97 SR5 in Central Jersey

[cyclops13]

This is an great forum and the community here seems awesome!

I am a newbie here and acquired a 97 SR5 FWD a few days back. Came across this forum while searching details about the truck. I wanted to post about the vehicle seeking your advise before I buy it but there was some issue with the registration process and I could not register for 2 days. Was getting very impatient and just bought it! I am not into off roading but always wanted to get into it, just could not resist getting this.

I am in Central NJ and seek advise on a reliable and frugal garage for overall maintenance. The car looks good overall and has done around 168K miles, is a one owner vehicle, however there are no service records at all in carfax!I want to use this thread to keep a track of my step by step build, whenever I do that. This is going to be my daily drive and would be mostly keeping it stock till the time a get a beater car.

Cheers!

 

[hurt4x]

Cean 4runner!

but your post title says SRT not SR5 :thumb3:

 

[cdthiker]

welcome

 

[Swimmerboy2112]

Fwd???

 

[PitbullRescuer]

Fwd???

I was cutting him some slack on that. LOL.

OP, you have 4WD. FWD is front wheel drive.
As far as tires go, you can run 265/75/16's with no issue. They look right at home on these trucks.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2

 

[cyclops13]

Thanks for the welcome guys. I made a mistake while typing sr5, fixed it immediately but somehow the title listed in the forum is not updated.

But 4wd was my bad. Newbie here. :yield:

Edit: Now the title seems to be fixed!

 

[napstermike]

looks clean. must be a southern vehicle. i do service work out of my garage (usually subaru and toyota) if you want to stop down with it we can do a once over and see what it needs. im in the 08080 zip code. pm me if you want. thanks

 

[cyclops13]

Recalls

Need advise on recalls.

As advised in the 3rd Gen 4Runner Buyer's Guide thread (BTW, an excellent read), I registered on the Toyota owners site and checked for the vehicle history but its not got any history records, none, nada.

Interestingly, when I check the recalls section, it gives the following message -

"There are no open Safety Recalls or Special Service Campaigns for your vehicle."

Now my question is - if the vehicle was never serviced, how were all the recalls closed? Is this normal or I am still eligible to get all the recall issues fixed at the dealership?

 

[cyclops13]

looks clean. must be a southern vehicle. i do service work out of my garage (usually subaru and toyota) if you want to stop down with it we can do a once over and see what it needs. im in the 08080 zip code. pm me if you want. thanks

Many thanks for the offer. I will surely catch up with you if I am coming down that side. I am in the Middlesex county and your place is like 75 miles one way for me!

 

[cyclops13]

Need advise on recalls.

As advised in the 3rd Gen 4Runner Buyer's Guide thread (BTW, an excellent read), I registered on the Toyota owners site and checked for the vehicle history but its not got any history records, none, nada.

Interestingly, when I check the recalls section, it gives the following message -

"There are no open Safety Recalls or Special Service Campaigns for your vehicle."

Now my question is - if the vehicle was never serviced, how were all the recalls closed? Is this normal or I am still eligible to get all the recall issues fixed at the dealership?

A li'l help here......

 

[Bad Obsession]

Clean Runner, OP. How much did you pay for it if you don't mind me asking? Welcome to the forum. I'm a newbie also...but this seems like a really great community. Lots of knowledge and info here.

 

[Millerad1651]

That looks exactly like the truck I started with. Have fun, the mods will never end.

As for the recalls, I believe there may have only been the rear spring recall on the 96-98s...the lower ball joints were later 3rd Gens. If you don't have any outstanding recalls, the rear springs must have been changed in the past. Not sure why it doesn't show up on the Toyota Owner's site though. Mine was the same way, only one oil change on the history page. Could just mean the POs used a private garage, not a Toyota dealership for maintenance.

 

[Auce]

cyclops13,
Where abouts are you in Middlesex county? I also live in middlesex.

 

[cyclops13]

Clean Runner, OP. How much did you pay for it if you don't mind me asking? Welcome to the forum. I'm a newbie also...but this seems like a really great community. Lots of knowledge and info here.

Thanks. I paid around 4K. Yes indeed, this place is good.

That looks exactly like the truck I started with. Have fun, the mods will never end.

As for the recalls, I believe there may have only been the rear spring recall on the 96-98s...the lower ball joints were later 3rd Gens. If you don't have any outstanding recalls, the rear springs must have been changed in the past. Not sure why it doesn't show up on the Toyota Owner's site though. Mine was the same way, only one oil change on the history page. Could just mean the POs used a private garage, not a Toyota dealership for maintenance.

Thanks. Yes even I am puzzled, mine does not have even a single service record! Well not too worried about that but wondering, if there was any recall related repair performed how come there is no entry in the service records?

cyclops13,
Where abouts are you in Middlesex county? I also live in middlesex.

I am at Edison, where are you located?

 

[TheDurk]

Thanks. I paid around 4K. Yes indeed, this place is good.



Thanks. Yes even I am puzzled, mine does not have even a single service record! Well not too worried about that but wondering, if there was any recall related repair performed how come there is no entry in the service records?



I am at Edison, where are you located?

That site cuts off after some number of years back, I believe. My rig went to the dealer while it was still in warranty for major service (30k and 60k) but I have zero records showing. They used to show up, though.

I'm in Basking Ridge, about 35 minutes up I-287. Welcome to the board!

 

[cyclops13]

That site cuts off after some number of years back, I believe. My rig went to the dealer while it was still in warranty for major service (30k and 60k) but I have zero records showing. They used to show up, though.

I'm in Basking Ridge, about 35 minutes up I-287. Welcome to the board!

The cutoff is not good, so much for calling it vehicle history!

Your place is not far from me, can you recommend any reliable and frugal garage for the general maintenance? I need to change all the fluids soon.

Thanks for the welcome!

 

[cyclops13]

Need some help here. Last weekend I had to drive on the highway for around 50 miles and noticed 2 issues.

1. While braking at highway speeds, I get strong and steady vibrations from the wheels - this I am pretty sure must be due to the warped rotor issue which is prominent in the 3rd gens
2. On cruising speeds >60 mph, there is a continuous vibration from the steering wheel - what might be the reason for this? I suspect wheel alignment issue as the truck slightly swerves to the right when I leave the steering at cruising speeds

Your advise would be appreciated.

 

[Chewbacca]

Need some help here. Last weekend I had to drive on the highway for around 50 miles and noticed 2 issues.

1. While braking at highway speeds, I get strong and steady vibrations from the wheels - this I am pretty sure must be due to the warped rotor issue which is prominent in the 3rd gens
2. On cruising speeds >60 mph, there is a continuous vibration from the steering wheel - what might be the reason for this? I suspect wheel alignment issue as the truck slightly swerves to the right when I leave the steering at cruising speeds

Your advise would be appreciated.

First off welcome to the forum.

Issue 1: Pretty sure you need new rotors or at least a cut if within spec. I have also been reading that 3rd gens rotors are susceptible to warping.

Issue 2: This is most likely a wheel balance issue. Some other things to check for is cupping in the tires and worn suspension components (older vehicle) this could also cause pulling throwing off the alignment.

Pretty simple and common issues. If you are not comfortable enough to check this stuff out a reputable tire shop can knock it out fairly quickly.

 

[TheDurk]

The cutoff is not good, so much for calling it vehicle history!

Your place is not far from me, can you recommend any reliable and frugal garage for the general maintenance? I need to change all the fluids soon.

Thanks for the welcome!

Sorry. My 4Runner has only been wrenched by me since the 30k checkup at the dealer (for warranty reasons) and a clutch job at a tranny shop. Oh yeah, alignments.

 

[cyclops13]

First off welcome to the forum.

Issue 1: Pretty sure you need new rotors or at least a cut if within spec. I have also been reading that 3rd gens rotors are susceptible to warping.

Issue 2: This is most likely a wheel balance issue. Some other things to check for is cupping in the tires and worn suspension components (older vehicle) this could also cause pulling throwing off the alignment.

Pretty simple and common issues. If you are not comfortable enough to check this stuff out a reputable tire shop can knock it out fairly quickly.

Thanks. I would be getting it checked soon.

Sorry. My 4Runner has only been wrenched by me since the 30k checkup at the dealer (for warranty reasons) and a clutch job at a tranny shop. Oh yeah, alignments.

That sounds great. Wish I could do that one day.