I'm going to change the p.s. fluid and want to make sure I get the proper fluid. The res. cap lists Dexron based fluid, so I want to make sure Valvoline Synthetic Dexron 4 or ATF Dexron 3/Mercon are ok to use in my 97 4Runner v6
Thanks

atf dexron III

Yep Justin is right Dex III is the standard fluid. If you want synthetic use Dex VI (6) Same two to use for the transmission.

thanks

how many quarts of dextron III do we need? When i changed my timing belt i did this and the dealership said i only needed 2qts and just want to verify bc ive driven 20k miles since then and if its not enough then ill pick some up this week.

When I had my 4runner in for a tire balance about 2 months ago, they were hurting for business so out of empathy I let them change the power steering fluid. I didn't bother to check what they put in, just asked on the way out and they said "synthetic power steering fluid", which I surmised would be ok. Fast forward to yesterday, I started the 4runner and the power steering system was moaning / groaning loudly, got worse when I turned the steering wheel. After I did my homework and found Dexron III ATF fluid is what they should have used, I decided to change it out myself. Luckily I had 2.5 quarts of Valvoline MaxLife ATF (marked as suitable for Dex III & IV replacement, and "Toyota") left over from my previous ATF fluid change. I basically took the steps in this video: SIMPLE Power Steering Flush Toyota 4Runner √ Fix it Angel with a couple exceptions: (1) I jacked up the front end off the ground so the wheel would turn more easily, (2) I suctioned as much fluid as I could out of the reservoir (be careful to not damage the screen in the reservoir), and (3) I never bothered to start the engine. Turning the steering wheel side to side pumped out the old fluid and pushed through the new stuff. That also helped contain the mess and kept air bubbles out of the fluid during the exchange. The moaning / groaning is gone. Hopefully I caught this in time and the seals were not damaged.

Thanks for the info, I wasn’t sure if this would work with the engine off on a rack and pinion system.

I can confirm...engine off worked fine the last 2 times I did it.

Yes, since making the video below, I have learned that jacking up the front end and turning the wheels lock to lock effectively moves the fluid through the system. How it moves the fluid through the pump with the pump off, I don't exactly know but it does work.

You can use the video to learn how to clean out your reservoir screen and you could certainly run the pump like we did for the fluid flush or do it with the engine off. You're not the first person and you won't be the last that has a shop put in generic power steering fluid when the spec calls for ATF.

Be certain you use ATF. Can't speak for the T4R specifically, but on my Dodge Dakota I went through three PS pumps because I used PS fluid, since there was no mention of ATF anywhere on the cap (unlike ours which say so front and center). What happens is the PS fluid will froth up as it heats, and will keep foaming and expanding until it bursts its way through whatever seal(s) give first. Not fun