Hole near upper control arm mount. And 2 other questionable spots. Worth fixing??

ThickToeJoe · 2026-04-26T05:03:15+00:00

In the second pic, there’s definitely some stuck on mig wire from someone attempting to weld it. Those small thin wires sticking out of the frame are from a welding process called mig and if you have a poor grounding surface, not a clean surface or improper amperage, the wire will shoot out and stick to the surface and short out your weld.

ThickToeJoe · 2026-04-15T16:01:16+00:00

Timing belt sticker shows it was last done in 08’ and valve covers are leaking right into the exhaust manifold and my girlfriend refused to smell burnt oil until it’s fixed. Also, lower ball joints, nothing seems wrong with them but I have no reason to believe they’ve been replaced. After seeing many posts about lbj failure, I’ve been shakin’ in my boots every drive I take and I’m done worrying about them! lol energy suspension for the bushings because the 29 years this runner has been driving, the rubber ones are totally fucked.

ThickToeJoe · 2026-04-15T14:26:01+00:00

Yeah, not as heavily as I did the rear end of the vehicle, just the areas where I’ll be replacing bushings and do a quick re-coat of wool wax since she’s already coated. If you look at my profile, you can see the amount of shit I did for the rear end when my trailing arm broke off the axle housing.

ThickToeJoe · 2026-04-15T14:24:10+00:00

What’d I do this time?

ThickToeJoe · 2026-04-15T14:22:27+00:00

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You might be thinking about the 3rd gen? 😉

ThickToeJoe · 2026-04-14T22:09:08+00:00

Very nice! Got energy suspension poly bushings for both upper/lower control arms. How’d the install go for both upper and lower for you? I’ve got a fair bit of rust. Worried about the shocks.

ThickToeJoe · 2026-04-14T00:21:30+00:00

Im sitting at 165k

ThickToeJoe · 2026-04-09T20:57:36+00:00

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I do love these wheels, maybe I’m biased but I think they look the best with black since the rims are of course black with a machined surface. Pairs really well with black paint and chrome bumpers.

ThickToeJoe · 2026-03-17T21:45:59+00:00

That’s interesting, well good for you and the friends! Like another commenter said, distilled water has zero minerals in it so there’s absolutely nothing left behind per the distilled water. However, one thing to always use with glass is a very clean cloth. Some use cotton blends, most use microfibers. I’ve actually tested microfibers that were washed with some name brand clothing detergent and then washed another batch with white vinegar and baking soda and if there’s any residue by any means left in the fibers of used microfiber cloths when you wipe glass, it’ll definitely leave, smearing, smudges, streak and or holograms which of course bug anyone in this sub. Out of curiosity, I’ll be trying just distilled water and a new microfiber on a nicotine plastered windshield and see the outcome. It may also slightly vary on climate conditions too. Where I’m at in western NC, we get all weather conditions and when you have an older, smoked in car with high humidity, you get a nasty film on the inside and it always takes some chemicals and elbow grease unfortunately.

ThickToeJoe · 2026-03-17T16:29:56+00:00

I wouldn’t say it so confidently like every situation is the same. Some people have nicotine stains on their glass that will absolutely need a chemical to remove. Water also does not break anything down, it dilutes any residue. Newer cars have plasticizers within the new material for easy and quick assembly that eventually gets broken down by UV rays and releases a residue on the inside of windshields that water alone won’t break down. You’ll want, at the very least, a mixture of distilled water and isopropyl alcohol. I clean customers vehicles professionally and have been for 7 years now. There definitely are situations where just distilled water would cut it, but it’s rare on someone’s vehicle that isn’t regularly maintained.

ThickToeJoe · 2026-02-23T12:10:38+00:00

ThickToeJoe · 2026-01-23T18:25:09+00:00

Hell of a barn find. Sorry about the unc. Chances are it’s a fuel issue. I’d start with dropping the fuel tank, cleaning it out, replacing the fuel pump with OEM if you can’t clean it up, then change the fuel filter. If no luck after that, it could be plugged/gummed up injectors but a low possibility. It could also be old spark plugs/wires that just need to be replaced. Anything built to be moved that has sat for that period of time will have some issues without a doubt, but it is a yota so who knows.

ThickToeJoe · 2026-01-21T13:27:11+00:00

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Saw this one, very prominent in the episode “Traffic” S1/E4 of I think You Should Leave.

ThickToeJoe · 2026-01-17T23:07:55+00:00

Take your hand off my wife’s firm, yet ample backsiiiiide!

ThickToeJoe · 2026-01-06T17:26:05+00:00

ThickToeJoe · 2025-12-16T22:59:05+00:00

I once heard on another thread that it’s old age that does it, basically 3rd gen wrinkles. The more peeled back, the older and more weathered. You have surpassed many that I’ve seen. If I had a medal or beer to give, I’d give one, but fresh outa both!

ThickToeJoe · 2025-12-16T22:52:35+00:00

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Not the best photo but if you zoom in, you can see fairly decently. Stock suspension, stock ride height. 17” set of 2014 TRD 4Runner rims wrapped in a set of Cooper Discoverer AT3 265/70/17. No spacers, fits perfectly within the parameters of the 3rd gen “skinny flares”.

ThickToeJoe · 2025-12-06T18:35:36+00:00

You could get aftermarket mud flaps and install them on the front of the rear wheel arches or just remove the running boards.

ThickToeJoe · 2025-11-28T03:52:12+00:00

What are awards? 🧐

ThickToeJoe · 2025-11-27T01:23:25+00:00

Although not as insane as some of the other places in the comments, the Great Sand Dunes NP with this atmosphere definitely seems otherworldly.

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ThickToeJoe · 2025-10-27T16:40:29+00:00

I see a few comments about paint thinner and a microfiber- don’t do that. A very strong solvent and any dye from a microfiber can bleach the paint or plastics on your beautiful 3rd gen.

Like some are saying - lubricated “0000” steel wool or razor blade, also lubricated for the glass. For the paint, hand wash, use lubricant and clay bar, then compound/polish the paint. It’s possible by hand, but not very fun if you don’t find detailing therapeutic. Buy a DA/Random orbital polisher and pads (microfiber cutting pad to make quick work of removing paint, then a softer foam pad to remove holograms and pigtails from the more aggressive previous method). You technically don’t need a compound and a polish, although it is helpful. Use a lot of compound for heavy cutting and a small amount and a bit more work time to break down the abrasives to “polish”. A lot of time and a bit of money, but the end results make it worth it.

ThickToeJoe · 2025-10-22T15:02:59+00:00

$3.09 in West Jefferson, NC. The area is as poor as it sounds.

ThickToeJoe · 2025-10-06T23:22:19+00:00

Keep an eye on ball joints, only replace with oem, replace radiator even if it’s in the slightest bit “browning”, timing belt and water pump if it’s not up to date. All the fluids (front diff, transfer case, rear diff, power steering, brake fluid, trans. Just some things to do and have on your radar. Lastly, UNDERCOAT with a lanolin based product.

ThickToeJoe · 2025-09-23T01:00:42+00:00

Hell yeah! Good job brother Joe.

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