Cut my losses, or forge on...??

[JNYD401]

Ok, so I have my '97 T4R (V6 4x4 auto) I have 226K on the clock. Here's my dilemma.... I just put on new tires (Kumho road ventures. Very happy!) new Bilstien rear shocks and needed to get inner & outer tie rods to get it aligned so, I have some recent cash invested. BUT....I seem to have a rear main seal leak that is getting bad, just had rear axle seals done by a buddy and it smells like its leaking again. It will prob need LBJ's before too long (since i replaced everything else up front, they are now the weakest link) and last timing belt was put in at 111K so that is overdue. I don't really have the time or place to do timing belt or rear main so will prob have to farm that out.

I love these trucks but, am I just throwing good money after bad? I don't like the look of the newer Tacos or 4Runner and won't spend $50K on one. But even a 2004 Taco in good shape is $8-$10K. so all the money I put into mine would still be less.

I;m sure many of you have been through this one, How did it play out for you? Any thoughts or advice?? Thanks in advance!

Johnny

 

[rightyouareken]

Unless there is something significant about your truck you don't like, I don't think there is anything wrong with fixing what it needs. Any 15+ year old car is likely to need some stuff, so there's a really good chance that 2004 Taco will need a few things too. At least you know what is good and bad with yours. Buying a used car is always a risk. If you still like your truck, I vote keep it and do the work when you can afford it.

Both my 4runner and M3 were in really good shape when I bought them, but both needed a few things to meet my expectations that I didn't really see until I was able to put some miles on them. Nothing huge but it takes a while to really get to know a car. You're already at that place with yours...

 

[JNYD401]

True, but belonging to this forum, I think how i'd like a different color, rear locker, turbo...
but you're right, I did the majority of the work to it and know it well.

 

[SilverRidgeRunner1]

Hangin in there good buddy I know it seems like a bottomless pit, but u will make it to the top one of these days .. I did after 10k in maintenance over a 8 year period of time :car: but car payments and interest rates add up . .

 

[MaineRunna]

As long as your frame and body are not rusted out it is worth fixing. $3000/yr in maintenance is less than the cheapest car payment. Are you sure it is the rear main seal and not the valve covers or cam end plugs?

 

[pluton]

BUT....I seem to have a rear main seal leak that is getting bad, just had rear axle seals done by a buddy and it smells like its leaking again.

Don't go by smell alone. After a rear axle seal leak, there is usually gear oil on the drum and brake shoes. Even if you did a cursory clean up of the area after the seal replacement job, the smell of gear oil could still be present when the truck has been driven and warmed up.

 

[Mudeprived]

I am in the same boat. 99 Limited with 178k. Needs a head gasket that I am delaying with Bars tablets, valve cover gasket, control arm bushings up front, steering rack, and a bunch of other things.

I am leaning on buying a newer Jeep or truck because I can't convince myself to spend too much money on a 20 year old vehicle with non stop engine issues.

 

[OldRigNewParts]

As many have said, as long as the frame isn't rusted out and motor and transmissions aren't about to grenade, spend the money on fixing it if you truly love the vehicle. Mine is currently sitting at the same mileage and I went through this same thought process when I had major maintenance pop up. Yeah, it sucks to dump a bunch of money in a vehicle, but at least a 3rd gen isn't just a normal vehicle and it's way better than taking on a car payment.

If you can, try to get it all done at the same time so you don't have to worry about anything for a very long time. It's pulling off a band aid, you'll forget about how much anything cost after getting everything back in perfect working order.

 

[dogtail]

I wouldn't worry about the timing belt especially with just over 100K on it. Many of us run them over 250K and they're still good, as mine was that I did last year. You can pop back the cover to inspect it. Even if it breaks it won't wreck the non interference motor.
Rear main seal is not a huge deal.
Rearend seals leaking again after replacement means it wasn't done properly.
If you're doing proper rust treatment, you won't have any. Mileage is not that high, keep it.

 

[thegipper]

I agree, I wouldn't worry about the timing belt at this point. Make sure your oil leak is in fact from the rear main, it could just be the valve cover gaskets/half moons. Even if it is the RMS, it's not too bad to pull the tranny to replace the seal. With a helper and a full day's work on a Saturday, you'd have it done. LBJ's are 85 bucks ish a piece (OEM only) and should only take an hour a side.

My vote is to fix it and truck on....

 

[bigcap76]

True, but belonging to this forum, I think how i'd like a different color, rear locker, turbo...
but you're right, I did the majority of the work to it and know it well.

This forum is helpful in a lot of ways but its easy to get distracted and think you need all the stuff you don't have. I'd try and fix it if it were me.

 

[daniresch]

As long as your frame and body are not rusted out it is worth fixing. $3000/yr in maintenance is less than the cheapest car payment. Are you sure it is the rear main seal and not the valve covers or cam end plugs?

This last sentence. Make sure its not just the valve covers leaking in the back before trying to replace the rear main seal. I almost made the same mistake.

 

[repo]

Who knows what problems you're going to inherit with an 8-10k Taco. Better the devil you know. If you feel the frame, engine, trans is solid you can get another 5-10 years out of it I bet.

LBJs is easy and not too expensive. Timing belt is just regular maintenance. If the botched rear seals aren't leaking on to the brakes/wheels you can probably put a new diff breather on, keep it topped up and ignore if for a while

I was looking at 8-10k 4th gens a few weeks ago (would keep my 3rd gen though) because I had a couple big jobs that needs done on it and it's my daily driver. I decided another vehicle would add more drama to my life so I'm just paying a shop to do the work on my 3rd gen. Front pump seal, rear main seal as PM while they are doing it. Although the insurance on a 4th gen was actually cheaper when I checked, more safety features I suppose.