Just bought a 98 limited 4runner!! help me out

lewisb01

New member
Well I needed a good dependable winter car and I've always loved the 3rd gen 4runners and plus my mazda speed3 blows in the snow!! So I got a great deal on a 98 limited and it has 201k miles on it. It runs great doesnt seem to have any issues.

What i'm curious about is other than changing out the water pump and timing belt what other things should I look out for that I should replace on a this just to be on the safe side?

Thanks in advance!!
 
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If the previous owner cannot come up with any maintenance records, take it to the dealer for a 201-point inspection.
 
If the previous owner cannot come up with any maintenance records, take it to the dealer for a 201-point inspection.

The first owner had it for over 10 years and the 2nd owner has had it for a year and half and hasnt done anything to it besides oil changes and she doesnt know what the previous owner did to it I ran a carfax and only one service record came up.

So any idea how much the stealership will charge for that? just to check to why the sunroof doesnt open all the way is $80 lol
 
wow- where to start...

It sounds like you're presuming it has had very little maintenance done along the way. The list of things to get caught up on is lengthy and frankly going to cost some coin.

Priority one would be timing belt and waterpump. Should have been done every 90K miles. Look on the timing belt cover where the spark plug wires criss cross from one side to the other. Any stickers? A worthy shop would have made their mark there to show date and or mileage last performed. The tbelt and wpump typically done at same time because everything to do the one is taken apart at same time. So labor is cheaper to just do both. Belts and hoses and new coolant of course. Some other things get checked while this is all taken apart, idler bearings? fan clutch maybe. Do more research to be sure...

Limited tells me it's an auto tranny, so if you want it to last you will change the fluid and frequently.

All fluids should be changed-you don't state 4wdrive but I presume that you have front and rear diffs. Go synthetic and add a little extra peace of mind.

Sagging butt end? See if the rear spring recall was ever performed...you could get a nice new set of springs free...

Power steering flush is a wise idea if you want to keep this fine ride steering responsively-that is ATF in the power steering pump.. yes Auto Tranny Fluid. Read up on this...

Front end alignment is a wise idea. While they are underneath your ball joints and other front end components need checked out. Your ride is at a mileage where these parts do fail and it can be very expensive to fix once you lose a wheel and slide into a ditch. So please have them checked before something fails in a spectacular way. Tie rods, idler arms, sway bar bushings, steering rack, all need checked and evaluated.

I like Firestone/Tires Plus (they own one another) as you can still buy lifetime alignments. ($119 on sale in this market) That would be the cost of 2 normal alignments at some reputable shops, so pays for itself with alignment #3.

Our trucks do not need 4 wheel alignments save your money.

Get ready to spend some money.

Congrats on your new to you ride and follow along this forum and Yota Tech for all the maintenance you need to get caught up on.
 

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