3rd Gen Refresh?

[thennen]

:becky: First thread here. Hope it's good! Apologies if this song has been played before...

A buddy and I replaced the timing belt, pump, idlers on my 2001 in 2011 at about 125k miles. Now at 260k I'm a little nervous, and plan to get it done again. Not nervous about it breaking so much as when and where it might fail.

Questions for anyone who might care to reply: I remember the first timing belt replacement being so painful (took us 10 hours or longer :Cry, and I'm curious if any of you have tips/tricks that make a significant difference in the difficulty? Granted, we went slowly and followed the Toyota factory manual pretty much to the letter, and all came out good. But I've read about some of you doing it 2 or 3 times and can't help but think there are some steps you skip or work around due to familiarity. Am I right?

Second question (which may make the first one moot): I may be getting a new Runner soon, and am considering putting some $$ into the 2001 if the frame checks out as solid. All I want to do is drive it longer, maybe keep some salty winter miles off the new girl. Some things it needs are: timing belt and associated parts, power steering lines (I've bypassed the leaky return line), maybe radiator (was replaced at 130k), ball joints (all original). Trying to think of other needs . Do any of you have preventive replacement recommendations for a 3rd Gen at 260k miles? My thinking is that I could maybe put $3K-$4K into it and get another 150k out of it, which would be a good return. In this case, I would take it to my local dealership with whom I have a good relationship and see what they could do for me price-wise by doing some or all of it at once. You know, while it's apart we can do x, y, z, etc.

Fyi, I replaced the alternator with a rebuilt one last year, plus all 3 serpentine belts. Also new exhaust last year.

A lot of you have a ton of experience, and I'm hoping to get some wisdom and insight from you. My idea may be the wrong way to go - just trying to make an informed decision. I know the dealership labor prices are high; again, hoping to leverage that relationship a little. But also, I'll be able to lean harder on them afterward if something isn't right than I would a non-OEM location. And yes, I plan to use all OEM parts.

So, your thoughts?

Thank you.

 

[DaMonkey]

:becky: ... I'm curious if any of you have tips/tricks that make a significant difference in the difficulty? ...

Tim's YT channel has a timing belt replacement. Watch that, you'll be prepared and there won't be any surprises.

:becky: ... Do any of you have preventive replacement recommendations for a 3rd Gen at 260k miles? My thinking is that I could maybe put $3K-$4K into it...

I'm not sure I would just pick a dollar amount and spend that on fixes. Just do the timing belt and then do your own preventative stuff where it makes sense and needs it. Clean MAF and throttle body. For items that you have not done in the last several years, consider: radiator, hoses, belts, water pump, thermostat (you would do this while you have your timing belt out). Plug wires, plugs, fuel filter. Then check your front end ball joints, tie rods, steering rack bushings, sway bushings. All this stuff can be done by you if you are doing your own timing belt. Diff fluids and trans fluid.

:becky: ...I would take it to my local dealership with whom I have a good relationship and see what they could do for me price-wise by doing some or all of it at once. You know, while it's apart we can do x, y, z, etc...

Don't count on it. Maybe a private mechanic, but dealer will bill you according to book hours and they will use all the short cuts they can to minimize actual hours (including the benefit of 'while it's apart').

 

[absalom]

Check out the link in my signature for a full refresh guide (more than just suspension.) 260k is nothing for these things, and I wouldn't hesitate doing a t-belt on one with twice as many miles. That being said, unless you're doing t-belt jobs all day, they tend to be a longer process.

On another note, 135,000 miles in 7 years. That's impressive. Before adding another 4runner to the stable, I'd consider an economical DD. Doing the math, you've spent roughly $21,000 in gas in the past seven years; no small sum. If you were instead to have done those miles in a economical DD, you'd have only spent about $8,970 - big savings.

So my unwarranted advice? Dump as many funds as necessary (and then some) into your 3rd gen - make it perfect. Then add one of the following to your fleet, and start raking in the savings: 2000-2006 VW Jetta/Golf TDI (more fun than you can shake a stick at), Honda Civic, or Toyota Prius (one of the most reliable cars on the planet, and dirt cheap to operate).

 

[thennen]

Check out the link in my signature for a full refresh guide (more than just suspension.) 260k is nothing for these things, and I wouldn't hesitate doing a t-belt on one with twice as many miles. That being said, unless you're doing t-belt jobs all day, they tend to be a longer process.

On another note, 135,000 miles in 7 years. That's impressive. Before adding another 4runner to the stable, I'd consider an economical DD. Doing the math, you've spent roughly $21,000 in gas in the past seven years; no small sum. If you were instead to have done those miles in a economical DD, you'd have only spent about $8,970 - big savings.

So my unwarranted advice? Dump as many funds as necessary (and then some) into your 3rd gen - make it perfect. Then add one of the following to your fleet, and start raking in the savings: 2000-2006 VW Jetta/Golf TDI (more fun than you can shake a stick at), Honda Civic, or Toyota Prius (one of the most reliable cars on the planet, and dirt cheap to operate).

Thanks, Jordan! I appreciate all advice, even unwarranted.

Actually, this is my wife's DD - mine is a Scion xA, which nets 37 mpg on average and will squeak out 40 on a long highway run. So I'm good with that. She's uncomfortable driving a really small car, so... But we foresee fewer 4Runner miles in the near future, and we want to have the 2001 as a 'beater' if you will. In the near future it'll become my son's DD.

Agreed, 260k and this thing still drives like a dream. Honestly, no squeaks or rattles, engine is smooth as silk. So I'm not worried about it - once the frame passes inspection. There is rust, but I haven't dug deep to see how much.

Getting ready to head home, will definitely check out your link once there. Thanks again for your input!

 

[thennen]

Jordan/Absalom,

Thanks again. I looked over your refresh guide, and the mostly-pavement one (I'm not looking at the exact name of it now) will be my guide. I have the luxury of not rushing, so it should actually be an enjoyable and rewarding process. Thanks for taking the time to put this together, what, 3 years ago? I do appreciate it very much. I may need to purchase tools, which will be a plus in the long run, and will more than offset the dealer labor.