OT, but because I've BTDT, unless you're buying brand new and don't mind weeks/months of possible downtime, skip the Sprinter. They are a nightmare from every angle ~ like I said, Been There, and Done That. I'm in the Transit now, but that's because I'm unwilling to do a Fiat (Dodge), when Dodge has a history of changing business agreements and abandoning vehicles (first gen Sprinters).

My Transit is now 3 years in without a single unplanned trip to the dealer/shop. Maintenance only.


For the actual topic, any fluid not replaced in the past 2 years is due. Brakes, steering, different gear oils, coolant, whatever. If it's fluid and hasn't been done in the past 24 months, do it. Next would be looking at the brake lines (flexible), cheap as hell and beats the alternative of a brake failure. Beyond that, replacing the control arm bushings made the single biggest difference in the quality of ride on my '99. WAY more difference than the Bils 6112/5160 combo or any change in tire on any vehicle.

Ooh yes, +1 for new bushings.

This is correct. My 4Runner did not pass the smog visual inspection even with the deckplate inserted as it was considered an "air cleaner box modification" and is not allowed. I have an intact factory box I picked up at a junkyard which I use to swap in to pass smog. It is worth the money though to do it. I've picked up +9HP from the deckplate, +9HP from an oiled filter, and +43HP from ditching it all and building a custom 3" intake. +61 HP from freeing up intake restrictions alone.

Alphyn does your 4Runner need a tune? I know enough about tuning to be dangerous and can help dial it in. Can't remember if you have a wideband sensor or not, if not that's what I recommend starting with. The 7th injector gives enough fuel for a pulley as small as the 2.1" pulley so I would take larger injectors off your list, unless you plan on removing the 7th injector entirely?

While your 4Runner is under the knife, take a spark plug out and measure the spark gap. Those gaps are sneaky and really open up over time on a supercharged engine. Anything over 0.035" and you'll start to lose power.

Ha! Great analogy. I don't think they're for me. I mean, no judgement but I kind of like the classic 3rd gen face. The anime eyes of those headlights don't pump blood to my nether regions.

Haha, well then technically glass is a supercooled liquid and I'd confuse a bunch of people if I said I needed to change my glass fluid. Or my engine fluid.

Had a rebuilt trans put in not too many miles ago. Wouldn't be the worst thing to change out gear oil, but it's not like the slushbox milkshake hand grenade ready to blow at any time.

Rock sliders if it actually goes offroad.

I have no idea how you pass smog! I imagine you have blackmail material on your local smog shop tech and strategically remind him/her what they did last summer can easily be made public.

On my list for sure! Roof rack, hard points (front / rear), subtle aux lighting that works and other goodies are future planned.

Unfortunately, I have more projects than any one human can reasonably complete at the moment. I'm building out my wood shop, metal shop, redoing underground drainage systems in the yard, building a custom shed, redoing all cabinets and counters inside, restoring a collection of antique typewriters, starting a few businesses, studying for a few certs / licenses.

I just started looking in to work vans. Purchase will be at least 6-months down the road and I've done minimal research. I'm still figuring out the scope of my GC business I'm planning on launching. Don't know if I want the versatility of a truck with capacity to haul dump trailers and equipment, or the extremely organized workspace of a van. Lots to consider. Appreciate the feedback and advice on reliability of used Sprinters.

Thank you for that! I didn't consider bushings and have a feeling they'd greatly improve the ride. My wife and I both had 4runners at one point and hers seemed to be much more smoother and less janky. I thought it might have been because the bushings in my (previous) shocks needed replacing. After swap over to the Bils, ride definitely improved but it still was less than ideal.

Noted on fluid change intervals at 24-months and brake lines. Thanks for the heads up. Added to the list.

I got about 285,000 miles out of two OEM alternators. So that's about what? Average 142,500 miles per alternator. So if you're still on your first, you may need to change it. But if you're on your second then you've probably got a lot of miles left before you need to make the change. I change mine within a week or two of getting the red battery light. Of course, my rig's pretty much stock so it's easy to work with.

My engine started leaking like crazy around 250K miles. I mean, leaving puddles. Turned out to be three leaks: front seal around the timing belt (whatever that's called), valve cover gaskets, and oil pan. Took me the better part of 3 years and probably $3,500 in total to get them all fixed.

But it was definitely worth it.

i'm definitely with @Bad Luck and @Brian. regarding full fluids exchange and bushings. i think someone else said LBJs and i fully concur there as well since no one wants to see you in a wreck . those several items will take care of your $600 and probably force some choices at that.

edit: also consider getting a packaged gasket set like

ahead of time, so if/when you do need items from it you can just grab at will.

Anything else you can think of to do while I'm in there doing the bushings? I was going to do springs, shocks, and bushings for shocks and control arm. Am I missing anything to get that sweet sweet ride quality?

(sorry to hijack a bit)

Yeah, I bought a set during their black Friday sale. I checked in with them on the status last week and was told that black Friday orders were 1 to 3 weeks out from shipping.

This one won’t break the budget - get rid of that squeaky clutch spring.

Use a big flat screwdriver to pop that old one out and toss it. Put in a linear spring. It’ll take 10 minutes and cost from free up to a couple dollars.

Mine has been done for years and no regrets.