I'm going to be meeting up with my brother and spending a couple days working on my 97 SR5 with him, and would appreciate estimates for how long this work will take. We have two complete days and I'm hoping that what I want to do is feasible in that time. For reference, he has a well-equipped shop including a lift and a press (he runs a ranch / golf course and maintains all the equipment) but hasn't ever worked in a 4runner, and I'm inexperienced but have watched many of Tim's videos multiple times.

- Mount and balance 4 tires

- Weld on 4x Innovations sliders

- Replace front UCA and LCA bushings with Whiteline. While front is disassembled, replace outer tie rods and LBJs.

- Replace rear UCA/UTA and LCA/LTA bushings with Whiteline

- Replace radiator, timing belt, water pump, thermostat, and all related parts (I have the aircabinman kit from ebay). Flush / change coolant and transmission fluid.

- If there's time, replace the steering rack bushings. How much time would this likely add if we did it while doing the rest of the front end work?

Thanks in advance!

There is way too many unknown factors to give a known time but even if everything is easy to replace with no hiccups, you will probably have a hard time getting all that done in 2 days.

Pick either the timing belt portion or the front control arm bushing replacement and then see how much time is left those two jobs have the potential to be time consuming if things don’t come apart nicely.


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Splitting the tasks and working in tandem on separate areas of the rig should save some time. Barring any hickups two should be plenty.

Thanks for the input, I appreciate it. Sounds like it might be a good idea if I work on the timing belt project while my brother works on the bushings to make sure we can get through it in 2 days.

With no seized parts (lower control arm cam sleeves) and two experienced people in a shop, its all doable. With less than that, pick your battles...

Leave the tires and sliders until the end - they are likely least important and least likely to have really bad things happen. I'd suggest working together on things and not splitting up - you'll have the 4Runner specific knowledge and he will have the mechanical experience. Together you can do the best work.

Oh, and jiggle valve at 6 o'clock. That's the only thing he will have an issue with if he doesn't know 4Runners (errr, the 5VZ engine).

-Charlie

I'll be the Debbie downer here. You have too much booked to get done. If you were both experienced Toyota guys would be a different story.

Depending how much sawing is required, the LCA's are a bit of a job. Plus your still R&R on bushings.

I'd say if your handy enough with tools and well equipped enough, maybe the belt job, and the suspension in 2 days. Tires aren't that big of deal. The rest??? Eh, you might need another day.

Like I said, if you'd both done this before, it wouldn't be a big deal and probably doable if you really really boogie.

Depending on clearances and all, sliders are a bit time consuming unless you just don't care how they end up.

My vote would be set yourself up for success. Make more time for what you want done. You haven't even discussed flushing out the coolant system. You'll need 45 minutes to an hour to do the job properly with a pulsation gun.

Time crunches always suck. That's always went bad stupid things happen like broken bolts and hardware.

If the rig has to run no exceptions, because you have nothing else, then I think you really are pushing the limit.

Very much this. All of it. Don't spilt up. Besides, welding is going to kill the workspace anyways. Depending on level of rust, front ends can be a bear. You don't want to be rushed on a belt or suspension job in my opinion. To many elements involved for a DIY guy that doesn't do it all the time. Unless you've done the job 2 to 3 times, it's in the DIY category in my book.

Toyota is easy to work on once you understand it. If he's only ever worked on American cars, he's going to be scratching his head in a few spots.

I'll add get a copy of the Toyota manual in book or pdf. Or at least a Haynes book. Yeah, the Haynes manual is a bit janky, but better than nothing.

It took me about 1 week, (3-5 hours/day) (16-20 hours total) to swap out all the bushings, ball joints tie rods, steering rack bushings pretty much all worn out suspension parts front and rear, front brakes, took my time doing it myself and 1st time doing it. I did buy a harbor freight press for the job. This also wasn't my primary vehicle at time.

That is a week worth of work for two guys if neither have completed those tasks before.

I don't know the condition of your rig, but if it's anything like mine you should take the number of hours you expect things to take and then triple it at the very least.

But I'm also a complete newb with less than ideal tools so YMMV.

I wasn’t able to even get my LCA bolts out. Everything was rusted fast. It took a local shop 4 days till I got it back. One day to get it apart and order new bolts and cams and sleeves from Toyota then put it together and get the wheels aligned.


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First of all, I'm glad the videos @infamousRNR and I made are helping you out.

Secondly and most importantly, DO NOT BE IN A RUSH! Get done what you can get done while working carefully and methodically. When you rush, mistakes are made. It's great you'll have your brother for 2 days to help you out, but if you don't get everything done, it's not a big deal. You can do all these jobs on your own.

Dividing and concurring is a good idea. While you're working on the timing belt job, your brother can be pulling rear control arms and working on replacing those bushings.

You have to remember that set backs occur. All it will take is one stripped or broken bolt and your forward progress will be halted. Struggles will occur and you'll have to possess the patience to get through them. You might find yourself running over to Toyota for parts, the auto parts store to rent tools or the hardware store to buy a bolt or nut. As they say, shit happens, and when that shit happens, it robs you of time.

Auto Mechanics isn't a sprint. It's a marathon. The goal is to reach the finish line with the job done right. It doesn't matter how long it takes.

Good luck,
Timmy the Toolman

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.

Don't forget to stop and take at least a little time to take a few pictures so we can see how the repair-o-bonanza went. Definitely best of luck to you and double check all your torque specs on stuff that can cause you to go off the road.