Picked up a 97 Limited with rear locker w/175k on it about 3 weeks ago.

Things I know I need to replace or repair... rear springs, turn rotors, new pads, new tires and timing belt (to be safe).

Any other suggestions to add to the short list?

Note: I know I could search but I'm looking for real time advice...

Thx

Welcome to the forum. I'd suggest trying to get the service history if possible, but if not I would change all the fluids including the diffs (I'm guessing it's 4x4 by the rr diff lock), engine oil, tranny, and coolant. Test the battery, change the plugs/wires (use only NGK or Denso), grease the driveshaft. If you want to get crazy with it, clean the throttle body, IAC and MAF (search if you don't know what they are - there's lots of talk about these and how to clean em). I would go around the engine bay and check all the hoses, and the electrical connections and wiring too.

Congrats and I hope you get many years of driving out of her!

Bosch is good too for spark plugs. I would replace the steering rack bushings, the Sway bar bushings, and the struts and shocks. That will give you the best bang for your buck. Make sure if the plugs are original you buy spark plug wires too.

If Bosch was so good, there wouldn't be a hundred threads about how they aren't. I tried em in mine a while back, but I'm not even gonna post the pic of my Bosch again.

We can have DUhockey post a pic of his after 100k miles, I woulda used Bosch in mine but i got 2 bosch plugs after going to 4 different walmart, i just said F this and bought NGK's.

Why do you need new rear springs? If you have no history of the timing belt replacement it would be a good idea to do that and the water pump.

Oh, yeah, go to the stealership, see if your rear springs were replaced yet under recall, if not then you get a new set for free.

probally saying this because lots of 3rd gens have rear sag...they sit lower in the rear than the front, which looks ugly. looks like ur always hauling like 10 kegs of beer in the cargo...which is no good..i think...

changing the springs would level out the car

Yes, if that is the case I wonder if Toyota will still honor the recall for the rear springs on these. My 97 had its rear springs replaced in 2002 for free.

most likely not, you can always check, but thats over a decade ago, so ...yea but u can check!

u can also get used coils from pppl selling on here, or just go to a junkyard!

Let me go through my reasoning for my initial list.

Rear end is soft and bouncing off the bump stops... shocks had been replaced shortly before I purchased. Tried to take it in for the service bulletine... mine was brought in as a Canadian model so they would not honor it. No local used springs, didn't see any available in the classified and I want to stay stock until I figure out the set up I want to go with.

The tires that the previous owner put on are new "E Load" so they are WAY TO STIFF!!!

Front shocks and springs are good to go.

Rotors are warped... either turning or getting new.

The timing belt and water pump (thanks for the reminder) will be replaced pretty quick here.

Thanks for the heads up on the other items... I will work on this list over the next couple of months.

Funny... I just spent about 3k on engine parts to build a high performance motor this past Fall for the car I just sold and told my wife that the 4Runner will be a cheap hobby... now I realize different vehicle same temptations. lol

I am in the same position you are and told myself the samething when I bought my 4runner (about a month ago). Was planning on keeping it stock and not doing any off-roading, but the temptation is creeping up on me.

Get new. Turning just makes them thinner which is worse.

You bought the correct plug. DUhockey was probably 1 of the very few that was lucky enough to not have any problems. We've seen it too many times people come back complain about random miss, rough idle, fuel mileage gone, etc etc.

We try to sell them a tune up and they say oh no, so and so down the road did a tune up or they did it themselves. We pull a plug and wala BOSCH!!!
I've worked @ Toyota and seen it too many times and the same here at Nissan now.

John don't chance having to do it twice. Do it right the 1st time

Can't its a one time deal....I tried.