Bought a '99 4Runner with 325k, what maintenance to do first?

Posted this in the 4Runner forum but that does not seem to be very active. Since it shares engine and many parts with the 1st gen I figured I'd ask you guys. I bought an extremely clean 1999 4Runner Limited with 325,xxx on the clock. CarFax shows timing belt and water pump replaced at 85k but it's just been oil changes since then. Don't want to dump a ton of cash into a 17 year old car but I want to take care of it and gets some life out of it. What's the first things I should do? New spark plugs, change transmission fluid, diff fluid?

 

With that many miles I would say the timing belt and other maintenance is due again .

 

People tend to say change all the fluids (engine and tranny transfer differentials coolant) spark plugs and wires, belts and hoses, and I agree with above timing belt and water pump. How do the tires look? Alignment? Tear apart the interior and give it a good shampoo?

 

The only way stuff like that shows up in any print out is if it's dealer done. Doesn't mean the work wasn't done.

You have two choices with a vehicle like that.

Baseline it, meaning do all the basic things that are normally done, and log them, so you have a start over point to move ahead from, or just drive it and hope for the best. Really all depends on your budget, DIY skills and how much you have into the vehicle.

Part of that decision also is based on how you use it. Lot of difference in a daily driver reliability needs and a weekend beater.

Personally I'd do the following...........

Compression check, including leakdown. Give me a hint on motor health and what direction I might go here.

Saftey items, brakes, brake fluid, wipers, lights, tires, etc. to be refurbished, replaced, etc. to make basic driving safe.

If everything seems to be functioning ok, I'd do all the fluids EXCEPT the coolant, and still see how things are going.

Then I'd do the coolant. Reason I suggest it last is that often a flush and fill on a high miler will create new problems. Radiator leaks, water pump leaks, etc. All to be expected, but if it's not running hot, can be left for last, and see what happens.

The other coolant approach is to plan on the timing belt, water pump, tstat, etc. and all the hoses as a service project, of which the coolant would be a part, and monitor the radiator/heater core for post flush failure. Which may, or may not, happen.

Enjoy!

 

That's kind of my struggle, how much effort to put into it. We got it so my wife could drive it to work and we can sell her much more expensive Acura. (Trying to pay off student loans early) We just relocated and her new commute is less than a mile, my truck is our primary vehicle. So she just needs to get from A to B. I only paid 3200 for it. I may go through it with my grease gun and then just keep a sharp eye/ear out for problems and fix them as they come up.

 

the up side, if the timing belt breaks, it just quits running, non interface engine. tow it home, tear it down, line everything back up, replace water pump and t-stat, belt and tensioner bearing, idler bearing and away you go. couple hour job

 

I would check cylinder compression and do a timing belt minimum

 

I wouldn't do a god damned thing. Just make sure the engine has oil and the tires have air and you're good to go. You have to be pretty unlucky for anything catastrophic to happen to these trucks.

 

I just got a 2002 taco with about 200k on it. the guy who had it before me had it from 70-200 so i've got a good resource for what's been done.

I'm going ahead with the timing belt/water pump replacement before the summer is up, and doing a bit of needed work to the front-end - inner and outer tie rods are the main focus, but I'll poke around while i'm spending the afternoon down there. The brakes were chewed up when i got it, so it got new rotors and pads were the first real job.

Make a list of the little things you see when going around the truck and attack things in the order you choose. I went for safety #1, reliability #2, and peppered in some aesthetic stuff like dash lights that were easy so that i could check things off the list and feel productive. it's also gotten about 3 deep cleanings and i'm getting close to checking that off the list too...not there yet.

be ready for stuck bolts and a few extra headaches, but i've found the forums to have all the info you need to do pretty much everything on your own.

have fun with it!

 

Yeah, Im the fourth owner now but unfortunately this is about the most info I've got on it. I've got a couple cans of PB Blaster on standby for those stuck bolts.

 

Dang, then I guess the best approach is do things as they come up. If you're out ahead of the big stuff that will shut you down (the timing belt, water pump) and the other things look ok (cv boots, steering rack and components) then the other things that will eventually happen will be things that you can take care of without getting stuck on the side of the road.

truck must be doin' alright if it's made it to 325k so far with nothing major jumping out at you.

...here's to the next 325!

 

Let me say congratulations on your desire to get out of debt. Always something I enjoy seeing!

With that in mind, I'd still do the safety related things. Examine and repair brakes as needed, bleed brake fluid, check tires for condition, wipers, lights, make sure there are no exhaust leaks, windows work, etc.

If you have the ability, or helpful friends, a compression check to just know where that stands still isn't a bad idea. I wouldn't pay someone to do it at this point, but if it can be done for free or the price of a pizza, at least you'll have a good indicator.

Stay with the oil change program, but just use a good grade dino. SN APIs are almost equal to the synthetics of a few years ago, so that should work great.

After all that is settled down, and you have a few issue free weeks, I'd still start futzing with a few of the other things, just to knock them off one at a time.

I would not do the timing belt until and if it breaks or the water pump starts leaking, then do the package.

If you aren't always available to drag it home if it lays down, the wife might feel better with a AAA membership. It's a cheap confidence booster where a high mile vehicle is used in a local area.

Enjoy!

 

Thanks!August 1st we will be starting our first month with a written budget. Using EveryDollar.com.

Thanks for the advice. We put about 100 miles on it today, and I greased all the U Joints, further tested 4wd, fixed the short in the back glassine tightened the bolts on the valve covers. I'm going to drive it this week so I can gain some confidence in it.

 

did you get the center ball on CV on rear drive shaft ?

often overlooked as its not easily seen or known about

 

Yes. Actually was easier to grease than my 15 Tacoma. Had my assistants help me though.

 

Well, slobber and drool do have some lubricating qualities.....

Weims or GSP ?

 

One of each actually! Big guy on the left is a Blue Weim, other is a GSP

 

unsure what our Derp monster is for sure, 72lb of crazy, papers from shelter say Wiem/Hound mix, but looking at him..... well

Big Goofy scaredy cat that like to chase squirrels ( is what he's eye ballin in the top pic )

 

Yes to the above...

When these trannys go out due to lack of maintenance it's about $3400.00 to rebuild, to me this falls into the catastrophic area you mentioned....

 

Good looking pup!