I have a 1998 4runner, 5spd, 4 cyl. I've had it since 1998 so I know the maintenance that's gone into it. I've never had anything catastrophic happen -- i've been on top of all fluid changes like clockwork, and replaced the belts twice now. I had to change a starter and grease the zerks a few years ago -- nothing else. I have about 160K miles on it.

I have two questions for the experts here:

1) Is there any maintenance I need to do now to prevent a possible catastrophe to the car when I move? Like water pump or something? Everything is working fine..

2) given that I'm going from a very rural part of the country (rural Colorado) with long roads and very little stop and go, to a very stop-and-go part of the country, would you seriously consider selling your 4runner for a newer generation model that's more reliable?

thanks all

Ya man that thing is toast out here for sure. You'll need to get rid of it as soon as you get here. I'll take it off your hands

lol. point taken.

figured it would be a good question to ask..going from farmlands to dense urban areas, so i'm a little unfamiliar.

Get ready to see lots of homeless and filth in Los Angeles. Oh, and more crime than you're use to. You're gonna love it.

Something tells me you're going to want to run back to rural Colorado. Not all California is bad, but where you're going, you're in for a real treat. Good luck!

On a helpful note, just do your regular preventative maintenance and you're good.

haha, ya I get it.

In all seriousness though, the manual might get a bit annoying if you're going to be in stop and go traffic a lot, but if you don't mind it, it shouldn't be a problem. Reliability won't be an issue, plenty of third gens endure the harsh conditions of the 5 freeway out here everyday. It will be a little harsher on all the components though, so be attentive to wear and tear items and general maintenance and you should be good. Seems like you're on top of it though.

Enjoy the Mojave and Sonoran desert! Change your air filter more often.

Maybe install a fuel pump kill switch (you didn't share the hood you're moving to.....)

This had me rolling lol thanks for the laugh

LA is great, I've spent a lot of time there / used to drive there regularly from the Bay Area. There are great spots for desert trails nearby and lots of sights to see in all of California. If you have the space for a second car (though not easy to come by one, let alone two parking spaces in much of the city), I'd highly suggest getting a Prius or something. When people say they are seeing $6-7/gallon gas right now they aren't lying, it's pretty nuts. Stop and go traffic also eats through your brake pads faster no matter what car you're driving. Definitely not a bad idea to do the TBU and make sure to get the shim kit because you'll want to avoid the squeaking when you're stuck on the highway every day.

Like others have mentioned, using a club and a kill switch are always helpful (take it from someone who had his truck stolen last year...it's good to do this in the city even when you're parked in "secure" garages lol.)

There will definitely be a lot of adjustment I bet but I hope you enjoy it! It's an awesome place. Expensive as hell but an awesome place.

Summer will be here quick. Make sure your cooling system is good and your A/C works. Definitely do the kill switch on the fuel pump.
Not all of LA is bad but the bad parts are pretty easy to avoid. I hope you're prepared for the gas prices and cost of living

Good advice; I'll add:
1.Cat converter thefts are currently happening in some "better" areas...'cause that's where the better cats are(Priuses, SUVs, et)
2. Compared to country driving, the percentage of maniac and brain dead drivers is the same, but because of the sheer greater overall number of drivers, there are many more maniacs and brain deads around you. Do not try to keep up or compete with them.
3. (not L.A. related) If original, replace the radiator before it crumbles.

Don't listen to Tim, he's just bitter cause homeless people don't watch his videos.

At 160K you're GTG. You'll obviously have more stop and go on the fwy but I've had friends drive years like that so you get used to it.

One thing I would bring with me is a backup fuel pump. I'm at 250K and still on the original but I always carry a new fuel pump and gasket just in case.

No issues with a 5-speed in LA traffic, just get ready for seedy city living lol stop-and-go driving depends on where and when you go.

If you wheel, there are plenty of trails within 1-4 hours driving, depending on what you want, and tons of camping opportunities.

Full skids reduce the chance of cat theft, other than that, regular maintenance keeps these rigs going no matter where you live or drive.

HMU when you get here

I'd say the lower ball joints and radiator at the minimum if not done already. Even if you don't do the work yourself you can skim through @mtbtim videos to arm yourself with idea of what might be good to get done and how thing's work, it's a true gold mine of info. Timmy The Toolman - YouTube

Timing belt, water pump, thermostat, radiator, hoses, coolant.
Lower ball joints and bolts (from an official Toyota dealer).
Check brake pads and the like.
Replace brake hoses with braided stainless.
Brake fluid flush.
Power steering flush.
ATF drain and fill.
Differentials and transfer case fluids.
Spark plugs and wires.
PCV valve and grommet (be very careful the grommet doesnt disintegrate in to the hole).
Clean the throttle body and MAF.
New alternator brushes might be an idea.
Check for any leaks, including the rear axles.
Check the state of the CV boots, bushings and stuff like that.

The 4th gens look LESS reliable from the used ones I've looked at but the 5th gens are super solid. Only issue seems to be the 1GR-FE timing chain cover leak which you can ignore indefinitely because it's not pressurized which they seem to have addressed in the later years. I'm almost dissapointed by the complete lack of anything I've had to do on mine and it's about to hit 200k miles and my gf clocks a lot on miles on it. She still gets close to 20mpg out of it too. I was looking forward to learning the 5th gen platform. We'll see what the 200s bring I guess. I don't see any reason to jump ship though, especially with the market right now and what's probably coming down the line economy wise.

Lbs if original, rotor, cap plugs. air element.

If you want to get ripped off with taxes it might not be too late to move to Nebraska dude, it's booming here nothing but out of staters coming in. Essentially zero crime in the suburbs it's like living in the 1950s. You can get anywhere in the city in 20 mins, extremely family oriented and great people. Utterly boring however unless you have a strong passion for going to church, watching sports and abusing prescription dugs and alcohol.