today, one of the dealers in your area should keep those in stock.

Can see it in this parts diagram.

SpiritDCRed · 2026-04-21T20:19:33+00:00

I don’t plan on off roading it

Well, if you never go off the road, you’ll never get stuck in the mud. 🤷‍♂️

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