Just got an OG 2000 V8 SR5

My old 94 Jeep XJ is just too far gone from the rust monster but lucky for me a friend let me know about a truck he almost bought and instead let me buy it because it is hard to find decent rigs. Thankfully I had some extra cash and was able to nab it.

Annoyingly, the cats were stolen out from under it in the shop yard before I bought it, but I had a new aftermarket cat in box I meant to put on the Jeep, sized for a ZJ or WJ with the 4.0L I6 and a bung plug for the O2 sensor. I found a second one and the mechanic set it up so hopefully the next thieves will notice the cheaper cats and not touch them. Because the Jeep O2 sensors are meant to be screwed in, we are waiting on Jeep ones to use the threads by frankensteining the Densos on somehow. As of now I start it, it stalls I start it again and the check engine light is on and it drives fine with the computer default having no O2 sensors on the cats.

Return fuel line is leaking so also needs to be fixed so I don't pollute when parked and it is running.

He had to put on a different steering wheel setup for some reason (I have the old wheel) and some of the things seem to be seized I am hoping some WD40 can fix. Washer works to get wipers on, but cannot budge the wiper arm up or down and actually run them normally. Likewise, high beams work but will not stay on unless I hold the lever back while driving, so I am stuck on lows and that sucks during nighttime.

Other than that I have to say I am impressed it runs great. Hard to believe it has over 200k miles on it. As a big dude I like that it is nice and high up, rides smooth over bumps and feels so solid. wheelbase goes from 100in on my Jeep to 128 on the Tundra so will take some getting used to with the Turning radius. I may take the cap off because I haven't driven much the last few years will need to get a good feel for the shape of it. But I am loving the leg room from having a column shifter I like to stretch out.

Need to find out when the timing belt was last done. I know that will kill the engine if it goes. The frame is solid, all matte black still from the recall. Trans fluid is not black and oil has been changed. So far I have tested the push button 4hi in the rain and seems to engage without issue. I doubt I will trail hop much but need to check the 4lo at some point. Any info on how the hubs lock and where the diffs for 4wd are can be of use to my brain. I was used to open front and rear diffs on the Jeep (so no lock) with no diff in the TCase so the front and rear shafts had to spin at the same speed which can be good if you know how to drive it but need to be careful not to only put one wheel in a ditch.

Mainly I need to focus on the interior and getting it fully detailed. I think I will replace the carpet since that looks like a simple job to pull the captains chairs and new flooring looks to be about 300 dollars online, but all comes in one piece. I do like tunes though and may spring for thicker stuff for better soundproofing. I have a sub I can add need to see if it came with an amp. I see they were made later with bench seats and I would love that but I am not made of money and they need to be clean, not something rained on from a junk yard.

Sorry for the wall of text, I am sure I will have some crazy ideas and need to run them by you guys down the way as I do like to tinker. Like maybe I will want a bigger alternator and/or deep cycle battery to enjoy loud tunes in the woods or do a little camping. Just need to get it squared away and do the practical stuff first so I trust it enough to take it out of state.

I think that is all for now. I will try to update my sig later with model details that I can confirm. I am going to need to know how to best find parts I know OEM is best in most cases but would love to not have to go to the local dealership for them.

 

Welcome aboard! Quite the intro there, a lot to unpack.
As far as the 4wd system, the front hubs are always locked and spinning the front diff. The transfer case and front diff have actuators in them to engage the front drive shaft, controlled by the buttons on the dash. It’s shift on the fly for 2wd to 4hi up to about 55mph. 4Lo requires stopping and being in neutral for easy engagement. No diff in the middle T case. Open front and rear diffs with optional LSD on the rear. May have a sticker on it if it’s the LSD model. Happy modding.

 

If you're trying to keep from having a check engine light I think this cost saving measure is gonna screw you. Maybe you're good with the light and all will be well. These trucks are picky about cats and only certain aftermarket brands will actually cooperate.

Curious to see this.

Wiper motor locked up?

Bad multifunction switch?

Takes about 10 minutes to pull the cover back and stick your eyes on the belt if you can't find a record of it.
Making an account at toyota.com/owners may lead you to some vehicle service history as well.

Good luck on this thing. Sounds like you have some work ahead of you.