jonnydclark1

My son is turning 16 this weekend. He will be buying his own vehicle eventually but for now he can drive one of ours to school etc. I've missed having a 4x4 and changing from Toyota to Infiniti has cost me so I sold my beater QX56 and picked up this deer hunting rig. It has a laundry list of issues but starts right up and runs fine. Previous owner had it 8 years and did nothing to it but hunt in it.



Biggest worry right now is safety. He is a good driver but will be driving curvy country roads. The tires are dry rotted and cracked pretty bad. It appears to have a 2-3" lift and the shocks are completely shot. The ABS light is on so a good tap on the brakes even on dry pavement and the front wheels locks up.
I want to replace shocks and struts. Struts are easy (reuse existing lift spacer) but I'm not sure how to find the right length shock for the rear.
also, I assume I'll need longer sway bar linkages when I go to replace them but haven't looked that close.




I'm also not sure where to start on the ABS. I plan on examining the wheel sensors to make sure they aren't cut but after that, just replace the ABS module? Does it require a special computer tool to bleed the brakes if I change that module, like the Lexus do?
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Other minor things in the works:
New washer fluid pump, air filter, oil change, adjust parking break, remove front window tint, newer wheels / tires.

2ToyGuy

Distributor cap/rotor, plugs, plug wires, coolant flush and hoses, timing check, transmission oil, differential oil, differential breathers (critical). Check brake pad and shoe thickness, bleed the entire brake system, including the LSPV. Clean battery terminals, and grounds in the engine compartment. Check valve clearances. Check the mileage on the timing belt, water pump, and such. Very important.
If you're replacing the shocks, you might also consider the steering stabilizer too.

You might be able to get a code related to the ABS trouble with a code reader. They go from $20.00 on up. Good for any trouble that trips a CE light. A code from the computer might give you a starting point for your trouble shooting. Pull the negative battery lead for a couple minutes to clear out old, stored, codes, so you aren't chasing a non existent problem. Then, when the light illuminates again, you know it's related to the current problem.
Also, you will be alerted to any other problems that might exist, if any other codes pop.

I wish you luck! Just a few things I'd check, if it were me...
Pat☺