general thoughts

[applescrap]

I bought a 1998 4runner with 150,000 miles. Everybody I talked to said that these we're bullet proof and go to 300,000 miles no problem. Ours came from East Coast to Denver did i make a good choice. Ours is having a lot of little problems and I'm curious if any of these problems are fairly normal. The valve cover is leaking a little oil on the back side a spark plug popped out of it and needed a Heli coil, the rack in pinion is leaking, and I posted about a starter problems. Are these little things that are fairly normal or should I get out of this thing. Thanks and cheers

 

[woodro]

Check for frame rust if its from north east , reliability all depends on how well it was cared for during its past years , if nobody changed the oil or serviced the truck then it would cut down on the reliability . But it sound like you have a small amount of common problems , those things are easy fixes . The amount of info on this site is incredible ! All in all these are some of the most reliable trucks on the road .

 

[applescrap]

Thanks dude your thoughtful response. As I look up rack and pinion problems I don't understand why ours is leaking. It looks like a lot of people have rack and pinions that have done many more miles. Which makes me wonder about how ours was cared for but I love this vehicle. All I can hope is that the last owner changed the oil

 

[fightman80]

All seem to be common issues with our T4R's. The valve cover gaskets can be replaced inexpensively, there are write-ups on this site... just use the search engine. Your starter issues, are most likely the starter contacts... which can be purchased for around $10.00. The rack and pinion is also a common issue... but I haven't had any experience with this one... as of yet.

Overall, these trucks are great! I bought my 98 in 2004, and still drive it today. Love the truck!

 

[AZTOY]

I bought a 1998 4runner with 150,000 miles. Everybody I talked to said that these we're bullet proof and go to 300,000 miles no problem. Ours came from East Coast to Denver did i make a good choice. Ours is having a lot of little problems and I'm curious if any of these problems are fairly normal. The valve cover is leaking a little oil on the back side a spark plug popped out of it and needed a Heli coil, the rack in pinion is leaking, and I posted about a starter problems. Are these little things that are fairly normal or should I get out of this thing. Thanks and cheers

Like it has already been said, valve cover leaks are common. You can fix them yourself for cheap. I had to replace my starter at 180,000. My rack and pinion has an oozing leak from the boots, probably from the inner seals leaking. It doesn't leak on my driveway and doesn't make any sounds. "Bullet proof" doesn't mean no maintenance needed. These are minor issues for a 15 year old vehicle with 150,000 miles. There are a lot of diy threads for the problems you mentioned. Fix them and you won't have problems for a long time as long as you keep all fluids and maintenance up to date.

 

[BrianSD_42]

And the award for vaguest thread title goes to ....

Why doesn't my truck run for a million miles .... !!!!!!!!!!!

Ok but seriously these trucks are much more bullet proof then ford, Chevy, jeep ect. Guaranteed no problems until 300k miles lol - apparently you haven't read my thread (or very many others). If you spoke to a Toyota mechanic ( or someone certified who does a whole lot of Toyotas) they would probably disagree with the 300k miles no issues theory.

I really suggest reading the 3rd Gen Buyers guide which is linked in the sticky in the main page. Perhaps I am unlucky but I have gone through almost every issue listed in the guide. Yes I am at 217k miles but I love my truck and it runs like a champ.

Lets just be realistic here. I will list off parts that almost ANY vehicle would need replaced or worked on by 200k miles ... To expect otherwise is ridiculous.

* brake rotors, pads and drums (my calipers are fine)
* lower ball joints (or pretty much anything rubber)
* steering rack bushing (again rubber)
* steering rack assembly
* entire suspension including springs and shocks $$$$
* water pump
* radiator
* fuel filter
* valve cover gaskets (pretty much a right of passage)
* spark plug wires
* spark plugs, OEM dammit!
* timing belt every 80k miles
* starter

Wow and that is just standard maintenance.

If you have a solid engine that doesn't blow smoke, a trans with no slippage (me, knock on wood) and excellent paint then I'd say things are going great!

Good luck. Seriously read the buyers guide.

 

[applescrap]

Okay here might be the stupidest questions all time how can I tell if mine is lifted? My sister in law is it just that we have 1 is it just that we have 16 wheels Thanks

 

[applescrap]

Thanks and nice post.... I look forward to many of those repairs. Manual transmission and no smoke. But I must admit the shocks seems need replaced. I hope they make quick struts like I used on my Camry

 

[BrianSD_42]

This is key:

[Parts that] almost ANY vehicle would need replaced or worked on by 200k miles ..

The great thing about these trucks is you can do a lot of the repairs yourself (or pay a mechanic) using the guides, see the sticky threads.

Also using search by clicking the "how to search" link in my signature will help a lot.

 

[AZTOY]

Okay here might be the stupidest questions all time how can I tell if mine is lifted? My sister in law is it just that we have 1 is it just that we have 16 wheels Thanks

Put up a picture. We can usually tell by looking at it. And list the tires that are on it.