Advice on 285,000 mile 4Runner Sport V8

notanyoldjoe · Sep 17, 2021

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
- New Valve Gaskets Needed
- 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

SurferUK · Sep 17, 2021

Do you know the history, has it been well maintained up to now? Is there any corrosion underneath?

Any vehicle will need tyres and belts at some point, and likely shocks way before 285,000!

What gaskets do you mean?

A tailgate actuator is £180 over here, and this vehicle was never officially imported here. I expect it is much cheaper in the USA. It's not a design I like, pointless electronics, for no benefit, but it is what it is.

notanyoldjoe · Sep 17, 2021

Hey Surfer,

It has been maintained fairly well. Oil change every 5000 miles and no corrosion that I can see. I'm in California so it's pretty temperate weather.

And it's the Valve cover Gaskets. I'll clarify that on the OP if possible.

And yes, I'm thinking that just fixing it up is the best option, but curious to see what others feel.

Thanks!

SurferUK · Sep 17, 2021

notanyoldjoe said:
Hey Surfer,

It has been maintained fairly well. Oil change every 5000 miles and no corrosion that I can see. I'm in California so it's pretty temperate weather.

And it's the Valve cover Gaskets. I'll clarify that on the OP if possible.

And yes, I'm thinking that just fixing it up is the best option, but curious to see what others feel.

Thanks!

A known vehicle is worth more to you than an unknown vehicle (Unless you're buying new of course) if you see what I mean. Has the ATF had regular changes?

I'd be temped to do the overhaul, this forum is very helpful for advice. You might even find someone local who can help you out (Not an option for me!)

notanyoldjoe · Sep 18, 2021

SurferUK said:
A known vehicle is worth more to you than an unknown vehicle (Unless you're buying new of course) if you see what I mean. Has the ATF had regular changes?

I'd be temped to do the overhaul, this forum is very helpful for advice. You might even find someone local who can help you out (Not an option for me!)

I don't think it's been changed too often actually. But I want to try to fix this guy up. Unfortunately I'm not getting too much traction on this post. Any ideas on where to start looking for advice.

What do you recommend I attack first?

SurferUK · Sep 18, 2021

notanyoldjoe said:
I don't think it's been changed too often actually. But I want to try to fix this guy up. Unfortunately I'm not getting too much traction on this post. Any ideas on where to start looking for advice.

What do you recommend I attack first?

I would get a price for dealing with the air pump issue first, and also the shocks (As far as I can tell most here recommend ditching the X-REAS system and fitting normal Bilstein shocks, so it might work out cheaper than you think vs OEM Toyota.)

As the rest of your list is basically simple maintenance, it gives you a base price to work from for getting a working legal vehicle.

Have a look on here for ATF flush procedure using the cooling lines. It's simple enough, you just need to be methodical and patient.

It's good news there's no corrosion, that was the biggest killer of vehicles over here - off to the scrappy with perfectly serviceable engines etc. Now it seems to be electronics issues. Have you had any electrical gremlins with your truck?

I don't know your skill level or tools collection, but good quality tools are only going to go up in price now and will last a lifetime.

I couldn't rebuild an engine if my life depended on it, but so far I am finding this truck fairly nice to work on. I've done spark plugs, filters, all oils, ATF and coolant. The guides on this forum have been very helpful!

rdruss · Sep 18, 2021

notanyoldjoe said:
I don't think it's been changed too often actually. But I want to try to fix this guy up. Unfortunately I'm not getting too much traction on this post. Any ideas on where to start looking for advice.

What do you recommend I attack first?

You got your list posted in first post, so do the timing belt first, while doing that you can fix the air pump and valve cover gaskets, then tires and suspension, right on down the line. There's no need to rebuild the engine if it's been well maintained it will go 4-500K miles, same with trans. Change fluids regularly and fix as fails the small stuff.

notanyoldjoe · Sep 18, 2021

SurferUK said:
I would get a price for dealing with the air pump issue first, and also the shocks (As far as I can tell most here recommend ditching the X-REAS system and fitting normal Bilstein shocks, so it might work out cheaper than you think vs OEM Toyota.)

As the rest of your list is basically simple maintenance, it gives you a base price to work from for getting a working legal vehicle.

Have a look on here for ATF flush procedure using the cooling lines. It's simple enough, you just need to be methodical and patient.

It's good news there's no corrosion, that was the biggest killer of vehicles over here - off to the scrappy with perfectly serviceable engines etc. Now it seems to be electronics issues. Have you had any electrical gremlins with your truck?

I don't know your skill level or tools collection, but good quality tools are only going to go up in price now and will last a lifetime.

I couldn't rebuild an engine if my life depended on it, but so far I am finding this truck fairly nice to work on. I've done spark plugs, filters, all oils, ATF and coolant. The guides on this forum have been very helpful!

Thanks so much Surfer. My skill level is definitely beginner. But I will take your advice on getting great quality tools. Any recommendations on tool brands you like?

notanyoldjoe · Sep 18, 2021

rdruss said:
You got your list posted in first post, so do the timing belt first, while doing that you can fix the air pump and valve cover gaskets, then tires and suspension, right on down the line. There's no need to rebuild the engine if it's been well maintained it will go 4-500K miles, same with trans. Change fluids regularly and fix as fails the small stuff.

Hey Rdruss,

Thanks for this. Great to hear that these babies can last so long. Makes me feel like it's worth putting in the work.

I'll get on these fixes this week, although I think I need to take it to a guy, because I am honestly very much a beginner. Unless I can get some help on here but it sounds like a pretty complicated job.

Ill update the progress on a different post.

SurferUK · Sep 19, 2021

notanyoldjoe said:
Thanks so much Surfer. My skill level is definitely beginner. But I will take your advice on getting great quality tools. Any recommendations on tool brands you like?

I expect brands are totally different there, but I like Bahco for cost/quality.
We have Snap-On, but that's overkill for a beginner.

Have a look around here and YouTube at guides and vids to get a feel for it.

Start with an oil change perhaps, once you've done it once you'll wonder why you were so worried!

I would suggest getting a cap for the filter as if it has been done up too tight before, it can be a struggle to get off, no problem for experienced people but for a beginner just get the cap and save yourself a load of aggro

AuSeeker · Sep 19, 2021

notanyoldjoe said:
Thanks so much Surfer. My skill level is definitely beginner. But I will take your advice on getting great quality tools. Any recommendations on tool brands you like?

notanyoldjoe said:
Hey Rdruss,

Thanks for this. Great to hear that these babies can last so long. Makes me feel like it's worth putting in the work.

I'll get on these fixes this week, although I think I need to take it to a guy, because I am honestly very much a beginner. Unless I can get some help on here but it sounds like a pretty complicated job.

Ill update the progress on a different post.

Have someone with experience do the timing belt, that's not a job for a beginner, make a mistake there and the engine could be toast/shot!!

notanyoldjoe · Sep 21, 2021

AuSeeker said:
Have someone with experience do the timing belt, that's not a job for a beginner, make a mistake there and the engine could be toast/shot!!

Thanks for your input AuSeeker,

That's my gut feeling as well. I'll start with oil changes

.
Gonna try to find a good Toyota guy around the Montebello, CA area.
If anyone out there knows of someone let me know.

- Joe

SurferUK · Sep 21, 2021

notanyoldjoe said:
Thanks for your input AuSeeker,

That's my gut feeling as well. I'll start with oil changes .
Gonna try to find a good Toyota guy around the Montebello, CA area.
If anyone out there knows of someone let me know.

- Joe

Let us know how you get on, even if it's just to say "Everything went better than expected" :bounce:

Flyer · Sep 21, 2021

That is way too high mileage for me. I'd get something else.

RichinRidgewood · Sep 22, 2021

SurferUK said:
Do you know the history, has it been well maintained up to now? Is there any corrosion underneath?

Any vehicle will need tyres and belts at some point, and likely shocks way before 285,000!

What gaskets do you mean?

A tailgate actuator is £180 over here, and this vehicle was never officially imported here. I expect it is much cheaper in the USA. It's not a design I like, pointless electronics, for no benefit, but it is what it is.

You are into it for $1000’s. Start looking for a new one out of state and trade this one in. You would be amazed what dealerships will give on trade ins lately (I’ve heard)

SurferUK · Sep 22, 2021

RichinRidgewood said:
You are into it for $1000’s. Start looking for a new one out of state and trade this one in. You would be amazed what dealerships will give on trade ins lately (I’ve heard)

I can't see the point in spending extra on a Toyota then, get something throwaway. (Like a Ford :bounce

Even this lowly Skoda (VW/Audi badge engineering) made it to 400,000+ miles

The Pros & Cons Of Owning A +400,000-Mile Car - YouTube

RichinRidgewood · Sep 23, 2021

SurferUK said:
I can't see the point in spending extra on a Toyota then, get something throwaway. (Like a Ford :bounce

Even this lowly Skoda (VW/Audi badge engineering) made it to 400,000+ miles

The Pros & Cons Of Owning A +400,000-Mile Car - YouTube

Well if you think that after 290k miles its considered a throw away vehicle then your criteria are different than mine.

It's running now and still worth something in that condition. If the engine blows up or the trans. shits the bed then the truck is for parts. You could keep fixing it but then you WILL be left on the side of the road some day and you will have to have a second vehicle because this one require more and more work and more and more money. If thats your hobby great. I would have dumped it at or before 200k.

SurferUK · Sep 23, 2021

RichinRidgewood said:
Well if you think that after 290k miles its considered a throw away vehicle then your criteria are different than mine.

It's running now and still worth something in that condition. If the engine blows up or the trans. shits the bed then the truck is for parts. You could keep fixing it but then you WILL be left on the side of the road some day and you will have to have a second vehicle because this one require more and more work and more and more money. If thats your hobby great. I would have dumped it at or before 200k.

That's why I asked if it had been serviced, especially the ATF. I posted a vid where a German econobox made it to 400,000 miles with regular servicing...I intend to keep my truck well past 200k.

True, there is no point throwing good money after bad.

Advice on 285,000 mile 4Runner Sport V8

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