Ok I'm pretty sure this question has been asked before but I have an 03 4Runner Sport that I keep up with maintenance.Vehicle has 180k miles and I do 3k mile oil changes even tho Toyota calls for every 5k. New tires and new OEM shocks and struts (pretty much all new OEM suspension). Just change my spark plugs and leaking valve covers. New PCV valve. Only issue it has right now is check engine code P0430 which is either a bad cat or an 02 sensor but I'll wait until emissions for that. Right now the vehicle runs flawlessly. I don't do trans fluid changes or diff fluid because I'm sure trans fluid is damn near from factory And with the mileage it has I don't think it's a good idea. I leave the diff fluid how it is because even if I wanted to change it I live in Chicago and the bolts are done for. So far this truck has been really good to me. How many miles does your 4th gen have? And what can I expect from mine?
How long do 4th gens usually last?
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NorthWesty
Junior Member
+400k(metric) on mine, 4.7 V8. Best running vehicle I have ever owned. Burns no oil, drives smooth, interior has held up very well. I am lucky to live somewhere they do not salt the roads so the frame is very clean. Better than the previous Nissan Xterra I had with 170k!
thennen
New member
I don't own a 4th Gen, but with the maintenance you're doing, 300k will be easy, 400k even reasonable, I would think. If you're referring to rust, doing something to slow that down (fluid film?) will reward you. My 3rd Gen is paying a heavy price for rust. And I would also recommend that you suck it up and go after those bolts (replace with new ones, too) and get the diff oils changed. 180k miles/16 years is a long time to expect gear oil to lubricate well. And once you do, hey, no need to do it again, maybe ever ;-)
Will last a long long time. However 3k oil change is throwing money away. Actually that may be causing more wear as Ive read some extremely geeky people discuss how oil lubricates better after it is used a bit...to a point. Drain and fill of the transmission and diff would be a good idea. Just don’t power flush them and you’ll do more good than harm.
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Given that you're actively neglecting maintenance, the lifespan for your vehicle is much shorter than it could be.
You freely admit to not changing diff fluid or trans fluid. This is a great way to have a big problem with your trans or your diff.
Pay a mechanic to break the bolts on the diff and do a full fluid change on xfer case, and both diffs. Do a drain and fill every 5k miles for the next 20k and you'll be good past 300k.
You freely admit to not changing diff fluid or trans fluid. This is a great way to have a big problem with your trans or your diff.
Pay a mechanic to break the bolts on the diff and do a full fluid change on xfer case, and both diffs. Do a drain and fill every 5k miles for the next 20k and you'll be good past 300k.
Berty_K
Member
Poor idea.
Get some PB blaster and a breaker bar. You'll have no problem breaking them open.
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Berty_K
Member
Good point.
To explain further, you want to do this because you don't want to find yourself in a situation where you've drained all the different fluid and cannot refill the housing because the fill plug is stuck.
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i have my own garage and could handle the diff fluids, t case, and maybe tranny (04 v6, i have a dipstick i think...) but similar to how i view oil changes these days...$54 synthetic with filter and fluid top off, the dealer quotes me like $350 for gear, t case, and tranny fluid change - id almost rather just pay for someone compared to the fluids, pumps, cleanup/disposal, liability, etc.
those $20 for oil 4 bangers, no brainer to pay to have someone else do it in my opinion.
will prob have toyota of dartmouth do the full fluid job for $3xx.xx
those $20 for oil 4 bangers, no brainer to pay to have someone else do it in my opinion.
will prob have toyota of dartmouth do the full fluid job for $3xx.xx
