Help with "new to me" 96 4runner

[casnlynn]

Hi all, new to this forum...actually used to hang out at a similar forum to this, but it was Subaru’s. Any way, had a 1986 Subaru that was rear-ended and totaled. My brother offered (gave) me his 1996 Limited 4runner that he hasn't driven much since he ironically bought a new Subaru Outback. Unfortunately, not a car guy, just poor.

It is an automatic, over 298K miles. Had an oil change done at a cousins garage and asked them to give it the once over. Know issues are rear shocks completely shot, front sway bar broken, leaking from valve cover gaskets and misfire on #3. Transmission and 4 wheel drive seem to be ok, shifts smooth.
Will look into fixing with some help the above, with some help of youtube and a nephew who is a budding backyard mechanic.

One issue that it has is that the lights behind the climate controls and the transmission shifter don’t light up. I have a Haynes manual, but haven’t figured out the fix or where to start. Anyone have idea where to start with this?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Millerad1651]

Where in Indiana are you?

The lights going out are a very common issue. Most people just replace with LEDs, they're cheap and easy to replace. If you Google "3rd gen 4Runner dash bulb replacement" you'll get a bunch of threads with how to's and which bubls to get.

As for the other issues, there are a bunch of threads about those issues as well. Valve cover gaskets leak all the time, easy and cheap enough to replace. Rear shocks are cheap enough and easy too, just depends on if you want to keep stock or go with a lift. As for the misfire, have you had any codes read? May be something as simple as needing new plugs and wires...I'm guessing it needs them anyways at that mileage and having been sitting lately.

 

[casnlynn]

thanks for the quick response, will look for the dash board replace video.

Another quick question. Tires seem to have good tread, but in two wheel drive, don't seem to get much traction in the snow. Is it because it being so light back there? Used to have a pick up and loaded it down with tube sand in the winter. Should I put more weight back there? Just trying to used 2 wheel because assuming better gas milage.

 

[casnlynn]

sorry Millerad1651, I am in South Bend. Unfortunately, got this a day or so before the -15 degree and -30 windchill weather, so haven't even spent much time with it other than driving to work and back.

 

[Millerad1651]

Ya we haven't been able to do much work on anything the last few days...too damn cold.
As for your 2WD question, mine is the same way. I think the snow being so wet makes everything that much more slick. I usually have mine in 4WD and pop it out once I see some pavement, unfortunately there hasn't been much. I think I had mine in 4WD only for two or three days.
Its definitely taken a hit on the MPGs, but it'll only affect one tank for me, so I'm not that worried about it. FWIW, I've seen trucks filled with snow and sand still have trouble, its mostly the ruts and slick snow/ice.