'Geeks 2000 Limited 4WD 4runner maintenance log

[4runnergeek]

What's up guys. This thread will be mainly used as a way to keep a log of all the work I've done to my 4runner. I appreciate all the help, insight, advice, etc I've learned here in this forum the past few months.

I purchased a 2000 Limited 4wd 4runner with 246k miles almost 2 months ago from an older fellow in my community. 2nd owner, clean title, no accidents. Really nice guy and I was comfortable dealing with him from the start. He posted the 4runner on Craig's for $6000 and we settled on a price right after the test drive. He had all the maintenance receipts which made me comfortable purchasing a high mileage vehicle, and it's the original motor and transmission. He kept up with the maintenance religiously and the 4runner ran excellent.

I was actually looking to purchase my cousin's Land Cruiser (more on that later lol) but while I was looking on Craigslist, I saw a fairly clean 3rd gen for sale and figured, why not just take a look at it since it's close by. I test drove it, my wife liked it, so I brought it home

Anyhow, here's some pics from the craigslist ad.

 

[4runnergeek]

First order of business was to do a deep clean of the interior and paint. The paint was pretty oxidized so I decided to pull out my Flex dual action polisher and menzerna polishes and sealant to see if I can bring the paint back to life.

Before:

 

[4runnergeek]

After:

 

[4runnergeek]

The previous owner used sheepskin seat covers throughout his ownership. I chucked them to the trash as soon as I got home. Came to find out that the front leather seats were in great shape! No rips and few cracks.

 

[4runnergeek]

Next was to replace all the fluids. This included Eneos synthetic oil, stock oil filter, engine flush, drain and replace transmission fluid, diff fluid, etc. when we drained the fluids it seemed like the previous owner just had the transmission fluid replaced. So glad he stayed on top of the maintenance.

 

[4runnergeek]

First mod. New floor mats! Replaced the stock floor mats with husky liners. Love these floor mats. Some of the pictures make the liners look dark tan but it's really a light colored tan. Also got a new phone holder! Lol

 

[4runnergeek]

The 4runner is currently back at my mechanic getting a new timing belt, water pump, spark plugs, spark plug wires, shocks, springs, etc installed. I purchased the timing belt kit from aircabnman on eBay thanks to the advice from this forum. Also purchased new bilstein 5100's and moog springs, front and rear. I'm looking for more of a comfortable ride since I drive this daily on the streets and highways.

 

[4runnergeek]

Before I purchased the 4runner, I was looking to purchase my cousins 1999 Land Cruiser. She was the first owner, only had 190k miles, in California all its life, zero rust, basically just a clean LC. At first she wanted $6k, but since we're family, we negotiated and agreed on a price...$3800! I test drove the LC, saw no oil leaks or any other leaks, ran great and everything works so I decided to buy it! Lol

All it needs is some cleaning, paint brought back to life with the help of my Flex DA polisher, timing belt/water pump/radiator/ and some new shocks and she'll be good to go!

 

[4runnergeek]

Saved 4

 

[4runnergeek]

Saved 5

 

[Tyler James Inc]

This won't be a typical build thread. This thread will be mainly used as a way to keep a log of all the work I've done to my 4runner.

You got me all interested- what's gonna be not-typical about this build thread?!
Paint sure polished up great! I always appreciate a good paint restoration [emoji41]
Which Menzerna products did you use? I've only used Meguiar's products before, and I'd like to try something "better".

 

[nobb]

I noticed the coolant hose clamps are the screw type. Those are no good, better to go with the OEM style constant tension spring clamp. Sorry I'm just OCD.

 

[4runnergeek]

You got me all interested- what's gonna be not-typical about this build thread?!
Paint sure polished up great! I always appreciate a good paint restoration [emoji41]
Which Menzerna products did you use? I've only used Meguiar's products before, and I'd like to try something "better".

Ehhh, I guess it is a typical build thread lol. I'll delete the comment lol

As for the polishing and sealant, I first claybar'd, then used an Orange pad with Menzerna FG400 polish, and followed up with Menzerna Powerlock Sealant. This is my go-to combo whenever I want to do a quick polish and sealant. I'm tired of doing the typical heavy/medium cut polish, then light cut polish, then sealant process. I'm not looking for complete mirror-like effect. I polish enough to where if you were to stand 5ft away from the car, you won't see any swirls/holograms/etc. The only imperfections you'd see is if you held a bright lamp super close to the paint. The simple two-step polish and sealant is enough for me.

 

[4runnergeek]

I noticed the coolant hose clamps are the screw type. Those are no good, better to go with the OEM style constant tension spring clamp. Sorry I'm just OCD.

Good catch. I'll have it replaced soon.

 

[4runnergeek]

Got the 4runner back from my mechanic. New front/rear bilstein 5100's with moog springs, timing belt, water pump, ps/ac/alternator belts, tensioner, crank seals, camshaft seals, thermostat, NGK platinum spark plugs, NGK wires, new Toyota coolant, synthetic oil and oil filter. Engine still runs as smooth as it did prior to this maintenance which I believe is a testament to the previous owner keeping great care of the truck. The old suspension was tired and didn't absorb the bumps as it used to. Now with the 5100's and moog springs, the truck rides so much smoother. I really like this setup. Next up for maintenance will be lower ball joints and wheel bearings up front. Also a new set of tires and I should be good to go hopefully for a few years