Sorry this may come off as a bit of a noob post but I'm coming up for my 168,000 km (approx 104,000 miles) maintenance and since I don't have a garage and it's going to be around 35 degrees this weekend (and colder for the foreseeable future) I'm going to break down and have the fluids done at a shop. The 4Runner 'budget' is only around $200.00 right now (and I may need an alignment as well) what with it being the holiday season and all so I was wondering, if you had to prioritize the following fluid changes what would you get done first (eg. the most important) and what would you leave for a month or two?

Here's the recommendations from Toyota along with the Canadian dealer pricing just for the pure entertainment value : )

- replace coolant $95.55
- front diff fluid $44.95
- rear diff fluid $44.95
- ATF fluid $95.95
- tighten and lube prop shaft $25.95

-168k maintenance service $140.00
(I'm pretty regular about checking this stuff myself so not worried and just changed oil so skipping this)

Since I'm not in 4WD a lot, I was thinking ATF, coolant and shaft lube for now?

Thanks all.

As you know, those are all good maintaince items. I'd recommend the ATF and rear diff to start. Is the "prop shaft" the rear driveshaft? If so, it does need to be lubed often but it is considered part of the oil change service here in the US (but you usually have to ask for them do it).

I say rear diff service mainly as a way to make sure you have enough gear oil. Many 3rd gen develop a slow axel seal leak that can damage rear diff bearing if it gets too low.

Coolant is a good idea but you really should wait until you can replace the entire radiator with a Koyo A1998 so you don’t get the strawberry milkshake. No sense in paying for the Red stuff twice.

Don't forget the transfer case oil when you can get to it.

For the price they are quoting on coolant, I would do it myself. It is super super easy to do. One gallon of distilled water and toyota red coolant, $25 or so and you are done. I did that this weekend when replacing the radiator. Draining the thing and filling it has to be easier than changing oil, nothing hard to get to at all.

I agree with the previous poster on replacing the radiator if you are able. I managed to do it so it is not all that hard. Not to mention that I added an external cooler and changed the hoses as well.

ATF is a fair deal depending on how much they change. I Would certainly not pay to have the drive shaft lubed, jiffy lube once did mine when I was in a hurry for nothing!

Bundle up, put on a canadian tuxedo (carheart jacket or bibs) and do the maintenance yourself.

You need a basic socket set and maybe a cheap oil pump . Hand pump ones are dirt cheap.
If you search there's some good write ups on all the fluids you mentioned.
Good luck

i would go to your nearest harbor freight and get either the 3/8" drive or 1/2" drive torque wrench. esp on the frequent maint items that will be checked alot. torques are there for a reason. if you're not in a pinch and have the tool, use it.

Yeah, the gear oil you can replace super easily. The coolant price seems a little high. The ATF seems like a decent deal if they replace all of it.

I would say do the drive shaft lubing first, then the rest. The diff fluid is pretty robust, but if it has never been done, it would be very good to do that, same with the ATF.

Thought the pumps were a little pricey for what they are. This will do for you as well. I didn't have the tool to lower the spare and still used this. (There is a hose clamp 1/4" on there, cant really see it.)

ya 95$ isnt bad if its for a full flush , cause if you do it yourself it takes at least 15 bottles .

I'm thinking rear diff service and believe me if it was warmer out and I had the time, this is one I could totally do myself. I am planning on replacing the rad soon and just checked the coolant - it looks pretty good so maybe I'll hold out for when I change the rad out in the spring.

Haha. Yeah, I should and in the nicer weather I do, did my plugs, TB and MAF etc in the summer. It's also really a matter of finding the time as well...job, kids and all that. Bought a POR-15 kit a few months back with the intention of cleaning and painting my rusty rear axle before winter set in - have yet to find a good chunk of time to do it : )

Just looked through my history and front diff, transfer and rear diff were all last done at 60k miles so probably a good idea to do them all soon at some point.

As always, thanks for all the input.

On my 98 with 262K miles, I have only changes the oil and transmission fluid, along with the radiator once. The brakes I bleed every time, other than that nothing, and I have had no problem....

ya thats the best and cheapest alterative, the 5.99 H/F pump was kind of messy and the hose fell out once or twice since I had my hands on the pump .

Still better then bringing it to the stealership.