Anyone get much past 300k on a 3rd gen 4runner?

[wasthe33]

Anyone get much past 300k on a 3rd gen 4runner? I have a 99 that I bought in 2003, it had 76k on it. Now it has 294k on it, it is my daily driver, never broke down and never needed a tow. I wonder if I should change the timing belt/water pump, fix the rear axle seals/bearings or just see how it goes. I'm hesitant to put over $1k into something worth maybe $3k.

To reduce costs, I have started to do some of the work on the car, spark plugs and replaced radiator about 6 months ago. I have a backup vehicle to get me to work and the parts store.

I'll stick with this one unless I luck into a 3rd gen creampuff with 120k on it for cheap.

 

[the great him]

there are several guys and girls on here with over 300k on their rigs... i think most have failed before 300k because people get the "oh its an old car, and i dont want put any more money in to it" attitude and that is pure neglect... a few hundred in parts is much cheaper then tens of thousands for a new car... some times i just dont get peoples logic. im at 270k, and i just dumped close to $1500 into the front end, fully redoing the steering and suspension in the front of my rig, it drives night and day different than before. i expect to get at least another 100k out of this rig.

 

[MtnChick]

My sister's '99 5 speed went over 400k a few months ago. She takes good care of it, and has a standing offer to buy from the mechanic who does the regular work. You would never guess it has that many miles when you take a ride. It has taken some bucks to fix things (no engine or transmission work), especially in the last 100k, but like the kid says, way less money than buying something new and you have a better rig in my opinion.

 

[Hog1983]

I've got 250k and I just ordered @1500 in parts. Front end, timing belt, radiator, hoses, valve cover gaskets, head gaskets, tranny filter and external cooler. I plan on going to at least 400k. At 250 it's mechanically sound and I'm averaging 20+ mpg. These vehicles have to be one of the best built vehicles ever.

 

[01thunder]

I've got 250k and I just ordered @1500 in parts. Front end, timing belt, radiator, hoses, valve cover gaskets, head gaskets, tranny filter and external cooler. I plan on going to at least 400k. At 250 it's mechanically sound and I'm averaging 20+ mpg. These vehicles have to be one of the best built vehicles ever.

20+?! what are you doing to get that? i'm at 16+.:brick:

 

[Hog1983]

20+?! what are you doing to get that? i'm at 16+.:brick:

??? I was getting 20 before I did a tune up. I just recently replaced the plugs wires, new airaid tube and dry filter, deck plate. I had two coil packs that were so corroded I couldn't believe they were even getting contact!

I think the big thing is how I drive, I drive it like a 4runner not a supra

 

[Navydiver82]

When I was living in North Florida I was averaging 21 mpg in my 4runner.

 

[sawguy]

20+?! what are you doing to get that? i'm at 16+.:brick:

I consistently get 20+ with my '97. DON'T use ethanol!

 

[JohnBill53]

My old man, who ran them as crew trucks for his survey company, ran his last two over 350k the last one was at 410k when the radiator blew and one of the dipshits on the crew ran it hot

 

[awdjunkies]

I constantly get between 200-250/tank depending on how much of that driving is on the highway.

 

[lilreds21]

If you take care of her, she'll take care of you!! At a shop I worked at the was a guy that had over 500,000 on the original engine and tranny.... have faith in the runner!

 

[traffic61]

My 1997 had 216,000 when a head gasket went earlier this year. A lot of people thought that I was nuts to spend a couple of grand on repairs (had several other issues that we handled all at once). I hit 221,000 last week and am looking at doing a little more work over the winter. I'm gunning for 250k, but am hoping for 300k. I love not having to have a car payment.

I'm in this far, I might as well see how the journey plays out. Besides, I kinda like the old truck.

 

[Supermoney]

I think the big thing is how I drive, I drive it like a 4runner not a supra

Wait, so we shouldn't be taking off from stop signs and red lights like this?:

Street Supra Anti-Lag Launch Demonstration - YouTube

 

[WillK]

I was parked next to a 2000 Tacoma a few weeks back. Struck up a brief conversation with the owner. It had 404K on it, original drivetrain, two-owner, one family. The guys said he's loved it since day one. Missed it when he gave it to his son while he was in college. Son gave it back when he was done with school.

The guy even mentioned that when the son would call home to check in, dad would ask first how the truck was, then his son... lol
Funny thing is, he wasn't laughing when he told me that!

 

[ssqv65]

Co-worker of my mom currently has 447,000 on his. His goal is 500k and then treat himself with a full rebuild of drive train and go for another 500. Have to love these rides!

 

[MStudt]

When we bought ours at O'Brien Toyota in Ohio. They had a 99 with 776,xxx miles on it with the original engine and transmission.

 

[Robb235]

I consistently get 20+ with my '97. DON'T use ethanol!

+1 on not using ethanol.

 

[19963.4lsr5]

You went that far and never put a timing belt kit on it?

Edit: to the original poster

 

[01thunder]

I consistently get 20+ with my '97. DON'T use ethanol!

what do i use? around here, everything has that 10% shit in it.

 

[the great him]

You went that far and never put a timing belt kit on it?

Edit: to the original poster

yeah i have never seen or heard of a timing belt breaking on one of these. what gives out is typically the water pump. and to remove the water pump you have to remove the timing belt...

fyi these are noninterference motors-5vze (v6)