Randy, you just don't know how much you mean to most of us. You got me through my down point when i started dialysis and i've watched you when i got my kidney transplant. I don't know what it is about you but i'm blessed to know you even though you're miles away.
Randy, my mom passed back in September, and yes I burry myself in UA-cam and some headphones. It’s an escape. I watch all your stuff. You and Monkey Wrench Mike make a fantastic team.
Hey Randy, you have something that is a blessing to many of us! Count me in among those who find your channel a relief from our troubles! look forward to your posts every day! Thank you so much for your sharing of your life and the vehicles you love! Congratulations I see you just hit 370 subscribers! let’s keep it up! I find you more interesting than Hoovie Like to see you with 1.5 million subscribers
Toyota could have been pilot car, they sometimes put an adjustable pole to check the underpass height for tall loads. May explain the high mileage too.
The sticker on top of the inspection sticker on the Tacoma plus the no smoking stickers means it was a rental. They have their own insurance, and they can't have a car sitting for too long. So they just kicked it to auction because parts are on back order for so long
I think that 2023 Toyota Tacoma might be a great auction to bid on and an easy fix! I do enjoy the longer videos for sure. Can't wait for the next one!
The highlander was an escort vehicle for wide/tall loads. The front had a stick mounted to it the height of the behicle it was escorting to make sure it fit under bridges, etc. Its had a hard live but.. its a Toyota!
I like the 35 minute videos because it gives me a good amount to watch I love the channel and I don't have cable so this is like my TV shows I watch them all and don't mind the random reruns when your busy and I like that you buy all the stuff that is what I can afford with the random dream cars lol keep up what your doing and your videos they mean alot to all of us and they give some joy because I love cars and it's awesome to see someone like me make it in life I currently work 65 hours aweek to support my family and as soon as I'm in a better spot I wanna do the same thing as you and I also wanna give back just like you have/do
Randy I believe you looked at this Audi A6 and it's a coupler issue in the supercharger according to Samcrac , it's worth a try and the Tacoma will be score for the right price. Also you are best , very entertaining, informative and encouraging videos you bring out that help us get through for sure . Stay safe and God bless.
The pipe on the front of that Highlander looks like where youd place a "High Pole" in, which is used on Pilot Cars when escorting an oversized load tractor trailer where the load may be to high for certain obstacles (bridges, trees, power lines, etc) on the load route!!!
Randy my father is living on blood transfusions your videos are verry informative and fun to watch as far as the truck goes I think his insurance made stimu
Tacoma was an enterprise/national rental car. The barcode sticker layout above the state inspection on the windshield is placed on all their cars and key tags.
Been watching you for like 4-5 years and I can’t even believe it’s been that damn long but let me say your videos are always how I end my day and your videos mean a lot to me. I appreciate all your videos and I think everyone else does too!
Randy, that Tacoma is so new that parts probably aren't available yet so they had to total it. If someone wanted to they could just buy it and sit on it for awhile. Looks like like you could even patch it together until parts are available
Randy, you mean so much to all of us, I love coming home from a long day at work to watch your videos. Also the Audi that has the tap you looked at before and you think that it’s coming from the supercharger. You noticed that it’s only from the top right in the middle and gets quieter from side to side.
Thanks so much MR . Randy I really do love your videos I’m a big fan , I love cars so much even do I don’t have one but I really do,, you always make mi feel better and relaxed when watching yr videos From Sierra Leone
Looks like a homemade push bumper for a race car or drag car, I've seen push bumpers like that for like dry lake speedsters to get them going, since they are geared so high.
Randy, thanks too. Enjoy your videos at night, afternoon, weekends, and any time have free. Thats are important to forget our clouds with your sparkle videos. Congrats and hope you do it forever
Hi Randy, You are sure a blessing to mankind. the way you lift up people in your comments is really awesome. Keep doing what your doing in Oklahoma and in Indiana. All the best to you and yours in the new year. I follow you for maybe a year and I have to admit, you're my favorite. I am in a wheelchair now for over three years already. And yes you helped me also through some real bad times. For when I couldn't and still not can get a vehicle to move myself around in. I know you're not able to sell to the public. But it helps me to find something for me in that F'n wheelchair' A little over three years ago I was one the many guys who kept your and our economie going. Yes I was a long haul truck driver who drove from Canada to the U.S. I was all over the place From San Francisco all the way to Miami and everything in between. Wel now I am in a wheelchair and I feel like I am the last scum on the earth. Pardon my French. I helped so many people and now I need help and there is really no one even listening. And then comes Randy with his walk arounds, and I forget about all the negativity. Thanks my friend for doing that for us. May the good lord be with you wherever you go. A thankful guy from Canada. P.S. the Toyota with that post in front is a vehicle used for oversize transports. They put a flag in the pipe that reaches 14" 5' this is for all the underpasses.
You and monkey pox Mike get me through my low day. Just thrown on a video recently uploaded and always brighten the mood no matter what. it’s your awesome entertainment!
Randy, I enjoy your channel more than others because you’re not clowning around constantly and putting your feelings and personal life out in your videos. Sometimes it’s in helping others and recognizing their strife where we help ourselves.
you talk to us like a human being .i know your mutch richer then us but your so kind that iwe appreciate all your videos your just like a brother that lives thing like us so that i why we are watching you every day and it will continue to i pass out.
The Toyota Highlander looks possibly like an escort vehicle and it has a mount for a height checking pole (not sure of technical term) to make sure whatever they escort can clear overpasses.
Randy, I honestly saw one video and was going to write off your channel as I misjudged you as someone who didn't really know what they were doing... I was wrong (and feel bad myself blue being judge)... you're very knowledgeable and humorous way that's relatable to average people. You don't act like you know it at all, and engage with viewers. I love that you give away vehicles to those in need, and thoroughly enjoy your walk-arounds and random other day-to-day things you have to do to buy/sell these things. I like that you admit when you're wrong, and are knowledgeable in what you do know and can articulate that, or when you make an educated guess, you clarify that you don't really know. There's a reason the employees at the auctions like you. The only thing I've found that I don't like is when you try to scare MWM when he's connecting jump packs... But I was a professional high voltage lineman, which skews my perception, so don't let me be a Debbie downer... I'm sure lots of people get a laugh out of it. Keep it up, and you'll be in the millions of viewers.
I share the same sentiments as others. I love watching your videos. They are entertaining, educational and it’s your personality that really shines. You seem to have a positive outlook on life that’s contagious. I’ve hit a brick wall in life, physically; and, I’ve been forced to resign from work. As I sit here trying to get my health and mobility in check, I try to keep a positive mindset. Your videos; to me, is self prescribed meditation to help keep my mind level and squared. I’m a Freemason; and, regardless, I consider you a brother. Thank you for your content. Happy New Year!!
I love the A6. I’m actually thinking about getting one of those for my 18th birthday. I already have a 1995 A6 and since I plan to keep that car for a long time and get a classic car plate on it in 3 years I won’t be using it in the winter. My dad agreed to buy me a 2nd car (paid for the old A6 myself). And these 3.0 Supercharged engines put out a lot of power. And since I plan on taking a few roadtrips all over Europe I’d need a comfortable car which this definitely is. And it still has modern equipment, my dad owns an Audi S8 with the same infotainment system and it’s still great and easy to use.
When a window doesn't go up or down you can sometimes smack the door on the inside with the palm of your hand or fist, pretty hard and it will jar the motor to get it to go. I have used this method on a number of cars.
Randy, that rav4 is a rout recon vehicle. That pipe in the front is a pile holder. This vehicle travels down a route and checks the night of overpasses to ensure that oversized loads will clear the bridge.
Randy you become my go to videos because your real and not just a person trying to get rich off of us watching you,you sir have heart and thanks for great content
Long post, sorry, not sorry lol. I have an 08 Highlander Hybrid (owner's forums call them HH or HiHy) with the same 3.3L timing belt V6 (290hp combined system output!) and 230k miles, but in the second generation body style. In 2009, the hybrids got the 3.5L timing chain engine and a bump to 305hp. These are not slow like a Prius! Mine got better fuel economy in summer, up to about 28MPG in Arizona, due to the A/C compressor (and power steering) being electric, so the engine only runs when it needs to charge the battery. In Germany in winter, I saw around 18-22MPG because the engine needs to be running if you want heat. The timing belt is a HUGE PITA. Getting the rear camshaft aligned requires three hands... One to get the cam and belt aligned, one to hold one of those small extendable inspection mirrors, and one to hold a flashlight at the proper angle to shine on the mirror so you can see what's going on. My third hand was my mouth, and it sucked. It's just like a Prius... When it says ready, it's running and will drive for a short distance at low speeds on battery alone (feathering the gas pedal and I could get up to 30MPH for about 1/4 mile before the engine would kick on). They will not start (or say ready) if the hybrid traction battery is bad. You really have to be able to drive it to know the condition of the battery, but you can kind of tell at idle. Basically if the battery bars on the display cycles quickly, the battery is bad. It should charge fully in a minute or two, then shut the engine off and operate off the battery for like 10 minutes or so, then be depleted and start the engine back up... If it's discharging in a few minutes or less (especially if the engine never shuts off, or only for a very short period), the battery is bad The battery is only shared with the Lexus RX hybrid, and since they're nowhere near as common as a Prius/Camry hybrid/Lexus ES hybrid, they are stupid expensive. They use larger individual modules (30x9.6V modules totalling 288V for the pack) than the Prius (28x7.2V=201.6V) and Camry/ES hybrid (34x7.2V=245V, individual cells being interchangeable with the Prius, and I've read most the other Japanese hybrids as well, including the Civic and Altima, as they all use the same supplier). We're talking $2500+ for used/reman ($5000 new from Toyota plus labor as many dealers won't sell customers the battery to DIY) compared to $800 for a reman for a Prius. I'd say for these older vehicles, especially in that condition, even a reman battery is more than they're worth. The transmission isn't a traditional transmission, it's two electric motors with a planetary gearbox sandwiched in between. There is only one gear in the trick geared CVT (no belt), which is forward only. Reverse is accomplished by the electric motor only (same with the other Toyota/Lexus hybrids), so it's basically always in gear and doesn't feel the same going into drive or reverse as a normal transmission... Just think of it as a big ass Prius. These also have AWD, but not a traditional system... There's no mechanical connection to the rear wheels. There is an electric motor back there bolted to a differential that assists at low speeds, then disengages (it does, however, assist with regen at speed, unless the graphic display is lying lol). Now check this out... As the Highlander was designed as a non-hybrid, the brakes are overkill on the hybrids with the regen every time you let off the gas... Mine still has the original brakes, and the original owners used it to tow a pop up camper (they sold it to me because it only gets 12MPG towing, and they'd rather have a more useful truck that gets the same fuel economy to tow and bought a Camry hybrid to use when they weren't towing). I had all the maintenance receipts and could verify that all they had to do was normal maintenance (besides the brakes, of course) and the battery was in great shape. Unfortunately, the military shipped me off again and it sat for 3 years without being driven. The hybrid battery went bad and it wouldn't start. You can't jump it with a 12V, all that'll do is kick on the electronics... As there is no starter (they start using the electric motor bolted to the engine flexplate), they need the traction battery to have juice, and mine would not even give a hybrid system error. The only way to troubleshoot at that point is to have it towed to a dealer (who has the equipment to jump the 288V hybrid system and will try to sell you an $8000 battery) or just replace the battery, which is what I'll do as I know the condition of the rest of the vehicle.
That little Toyota SUV was a pilot car for a trucking company that does oversized loads. They put a pole down that pole they mounted on the front that is the same height as whatever the truck they’re escorting is pulling. They go out in front of the truck and if the pole touches anything overhead (bridge, wires, etc) they stop the truck and find a different route that they can clear.
On the coast they use such tubes to hold long fishing poles for off-shore fishing, but normally they come in multiples and are pcv plastic. This one looks home-made. They place the base of the fishing pole in the tube and hook the line to the rear of the vehicle and crank the line tight to hold it in place.
My guess for Highlander : fishing pole holder attached to bumper. You see that alot in New Jersey because we have 127 miles of ocean beach coast line...
Great personality your very entertaining I’d love to see more of the videos we’re you take home from the yard videos please and your videos help in many ways I love your videos 😊😊😊
I wonder could it be the supercharger bearings making that knocking sound because I remember the wizard did a video on a mini that had that noise and it was caused by the bearings in the supercharger But I agree it definitely sounds like rod knock
That’s for a fishing Rod on the Toyota. People here in Florida do it a lot but usually 3 instead of 1. You pull your car onto the beach and cast into the surf, use the rod holder on the front of your car
Randy you are the best, without you I wouldn't have watch many others that do what you do. And that highlander looks like a flagger car, one of those that go down the highway before a wide load. Keep up the great work 👍🏾
Wrecked corporate fleet truck. Would be a amazing flip if the price is right. Toyotas really hold resale value. FYI you are very entertaining. Not like Tim Conway but certainly Scotty Kilmer. Last year was certainly very rough for you my friend we all we’re praying for you. 2023 will be much better. Cheers my friend have a good day always watching
Hey Randy, can't say I love every video you put out. That does not say its not a good video or not entertaining. It means I am just not in the mood to watch that video. You put at least a little bit of yourself in your videos. It makes it feel as though I just came over to your house to talk crap. Thats how your videos feel to me. Keep it up
I watch all your videos, I know how you are feeling, I lost my wife of 25 years, before Thanksgiving last year, I have 2 kids, 1 is 17 and the other is 11, there's not a second that goes by that I miss her, hang in there
8:32 you know you’ve had a bad day when the front end of your brand new Toyota truck is sitting in the truck bed lol. Over the years i’ve owned many brand new vehicles. I can remember two in particular that were hit with less than 1000 miles on them. Bad day indeed lol
Randy, that is a pole holder. Fishing pole that is. Go on the beach, cast out and let it sit in front while you stay warm in cab. I had one on my truck, so did my father and friends.
The Metal tube in the front of the Toyota is a fishing pole holder . And the drivers side has a normal running board .. the black plastic step is missing
I respect your on line. Programme I watch on my mobile phone. Through the TV. I could watch all the time. You doing the walk around. Welcome to imports. That is why Motown as in Detroit and the American car. Manufacturing ended up with imports. Like we did in the UK. Now we are living with. Vehicles that are owned. By one or two companies.
hey randy, im a mechanic at Toyota in Houston, that Tacoma wouldn't be hard to fix. it was probably totaled sense its a 2023 truck, and we can't even work on them without going through the parts department.
Randy, First of all I too love your videos, I watch them daily (except for when you don't post videos then I feel lost) Anyway that Tacoma, I could be wrong but in the split second I saw the roof in the video it looked like it had hail damage but it could have also been a reflection. the no smoking stickers... might have been a dealer loaner rather than a rental from like budget
That thing on the front of that highlander may be a pole holder for an pilot car that is used for escorting oversized trucks, the pole fits on the front of the lead pilot car and is used to measure height of bridge, powerline, or other overhead clearances for oversized loads.
Hey!! That audi is a top end noise, most likely the supercharger, if i recall it has a piece that attaches to the belt that tends to go out and is repairable
Death is always a hard thing to go through it's only two things we have to do in life is to be born and to die. I recently had a couple friends die too no matter what you do it's always going to be hard. But I have to agree your videos help me be productive and have a good viewpoint and look at the good not the bad. I've been a viewer since day one
Randy, you just don't know how much you mean to most of us. You got me through my down point when i started dialysis and i've watched you when i got my kidney transplant. I don't know what it is about you but i'm blessed to know you even though you're miles away.
Yes randy don’t ever leave us 😢
Yeah your the best, your the only UA-cam channel I check to see if they’ve uploaded every morning
@@RidingMowerRepair607 bro me too
Agreed!
I lost my husband to cancer in September he was a mechanic and loved cars. I love watching and love I get to keep learning about cars !!
Randy, my mom passed back in September, and yes I burry myself in UA-cam and some headphones. It’s an escape. I watch all your stuff. You and Monkey Wrench Mike make a fantastic team.
Sorry for your loss Man
The highlander was used as an escort vehicle for oversize loads, and that held the height pole to make sure the load clears all overhead obstacles
That was the first thing I thought of. I agree.
I agree I was about to come in and say the same thing
Hey Randy, you have something that is a blessing to many of us! Count me in among those who find your channel a relief from our troubles! look forward to your posts every day! Thank you so much for your sharing of your life and the vehicles you love! Congratulations I see you just hit 370 subscribers! let’s keep it up! I find you more interesting than Hoovie Like to see you with 1.5 million subscribers
Toyota could have been pilot car, they sometimes put an adjustable pole to check the underpass height for tall loads. May explain the high mileage too.
The sticker on top of the inspection sticker on the Tacoma plus the no smoking stickers means it was a rental. They have their own insurance, and they can't have a car sitting for too long. So they just kicked it to auction because parts are on back order for so long
I think that 2023 Toyota Tacoma might be a great auction to bid on and an easy fix! I do enjoy the longer videos for sure. Can't wait for the next one!
Easy fix indeed
That pipe on the front of the suv is for over highth loads. A pole goes in there to judge for wires and overhead obstacles
The Tacoma looks like a former rental to me. The no-smoking sign inside the truck is usually a thing you see in a rental
The highlander was an escort vehicle for wide/tall loads. The front had a stick mounted to it the height of the behicle it was escorting to make sure it fit under bridges, etc. Its had a hard live but.. its a Toyota!
I like the 35 minute videos because it gives me a good amount to watch I love the channel and I don't have cable so this is like my TV shows I watch them all and don't mind the random reruns when your busy and I like that you buy all the stuff that is what I can afford with the random dream cars lol keep up what your doing and your videos they mean alot to all of us and they give some joy because I love cars and it's awesome to see someone like me make it in life I currently work 65 hours aweek to support my family and as soon as I'm in a better spot I wanna do the same thing as you and I also wanna give back just like you have/do
Randy I believe you looked at this Audi A6 and it's a coupler issue in the supercharger according to Samcrac , it's worth a try and the Tacoma will be score for the right price. Also you are best , very entertaining, informative and encouraging videos you bring out that help us get through for sure . Stay safe and God bless.
The pipe on the front of that Highlander looks like where youd place a "High Pole" in, which is used on Pilot Cars when escorting an oversized load tractor trailer where the load may be to high for certain obstacles (bridges, trees, power lines, etc) on the load route!!!
Randy my father is living on blood transfusions your videos are verry informative and fun to watch as far as the truck goes I think his insurance made stimu
Tacoma was an enterprise/national rental car. The barcode sticker layout above the state inspection on the windshield is placed on all their cars and key tags.
Thank you Randy for helping me as well going thru some rough times.
I hope 2023 is good for all of us. Take care of yourself there.
I look forward to your videos everyday. You do a great job entertaining us and making great content. 👍 Matt
Been watching you for like 4-5 years and I can’t even believe it’s been that damn long but let me say your videos are always how I end my day and your videos mean a lot to me. I appreciate all your videos and I think everyone else does too!
Thanks for your videos everyday Randy, it means a lot, from Jamaica to the Cayman islands I watch everyday 😎👍🏾
Randy, that Tacoma is so new that parts probably aren't available yet so they had to total it. If someone wanted to they could just buy it and sit on it for awhile. Looks like like you could even patch it together until parts are available
Randy, you mean so much to all of us, I love coming home from a long day at work to watch your videos. Also the Audi that has the tap you looked at before and you think that it’s coming from the supercharger. You noticed that it’s only from the top right in the middle and gets quieter from side to side.
The Tacoma is the clear winner, but I doubt it will go cheap. The hybrid is nice, but as you said, questionable indeed.
Hope it goes for cheap!
Thanks so much MR . Randy I really do love your videos I’m a big fan , I love cars so much even do I don’t have one but I really do,, you always make mi feel better and relaxed when watching yr videos
From Sierra Leone
Looks like a homemade push bumper for a race car or drag car, I've seen push bumpers like that for like dry lake speedsters to get them going, since they are geared so high.
I enjoy the longer (30 min.) myself. I have a half hour ,give or take to watch them. GOD Bless
Randy, thanks too. Enjoy your videos at night, afternoon, weekends, and any time have free. Thats are important to forget our clouds with your sparkle videos. Congrats and hope you do it forever
Hi Randy, You are sure a blessing to mankind. the way you lift up people in your comments is really awesome. Keep doing what your doing in Oklahoma and in Indiana. All the best to you and yours in the new year. I follow you for maybe a year and I have to admit, you're my favorite. I am in a wheelchair now for over three years already. And yes you helped me also through some real bad times. For when I couldn't and still not can get a vehicle to move myself around in. I know you're not able to sell to the public. But it helps me to find something for me in that F'n wheelchair' A little over three years ago I was one the many guys who kept your and our economie going. Yes I was a long haul truck driver who drove from Canada to the U.S. I was all over the place From San Francisco all the way to Miami and everything in between. Wel now I am in a wheelchair and I feel like I am the last scum on the earth. Pardon my French. I helped so many people and now I need help and there is really no one even listening. And then comes Randy with his walk arounds, and I forget about all the negativity. Thanks my friend for doing that for us. May the good lord be with you wherever you go. A thankful guy from Canada. P.S. the Toyota with that post in front is a vehicle used for oversize transports. They put a flag in the pipe that reaches 14" 5' this is for all the underpasses.
You and monkey pox Mike get me through my low day. Just thrown on a video recently uploaded and always brighten the mood no matter what. it’s your awesome entertainment!
Randy, I enjoy your channel more than others because you’re not clowning around constantly and putting your feelings and personal life out in your videos. Sometimes it’s in helping others and recognizing their strife where we help ourselves.
you talk to us like a human being .i know your mutch richer then us but your so kind that iwe appreciate all your videos your just like a brother that lives thing like us so that i why we are watching you every day and it will continue to i pass out.
The Toyota Highlander looks possibly like an escort vehicle and it has a mount for a height checking pole (not sure of technical term) to make sure whatever they escort can clear overpasses.
from a fan to one of my most favorite youtubers, thank you for everything randy, you are the best!
Randy, I honestly saw one video and was going to write off your channel as I misjudged you as someone who didn't really know what they were doing... I was wrong (and feel bad myself blue being judge)... you're very knowledgeable and humorous way that's relatable to average people. You don't act like you know it at all, and engage with viewers. I love that you give away vehicles to those in need, and thoroughly enjoy your walk-arounds and random other day-to-day things you have to do to buy/sell these things. I like that you admit when you're wrong, and are knowledgeable in what you do know and can articulate that, or when you make an educated guess, you clarify that you don't really know. There's a reason the employees at the auctions like you. The only thing I've found that I don't like is when you try to scare MWM when he's connecting jump packs... But I was a professional high voltage lineman, which skews my perception, so don't let me be a Debbie downer... I'm sure lots of people get a laugh out of it. Keep it up, and you'll be in the millions of viewers.
I share the same sentiments as others. I love watching your videos. They are entertaining, educational and it’s your personality that really shines. You seem to have a positive outlook on life that’s contagious. I’ve hit a brick wall in life, physically; and, I’ve been forced to resign from work. As I sit here trying to get my health and mobility in check, I try to keep a positive mindset. Your videos; to me, is self prescribed meditation to help keep my mind level and squared. I’m a Freemason; and, regardless, I consider you a brother. Thank you for your content. Happy New Year!!
I love the A6. I’m actually thinking about getting one of those for my 18th birthday. I already have a 1995 A6 and since I plan to keep that car for a long time and get a classic car plate on it in 3 years I won’t be using it in the winter. My dad agreed to buy me a 2nd car (paid for the old A6 myself). And these 3.0 Supercharged engines put out a lot of power. And since I plan on taking a few roadtrips all over Europe I’d need a comfortable car which this definitely is. And it still has modern equipment, my dad owns an Audi S8 with the same infotainment system and it’s still great and easy to use.
Those walkarounds with MWM are just something else MWM and you have pulled some awesome Jokes and you Byyourself too are really entertaining to watch
When a window doesn't go up or down you can sometimes smack the door on the inside with the palm of your hand or fist, pretty hard and it will jar the motor to get it to go. I have used this method on a number of cars.
Watching your videos does make the troubles of that day easier to get through. and yes you are entertaining!
Randy, that rav4 is a rout recon vehicle. That pipe in the front is a pile holder. This vehicle travels down a route and checks the night of overpasses to ensure that oversized loads will clear the bridge.
Randy you become my go to videos because your real and not just a person trying to get rich off of us watching you,you sir have heart and thanks for great content
Long post, sorry, not sorry lol. I have an 08 Highlander Hybrid (owner's forums call them HH or HiHy) with the same 3.3L timing belt V6 (290hp combined system output!) and 230k miles, but in the second generation body style. In 2009, the hybrids got the 3.5L timing chain engine and a bump to 305hp. These are not slow like a Prius!
Mine got better fuel economy in summer, up to about 28MPG in Arizona, due to the A/C compressor (and power steering) being electric, so the engine only runs when it needs to charge the battery. In Germany in winter, I saw around 18-22MPG because the engine needs to be running if you want heat.
The timing belt is a HUGE PITA. Getting the rear camshaft aligned requires three hands... One to get the cam and belt aligned, one to hold one of those small extendable inspection mirrors, and one to hold a flashlight at the proper angle to shine on the mirror so you can see what's going on. My third hand was my mouth, and it sucked.
It's just like a Prius... When it says ready, it's running and will drive for a short distance at low speeds on battery alone (feathering the gas pedal and I could get up to 30MPH for about 1/4 mile before the engine would kick on). They will not start (or say ready) if the hybrid traction battery is bad. You really have to be able to drive it to know the condition of the battery, but you can kind of tell at idle. Basically if the battery bars on the display cycles quickly, the battery is bad. It should charge fully in a minute or two, then shut the engine off and operate off the battery for like 10 minutes or so, then be depleted and start the engine back up... If it's discharging in a few minutes or less (especially if the engine never shuts off, or only for a very short period), the battery is bad The battery is only shared with the Lexus RX hybrid, and since they're nowhere near as common as a Prius/Camry hybrid/Lexus ES hybrid, they are stupid expensive. They use larger individual modules (30x9.6V modules totalling 288V for the pack) than the Prius (28x7.2V=201.6V) and Camry/ES hybrid (34x7.2V=245V, individual cells being interchangeable with the Prius, and I've read most the other Japanese hybrids as well, including the Civic and Altima, as they all use the same supplier). We're talking $2500+ for used/reman ($5000 new from Toyota plus labor as many dealers won't sell customers the battery to DIY) compared to $800 for a reman for a Prius. I'd say for these older vehicles, especially in that condition, even a reman battery is more than they're worth.
The transmission isn't a traditional transmission, it's two electric motors with a planetary gearbox sandwiched in between. There is only one gear in the trick geared CVT (no belt), which is forward only. Reverse is accomplished by the electric motor only (same with the other Toyota/Lexus hybrids), so it's basically always in gear and doesn't feel the same going into drive or reverse as a normal transmission... Just think of it as a big ass Prius. These also have AWD, but not a traditional system... There's no mechanical connection to the rear wheels. There is an electric motor back there bolted to a differential that assists at low speeds, then disengages (it does, however, assist with regen at speed, unless the graphic display is lying lol).
Now check this out... As the Highlander was designed as a non-hybrid, the brakes are overkill on the hybrids with the regen every time you let off the gas... Mine still has the original brakes, and the original owners used it to tow a pop up camper (they sold it to me because it only gets 12MPG towing, and they'd rather have a more useful truck that gets the same fuel economy to tow and bought a Camry hybrid to use when they weren't towing). I had all the maintenance receipts and could verify that all they had to do was normal maintenance (besides the brakes, of course) and the battery was in great shape.
Unfortunately, the military shipped me off again and it sat for 3 years without being driven. The hybrid battery went bad and it wouldn't start. You can't jump it with a 12V, all that'll do is kick on the electronics... As there is no starter (they start using the electric motor bolted to the engine flexplate), they need the traction battery to have juice, and mine would not even give a hybrid system error. The only way to troubleshoot at that point is to have it towed to a dealer (who has the equipment to jump the 288V hybrid system and will try to sell you an $8000 battery) or just replace the battery, which is what I'll do as I know the condition of the rest of the vehicle.
That little Toyota SUV was a pilot car for a trucking company that does oversized loads. They put a pole down that pole they mounted on the front that is the same height as whatever the truck they’re escorting is pulling. They go out in front of the truck and if the pole touches anything overhead (bridge, wires, etc) they stop the truck and find a different route that they can clear.
On the coast they use such tubes to hold long fishing poles for off-shore fishing, but normally they come in multiples and are pcv plastic. This one looks home-made. They place the base of the fishing pole in the tube and hook the line to the rear of the vehicle and crank the line tight to hold it in place.
My guess for Highlander : fishing pole holder attached to bumper. You see that alot in New Jersey because we have 127 miles of ocean beach coast line...
Great personality your very entertaining I’d love to see more of the videos we’re you take home from the yard videos please and your videos help in many ways I love your videos 😊😊😊
I miss your Uncle's house. I will be anxious for your next video from there! Great Videos!
Brandy you are very inspirational person glad I started watching your Channel keep up the good work I'll see you at the next one
Brandy 😂
YOU, NOT entertaining? That's why we watch, Randy!!!!!!!!!!!!
I wonder could it be the supercharger bearings making that knocking sound because I remember the wizard did a video on a mini that had that noise and it was caused by the bearings in the supercharger But I agree it definitely sounds like rod knock
I love seeing the wrecked vehicles, and all the fords wheather they are wrecked or broken!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi Randy just to let you know you always make me smile oh and stick to the longer videos please 😃 😊
yes Randy, don't leave, we all love you and your videos and your sense of humor and your stories.💯
That’s for a fishing Rod on the Toyota. People here in Florida do it a lot but usually 3 instead of 1. You pull your car onto the beach and cast into the surf, use the rod holder on the front of your car
u & MWM r not only entertaining but very informative. I find myself looking 4 both of your content(together & individually)every day. I thank u.👍🏽
i watch this channel every day and legit street cars and vice grip garage best channels
Randy you are the best, without you I wouldn't have watch many others that do what you do. And that highlander looks like a flagger car, one of those that go down the highway before a wide load. Keep up the great work 👍🏾
The welded on pipe on the front is for a height pole use for escorting over height loads on semi's
Was going to comment the same thing , pilot car for oversize loads
Wrecked corporate fleet truck. Would be a amazing flip if the price is right. Toyotas really hold resale value. FYI you are very entertaining. Not like Tim Conway but certainly Scotty Kilmer. Last year was certainly very rough for you my friend we all we’re praying for you. 2023 will be much better. Cheers my friend have a good day always watching
I watch every video and enjoy all of them thank you for doing these videos.
Randy you calm me down after a long stressful day brother
Hey Randy, can't say I love every video you put out. That does not say its not a good video or not entertaining. It means I am just not in the mood to watch that video. You put at least a little bit of yourself in your videos. It makes it feel as though I just came over to your house to talk crap. Thats how your videos feel to me. Keep it up
I watch all your videos, I know how you are feeling, I lost my wife of 25 years, before Thanksgiving last year, I have 2 kids, 1 is 17 and the other is 11, there's not a second that goes by that I miss her, hang in there
That metal pole holder on the Toyota is for high pole oversized load escort to check bridge heights clearances.
I get it. A good distraction makes the day go by a little faster. I've been to too many celebration of life ceremonies.
I don't know if you notice the what looks like on the Audi the passenger side front look like the spark was jumping
8:32 you know you’ve had a bad day when the front end of your brand new Toyota truck is sitting in the truck bed lol. Over the years i’ve owned many brand new vehicles. I can remember two in particular that were hit with less than 1000 miles on them. Bad day indeed lol
Randy, that is a pole holder. Fishing pole that is. Go on the beach, cast out and let it sit in front while you stay warm in cab. I had one on my truck, so did my father and friends.
I have seen the Audi before. Love you videos😍
The Metal tube in the front of the Toyota is a fishing pole holder . And the drivers side has a normal running board .. the black plastic step is missing
I watch u all the time and on bad days ill go back and rewatch some vids ur hilarious and an amazing guy
I respect your on line. Programme I watch on my mobile phone. Through the TV. I could watch all the time. You doing the walk around. Welcome to imports. That is why Motown as in Detroit and the American car. Manufacturing ended up with imports. Like we did in the UK. Now we are living with. Vehicles that are owned. By one or two companies.
hey randy, im a mechanic at Toyota in Houston, that Tacoma wouldn't be hard to fix. it was probably totaled sense its a 2023 truck, and we can't even work on them without going through the parts department.
I think if you get it fixed by the dealer, if you get it for about 15k-24k it would be a good deal even tho its a tad off-road rear wheel drive
I can help get you parts if you win that truck
Toyota Highlander on the front that's the pilot car goes around checks clearances for big trucks when I got oversized loads with the pilot car
So for the Tacoma the grill has the main pre-collision sensor which may be expensive and/or hard to get.
Randy….I think you did the Audi about 2 weeks ago 😊
Thanks for great content 👍
short videos during the week and longer ones on the weekend might be a good idea.
Randy. You help me every DAY THANKS !
That sticker on the headliner...I Spy, a Toyota Tacoma!
All you’re videos are awesome Randy watch them everyday keep up the great work
Yup, you never what some one is going through, so be kind to everyone
Keep up the great videos Randy. That’s a good Taco. Good fuel efficient alternative to the TRX.
A lot of people love your videos. I sure do.. I always look forward to seeing what you're going to film
That Toyota Highlander that thing on the front there that's for a flagpole for oversized loads you know when they're hauling like modular homes
I wonder would that truck do for Mike because it looks perfect
Randy, First of all I too love your videos, I watch them daily (except for when you don't post videos then I feel lost) Anyway that Tacoma, I could be wrong but in the split second I saw the roof in the video it looked like it had hail damage but it could have also been a reflection. the no smoking stickers... might have been a dealer loaner rather than a rental from like budget
That thing on the front of that highlander may be a pole holder for an pilot car that is used for escorting oversized trucks, the pole fits on the front of the lead pilot car and is used to measure height of bridge, powerline, or other overhead clearances for oversized loads.
That's what I was thinking pilot car.
Randy I like the longer videos! I enjoy the content
Ahh yes the audi. Indeed you did look at this one . As soon as I seen the broken headlight I said it's going to knock and sure as shit it did
The Toyota highlander was a case vehicle for oversized loads. A pole went there with a height stick on it.
Just to say I enjoy your videos as they are. From Amherst Nova Scotia Canada.
Hey!! That audi is a top end noise, most likely the supercharger, if i recall it has a piece that attaches to the belt that tends to go out and is repairable
You have a great personality and your videos do mean a lot to me as you have talked about losses
You are always a nice Brake from the mundane. Keep it going Randy.
Death is always a hard thing to go through it's only two things we have to do in life is to be born and to die. I recently had a couple friends die too no matter what you do it's always going to be hard. But I have to agree your videos help me be productive and have a good viewpoint and look at the good not the bad. I've been a viewer since day one
Hello Randy i like your tours to be longer it i fun when you tell us about the cars and trucks even if they are funky lol.
On the highlander that pipe on the front makes me think maybe it was used for driving ahead of an oversized load vehicle maybe??
Yes, I believe it's to check bridge height for oversized loads.
I watch too all your videos from Sweden, i love cars a lot,you are good,keep doing this bro ,regards Cris Sweden
toyota suv was a pilot car it had a height pole that goes in the front for heavy wide loads to make sure they don't hit a bridge
I like the longer videos Randy but l watch all your videos all the best from the uk