[erock0010]

Hi im leaving next friday to go on vacation from ohio to florida. I worry alot when it comes to driving my car long distances. So if any one can help me with some points to check so i can reassure myself i will make it ok..

I have a 99 4runner 3.4 4x4 auto sr5 non limited edition with around 143k

Thanks and great forum.
Eric

[salvaged]

If you keep up on maintence then your good to go but i would check these things for a once over
tires
Ball joints
TRE's
any leaky areas and clean your throttle body and MAF to help on mileage

all fluids and go , also having AAA helps out just in case.

for what its worth the 2 days after buying my runner with 245k on it. I took it on a 1100 mile round trip with no hiccups what so ever. I didnt really check anything over but i did bring tools just incase since i didnt know the truck that well yet

Pack it up and go enjoi your trip

[Toy4ever]

I had thought i replied but apparently i did not. Anyways; i am in the same situation, heading on a trip to Yosemite next week and my advice is keep refreshing yourself with the basics. I think just about everyday i go home and look under the hood, oil, transmission fluid, radiator fluid (flush before you go), leaks under the 4runner (currently left cv seal has 1 drop leak and needs replaced AGAIN) etc.

I have a 590 mile trip ahead of me and all i can at this point is hope i covered the basics and have faith in her to get me there and back

Have a great trip!!

[brian2sun]

Originally Posted by Toy4ever

I had thought i replied but apparently i did not. Anyways; i am in the same situation, heading on a trip to Yosemite next week and my advice is keep refreshing yourself with the basics. I think just about everyday i go home and look under the hood, oil, transmission fluid, radiator fluid (flush before you go), leaks under the 4runner (currently left cv seal has 1 drop leak and needs replaced AGAIN) etc.

I have a 590 mile trip ahead of me and all i can at this point is hope i covered the basics and have faith in her to get me there and back

Have a great trip!!

It's like 590 miles each way, plus you'll be doing a lot of driving in Yosemite too. Last time I went there, I put over 1100 miles round trip and I live in CA!

Change your air filter and doing the engine oil and filter wouldn't be a bad idea either. Is you diff leaking at the seal where the CV axle goes in? If so I would replace that before you leave or you might stand the chance of running your front diff dry and grenadng it.

[Toy4ever]

Originally Posted by brian2sun

It's like 590 miles each way, plus you'll be doing a lot of driving in Yosemite too. Last time I went there, I put over 1100 miles round trip and I live in CA!

Change your air filter and doing the engine oil and filter wouldn't be a bad idea either. Is you diff leaking at the seal where the CV axle goes in? If so I would replace that before you leave or you might stand the chance of running your front diff dry and grenadng it.

Yeah it is going to be a decent run and my first with the runner which is the most intimidating. I have been thinking about the oil change and have been reading into the Royal Purple so i haven't made a decision yet. Worried about what the Royal Purple will do to old seals. Thanks for the advice though!

[erock0010]

All great info thanks alot..Ill be sure to get it in on the lift before i head out and check some stuff out..Ive only owned it about 2 months now and still am very new to it so i think thats part of my problem..

Thanks

[erock0010]

O and another thing that worries me is the trans.. It shifts fine but sometimes in the morining if i dont let it warm up it takes a min. to shift out of first the firsty time. And also it sometimes if i stop hard then i start to go from that stop it kind of shutters or slightly jerks a bit when taking off. But other than that i think it is a great truck..Maybe im just being picky.

Thanks

[adder70]

Originally Posted by erock0010

O and another thing that worries me is the trans.. It shifts fine but sometimes in the morining if i dont let it warm up it takes a min. to shift out of first the firsty time. And also it sometimes if i stop hard then i start to go from that stop it kind of shutters or slightly jerks a bit when taking off. But other than that i think it is a great truck..Maybe im just being picky.

Thanks

I am not sure exactly what you mean by "takes a min" to shift, but I do know 4Runners will tend to stay in a lower gear until warm. When cold, they will almost never shift to a gear where the engine runs less than 2000rpm, so first to second can require a pretty high rpm to get to that shift point.

Maybe someone can chime in with an explanation of why 4Runners seem to have what sounds like an extra whine (almost like an extra flywheel to prevent stalling?) when moving away from a complete stop sometimes.

[Qyota]

Here are the "cold" shift rules:

1st - 2nd has no RPM or temp switch...it should shift to 2nd well before 2K RPM unless you're hammering on it.

2nd - 3rd follows one of two rules... either you are above ~2500 RPM, OR the water temp has reached 130 degrees F. If either of those are met, it will shift to 3rd, but not until then.

I have a scangaugeII, so I am able to see this stuff happen on a regular basis.

[erock0010]

ok i figured the cold shift thing was ok...but the thing im worried about is the jerk after stopping hard..my girlfriend has the dredded eclipse with the auto trans which r known for going out and it sometimes acts like that (not trying to compare cause there is none)..

[kball]

Originally Posted by erock0010

ok i figured the cold shift thing was ok...but the thing im worried about is the jerk after stopping hard..my girlfriend has the dredded eclipse with the auto trans which r known for going out and it sometimes acts like that (not trying to compare cause there is none)..

If you mean that "thump" when you let off the brake, kinda feels like someone bumped your rearend, it's common on these trucks. Grease the driveshaft and it will go away for a while.

[erock0010]

oh ok well thats not horrible news..where on the driveshaft do i grease?

thanks
eric

[kball]

Originally Posted by erock0010

oh ok well thats not horrible news..where on the driveshaft do i grease?

thanks
eric

Here's a link, and don't bother buying two different types of grease. Just get one like Mobil 1 synthetic and go to town.

4Runners.org - Lubing Your Driveshaft

[topdown4runner]

Originally Posted by erock0010

Hi im leaving next friday to go on vacation from ohio to florida. I worry alot when it comes to driving my car long distances. So if any one can help me with some points to check so i can reassure myself i will make it ok..

I have a 99 4runner 3.4 4x4 auto sr5 non limited edition with around 143k

Thanks and great forum.
Eric

O.K., with 143K on the odometer....and you are not sure when the tranny fluid was last changed, do it. Now. If it is within the last 20K miles or so, you should be O.K.

If the previous owner did not put an aux. tranny cooler on, and bypass the one built into the radiator, do it. Now. Regardless of your up coming trip. See "pink milkshake of death" threads. It'l only cost about $50 - $60 from your local auto parts store and well worth the peace of mind.

It is hotter than hades down here. Make sure your A/C is up to snuff and your antifreeze is good. Also, put fresh wiper blades on if you have'nt already. It has been raining almost every afternoon for a few hours, and there is a tropical depression that will be nearby by the end of the weekend. It is no big deal, just be ready for the rain.
Condition of your tires? That is a looong ride. Make sure you have good tread and no cracking. Air up to proper psi.

I think that just about covers it with what everyone else has already said.
Drive safely and "Welcome to Florida! "

[Toy4ever]

You convinced me to go to Oriellys and pick up a transmission cooler this afternoon. There are multiple ones to choose from, any suggestions?