Hello, new guy here. Just picked up an 06 T4R

[Runner2619]

Hi there. New guy here. After a few years with no 4wd, I purchased an SR5 06 4Runner. 77k, 4.0. I really like it and am looking forward to it serving me for many years to come.

This looks like a great forum. I'm looking forward to everyone's input. I'll try and use the search function as much as possible but will probably have questions regardless.

Speaking of questions, I've got a couple already. On a vehicle with this many miles, what would you recommend I do immediately. I have no idea what was/wasn't done, so should I just assume NOTHING was done and go through all of it. All fluid levels/colors look fine for now, should I start changing them out anyways?

Anything else I should be looking for in general? I do plan on using it off road, but don't necessarily intend on modifying it a whole lot, just keeping it in nice shape for many years.

Last question-mine is rusting significantly on the liftgate. I can't believe I haven't found anything on this issue here because at least 1/2 of the used 4th gens I see on the dealer lots have the same issue of rust (in varying stages) forming where the edges of the trim piece in the center of the lift gate touch the corners. Is this common? Seems to be here. Toyota has no interest in warrantying (spelling?) it until it rusts through. My guess is that it will happen at about the 61 month mark and I'll be out of luck.
Any thoughts on this issue? I'm probably just going to fix it myself-once I figure out how to get the inside panel off from the door. I really don't care what it looks like, I just want to keep it from rusting any more.

Thanks. Looking forward to spending a bit of time here.

Oh, in the past, I owned a 99 Tacoma SR5, V6, 5-speed and an 02 SR5 4Runner. I miss my Taco.

Edit: MODS-if this is in the wrong place, please let me know or feel free to move it. I apologize in advance if this was wrong.

 

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Congrats on your purchase and welcome to the Forum. At 77.000 miles I'd change: spark plugs, both engine and cabin air filters, engine oil and filter, also grease the drive shaft. If your tow hitch looks like it was used a lot I'd change transmission and rear differential oil as well. Check front skid plate for rust ( usually on passenger side). Talegate rust is rare. Are you sure it wasn't damaged and repaired poorly? Check carfax, though that service became full of loopholes. As for mods, where would you like me to start? There is limitless horizon of mods you can do to 4gen runners.

 

[Runner2619]

Talegate rust is rare. Are you sure it wasn't damaged and repaired poorly?

I had no idea it was rare. After driving around this past weekend and looking at every used 4runner I could find, I thought it would have been a commonly known problem. At least 1/2 of them had this issue-I've got the photos. Weird. If anyone wants to see what I'm talking about, I'd be glad to email you the photos-or if anyone wants to host them and link them.

I will plan on doing oil/filter(s) right away. When we get a garage again (soon I hope), I'll do plugs as well. Hitch doesn't look very used, but I might do trans/rear differential anyway. Transfer case oil change a good idea as well?

Rust on the skid plate? I'll have to look at that one. I haven't had a chance to crawl around underneath much at all.