MARYLAND TACOMAS

HAHAHAHA That made me LOL. And at least you look (and act) like you are from there so I bet you fool a lot of them. The Drew's will always be my favorite tent dwellers.

 

Results are in!

 

In response to my question that was previously posted on this thread pertaining to different oil types and weights (full synthetic vs high mileage, 5W-30 vs 10W-30), this is the response I have received from Blackstone Labs:

“Joe,

Thanks for reaching out again, and thanks for the kind words!

We typically suggest using what the manufacturer recommends, but feel free to try other brands/grades/formulas. Switching between synthetic and conventional oil is okay too. I wouldn't expect changes in wear levels due to the oil type alone, but maybe you'll notice other changes on your end like quieter operation, for example.

Kirkland oil is a popular choice and it tends to do a good job like most oils we test, so I don't think it's a bad idea to keep using it. I would be surprised if it caused any trouble for your 4Runner's engine.

High mileage oil is advertised as helping to recondition seals and gaskets, and maybe there's some truth to that, but in testing, it doesn't look significantly different than other oils/formulas. The additive packages are often similar, but maybe there's something about HM oil that doesn't show up in testing. Feel free to try it to see if it helps with the seep - it shouldn't bother anything. If you don't like it for any reason, then you can always switch to another oil.

Let us know what you find with the seep when you send your next sample. If you find a bad seal/gasket and fix it, then we may find high silicon (from silicone sealers) in the next sample, which should wash out with each oil change thereafter.

Please let me know if you have any other questions.

Thank you,

Samir Kharbas
Blackstone Laboratories”

 

Well it sounds like they agree with your methods and research. Have you gotten under there since you found the leak to see if you can determine the origin? Also, I know this weather would prevent a thorough examination but it might be a good time to get under there with some degreaser and spray the hell out of everything and then take it to a car wash.

 

I haven’t, but I’ll take a peep once I get off work tonight. I’ll definitely be spraying some degreaser under there. I’ve used brake parts cleaner in the past, but maybe actual degreaser may work better— we’ll see. Haven’t pinpointed the exact origin quite yet, but I noticed more seepage around the top of the oil pan, like where it bolts up, on the driver side. Like directly beneath the oil filter. But there isn’t any seepage from the oil filter itself. This drives me crazy but is also a part of the fun, too.

 

Make sure to check the top of the skid plate. I had oil on mine once and it took a while to find, and made me nuts until I finally did. Used oil will migrate like water, and from the weirdest places.

 

Northern Myrtle Beach, the Grande Dunes area. Although I don't have a timeline for the permanent move we are going to start setting things up in a "vacation home" in advance. I just need to move a few extra home furnishing down there. But, I don't want to deal with U-Haul when I can check here for similar trailer.

 

No skids here, sir.

 

Does anyone have any interest in a 1998 limited 3.4 auto 4x4 4runner for parts?

vehicle runs and drives but the rear axle housing is no good. Swap an axle under it and it’d be a decent beater for someone.

body rust is bad, frame rust is actually not that bad. Better than my 2000 when i got it actually.

4.30s and the elocker are in it and everything works but the rear brakes because the rear axle seals are blown.

259k on the whole vehicle. No idea what its worth. @68dave @Tonymontana

Good:
Runs
Drives
New front brakes
New vc gaskets
New intake gaskets
Decent tires
Limited
Leather
Tan interior
4.30s
E locker
Desert dune two tone

Bad:
Rust. Lots of rust.
Rear axle is no good but the third member is mint still locker still works

 

Maybe the eccentric bolts are seized to the bushing sleeves? That could be a reason to want to get you to buy new lower control arms, as they wouldn't want to deal with pressing out old bushings and installing new ones.

Where is this located? I will give the obligatory $501 offer, just to outbid Dave but I might be seriously interested for a parts rig if it's cheap enough.

 

Cumberland MD

 

@RobP62 No oil leaks/seeps to report, sir. Thankfully…

 

3.4/auto. I think that '98 was the last year for 5 speeds and the Limited's were always V6/automatic. I do enjoy the multimode t-case, with the shift lever in 2WD and the button pressed in, it's like having a big Subaru with the AWD mode engaged. I went with a group of guys from our forum to AOA last year ( around this time if I remember right) and it was fun just moving around in AWD. There were a few rutted steep hills that I slipped into low range and locked the rear, it was like cheating.

 

Im locked!

 

Morning MD

 

Morning Maryland ​

 

Good morning MD!

 

Nice! I keep looking for the day that I can have one of these.



Good morning everyone! I'm off to the dentist and then a side trip to Ikea before the MVA appointment. It seems like the "day off" is busier then a regular work day.

 

Morning MD, happy Friday!