3RZ Runners Only

[rkntoy]

I have same steering issue, sometimes I get a strange clunk/wiggle, also need shocks.

If you have not done your lower ball joints move those to the top of the list.

 

[Black & Tan 98T4R]

Ok I have a laundry list of fix it issues...I love this truck and I inherited it with many problems but it’s super low miles (160) for being a ‘98. Everything is original except for my spark plugs! I don’t even know if the timing belt was done! No paper trail on this one.

Bushings (front/rear) and suspension
They all look like dried out scabs....so I know I need to work on these. I’ve seen many helpful videos and chats about it, so I feel good about doing the sway bar and link bushings. My shocks are at their end and I want to add a lift of at least 2”. Any suggestions? People have told me Icon, King, or Fox....









Transmission and engine seepage???



What’s happening? Gaskets???

Any advice...at least the clutch is perfect. I’m really just concerned with how greasy the engine and transmission are...perhaps I reseal it with a timing belt change? $$$$!

Thanks

 

[Kanoe]

...perhaps I reseal it with a timing belt change? $$$$!

I'm about to save you a whole lotta cash!!

Since you are posting in the 3rz section, the 3rz has no timing belt to change!! It has a chain. Just saved you $600 to spend on your lift.

Your welcome.

 

[Black & Tan 98T4R]

!

I'm about to save you a whole lotta cash!!

Since you are posting in the 3rz section, the 3rz has no timing belt to change!! It has a chain. Just saved you $600 to spend on your lift.

Your welcome.

Well sh!t. Thanks! You’re right, my 4 banger has a “lifetime” timing chain as it were...good job Toyota.

 

[rkntoy]

For lift info I would start here:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/197591-absaloms-cookie-cutter-4runner-builds.html

You listed some of the more expensive shock options. There are ones out there that are a lot less and depending on use you can most likely save some money there.

I don't see any leaks that would really concern me yet if it has not been cleaned in a while. I would clean it up and start watching drips and fluid levels.

One thing to add since you saved some money on the timing belt - the 3rz engines can be picky with their exhaust valves. Doing a valve adjustment would probably be a good thing if you do not know when the last one was done.

 

[Black & Tan 98T4R]

For lift info I would start here:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/197591-absaloms-cookie-cutter-4runner-builds.html

You listed some of the more expensive shock options. There are ones out there that are a lot less and depending on use you can most likely save some money there.

I don't see any leaks that would really concern me yet if it has not been cleaned in a while. I would clean it up and start watching drips and fluid levels.

One thing to add since you saved some money on the timing belt - the 3rz engines can be picky with their exhaust valves. Doing a valve adjustment would probably be a good thing if you do not know when the last one was done.

Thanks for the info. Best way to clean all this, just with a degreaser and rag?

Ya, lots of people list these name brand shocks, but I don’t know the difference. Bilstien seems to be a well priced and reliable brand that works well with 4Runners, so I’ll check those out.

I’ll look into a valve adjustment too. I don’t have any ticking, but would I even if I needed an adjustment? My Subie ticked like crazy till I redid the head gaskets and had it adjusted.

Cheers!

 

[rkntoy]

Thanks for the info. Best way to clean all this, just with a degreaser and rag?

Ya, lots of people list these name brand shocks, but I don’t know the difference. Bilstien seems to be a well priced and reliable brand that works well with 4Runners, so I’ll check those out.

I’ll look into a valve adjustment too. I don’t have any ticking, but would I even if I needed an adjustment? My Subie ticked like crazy till I redid the head gaskets and had it adjusted.

Cheers!

These engines like to burn exhaust valves - over time they get too tight. Not like my 22RE that would just get looser and louder until I adjusted them.

 

[Red October]

Definitely have the valves checked and adjusted. Also check the exhaust manifold for any cracks. Both items are pretty common things for this engine.

Also, big name coil-overs are really nice, but they are also expensive and can be a little overkill depending on your budget and end uses for the build. I have been running Bilstien tundra 5100s for the last 50K miles, and have no complaints. Would I love to run some nicer front end coil-overs, heck yeah. But the Billies have performed very admirably for the price point.

 

[Mozambique]

OME/ARB shocks

Hi everyone,
I have a 2001 Surf 3RZ.
Condition of the roads here really hammers out our suspension.
I have the option of Old Man Emu shocks or a local shock called Gabriel. Choice is easy for me. OME it is.
As these vehicles were never sold here dealers don't have stock parts.
To be sure I get the correct parts please can I ask those of you that have these shocks fitted to your Runner with the 3RZ motor in the RZN185 chassis - what part number OME/ARB did you use to order.
Good day.

 

[pnw3rdgen]

I have some questions for fellow 3RZ owners that have dealt with misfire/head issues.
For some background:
I bought my '99 5-speed 4x4 back in December.
Almost immediately I changed all the fluids and the fuel filter. I also found a large crack in the exhaust manifold so I installed a long tube header from LCE followed by a high-flow cat.
Between the first of the year and now I have been slowly doing preventative maintenance in hopes that I would find the source of the slight miss I've always had at idle. Nothing serious, but noticeable.
Items replaced include: all vacuum lines, spark plugs, both ignition packs, spark plug wires and injectors.
I also pulled off the TB and entire intake manifold/plenum; cleaned everything and replaced all gaskets.

Sorry for the long background but that is what brings me to where I am today...
CEL with P0301 Cylinder 1 Misfire & P0300 Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire came on last week.

I can't think of anything else externally that needs replacing. This leads me to suspect a head issue or exhaust valve issue. I've done quite a bit of research and am finding that cracks and burnt exhaust valves are pretty common to our engines. I also don't think the previous owner ever did a valve adjustment. Sitting @ 175,000 it's definitely overdue if not too late.
Planning on doing leak down test soon. Leaning towards complete head/valve train replacement.
Any input would be appreciated.

 

[Kanoe]

I also don't think the previous owner ever did a valve adjustment. Sitting @ 175,000 it's definitely overdue if not too late.

Before you get into replacing the head, check the valve clearances. It's dead simple to CHECK them. Adjusting them is another matter. But again, it is not hard at all to pull the valve cover and check clearances.

FYI, I adjusted mine today for the first time. I had checked them at 75,000 miles when I bought it 5 years ago and found 1 exhaust at the tight end of spec. at tight .011. I adjusted them today at 110,000 miles and that one was a little tighter than last time at .010. I only had one exhaust that needed adjusting but I did 2 intakes and 6 exhausts and got everything nice and even at the higher end of spec. Hope to not do that again for another 50-60,000 miles.

If yours has never been done you could very well be out of spec. at that mileage.

 

[Kanoe]

Distributor Rebuild

Any of you 3rz guys have the older model with a distributor like me?

Has anyone rebuilt it? I'm getting a small oil leak from around the shaft inside the distributor. It's not the O-ring that seals the distro to the block, it's the internal shaft seal itself.

I'm guessing it's not common or much fun to fix. For now it is still an ignorable leak.

Thanks

 

[pnw3rdgen]

Before you get into replacing the head, check the valve clearances. It's dead simple to CHECK them. Adjusting them is another matter. But again, it is not hard at all to pull the valve cover and check clearances.

Good point, I think checking clearances and a leak down test will be next. Do I need the special tool to check clearances or just a micrometer?

 

[bwarren]

Any of you 3rz guys have the older model with a distributor like me?

Has anyone rebuilt it? I'm getting a small oil leak from around the shaft inside the distributor. It's not the O-ring that seals the distro to the block, it's the internal shaft seal itself.

I'm guessing it's not common or much fun to fix. For now it is still an ignorable leak.

Thanks

I have the same issue on my 1996. It's such a small leak that I'm not motivated to fix it yet. If you end fixing it let us know how it goes. BTW, I think only the 1996 and 1997 have the distributor...maybe even just the 1996.

 

[Kanoe]

Good point, I think checking clearances and a leak down test will be next. Do I need the special tool to check clearances or just a micrometer?

Just a nice set of feeler gauges are all you need to check valve clearances. A micrometer would be needed for the next step of actually swapping out shims when you have to determine what sizes you currently have, as well as a valve remover tool.

There are a few you-tubes I watched showing how to do a check. Gives an idea of what is going on. Haynes manual is not bad either. (there is a mistake in the Haynes manual regarding valve cover bolt torque. It gives 15 ft/lbs which is wrong. I use 53 in/lbs which I found on the internet somewhere)

I don't know if Tim has made a video of this yet. Maybe too small a group us 3rz guys.

 

[mda57]

I have the same issue on my 1996. It's such a small leak that I'm not motivated to fix it yet. If you end fixing it let us know how it goes. BTW, I think only the 1996 and 1997 have the distributor...maybe even just the 1996.

My 1997 5 speed has coils no distributor

 

[Kanoe]

My 1997 5 speed has coils no distributor

Yes, the reverse parts look up shows 96 and early part of 97 had the distro.

I see you are able to buy a complete distro from Toyota for big $$ OR just the base portion that has the aluminum housing and shaft assembly. Then you can swap all the original pieces to the new base housing. That might be the way to go but it is still not a really cheap option. This is OEM from Toyota.

I think I would rather use all OEM than buy an aftermarket complete assembly. I have seen no mention of rebuilding the original base however...

 

[Scramble]

Hi everyone,
I have a 2001 Surf 3RZ.
Condition of the roads here really hammers out our suspension.
I have the option of Old Man Emu shocks or a local shock called Gabriel. Choice is easy for me. OME it is.
As these vehicles were never sold here dealers don't have stock parts.
To be sure I get the correct parts please can I ask those of you that have these shocks fitted to your Runner with the 3RZ motor in the RZN185 chassis - what part number OME/ARB did you use to order.
Good day.

The previous owner of my Limited put Gabriel's on it & they kinda suck. I know they were good for Muscle Cars back in the 60's & 70's. I'm running Tundra/LC springs with Bilsteins on my 3rz & the ride over rough roads is much better than Toytec, Eibach & OME setups I've ridden in.

 

[Mozambique]

The previous owner of my Limited put Gabriel's on it & they kinda suck. I know they were good for Muscle Cars back in the 60's & 70's. I'm running Tundra/LC springs with Bilsteins on my 3rz & the ride over rough roads is much better than Toytec, Eibach & OME setups I've ridden in.

Thanks for the info Scramble.
Tundra not available here either.
Have settled with the OME that are available.
Keep on wrenching

 

[HighDesert4Banger]

The previous owner of my Limited put Gabriel's on it & they kinda suck. I know they were good for Muscle Cars back in the 60's & 70's. I'm running Tundra/LC springs with Bilsteins on my 3rz & the ride over rough roads is much better than Toytec, Eibach & OME setups I've ridden in.

Hey, Scramble, I'm just about to pull the trigger on a lift kit next coupla days, would definitely be interested in your exact specs, if not too much of a PITA. Also, anyone else really satisfied with their 3rz lift, please show and tell!

I'm looking for 2-3" lift for my 3rz DD, living on dirt roads. Thanks!

Also, a month or so after valve job and header installation, getting a very nice 23 mpg at altitude and in the mountains