Just bought a 96 4Runner, What are some must know's?

[zer0cool]

Hey everyone,

My Dad and I just purchased a dark green, manual, 3.4l 4x4, 4runner with approx. 115k miles (173 km's). We can have some pretty gnarly winters where we live here in Ontario Canada, and needed a good 4x4 from some work related transport.

I'm not super knowledgeable when it comes to car maintenance, but I own an e30 (1991 bmw 325is), and I've learned how to wrench on it (ie. brakes/suspension/t-belt and waterpump/wheel bearings/headlights/injectors/etc.) Basically I don't like paying someone to do work on my vehicle that I could do it with the right tools and time. There is absolutely no way I could have ever done any of these jobs if it wasn't for the BMW forum's I frequent, so I'm hoping that this forum will be just as helpful.

Issues to address;

Timing belt/waterpump - I know with my e30, this is ALWAYS the first thing people recommend taking care of. There isn't much of a maintenance history on the truck so is there an easy way to check the condition of the t-belt or do you just recommend changing it for peace of mind? And how tough is it to get at this belt?

Rust - There is absolutely no surface rust on the car, or even signs of it coming. There is one corroded corner of the metal rear bumper that looks to be from a ding/dent that got eaten away. The under side does however have some rust. It looks to just be on some protective panels, and seems like it could be removed/sparyed over, but I'm not familiar with rustproofing, what options do I have?

Running boards - It doesn't have running boards, and I might want to add those. Are they universal within this generation? And what do they go for used?

I'm sure I'll have plenty more questions, and I'll use the search function first, but I figured I'd post these up and introduce myself.

Thanks,

Jay

 

[brian2sun]

Is this a 3.4 or a 2.7? If it's a 3.4, it's a non-interference engine so that means if the timing belt breaks, it won't cause bent valves, it just won't run. If it's a 2.7, it's a timing chain and I don't believe it needs to be replaced under general maintenance.

I don't know about the rust thing because I live in CA.

Running boards are lame IMO, and no good for off roading, but I still have mine if you're interested, although I don't know if they can be shipped - probably freight only. Maybe Craigslist?? Not positive, but I believe the RBs changed in '98, but they probably still bolt up the same.

 

[topdown4runner]

there should be a sticker on the plastic housing covering at the front of the engine showing the milage of the timing belt change.
Toyota recommends changing at around 60-70 k miles, so if it has not been done yet, now would be a good time.
Since you will be in there anyway, change out the water pump, tensioner pullys, hoses, etc....costs a little more in parts, but they all have to come off to do the belt anyway and the labor is the same.

You'll likely notice a buzzing sound after you shut off the engine. I had it on my 96 and several others have chimed in on this also. It is a normal function of the evaporative emmissions system, just annoying. Seems the newer models do not do this.

I picked up a set of running boards for my Wife's 97 at a wrecking yard for $100 a couple of years ago. We don't have a lot of salt/rust issues in Central Florida, so I do not know how bone yard parts look up your way.

Enjoy your "new" ride!

 

[brian2sun]

If you have the buzzing sound, it can be fixed w/ a $25 part that is discontinued, but I still got 1 from trdparts4u on yotatech not very long ago. I'm pretty sure the timing belt interval is 60K on the older 3.4s like yours and 90K after '97 - IIRC.

 

[zer0cool]

Thanks for the suggestions!

That's reassuring to hear a broken t-belt won't bend the valves, I know that'll be the case on my e30 which is why I changed it this spring. I'll just run it for now and get parts to replace it all at some point.

I won't be off-roading the vehicle much, just through plenty of snow, so that shouldn't be a problem for the running boards I don't think. I checked the local craigslist already but didn't see anything yet.

I'm really looking forward to picking it up, it was a cool driving experience with the 5 spd and the 4x4 option. It was really rugged feeling, yet drivable.

What sort of gas mileage do you guys observe? I checked on some independent sight, and they claimed 15-18 city/highway mpg.... but then I referenced some other vehicles I know and they all seemed like low estimates.

 

[AKAndy]

I have a 96 3.4 auto that's getting 17-19 mpg with a pretty even mixture of city/hwy driving, and I used to have a 96 3.4 5spd that got 20-21 pretty consitently with the same type of driving. If you do a search in the 3rd gen forum, there are a few gas mileage threads, and it seems like the average people get is around 17-19 or so.

Hope you enjoy your new truck, I think you'll love it like most of the rest of us love ours!

Andy

 

[Carl58]

Atf

Hey everyone,

My Dad and I just purchased a dark green, manual, 3.4l 4x4, 4runner with approx. 115k miles (173 km's). We can have some pretty gnarly winters where we live here in Ontario Canada, and needed a good 4x4 from some work related transport.

I'm not super knowledgeable when it comes to car maintenance, but I own an e30 (1991 bmw 325is), and I've learned how to wrench on it (ie. brakes/suspension/t-belt and waterpump/wheel bearings/headlights/injectors/etc.) Basically I don't like paying someone to do work on my vehicle that I could do it with the right tools and time. There is absolutely no way I could have ever done any of these jobs if it wasn't for the BMW forum's I frequent, so I'm hoping that this forum will be just as helpful.

Issues to address;

Timing belt/waterpump - I know with my e30, this is ALWAYS the first thing people recommend taking care of. There isn't much of a maintenance history on the truck so is there an easy way to check the condition of the t-belt or do you just recommend changing it for peace of mind? And how tough is it to get at this belt?

Rust - There is absolutely no surface rust on the car, or even signs of it coming. There is one corroded corner of the metal rear bumper that looks to be from a ding/dent that got eaten away. The under side does however have some rust. It looks to just be on some protective panels, and seems like it could be removed/sparyed over, but I'm not familiar with rustproofing, what options do I have?

Running boards - It doesn't have running boards, and I might want to add those. Are they universal within this generation? And what do they go for used?

I'm sure I'll have plenty more questions, and I'll use the search function first, but I figured I'd post these up and introduce myself.

Thanks,

Jay

I made the mistake of not checking the ATF. Check it or better still drain and refill with the correct grade.

 

[JohnsD90]

Thanks for the suggestions!

That's reassuring to hear a broken t-belt won't bend the valves, I know that'll be the case on my e30 which is why I changed it this spring. I'll just run it for now and get parts to replace it all at some point.

I won't be off-roading the vehicle much, just through plenty of snow, so that shouldn't be a problem for the running boards I don't think. I checked the local craigslist already but didn't see anything yet.

I'm really looking forward to picking it up, it was a cool driving experience with the 5 spd and the 4x4 option. It was really rugged feeling, yet drivable.

What sort of gas mileage do you guys observe? I checked on some independent sight, and they claimed 15-18 city/highway mpg.... but then I referenced some other vehicles I know and they all seemed like low estimates.

18mpg mixed. 3.4l 5 speed 4x4.