3rd Gen Options

[fsaroyster]

Evening folks,

What options were there available on our 3rd Gens?

Who's got what, and if not obvious, what do they do?

I've got this idea/plan to see what I can potentially do to upgrade my truck, first on the list is power folding mirrors

In the mean time, no idea how many of these are options, but mines got...

ECT (?) Some sort of turbo boost mode :P
Idle up
Overdrive
Multimode 4x4
Electric windows (Front/Back/Boot)
Electric sunroof

I think it might have ABS, don't know about traction control...

Thanks again

Rog

[BUSHWHACKER]

ECT= 'sport' mode. With the button pressed in, the transmission stays in gear for an extra 1000 rpm before changing up.

All 3rd gens have ABS. (It's shite IMO)

No traction control on a diesel 3rd gen.

[fsaroyster]

Cheers Vince.

What's wrong with the ABS? You don't like it in general, or is it poorly implemented on the Surf?

I've been doing a bit of reading up over on one of the US 4Runner sites, whereby they've tapped into both the ABS and traction control electrics and fitted switches so that you can turn these 'options' off mainly for fun in snow, wet, etc

[fsaroyster]

Here's a link to one of the US sites with a list of '99 upgrades/options that might be of interest to some of you. I'd like the updated armrest, also the little holes in the rear seats to hold the head rests when the seats are folded down...

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-ge...es-w-pics.html

[BUSHWHACKER]

A couple of occasions the ABS cut in on my '01 truck unnecessarily when braking hard, it 'felt' like I would have come to a stop sooner if it had 'normal' brakes. It feels like you tying to stop on wet grass (but with a vibrating brake pedal) when it activates.

The truck's front bumper would still be a chrome one if the truck didn't have ABS, It seems too sensitive.

[fsaroyster]

One 'option' I'd be interested in fitting would be the winter pack. Extra battery, plus, heated fuel filter, and rear passenger heater controls. Wonder what's involved in that...

[BUSHWHACKER]

Here's a link to one of the US sites with a list of '99 upgrades/options that might be of interest to some of you. I'd like the updated armrest, also the little holes in the rear seats to hold the head rests when the seats are folded down...

My '01 has those, plus upgraded rear light clusters and 'crystal' style headlights as standard. Also a different style grille and bumper with indicators below it.

[fsaroyster]

Not an official upgrade, but I've read about it, and mentioned it a few times on here now, but I'd really like to go for the Tundra brake upgrade, meant to be a lot better stopping power, not sure if this would potentially sort your issue with the ABS or not though Vince?

I wonder if I can find a company in the US to supply all the bits, calipers, discs, pads, etc, and ship them over here, we could look into one of these group by efforts, my biggest issue is the shipping charges...

[BUSHWHACKER]

It would be cheaper and easier to get some new calipers, drums and genuine pads/shoes from Roughtrax and some grooved/drilled discs from here.......
http://www.europerformance.co.uk/pag...rontbrakediscs

It's old, sticking calipers and badly/worn rear brakes that makes the braking system feel crap, new or refurbished calipers, new rear drums/shoes and new fluid makes a huge difference in brake performance.

[BUSHWHACKER]

One 'option' I'd be interested in fitting would be the winter pack. Extra battery, and rear passenger heater controls. Wonder what's involved in that...

Positive battery cable to connect both batteries.
A negative battery clamp and short length of heavy gauge wire to connect to the inner wing next to the second battery.
A different centre consol and rear heater assembly.
Tee off the cooling system hoses and run under the floor to connect to the rear heater.
Electrical connections should already be there under the carpet.

[Karma Supra]

From memory when doing my sound deadening there were no electrical connectors under the carpet for rear heaterless trucks., but they won't be hard to replicate.

I am planning the second battery mod at some point, I have the mounting hardware, I'll take some pics when I do it if anyone is interested.

I also made DIY heated wing mirrors on my truck, wired into the rear demister switch.

They all had eletric windows as standard Electric folding mirrors I don't really see the point, I've never used mine in any of my cars.. but its a "nice to have"

I agree with Vince about the ABS, it seems generally "okay", but occasionally really steps in way to early, usually when breaking over a bump. Its better than the old supra stuff!

Other options off the top of my head:

-Rear spoilers, some with an electric retracting rear mirror (useful)
-Field Monitor, I've seen two types.
-sun roof
-looking at the EPC there was a factory TV..
-Hard/Soft damping option on the suspension (TEMS)
-E locking rear diff
-The obvious rear mounted/underslung spare
-Various types of bull bars (I can think of at least 4 factory types)
-The arch extensions were optional...
-later trucks had an extra body mount.

The US got other bits and bobs, some kind of crazy hydraulic (I Think?) suspension, built in Homelink integration, different trim specs

Going along he theme of the tundra brake upgrade (I assume you just mean the fronts) I like the thought of a Landcruiser rear axle swap, adding disc brakes, its been done on this forum. You need to swap out the master cylinder too.

I'd really like a later facelift truck..
The rear seat head rest holes sound silly but would be SO usefull.
The headlights needed improving!
There is more rear side cubby storage space

Petrol and the nicer dash would be a nice too!

[BUSHWHACKER]

Mine has the factory TV/CD/Tape/Radio unit, the TV is redundant though, it's NTSC not PAL.

[Karma Supra]

I'd love to kow more about the factory TV antenna!

[J i m s t e r]

IIRC the TV antenna is built into the side glass of the rear compartment.

Mine has got:
Field Monitor (Scarecrow/"Look Jim - there's a field.")
Overdrive
Hard/Soft :pause:
ECT
"Power Rear Under Mirror"
2 batteries
Rear heater
Idle Up
Folding eleccy mirrors
Bullbars with the plastic "Hilux Surf" bar across the horizontal (was flaking and looked a bit tatty, had it "Carbon wrapped")

It also has a little gps box glued to the roof (Toyota brand) that was wired to the old Jap satnav head unit and a Toyota MiniDisc player (not wired live).


Would have liked a sunroof, and sometimes I think the bar clutters the front, but more than happy with the old girl. And the truck.

[fsaroyster]

Cheers guys, some interesting stuff in here.

Karma - I'd be very interested in how you fit the heated mirrors, also details on the twin battery when you get round to it.

Being an IT bod I'm into gadgets, something I'm thinking about doing is fitting a Raspberry Pi or two, for those that haven't heard of them, they're basically a PC that would fit in something the size of a fag box, and only cost about £30.

I'm thinking get a spare set of front head rests, stick in some touch screen monitors for kids movies, plus one in front for a GPS, reversing cameras, etc.

Bigger brakes is gonna be just the front Tundras once I can get hold if the bits for a readonable price. Not fussed about rears, discs on the back rarely make much of an improvement by all accounts, let alone the handbrake issues people have mentioned...