Limited - brakes

[Brian1973]

Might buy Limited version - brakes? other stuff?

Looking at possibly buying a 2001 Limited... Noticed in the informational write up about the variations, that the Limited's come with "larger brakes"... would they be same as TBU basically or just a beefier 4Runner brake that could still use a TBU???

Also says it did have a pink milkshake last year and got a used transmission with 100k miles on it.... so I suppose that and a new radiator puts that in good enough shape but personally will add a transmission cooler or two if I purchase the truck to accommodate some occasional towing... thoughts on the 100k mile used tranny?

 

[jgue467]

Limited's come with "larger brakes"... would they be same as TBU basically or just a beefier 4Runner brake that could still use a TBU???

Also says it did have a pink milkshake last year and got a used transmission with 100k miles on it.... so I suppose that and a new radiator puts that in good enough shape but personally will add a transmission cooler or two if I purchase the truck to accommodate some occasional towing... thoughts on the 100k mile used tranny?

They are larger, but certainly not in the TBU category. I have the larger ones drilled/slotted; they are perfectly adequate IF you don't tow 'heavy' loads (3500+) and/or you don't need to drive down mountains like west texas, sierra and/or rockies (pushes them to their limit but they held) for example, but I'm sure anyone on here w/TBU will swear by that and I'd probably agree.

Hmm, used tranny huh? Well check out the fluid color/smell, should be nice and bright pink.

Valve cover bolts are common to be loose on these, just tighten 'em up and the leaks stop, mine did for about 4 years now.

How does it feel driving down the road? How much, how many miles and what color is it?

Lots more info here: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...faq-tutorials-documentation-reference-v2.html

Luck! :banana:

 

[Jaketino]

My thought was that the TBU was "preventative maintenance". The rotors on my limited warped very quickly so I decided that even if I get the normal use out of the pads, at least I have the peace of mind that I will be able to stop myself when I need to. Regardless of the circumstances.

 

[Brian1973]

I recently did TBU on my 2000 due to finally warping rotors... pulled 3000# of boat and trailer a few times over a few years... midwest so "not too huge" of hills... the upgrade does seem to feel better and I concur in preventative maintenance however I figured I'd deal with having to stand on brakes until the warping appeared or the pads disappeared.... just didn't know if the Limited version was more adequate but will consider it a needed item (Thx Jgue & Jaketino, since it seems you are a Limited owners) since it may tow and will check for warpage while driving it as well as amount of pad left... from what I know, it has over 200k miles on it...

My 2000 has 180k and recently got the burning oil on the exhaust manifold which I learned was remedied by tightening the valve cover bolts for the time being....

Owner of said used 2001 said he has a slight tear in the driver's seat (leather) that he put some shoe polish on? but understandably it is "use" from 200k miles... in and out of seat.... any ideas on fixing that issue down the road, easy? hard? expensive? never have had leather seats...

Also owner said rear bumper was dinged by a driver not watching as he slowed for a speed bump, says tow hitch took most of the sporty car hit but bumper is dinged... wondering the cost for a new rear bumper??? anyone?

While we are talking tow hitch, I personally don't classify this as a "tow package" on these trucks since it's included on every 3rd gen I've seen... to me a tow package is beefier suspension/brakes, tranny cooler, larger radiator? soooo, when I look at KBB.com I don't check the Tow Package box but I notice some sellers stating "tow package" and I'm sure that's so they get the $250 comp or whatever it adds to the price.... a tow hitch is a tow hitch, not a tow package, right?!? I could accept "tow package" if the brakes were upgraded and tranny cooler was added like my current 2000 is....

 

[mattman]

You want to be careful tightening those valve cover bolts ... when reading about it, it seems 50/50 ... some people have success and stop the leak, and others crack their valve cover and ending up having to find a new one.

Changing the gaskets is not a hard job - when I did mine, I was amazed at the nice, slight compression (at low torque) of the new gaskets compared to my old dry and shrunken ones.