Some Advice on 285,000 mile 4Runner Sport V8

N

notanyoldjoe

New member
Hey everyone,

I have a 2005 4Runner Sport V8 with 285,000+ miles. The truck has been great to me and my family, but it is having its list of issues now that are beginning to stack up. Wasn't able to address a lot because of finances, but I am now in a good place to start seriously addressing our transportation needs.

Because of how much it needs, my lack of knowledge, and it's high mileage, I need some advice as to what to do next. The truck needs quite a bit right now:

- New Tires
- Timing Belt Change
- Tune Up
- Gaskets changed
- It has an air pump failure that is causing it to not pass SMOG
- Tail Gate continues to seize up and stay locked.
- Needs new Shocks all around

The truck is fully paid off and my thoughts are just to start hammering away at repairs, but I'm not sure if it's time to say goodbye instead. I know that these Toyota's can go the distance, but I'm not sure what that distance is.

What do you guys think?

1.Fix it up or trade it in? This is our family's only vehicle so we need to count on it. Can a new engine be placed in these 4runners to keep them going if this engine went kaput? If so, I would want to keep it, since I'm thinking this would STILL be cheaper than a new one.

2.If I keep what do you recommend to address first? I'm thinking tires.

In any case thanks for all your help. Look forward to hearing your thoughts, learning and being a part of the community.

- Joe
 
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Personally, I would want something newer and less mileage for a family hauler. These things are great but I wouldn't want to count on one going 500 miles for a family vacation. With that said here's my thoughts if keeping it:

- New Tires - safety item so replace as needed
- Timing Belt Change - gotta replace when due as a failure is devastating, these engines are not cheap. Probably the most costly item on here for maintenance.
- Tune Up - mainly plugs and air filter, easy
- Gaskets changed - which ones? maybe valve cover gaskets which are cheap.
- It has an air pump failure that is causing it to not pass SMOG - guess you gotta fix it...lol
- Tail Gate continues to seize up and stay locked. More of a nuisance item as you have the window. if it's latch related then you can buy aftermarket latches cheaper than the OEM. If the key lock itself then just may need lubricating.
- Needs new Shocks all around - Rear shocks are cheap and easy to swap. You can save money on the fronts buy using someone's Gen 5 takeoffs and just grind a bit off the bottom eyelet. I did this on my truck, ended up with assembles that had well under 10k miles on them and less than a year old.

Something I'm going to add is diff and transfer case (if 4x4) fluids. The rear diff is often neglected.
 
Tough call if you love the truck and have the time I’d tune it up

Would need more info on what you’re thinking and where you are at with gaskets and where your tires are and what the overall condition of the Rest of the vehicle is

I wouldn’t trade it in - these things have value and even at 285 with a clean frame you could probably get a good price between 10-15k for selling here Facebook etc
 
Youre looking at 4+ grand in repairs, thats if you get cheap replacements. 280k miles... it may be time to trade the old girl in. She may make some kid happy who wants to work on it in spare time...or for parts.
 
To start with you own it outright , no payments. So right there, initial cost of getting a new vehicle pays for alot of this.

1. It's a truck with 285k, new tires are a maintenance/safety item on any vehicle.. I wouldn't count this against it.. in most cases, you can choose tires that are better than what comes from the factory on new vehicles.

2. Timing Belt Change- That is a 90k Maintenance item on these trucks, between 700 and 1100 depending on shop and location usually but an item that needs to get done.

3. Tune Up- Plugs?, filters? fluids? The very basic stuff you should be able to handle. All Maintenance on a truck with no payments. Again not something id hold against it. And you can do it over a period of time.

4. Gaskets changed? What gaskets?

5. Contact SLYFOX on here, and buy the bypass kit. You can install it in 10 minutes with very little effort and fix this issue as long as your truck isnt in limp mode, which you would already know.

6. Tail Gate - This sucks, but they sell an aftermarket replacement on amazon for 75 bucks, its a few 10 mil bolts on the tailgate and another 10 minute repair.

7. 285k truck.. it is what it is with the shocks, get some new Bilstein 5100s. mayeb some new springs. it will ride like a new suv when your done.



all of this unless its frame is rusting away... if your rust level is getting bad then move on.. if you frame is just surface rust then based on this list... keep it and make it nice.
 
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