4runner has 150,000 miles, Want to take it on 4,000 mile trip..

[MidwestT4R]

I don't think this has been mentioned but grab some replacement brake lights, turn signal lights etc.. They don't cost much. You don't need a tool to replace most of them, but check anyway.

If you like to drive 10 mph or more over the speed limit you may want to consider a good radar detector.

Both of these suggestions are intended to avoid tickets on the highway. Bad tail light and out of state plates? Pulled over. But if you have the bulbs and the tools you can get out of the ticket pretty easy. 10 mph over in your home state? Probably OK. In another state? Who knows. You aren't going to go back to fight the ticket and if they do allow a mail in supervision choice the fine is usually huge.

 

[4Runners]

All great advice guys! So as i mentioned before, i leave early/mid August. As of right now my 4runner has about 149,200 miles. I should hit the 150,000 mile mark late this month and thats when she goes for her oil change and fluids and whatever else needs to be done. I'll keep posting!

 

[czastrow]

bought my 05 sport 4wd with 117k on it and a week later did a 2000 round trip up to cda idaho. Had it inspected by toyota before hand, put on new falken rocky mountains, did a power steering flush and its perfect. never skipped a beat. I wouldn't hesitate to ever take it on a long trip. Enjoy the summer and your adventure!

 

[Catfish]

Been watching this thread for my upcoming similar trip...lots of good tips here!

Can't wait to see the pics!

 

[4Runners]

Been watching this thread for my upcoming similar trip...lots of good tips here!

Can't wait to see the pics!

Thanks! Can't wait to see yours too! My 4runner now has 149,350 miles and is due for oil change at 150,500 which i should hit by the end of this month. When i take it in i'll let you all know what i got done!

 

[Mark86]

Yes Yes Yes- it's a Toyota. As long as you service them and do basic maintenance, they will be happy.

When my family and I went on our most recent road trip, we took the ole reliable 4Runner. Guess how many problems we had along the way? 0

 

[4Runners]

Yes Yes Yes- it's a Toyota. As long as you service them and do basic maintenance, they will be happy.

When my family and I went on our most recent road trip, we took the ole reliable 4Runner. Guess how many problems we had along the way? 0

Always good to hear! :bigok:

 

[4Runners]

I'm looking into SUV tents to use in some of the park's campgrounds and have started a new thread on that here: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/93371-suv-tents-4-000-mile-trip.html#post818945 Thanks for the help so far guys!

 

[4Runners]

Update!

UPDATE: Great advice so far guys, thanks. As of today (7/21/2011) my 4runner has 149,860 miles and is fast approaching the 150,000 mark, so i'm about to take it in for maintenance. Also my trip plan has changed! We are now going to be only in Utah, Arizona, and Colorado for two weeks. We had to cut out Yosemite due to lack of campsites and just a bad season to go. Instead a whole week will be spent canyoneering/hiking in Zion National Park with the rest of the trip being in Page Arizona (horseshoe bend), Arches, Canyon lands Utah and Mesa Verde Colorado. We will also stop at four corners. It's still going to be a great trip and can't wait to take the 4runner out there for some camping!

Now, i've really been keeping an eye on the 4runner since i started this thread. I've had almost no problems. I still average a little over 20 mpg with all my highway driving, and have seen no leaks at all. Tires and breaks are good, but the AC doesnt seem to be as cool as i would like it to be (but then again we have had several 100+ degree days these past months) At the dealership i will get the tires rotated, oil changed and whatever fluids need to be taken care of (i think coolant and power steering and rear diff fluid but i'll let you know what i really get done when i take it in) I don't know what else they will tell me (spark plugs? hoses? belts?) but I'll definitely post what i get done here!

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Everyone has put up a lot of good advice so far so I'm gonna list some of the factory/personal things I would do at your mileage. Hell, I'm close to 90k and am gonna take some of my advice.

-Check all fluids (Transmission fluid may be a bit difficult since its a sealed tranny iirc)
-Have the hoses checked for softening/deterioration
-Inspect Drivetrain components, driveline, seals, CV boots and axles, ect.
-Inspect brake linings, condition of calipers and seals.
-Have a valve adjustment done (Toyota recommends every 60k for the V6/I4's, but your V6 may be the updated version with hydraulic lifters, I don't remember when we introduced that update. I will get back to you on that)
-Inspect serpentine belt, replace if needed
-inspect suspension, balljoints, bushings, ect.
-Replace fuel pump if it hasn't been already (PITA I know, but at 150k I don't know if I would feel comfortable testing fate on a long trip.)

I realize that this may seem excessive (granted this is just what was off the top of my head at 21:30) but I'm going from my point of view without having a service record infront of me. But pretty much all of that you can do yourself.

Side Note- One of these days I'm going to have to write a comprehensive thread on why timing chains are not indestructible and should be regularly inspected for wear and replaced if needed.

... One of these days. LOL

 

[4Runners]

Everyone has put up a lot of good advice so far so I'm gonna list some of the factory/personal things I would do at your mileage. Hell, I'm close to 90k and am gonna take some of my advice.

-Have the hoses checked for softening/deterioration
-Inspect Drivetrain components, driveline, seals, CV boots and axles, ect.
-Inspect brake linings, condition of calipers and seals.
-Have a valve adjustment done (Toyota recommends every 60k for the V6/I4's, but your V6 may be the updated version with hydraulic lifters, I don't remember when we introduced that update. I will get back to you on that)
-Inspect serpentine belt, replace if needed
-inspect suspension, balljoints, bushings, ect.

I realize that this may seem excessive (granted this is just what was off the top of my head at 21:30) but I'm going from my point of view without having a service record infront of me. But pretty much all of that you can do yourself.

Thanks for the input! I squeezed the hoses and they dont seem that bad (no cracks, not brittle, still has it's elasticity), but what about the spark plugs? I got a 2004 SR5 V6 2WD 4runner. Do you know how much all this will probably run me (fluids hoses...etc?)

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Depends, if you're gonna go ahead and just replace all the fluids, it could be a hundred or two. If you're just inspecting for the ones that look worst it can be cheaper.

As for spark plugs, they need to be replaced about every 100k (honestly I don't know if I would wait that long.) But like I said earlier if you dad has a record of all the services done to the vehicle since he has owned it then you can see what has been done.

Quick thought has your dad serviced the 4Runner only at Toyota dealerships?

 

[4Runners]

Depends, if you're gonna go ahead and just replace all the fluids, it could be a hundred or two. If you're just inspecting for the ones that look worst it can be cheaper.

As for spark plugs, they need to be replaced about every 100k (honestly I don't know if I would wait that long.) But like I said earlier if you dad has a record of all the services done to the vehicle since he has owned it then you can see what has been done.

Quick thought has your dad serviced the 4Runner only at Toyota dealerships?

Yes, it had its regular maintenance at the toyota dealership every 5,000 miles according to the manual until it hit 100,000 miles. Then i took it in every 5,000 miles for tire rotation and oil change at the toyota dealership only. I'll just get the fluids that need to be replaced. Most of them look like they are fine (from what i can see according tot he lines on the containers)

 

[BlackWorksInc]

When you are checking your fluids you want to check the condition of the fluids, for example, transmission fluid should be a bright red color, coolant a pinkish color, brake fluid should be clear to barely yellowish, power steering a golden color. (These are what the fluids will look like brand new to use as a standard)

Dark, discolored, and burnt smelling fluids should be replaced.

Also, since you're vehicle has been only to the dealership I may be able to actually get you a copy of your entire service history, PM me your VIN and I will try to run it this weekend for the history.

 

[4Runners]

When you are checking your fluids you want to check the condition of the fluids, for example, transmission fluid should be a bright red color, coolant a pinkish color, brake fluid should be clear to barely yellowish, power steering a golden color. (These are what the fluids will look like brand new to use as a standard)

Dark, discolored, and burnt smelling fluids should be replaced.

Also, since you're vehicle has been only to the dealership I may be able to actually get you a copy of your entire service history, PM me your VIN and I will try to run it this weekend for the history.

Thanks for the help! I'll PM you the VIN tomorrow.

 

[daka320]

UPDATE: Great advice so far guys, thanks. As of today (7/21/2011) my 4runner has 149,860 miles and is fast approaching the 150,000 mark, so i'm about to take it in for maintenance. Also my trip plan has changed! We are now going to be only in Utah, Arizona, and Colorado for two weeks. We had to cut out Yosemite due to lack of campsites and just a bad season to go. Instead a whole week will be spent canyoneering/hiking in Zion National Park with the rest of the trip being in Page Arizona (horseshoe bend), Arches, Canyon lands Utah and Mesa Verde Colorado. We will also stop at four corners. It's still going to be a great trip and can't wait to take the 4runner out there for some camping!

Now, i've really been keeping an eye on the 4runner since i started this thread. I've had almost no problems. I still average a little over 20 mpg with all my highway driving, and have seen no leaks at all. Tires and breaks are good, but the AC doesnt seem to be as cool as i would like it to be (but then again we have had several 100+ degree days these past months) At the dealership i will get the tires rotated, oil changed and whatever fluids need to be taken care of (i think coolant and power steering and rear diff fluid but i'll let you know what i really get done when i take it in) I don't know what else they will tell me (spark plugs? hoses? belts?) but I'll definitely post what i get done here!

While you are in Page, check out Antelope Canyon (slot canyons). Another neat spot is Canyon de Chelly near four corners and monument valley. Since you are in the area, the north rim of the Grand Canyon is an idea also. A few years ago we drove from Phoenix to four corners and made our way west in northern arizona and southern utah. Ended up in Vegas. Spent a week but could have easily spent 2-3 weeks! Have Fun! :thumb3:

 

[norcal2]

While you are in Page, check out Antelope Canyon (slot canyons). Another neat spot is Canyon de Chelly near four corners and monument valley. Since you are in the area, the north rim of the Grand Canyon is an idea also. A few years ago we drove from Phoenix to four corners and made our way west in northern arizona and southern utah. Ended up in Vegas. Spent a week but could have easily spent 2-3 weeks! Have Fun! :thumb3:

In Zion, and if you are not afraid of heights, do the Angels landing hike......be careful though!

 

[Atlanta_man]

What do plugs look like at 100K miles ?
My Toyota man says not to bother changing them until 120K (V8 4th gen)

Depends, if you're gonna go ahead and just replace all the fluids, it could be a hundred or two. If you're just inspecting for the ones that look worst it can be cheaper.

As for spark plugs, they need to be replaced about every 100k (honestly I don't know if I would wait that long.) But like I said earlier if you dad has a record of all the services done to the vehicle since he has owned it then you can see what has been done.

Quick thought has your dad serviced the 4Runner only at Toyota dealerships?

 

[BlackWorksInc]

This should help with questions about spark plugs:

 

[jspagna1]

Good checklist provided above. Besides changing my oil every 3,000-4,000 miles I have my plugs changed every 30,000-40,000 miles and check all hoses and fluids.

I have a 97 4Runner SR5 and i just hit 150,000 miles. I never think twice about taking it on road trips. All other cars in the family are newer, but none can hold all the stuff we take on trips so the 4Runner is it. Have never been stranded with my truck. Can't say that for the newer vehicles in my garage.

Good luck and enjoy!