Is the '08 4-Runner for Driving or Working on?

[BRK]

I recently bought an ’08 4-Runner and love it so far. I’ve been driving Toyotas since 1986 and admittedly my mechanic’s skills have declined since I rarely have been able to practice them because, well because I’ve been driving Toyotas. Sure hope that situation continues with the new one. Definitely not used to all these modern gadgets but bought a Haines manual to learn a little about my new vehicle in case I do need to ever work on it.

First I was horrified to learn you have to remove half of the intake mainifold to change spark plugs in the V-6. Then I was relieved to learn on these boards that that is wrong, you don’t have to remove the manifold. So then I was disgusted that Haines would have it so wrong, what else are they all screwed up on?

I read about removing the starter motor. Besides the exhaust you have to remove the steering wheel and remove the steering shaft to get to the starter? Or is Haines all screwed up again? This car sounds like it’s a bear for maintenance; any encouragement that it’s not likely to need much? (Losing the dipstick for the tranny doesn’t seem encouraging to me.)

Is Haines just a waste of money? Any better alternatives out there? Will this rig keep running without tons of money spent on maintenance? Thanks for any opinions.

 

[MikesToy]

Toyotas are for driving. You break it, you fix it. lol

 

[Merle]

Generally, there's nothing to do to the 4Runner. I have a 2008 also, and most of the work I've done has not required the removal of any covers besides ONE skid plate to change the oil.

The last Toyota I had where I had to work on the starter was a Toyota Supra MK3. The top bolt on that one is nigh impossible and pretty much required dropping the transmission to get to. Always paid Pep Boys money when I needed that part worked on.

So far, 62k miles and ... nothing. Yeah, the standard fluids, goofing around the electrical system (e.g. HIDs, Hella's, fog light rewire, etc.) but nothing *required* but the fluid changes and tire rotations.

IMO Chilton's / Haines have always been worthless unless you have no idea about how to change the oil. Anything more than that and you're better off with the FSM's (Factory Service Manuals) and/or the exploded diagrams from the EPC's (Electronic Parts Catalogs now available online at toyodiy.com I believe).

Nice vehicle for messing around with - but haven't had ANYTHING requiring tools. Now if you want to mess with suspension bits and pieces... sure I have tools for that which is fun. But nothing has been required.

Fortunately

 

[Will_4R]

Chainging the spark plugs is pretty easy on the V6. I have not done it, but they are easily accessible just by uncliping the airbox.

I have the Haines and have been flipping through it to learn about the rig. I also have the factory service manual (FSM), and have tried comparing some of the jobs. In general, they seem close. I like them both. One thing I noticed right away about the Haines is that it tells you to chainge the oil every 3000 miles. Toyota say every 5000. Haines doesn't tell you to replace the gaskets for the filler and drain plugs on diffs and oil pan, and the FSM does. For $20 Haines is a nice compliment to the FSM (which I downloaded for free). The FSM I have (probably becasue I got free) is a bunch of seperate PDF files with no organization making them hard to to use.

 

[Uneek]

I say go with the factory service manual from Toyota. It details everything, not sure if Haynes offers the same amount of detail.

 

[Barefoot]

When you buy a Haynes manual, you are supporting a pretty nice car collection...

Haynes International Motor Museum