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

[Joshv4runner]

I just read the first post of this thread. Found it funny that someone didn't want to put money into their 4runner because it was only worth a couple grand. How times have changed. The value continues to increase on these vehicles. I've seen 97s go for 10-12k now.

Now to the topic. I made it to 268,000 mi. I was losing power, engine sputtering, and check engine light came on. I checked my dipstick and saw the oil level was 1.5 quarts high! I've never overfilled my oil. So, I pull the drainplug and 1.5 quarts of COOLANT comes flying out! My diagnosis - cracked head(s). I just received a replacement 3.4 from Japan with 50-60K miles on it. Will start the engine swap shortly.

Has anyone else swapped their engine recently? What was the hardest bolt to remove and how many bolts were too rusty and just snapped off? I can wait to break a few myself...lol.

Where did you buy your JDM engine from? I may want to fit that into my budget when the time comes....but hopefully never.

 

[electroCrunch]

My intake manifold started leaking badly at 226k miles, so I did (paid a shop) to do a timing belt job and new intake manifold gasket at the same time. This has been the only required engine-type work I have had to do. Everything else has just been preventative. Currently at 227k miles and I'm optimistic I'll take it to well over 300k.

 

[Devbot]

Where did you buy your JDM engine from? I may want to fit that into my budget when the time comes....but hopefully never.

Timmy just uploaded a video this afternoon on the subject, said they went with Yota1 and the engine was very pretty out the crate. The powder coated valve covers look tits. Obviously Tim goes into good detail why to choose Yota1, give it a watch

 

[19963.4lsr5]

I bought my project rig with a blown head gasket at 258,000 miles.

At 282,000 the drivers rear lower control arm link rusted off the frame.


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[azrael_fisher]

Buddy has a 4th gen that has over 320k


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[Joshv4runner]

Timmy just uploaded a video this afternoon on the subject, said they went with Yota1 and the engine was very pretty out the crate. The powder coated valve covers look tits. Obviously Tim goes into good detail why to choose Yota1, give it a watch

Just watched it! Definitely going to order from them when the time comes.

Thank you:rockon:

 

[cameron.wright]

Where did you buy your JDM engine from? I may want to fit that into my budget when the time comes....but hopefully never.

I bought mine from Top Tier Japan. They are a company in Arizona. I thought it would ship from Arizona, but it shipped from Calgary Alberta Canada. They buy cars from Japan, then remove the engines and sell them online. I'll let you know how well it runs when I get it installed.

 

[cameron.wright]

3 months ago, I would have answered the same as many of you have. "I have 262,000, have always done the maintenance, done minor repairs, and the engine and truck run GREAT! Looking forward to getting over 300,000 out of this truck"! Then one day, it started running rough and BAM! Time for a new engine. Sure I could have the heads redone, but with this many miles it's time to replace the whole thing. A complete engine with 55k miles will ensure I can drive this truck another 20 years (I've owned it since December of '99). Or, I may only be able to drive it until gasoline is no longer being sold. Then I'll convert it to ELECTRIC POWER...YES!

 

[the_welfare_wagon]

My friends father has a 98 with 310k. my friend also took a 305k Tacoma NY to La and back with no issues. built to last, but as long as you keep up with maintenance it will last as long as you want it to

 

[Smog-guy707]

My next oil change is at 350k


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[Rhino85VT]

Mine has 367k right now. Still going strong but I am currently restoring the undercarriage. VT salt did a number on it.

 

[Dragon_EX]

Mine is at just over 260k and I hope I can get it to last until the heat death of the universe. Still trying to figure what to do to get this thing back to being like brand new.

 

[Lefty JD]

My 97 had between 380-390k when it was wrecked. Still running great, and I had thrown a supercharger, 2.1 pulley and 7th injector on it at around 265k. I drive my stuff hard, too. Keep up on the basics and the big stuff lasts really well.

97 tacoma had a bad head gasket and rod knock when I got it. Previous owner had overheated it, popped the head gasket and watered the oil. I got it for $500. Put some Red Devil head gasket repair in it, that same supercharger and ran it for over a year or so as my daily driver. 100 miles/day round trip commute plus lots of off road miles at the mine site each day. I think it was around 300k when the head gasket let go again. I sold it to a buddy to turn into a truggy for $500...

Current 99 has 268k, same supercharger and is running great.

 

[Nobody Special]

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

The next video is interesting.
3.4

 

[pharcyde145]

I'm sitting at 299K on my '96 and tonight I finished putting in a new timing belt and idlers, water pump, thermostat, a few coolant hoses (upper, lower, thermostat to oil cooler, oil cooler to block), radiator, all 3 serpentine belts, all 4 sway bar end links and a fuel filter. Still using it for daily duty. Made the mistake of cleaning the gunk from the throttle body when I had the intake manifold off to put new injectors in and now I've got a high idle so I've got to figure out how to tighten the butterfly valve up again or bit the bullet and get a new throttle body.

Once I sort the regular/preventative maintenance items I'll install some OME 881 fronts and 890's in the back with new struts and an adjustable PanHard bar from Sonoran Steel, new front axels with silicone boots and swap to rear discs from Midcoma's conversion. It's been fun turning wrenches on the old girl, looking forward to plenty more.

Here's a question I had in mind for when the day comes that I spin a bearing or blow my head gaskets and need to pull the motor. Has anyone stroked the 3.4 and upped the compression mildly? I'd like a little more low end grunt without changing out my gears (currently 4:10's) or supercharging it.

 

[FD7683]

Typically the 5VZ and 3RZ outlasts most frames in the midwest......

 

[shawnathan9]

I just hit it last night:

<a href="https://ibb.co/sWFXdyz"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/TWHNxmd/20210125-174258.jpg" alt="20210125-174258" border="0"></a>

:tea:

 

[chen5108]

96' SR5 here,about to hit 318k

 

[Hopeless Diamond]

Just past 362k on my way to Cabo

 

[olhobbler]

thats where i am now..99 limited 308k...got a back up and sorta treat it like a ol lady. Sits in the garage and is ready to go anytime.