Signs of a failing alternator can be an excessively noisy alternator, a burning smell coming from the alternator, and flickering of vehicle lights under electrical load. In this case, the car completely lost power while driving on the highway. The alternator is not too difficult to replace, however it does require some time. The drive belt needs to be removed and there are few difficult bolts to get to. However, it is a direct replacement so in all it can be done successfully if you take your time and do it right.

A car battery replacement is pretty simple to do: disconnect and remove the battery, then install the new battery and reconnect the leads. Fully charged 12 volt batteries are considered fully charged with a reading of 12.6 volts or higher. If the car battery tests as anything lower than 12 volts, it is considered dead or fully depleted. I got a reading of 10.34 volts, which indicates the battery is completely discharged.

The 4th generation Toyota 4Runner OEM brake calipers are notorious for becoming seized over time. This can lead to symptoms as minor as uneven brake pressure while depressing the brake pedal, to something more extreme such as the brake caliper completely seizing up. I’ve outlined the process for replacing the brake calipers on my 2003 Toyota 4Runner.

While removing the center console unit on my wife’s 2006 Lexus IS350, some parts of the dashboard starting breaking off as any trim or trim removal tools pressed against it. I stumbled upon this moldable glue called Sugru, which would be able to be shaped, textured, and color-matched to the dashboard. Sugru is an RTV one-part moisture curing silicone elastomer that can be molded like a putty into any shape needed.

I finally decided to take a step up from the previous Ebay backup cameras I’ve used, to a better camera and a more refined display system. The Rydeen backup camera and Scion T10015 head unit pairs up nicely. The install was a bit complicated at times, but the seamless operation of the backup camera function makes it all worth it.

I purchased my 2003 Toyota 4Runner on 6/29/2013 for $10,000 with 139k miles on the clock. 5-1/2 years later, I’m happy to still be trekking on with the same car with 240k miles on the clock.

Over the many years of owning my 2003 Toyota 4Runner, I’ve gone through my fair share of windshield wipers. I’ve tried various aftermarket ones made by Bosch, Anco, and Rain-X. Even the OEM wiper blade inserts never worked out for me. Finally, I found the perfect wiper blade replacement for my 4th generation 4Runner!

Adding to my arsenal of newbie car mods on my first car, a ’94 Mazda Protege, I replaced my OEM shift knob several times. Nothing was wrong with my stock shifter, in fact looking back at it now, I think it looked the best out of all of the aftermarket ones I replaced it with. But, I finally got my very first car and I was ready to modify anything that I could get my hands on.

I had a commuter car, but really wanted a car that I would have fun working on. I found this 2nd generation Mazda MX-6 for $800 in non-running condition. After years of working on the car, it was on its 3rd engine and 3rd transmission. This car is how I got my start working on cars.