Advice on what to fix myself, what to leave to shop

[jblu]

I just bought a 1996 4runner sr5 v6 4wd, black, with 220k miles, and it’s running alright but needs some fluid flushes soon and some major maintenance within the next year or so. I’m not very knowledgeable with auto maintenance, but there’s so much that needs to be done that I’d like to try to do a lot of it myself if I can save a few bucks and learn some things along the way. I had a pre-purchase inspection done and all the recommended work comes to around $3k (see below).

So I was wondering if you could help me to prioritize the things that need to be done, and give me some idea of the relative difficulties of each of the items so I can decide what to do myself and what to leave to the shop. I've never done any of this stuff before, not even changed the oil, but I'd like to do what I can.

Top Priority
1. headlight aim--I can do this one fine.
2. Transmission fluid flush/service
3. Transfer case service/fluid
......a. Transfer case leak
4. Fuel injection service
......a. And throttle body maintenance
5. Power steering fluid
6. Brake fluid
7. Timing belt and water pump
......a. With 220k miles and “no indication of last service,” this may need to be done soon
8. Shock/strut assembly (left front)
......a. Leaking fluid
......b. The tires are oversize/mud tires (32")
......c. If I hit a bump while turning left, it sounds like it’s bottoming out
9. Clutch
......a. It’s very tight, also squeaky. The tech said it’s probably lost some of the lubricant which is making it tight, but it’s also got a lot of miles on it and will need to be replaced soon anyway, probably within the next year.

Medium Priority
1. Right rear cam plug -oil leak
2. New cap for front differential breather hose
......a. Also need to check the gear oil and replace if necessary
3. Right rear seatbelt jammed

Low priority
1. Back window power

Thanks very much for your thoughts.

 

[heat]

So many variables here... you're in Montana? Garage? 'cause you're definitely gonna need it in the coming months. Tools?

For the pros:
timing chain
clutch, though it doesn't sound urgent now.
Transfer case leak? Know where it is?
Automatic transmission? flushing that is more complicated than a manual.

The rest you could probably do yourself, eventually. Except for transferring or installing the front springs. Borrow the tools or get someone to do that one.

 

[jblu]

Thanks for the note, that's very helpful. Yes I'm in Montana and I do have a garage, luckily. I've got the standard transmission, so maybe I'll try that as one of the later projects. I don't know where the leak is on the transfer case. I have a few basic tools, but no metric, and I don't know anyone with tools, so I'd have to buy whatever I need. I'm ok with that to some extent, more so if I can reuse the tools later. Anyway, thanks again, and thanks in advance when/if I run into trouble!

 

[seanshreds]

If you did a little research you could do the timing belt on your own and as for the front coilovers, those are easy and you should not waste your money having a shop do it. At pretty much any auto parts store you can rent a coil compressor. Basically you pay for the tool and as long as you do not break it, they give you all your money back when you return it.

 

[Singtoe]

Fix the leaks first then do the preventative maintenance then do a 2uz swap.