I had the box up to 85-90 on cruise control, on a stretch of lonely highway between Houston and Dallas.

Honestly, I don't care for the way it feels at that speed so I probably wouldn't go that fast again.

I changed my own oil at the 10k mark.

Used the toyota filter (bought a 10 pack from sparks) and used Mobil 1 0w-20 (Wal-Mart carries it.)

I thought lifting the car was a pain because I wanted to drive it up some ramps but the fender hangs way too low so I had to use a floor jack instead.

Unscrewing the filter was a little tough too because all my filter wrenches are sized for big truck oil filters, so I had to use some finesse to get the oil filter unscrewed.

Really, it's pretty easy though.  I can't imagine why anyone would pay someone to do this, especially since you know a dealer is going to use the wrong oil (they all do) and a Jiffy lube is going to use both the wrong oil and the wrong filter.

I've done this install as well.  The original poster shows it well.

You can buy the hitch much cheaper on ebay.  Or search around on the web.  It is a Uhaul branded hitch and many places carry it.

There are not any plug-in trailer wiring kits.  Eventually someone should make one, but so far no.  Keep in mind that if you go ahead and splice the brake lights, you may void your warranty.  If your wiring is intact, you can say you use the hitch to carry a bike rack or something (which is what I use mine for 99& of the time.)

I doubt there are any aftermarket auto tranny cooler kits.  I didn't look, but I can't imagine enough people are wanting one for it to make sense to mass produce one.  What are you guys hauling that you are concerned about the tranny?

My local Wal-Mart sells 0W-20 Mobil 1 in one quart containers for about $6.  They usually only have 5 or 6 so I check it every time I go and buy them out when they have some.

I actually use my rear wiper.

Just the same I think your pirate is cool.   

I finally found a use for S-mode.  I was hauling a small trailer in my xB and needed to keep the revs up a little so I wouldn't bog the motor.

S-mode was perfect for keeping it in the gear I wanted.

So I take back my "gimmick" remark because there is a use for it, even in the Texas weather we have down here.

Houston here.

Don't make fun of me, but I love my bare stock xB.  Has tons of features and I don't want for any more doodads.

Different strokes, you know.

I thought about putting on a CAI because I figured the fuel savings would pay off the cost of the intake over 100k miles.  Then I read about what a PITA it is to change the filter and I passed.

I got the hitch installed today.  Fit like a glove.  The 1.25" receiver does slightly touch the bottom of the bumper - I'll probably wrap some electrical tape around it so it doesn't mar.  It's tucked up pretty well so I don'
t think it will look ghetto.

For anyone who later searchs for this topic - FYI, you need an 18mm socket to remove two bolts.  You need a 19mm (or 3/4", but 19mm is better) socket to bolt the 6 hitch bolts down.  One of the bolts is hard to get to because the muffler is in the way - I used a wrench to get to that one.

They advise to torque down to 65 ft lbs.  Since you're bolting to the frame, I'd advise borrowing or buying a torque wrench ($60) so you don't mangle the threads. 

Also, I used blue loctite although the instructions do not call for it. 

Thanks for the info.  I ordered what I needed to order.   

Does anyone here carry a bicycle on their xb?  I'm curious what the best way to do it is.

Not really keen on a roof rack.  I was thinking more along one of those things that attaches to the lift gate with straps.  I don't know what they're called.

I need to be able to carry two bikes.

Thanks!

Did you have any luck with this?

Scion keeps calling me to do a phone survey and I keep telling them I don't do phone surveys and to mail me one.

So far, nothing.

I work in a hospital......doing hospital stuff.

That really narrows it down huh.

I've tried it a couple times and I don't get it.  If I wanted to shift I'd buy a manual. 

The only practical use I can think of is to use it to force a downshift but if you just mash the skinny pedal it should downshift anyway.


It's a gimmick.