97 4runner maintenance

[97toy4]

I must admin that I have not been very good with keeping up with scheduled maintenance on my 4runner. I bought it in 2001 with a certified warranty and 38k miles. I now have just under 100k and have only done the basic things (oil, air filters, etc.). It has performed very well for me, but I am now growing concerned because we are soon going to move 1000 miles away, and I need to get my truck taken care of first.

I have received a couple of letters from the dealership saying that I needed the 60k and 100k checkups, but I have done neither. I despise the dealership here and refuse to go back to them (long story). I was referred to a good shop, but want to have a good idea of what I am looking at before handing the truck over to them.

I remember them saying that I would need a timing belt in the past, but that is it. What else should they replace/look at? I do have a 4x4 but RARELY use it. My acceleration seems to be decreasing slightly, and the automatic shifting seems a little sluggish.

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide - I need it!

 

[4wheeln98]

4R are pretty ez to maintain. just stick with the necessary maintenance like the oil, filters and spark plugs. You may want to check the plugs and wires if your loosing acceleration. Timing belt is a big one and should be considered if your over 100k. i have to get mine done soon.

 

[GSGALLANT]

So you haven't done anything except for oil and filter changes in 60,000 miles? Wow!

Anyways, here goes.

Definitely do: timing belt, water pump, change gear oil in both differentials and in the transfer case, flush tranny fluid and clean tranny filter, flush cooling system, change spark plugs, grease driveshaft (wayyyy overdue), clean MAF and throttle body, check brakes, flush brake fluid.

Consider: Changing fuel filter. It's not a dealer recommended service, but they get quite dirty. I changed mine at 60000 miles and cut the old one open. The filter media was black. The throttle response improved with the new filter.

Consider: Flushing your power steering system. The old fluid in mine smelled and looked terrible after 60000 miles.

That's all I can think of for now... I know you probably know this already, but remember that this maintenance wouldn't hurt the wallet as much if you had spread it out over the last few years.