DIY service / maintenance for dummies (ME) !

[bigdonniebrasco]

OK, so I just got this 250k mile 99 limited. I want to wrench on it myself but it's little intimidating from a safety perspective.

If I replace plugs and wires, chances are I won't kill my family in a catastrophic failure.

However I also want to replace my lower ball joints and this is where my trepidation creeps in, and the source of my question.... I am too nervous to tackle a job, that in the event that I screw it up, it's a safety concern for my family!


Of the more common things that us 3rd genners do to our trucks, how would you rate the difficulty for a NON-mechanic?

1 - no brainer

10 - You'd better either be a mechanic or be prepared to pay one!


Example - (please feel free to add to this list)
TRD brakes
Plugs and wires
Timing belt / water pump
Ball joints, upper and/or lower
replace brake pads / rotors
shocks, springs
Lift kit

Thanks for ANY input!

 

[I_bRAD]

Start with an oil change. See how it goes.
Do NOT go under an unsupported vehicle. A jack alone is not a support.
Fortunately, you can change the oil without lifting it.

Plugs and wires is a good project to try next. As you gain tools and experience you'll figure it out.

 

[michaelj]

I've been wrenching my entire life, so I hope my answers aren't skewed.

TRD brakes (I assume you mean Tundra brakes?) -- no different than any other kind of brakes except you are replacing the calipers, rotors, and pads with ones for a Tundra instead of 4Runner parts. 2-3
Plugs and wires -- really simple. Number six plug is a little hard to get to, other than that a no-brainer. I always do plugs/ wires one at a time, so I dont run a cable wrong. 1
Timing belt / water pump -- not terribly difficult, but it is more involved than the jobs you've listed so far. 4-5
Ball joints, upper and/or lower -- more laborious than anything. Not technically hard, but the upper ball joints can be difficult. 4-5
replace brake pads / rotors -- see Tundra brakes above. Easy, especially if you aren't changing the calipers. 2
shocks, springs -- a bit of labor but not difficult to do at all. 3-4
Lift kit -- same as shocks/ springs. You're are just using lift springs instead of OEM. 3-4

Everything you listed I consider "bolt on parts." meaning you aren't doing anything inside the motor. Which can get extremely more complicated. Remove a part and bolt a new one up exactly the same way the old one came off.

 

[LookAtThatDog]

Learn to jack up and support the truck with jack stands. Make sure you have another way to get to work tomorrow before you start a project today. Assuming you have the tools for the job and the truck is safely supported with jack stands:

TRD brakes - 5, brake line removal + bleeding can be tricky or dangerous
Plugs and wires - 3 make sure you connect the wires correctly
Timing belt / water pump 8 Really just takes a long time
Ball joints, upper and/or lower - Upper 8, lower 6. Upper is annoying to get out
replace brake pads / rotors - 4 Get a hammer
shocks, springs - 7 without rust, 10 with rust
Lift kit same as shocks, springs

 

[bigdonniebrasco]

Thanks for all the input and for not making me feel like an idiot.

It's interesting to see what things some people consider a "simple" fix, while others consider it to be a 8-10.

This really does help me a lot and it has reminded me that I need to buy jack stands (not that I would have proceeded without them)

I think for now, the mechanic can do the ball joints, and timing belt/water pump.

I will cut my teeth on the plugs, wires, fuel filter, and air filter.

Thanks again guys!

I actually sold a BRAND NEW lifted f150 4x4 Super-Crew to buy this truck.... this truck actually makes me smile while I am driving it vs stressing out over a truck payment!

 

[LookAtThatDog]

Thanks for all the input and for not making me feel like an idiot.

It's interesting to see what things some people consider a "simple" fix, while others consider it to be a 8-10.

This really does help me a lot and it has reminded me that I need to buy jack stands (not that I would have proceeded without them)

I think for now, the mechanic can do the ball joints, and timing belt/water pump.

I will cut my teeth on the plugs, wires, fuel filter, and air filter.

Thanks again guys!

I actually sold a BRAND NEW lifted f150 4x4 Super-Crew to buy this truck.... this truck actually makes me smile while I am driving it vs stressing out over a truck payment!

You could do those ball joints DIY with little experience as long as you have the right tools. IMO, I wouldn't do it with less than 6 ton jack stands, some 6-sided deep well metric sockets, an impact gun, a pitman puller arm, ball joint press, side cutters, PB blaster and a torque wrench. You can buy a pitman puller from harbor freight and rent a ball joint puller from autozone. Timing belt is best for professionals unless you have some experience and a backup car.

Pitman Arm Puller & Tie Rod Puller

Where are you located, OP?

 

[giovannie23]

Members did a video about lower ball joints last week
Really easy imo

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...joint-removal-replacement-video-tutorial.html

 

[DK327]

Make sure you have another way to get to work tomorrow before you start a project today. Assuming you have the tools for the job and the truck is safely supported with jack stands

Great advice! If it's the only vehicle you have, you're under a lot of pressure to get it done instead of taking your time and doing it right. I'm not mechanically inclined but was able to do the Tundra bake upgrade and bleeding the brakes successfully because I had my Grand Am to fall back on if I didn't finish the T4R in time. Thanks to awesome write up by BigFishAllDay and other sources on here, I was able to take my time, take breaks and watch youtube how to videos to complete the job in a few hours... It was PITA to get the old rotors out, had to pound the sht out of them with the mallet before deciding to squirt Seafoam deep creep into every other slot at the edge of rotor and let it soak for 5-10 mins before trying again, at which point, it got loose with a few persuasive hits. When working on a 16 year old vehicle, lube (and a torch) is your best friend.