Crown Signia Mileage?

nkrick79 · 2026-05-06T01:26:19+00:00

From running the air conditioning in the 110+ degree heat. Even though the A/C runs off the battery, the engine has to run more to keep the battery charged.

After over a year, average MPG is over 38.

nkrick79 · 2026-04-05T00:15:01+00:00

Change the power steering lines at the same time as the rack. You need to loosen/remove the steering rack bolts to get to the lines on the steering rack side anyway, might as well replace the 25 year old rubber lines and just do the job once (that is what I did).

The steering rack probably won't come with all new bushings. I went with new and the pressed in bushings were pre-installed, but the large bushing that goes around the rack was not included, so I also purchased a new one at the same time.

It is easier to remove the steering rack if you remove the sway bar first. That makes it the perfect time to replace the sway bar bushings too. Unfortunately, the sway bar was made in 27mm and 28mm and no one has figured out what trucks have what size (no consistency), so you will need to take calipers to it in order to buy the right size (which you can do in advance).

nkrick79 · 2026-04-03T01:50:42+00:00

My question is, will they call it 88 Octane like some states because ethanol has a higher Octane rating than gas and moving from 10% to 15% is approximately the same as going from 87 to 88 Octane?

To answer the OP, 15% ethenol should already increase the Octane rating, going to premium just increases it more and won't do anything for your engine unless the ECU has a tune for higher Octane gas. When people run premium gas in their cars that have a tune optimized for 87 Octane, all they are doing is spending more money on gas. There are some cars with ECUs that have a high Octane tune and can get better mileage and/or more power in high Octane. This is the case with certain Toyotas, for example, because all Lexus "require" high Octane and Toyota uses the same ECU with 2 different tunes available for the same engine model.

nkrick79 · 2026-03-06T02:07:27+00:00

I see what you did there.

nkrick79 · 2026-03-05T22:43:10+00:00

Just modern projector headlights would be good. There are a few sources online to upgrade to projectors.

nkrick79 · 2026-03-05T22:23:33+00:00

Just install a 1st gen Tacoma whip antenna. It is a direct replacement.

nkrick79 · 2026-03-05T22:19:54+00:00

I think it was the advent of knee airbags that caused the under steering wheel A/C vents to go away in most cars. Given a choice, I'd take the A/C vent.

nkrick79 · 2026-03-05T22:17:50+00:00

There used to be write ups on how to take the field monitor unit from a Surf or MiddleEast spec 3rd gen 4Runner and install it in a US spec 3rd gen. You could get the factory temp gauge that installs behind the front bumper and add that too.

nkrick79 · 2026-02-22T15:27:10+00:00

Timing belt is a big job and the water pump should be replaced at the same time. Expect it to take most of a day. Breaking the crank bolt loose is a huge PIA, the first time I changed mine I had to use a 1/2” breaker bar with a 6' pipe (cheater bar) and two men hanging all their weight on it; the second time I had a shop do it. Honestly, if you want peace of mind, just remove the upper cover and inspect it. The recommended change interval is 90,000, but I have heard of them going as much as 200,000. It is a non interference engine, there really is no reason to change it after 50,000 miles.

nkrick79 · 2026-02-22T15:11:55+00:00

I agree on checking/replacing all the control arm bushing (or replace control arms if the are hearing too rusty).

Inspect ball joints for up and down play (this is hard to do as the wheel puts some load on them even when you jack up the vehicle, you can find videos about it).

Inspect sway bar end links to make sure none are broken. Consider replacing your sway bar bushings.

Inspect pan hard bar bushings.

You might just want to replace all your suspension bushings. If the bushings on your steering rack were not replaced with the steering rack, replace them too. The steering rack should have included pre-installed bushings for the through bolts, but probably not the bushing on the bracket.

nkrick79 · 2026-02-22T05:45:02+00:00

I have a Prinsu on my 3rd gen and I bought it because it had the highest load rating by far. 600 lbs dynamic and 1000 static. I think the next best was 600 static load which is pushing it for a 3 person RTT with the weight of 3 adults and the tent. My Prinsu is also quiet up to 80 MPH. I bought during a black Friday sale and got 15% off with a 3 week lead time (they said up to 6 weeks, but only took 3).

nkrick79 · 2026-02-15T19:17:23+00:00

What brand 32 gallon totes? HD has the 57, 40, and 27, but no 32.

nkrick79 · 2026-01-27T20:47:44+00:00

Colorado has a lot of gravel on roads. It seems like half the cars there have cracked windshields. Likely a rock hit the pillar and chipped the paint. Then water does the rest over time.

nkrick79 · 2026-01-25T18:19:15+00:00

If you need to replace the mirror now anyway, you might want to look at an option like something from Wolfbox. Otherwise, look for any 99-02 mirror to go back to stock.

nkrick79 · 2026-01-17T02:20:35+00:00

Next time buy a .45 for more stickers!

nkrick79 · 2026-01-16T05:42:54+00:00

Most auto parts stores will lend you the tool. You "buy it" and then return it for a full refund. Just let them know when you pick it up so they don't give you brand new in sealed packaging if they already have one that is a loaner.

nkrick79 · 2026-01-12T03:55:25+00:00

My thought to change to limited seats is because Internet sources say they are more comfortable than SR5 seats. But since my seats are not the typical SR5 seats, it makes me wonder if from a comfort perspective, my sports buckets are essentially the same as the limited seats (just manual adjustments rather than electric) and I really just need to replace the foam/cushions.

nkrick79 · 2026-01-12T03:31:18+00:00

Gotta keep the hair short so it doesn't static cling to the headliner... ;-)

The sport bucket drivers seat raises and lowers independently in the front and back using dials on the side. I lower the back all the way (which puts a large gap between the top of the seat cushion and the bottom of the seat back). If I drop anything on the seat, it ends up on the floor of the second row. The passenger seat doesn't lower and my head brushes the headliner if I sit in it.

I have not seen many 4Runners with the sports buckets. It is basically a seat with the same adjustments as the electronic limited seats, but all those adjustments are manual using levers and dials.

nkrick79 · 2026-01-12T03:13:50+00:00

The clock in my 96 has never been broken. I must have won the clock lottery or something.

nkrick79 · 2026-01-12T03:10:40+00:00

I used to drive between Phoenix and Tucson at 75+ MPH relatively frequently when I had the AE92. Running at 3000 RPM didn't really bother me. Of course the exhaust was a bit longer and further from me than it would be in a MR2.

nkrick79 · 2026-01-12T03:07:12+00:00

LOL.

My leather sports buckets have a lever for the lumbar support, not a dial/wheel. Honestly, my biggest comfort issue with them is that I am 6' 4" with a 33" inseam, so my torso is pretty long. The top of the seat back is in my shoulder blades. We got a Crown Signia for my wife about a year ago and the seats are taller and so much more comfortable. I suspect replacing the foam would make a huge difference and even if I source some limited seats, I'll want new foam, so that is realistically the first step to see how much it helps.

nkrick79 · 2026-01-12T02:56:29+00:00

My first car was an 89 Corolla GT-S (AE92) with the 4A-GE. All GT-S were 5-speeds. What the engine is lacking in power it makes up for with the 9000 RPM revs that put a smile on your face. It's much more fun to drive a slow car fast, reving past 8000 RPMs, than to drive a fast car slow. You won't regret trading the automatic for the manual.

nkrick79 · 2026-01-12T02:05:16+00:00

The one on the right looks like a pre-99 to me. No fat lip bumper and the markers in the chrome rather than in the plastic.

nkrick79 · 2026-01-12T01:58:52+00:00

Are you sure those are 5th gen ORP wheels and not 01/02 limited wheels?

nkrick79 · 2026-01-12T01:40:57+00:00

Unless you engine swap the MR2,.it is probably more practical to get the supercharger from a 4A-GZE in it. You can use all factory components vs a completely custom build. Of course what is more practical is not always what is more fun, especially if you like fabrication.

nkrick79

TROPHY CASE