estimate for how long work will take - Page 2 - Toyota 4Runner Forum

beklemmung · 03-23-2023, 01:23 AM

Wow, I really appreciate all the replies. Lots of good reminders and ideas, and I've always thought it seemed like a lot for 2 days unless everything goes right. We have a few things in our favor: it's an AZ/SoCal truck with virtually no rust, we won't lack for any equipment, and 2 days isn't a hard and fast deadline. I'll be there for longer if we need to bleed in to a 3rd day.

beklemmung · 03-23-2023, 01:30 AM

I have new coolant (is red, staying red) and transmission fluid ready, and yes my brother says no problem to mount and balance the tires in an hour or so (he replaces a lot of tires). I think by the time we get to the outer tie rods and LBJs we should have a decent idea of how doable the front LCA and UCA bushings are.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gamefreakgc

I'll also chime in here. I don't doubt your mechanical abilities but every job I do for the first time takes a long time. 2nd time is half as much, 3rd I've got it down to book time. Work on the maintenance items first and leave the 'fun stuff' for another time. Here's my recommended order (assuming tools are not a hindrance):

Replace radiator, timing belt and water pump, etc. - This is required maintenance so should be top priority. If the threads going into the oil pump are stripped it's going to be a long job.
Coolant and transmission fluid change - Since you have to drain the coolant anyway, this will be easy. I don't think you need a full flush unless you are changing the color of the fluid (like green to pink) then it's required. Transmission can just be a drain and fill which is a 15 minute job.
Can you really balance your own tire? A shop will normally mount and balance tires for $25 per tire, I'd do that to save time. If doing it yourself then do this last.
Replace outer tie rods and LBJ along with steering rack bushings - These can be done all together as you have to disconnect a lot of the same parts. Rack bushings will give you a fight so have some grease nearby and some really big breakers or impact guns.
This is where I don't think you'll have time - UCA and LCA bushings. Save this for next time.
Rear bushings - same as above so do this second on your next wrenching weekend.
Weld on 4x Innovation sliders - Reward yourself for getting all your maintenance done by saving this for last! Should look good once you put them on.

Rushthezeppelin · 03-23-2023, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beklemmung

I have new coolant (is red, staying red) and transmission fluid ready, and yes my brother says no problem to mount and balance the tires in an hour or so (he replaces a lot of tires). I think by the time we get to the outer tie rods and LBJs we should have a decent idea of how doable the front LCA and UCA bushings are.

One bit of advice I would give is to perhaps go ahead and check to see if the ITREs are seized into the OTREs. Just loosen the jam nut and turn it a bit and turn it back to where it was. Then also loosen and see if the cams are frozen into the bushings on the LCAs. Mark your current alignment with a paint pen so that you can get it right back after checking both of these. That should hopefully give you a good idea on how much rust you are dealing with and if things will go smoothly. I surmise that if those are not too rusted then nothing else on the truck will be too rusted. That said I have a lifetime Colorado truck and I dealt with both of those being seized on the passenger side.

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