Advice on a 1999 4x4 4Runner - high miles

[Martinjmpr]

This made me go "hmmm...":

Was a wee bit disappointed it didn’t have the handy rear headrest storage slots, thought that was a cool feature.

I thought the headrest-holder was a '99 feature? Have the rear seats been replaced with seats from an earlier 4runner? I haven't looked at that many 4runners but I can tell you my '99 SR5 does have the headrest holders as well as the other '99 mods: Digital odometer, cup holders in front of the console, fat-lip bumper, etc.

Asked the on-site mechanic about the timing belt – there is no record of when it was changed, but he stated that it looked to be at about 70% and thought it was probably done ~20K miles ago.

The t-belt cover should have a sticker on it saying when the belt was replaced. If the sticker's not on there, safest to assume it has not been replaced.

 

[Qyota]

Agreed on both points, Martin!

 

[zcruiser]

Shifting seemed smooth, but there was this one time when it seemed to shimmy/hesitate at fast acceleration.

That could just be the plugs/wires. If worn enough where the gap is marginal, you will feel it under hard acceleration, particularly around 55mph. Easy fix!

 

[theizzardking]

fyi mine and the 5 other timing belt sigs i've seen were located on the plastic strip above the radiator.

could be here or there so have a good look, second part to that is, how did you mech determine it was at 70% i though by the time you were at that point you could just go ahead and replace it....meaning what mech would do that much work for an inspection? i could be wrong so wait for a rebuttal but sounds off to me.

beyond that to check for repaint/crash damage look in all door cracks and jambs for overspray or mismatching colors, pop the hood and look and see if any fender lines are askew or have over spray on them, make sure all bolt holes are lined up and have bolts in them , next stand at a angle to the length of the truck and look down it sideways, look for any warping in the steel or distortion in the paint. finally crawl under it and look for any thing that looks bent or dented esp notice the differential covers these are the 1st thing to get smashed by an inexperienced off roader well those and the skid plate directly infront of the diff.

 

[Pikeman]

So, can eLocker be applied to all 3rd gen T4rs?

The axle housing was different for ones equiped with the E-locker so it can be done but you have to notch where the actuator goes into the housing and move 2 of the studs that bolt the 3rd member/diff into the axle. By the time you do the cost of buying an e-locker and labor to modify the housing and everything you are better going with the ARB.

 

[theizzardking]

By the time you do the cost of buying an e-locker and labor to modify the housing and everything you are better going with the ARB.

x3

besides, not a 100% sure but heard from a Toyota specialist and arb dealer that between the 2 the arb is MARGINALLY stronger anyways so when considering a retro-fit besides cost the arb still wins if even ever so slightly.

also if your considering the arb, you can use a factory switch with it so in the cab you'll never know the difference between the arb and stock e-locker.

like pike man said, it's a lot of work and money when you can just buy and arb and it's pretty much plug and play. no reworking required.

 

[brian2sun]

The ARB requires 2 switches - 1 for the locker and one for the compressor.

 

[theizzardking]

not a problem, wire it where they both come on at the same time to the same switch,

here

Wiring the ARBs with the OEM locker switch

 

[brian2sun]

Yeah I thought about that after I posted, but oh well. The only difference would be that the diff would be locked whenever you use the air comp for anything else like blowing up an air mattress, etc.. I don't see why that would be a problem though, so i say go for it!

 

[VR19984runner]

This is what I got for $6300 high miles.. 227000

Stats:: 1998 v6 TRD SR5 Leather~with around $9000 put into it in last 2 years of my purchase in Jan 2020 for $6300.

New heavy duty alt, starter and battery
2018 wheels and tires (12/2019)
New disk brakes all the way around
New Headliner
New water, oil, fuel pumps
New condenser and evaporator
ScanGauge diagnostic scanner
New pioneer Bluetooth stereo and speakers with added tweeters
Timing chain, tensioners, and valve cover gasket
Rocky Mountain Rack n' coon huntin lights
New mini radiator added for milkshake prevention
All new weather tech mats including rear storage area
New Led headlights and tail lights
New front and rear bumpers.

Total score on this vehicle. Runs fantastic!
In very fortunate to have found it. Very happy for sure.