potomacduck
New member
My '99 just turned 400,000 miles the other day.
Toyota !!
Toyota !!
400,000 Mile Club
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StreetCreeper
New member
Sweet!
With a little luck, I'll be joining the club within the next month or so. Original engine and transmission in my 97.
So how long have you had your truck and what "things" do you think contributed to your trucks longevetity the most?
What are your plans for it? Keep driving till it dies? Or sell off and get a lower mileage truck?
For me, I think I'll keep driving till it dies — then rebuild it try to get another 400k. Plus I'll probably buy another so I have one to drive while the other is being rebuilt.
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kpinthebay
Member
Wow! Congrats. Are you the OG owner? Maintenance wise have you been meticulous or just by the book?
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Yukon4Runner
New member
If the truck is in the witness relocation program and the US Marshalls won't let you post a photo, you could always place a black bar across the front grill to protect its identity.
diverscale
Member
adding to the question, what kind of important job did you have to do on the truck to keep it running?
congrat
HammerTime
New member
Congrats! Does anyone know what the "record" is for a 3rd Gen without replacement/rebuild of engine or transmission? I've seen a couple at or near 400k, but nothing much higher. Just curious! I just hit 186 last week, so I've got a ways to go anyway
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StreetCreeper
New member
I think the reason we don't see more 4runners over 3-400k is because yearly average miles driven is about 15,000 and the 3rd gen is at most 20 years old, so 300,000 miles is about as high as you could expect the average Runner to be. In 4-5 years I think 400,000 will be much more common.
Who knows where the end is though. For all we know these trucks might eventually hit 1,000,000 miles. I mean, it's unlikely but not beyond the realm of possibility.
Lately I've been on a search for the source of general engine longevity. This subject absolutely fascinates me. It's like why do some people live to be 115 while others drop dead much sooner? How much is genetics/design and how much is exercise-nutrition/vehicle maintenance.
I'm convinced it can't be just dumb luck that certain engines won't quit. I think in those cases, someone is doing something right — and I'm curious to find out what it might be.
Unner
New member
Probably way too many factors there. I'm sure the humidity and temperature of the air the engine is sucking it's entire life matters and all these other little things, and also there's the luck of the draw. Some 4Runners get claimed by wrecks before they can get to ultra high mileage, same thing with people. Catching problems early like oil leaks helps prolong their life too, just like people.
spoiler900
New member
Congrats! Unfortunately, My 4Runner is no longer my daily driver (only add about 2K a year now). Mine is currently at 267 (been here for a while).
Check out my bumper sticker on the left side (200,000+). You should get 2 of these, would be great and Toyota truck people would love to see 2 of them!
Check out my bumper sticker on the left side (200,000+). You should get 2 of these, would be great and Toyota truck people would love to see 2 of them!
HammerTime
New member
There are a lot of factors. Luck has to play some role, but not a whole lot. My valve covers started leaking and got so bad that it would smell like burning oil when sitting at a stop light. I checked the cover bolts, and sure enough, they were all loose. Tightened them down, and it slowed by 75%. Might check that if you haven't already
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StreetCreeper
New member
Congrats! Unfortunately, My 4Runner is no longer my daily driver (only add about 2K a year now). Mine is currently at 267 (been here for a while).
Check out my bumper sticker on the left side (200,000+). You should get 2 of these, would be great and Toyota truck people would love to see 2 of them!
Your license plate — lol. Do you think it ever worked? Or have you gotten more?
StreetCreeper
New member
I agree that it is a combination of different things. But I'm still convinced it is primarily due to maintence. As for wrecks, I agree as well, that's why I tend to focus more on just engine life rather than vehicle life.
StreetCreeper
New member
I think if the data were ever available, it would be pretty interesting to see how identical engine lifespans change (on average) when only the physical location changes, e.g., hot vs cold climates.
According to some sources, 90% of engine wear occurs at startup. If so, I would expect to see a dramatic decrease in engine longevity in colder climates (unless those vehicles use some way to preheat the oil before startup) to negate the climate.
According to some sources, 90% of engine wear occurs at startup. If so, I would expect to see a dramatic decrease in engine longevity in colder climates (unless those vehicles use some way to preheat the oil before startup) to negate the climate.
HammerTime
New member
That makes sense, but doesn't account for garaged vehicles. Plus the driving you do has to make a difference. Knew a guy whose car fell apart after a couple years of delivering pizzas. Not tons of miles, but hard miles. Plus some people just drive like crazy anyway. It would be cool to put two of them side by side and run them
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Rock_Rat
Senior Member
If I continue to do the right things I've been doing for the past 16 years the day I picked it up new, I plan on seeing 500,000. It's no longer a DD so the mileage will drastically decrease for me. It's finally being built up to go adventuring off road. My oldest son will get it in a few years and he'll keep it forever so it will see a 1,000,000.
The number one thing anyone can do to increase the life of their engine is fluids! Change and change often.
- Use the best - don't cheat yourself.(synthetic or dino doesn't matter) I use mobil 1 5w-30 synthetic.
- Quality gasoline - High octane isn't necessary. Compression ratio is too low.
- I get my best gas mileage out of chevron with techron and use 87 or 89 most of the time with lucas treatment once in a while in the winter.
- Use Toyota Red coolant (EDIT: Whatever works for you)
- Plugs and wires regularly (NGK Or Denso) Single or double ground - whatever. I use double ground.
- Clean air filter
These 5vz's are quality. You don't hear of anyone on here saying they need to do their rings cause it's starting to smoke or the valve guides. Never heard of anyone spinning a bearing or throwing a rod, unless they drove it hard. A few flywheels that crack and head gaskets that fail over time. Fuel injectors, knock sensors, ecu every now and then. Hard engine failures are few and far between.
If all goes well, my 4Runner will still be on this side of the dirt (running) when I'm on the other side.
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AntleredRuin
New member
Well you also have to think about other maintenance issues that can become repairs that people think aren't worth fixing. Like say, if someone's LBJ goes, well there's $1000+ to fix everything that is necessary to get it roadworthy again.
If your tranny/engine goes, if you pull from a junkyard and install yourself it will actually be less than a failed LBJ.
For some reason people seem to think that drivetrain failures are the only 'catastrophic' (not worth fixing) failures. I say 'catastrophic' is when YOU think your vehicle is totaled (not the insurance company).
If your tranny/engine goes, if you pull from a junkyard and install yourself it will actually be less than a failed LBJ.
For some reason people seem to think that drivetrain failures are the only 'catastrophic' (not worth fixing) failures. I say 'catastrophic' is when YOU think your vehicle is totaled (not the insurance company).
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