Maintenance Must Do's? 2000 t4r

TheArkMaster

TheArkMaster

New member
So I have a 2000 T4R. I've had her for about 2 months and i'm starting to do everything. I want to knock out the preventative and just in case maintenance as it came with no records and has a questionable past in my head. This is my plan

TBU because my brakes are about gone.
transmission flush
external cooler.
Have lower ball joint checked for recall.
Seafoam.
Oil change.

Other than that i'm basically clueless. I don't need detail of how to do it, just a list of what to do.
Thank you!

Ark
 
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What is the mileage?

Timing belt is a must do at 90,000. With that goes the water pump, belts and pulleys.

Plugs and wires might be on the list depending on the mileage as well...Use Toyota plugs.

Check the diff fluids and transfer case (if 4wd) when doing the transmission flush.

Ball joints are cheap compared to the cost after failure, so if you have a lot of miles on them go ahead and replace them.
 
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while we are on the subject, my 01 has 135k and needs a tranny service. I have had trouble with a lot of higher milage auto transmissions going to shit after having them flushed... Im scared to have it done, and scared not to. Opinions?
Also, is there anything preventative I can do for my cv's other than just replacing the boots? They are holding up, but don't know if they've ever been replaced and would prefer not to have them fail on a trail hours away from home.
TIA
 
Limbwalker said:
while we are on the subject, my 01 has 135k and needs a tranny service. I have had trouble with a lot of higher milage auto transmissions going to shit after having them flushed... Im scared to have it done, and scared not to. Opinions?
Also, is there anything preventative I can do for my cv's other than just replacing the boots? They are holding up, but don't know if they've ever been replaced and would prefer not to have them fail on a trail hours away from home.
TIA
Click to expand...

Instead of a flush you can drain and refill the transmission fluid over the next several oil changes and as the color gets cleaner back off to every other or every third. I drain and fill mine every other oil change. There is also a screen you can replace if you drop the pan. Toyota calls it a filter, but its just a screen. While you have the pan off you can clean all the magnets too.

CV's shouldn't give you any problems, you can however pop the bands on the boots and inject some fresh grease into them and of course replace the bands, but even still that may be considered over kill, especially if you have no signs of tears or leaking.
 
Not accusing you of being OCD or anything, but don't you think tranny fluid drain and fill every other oil change is a bit too frequent?

ajonesnv said:
Instead of a flush you can drain and refill the transmission fluid over the next several oil changes and as the color gets cleaner back off to every other or every third. I drain and fill mine every other oil change. There is also a screen you can replace if you drop the pan. Toyota calls it a filter, but its just a screen. While you have the pan off you can clean all the magnets too.

CV's shouldn't give you any problems, you can however pop the bands on the boots and inject some fresh grease into them and of course replace the bands, but even still that may be considered over kill, especially if you have no signs of tears or leaking.
Click to expand...
 
amalik said:
Not accusing you of being OCD or anything, but don't you think tranny fluid drain and fill every other oil change is a bit too frequent?
Click to expand...

It is :) BUT I also have almost 200,000 miles on it and I put it through a lot when camping, off-raoding and taking overlanding trips. So, I just do what I can to prevent failure.

and yes I am a bit OCD.
 
ah okay =) -- that makes a little more sense.

ajonesnv said:
It is :) BUT I also have almost 200,000 miles on it and I put it through a lot when camping, off-raoding and taking overlanding trips. So, I just do what I can to prevent failure.

and yes I am a bit OCD.
Click to expand...
 
ajonesnv said:
What is the mileage?

Timing belt is a must do at 90,000. With that goes the water pump, belts and pulleys.

Plugs and wires might be on the list depending on the mileage as well...Use Toyota plugs.

Check the diff fluids and transfer case (if 4wd) when doing the transmission flush.

Ball joints are cheap compared to the cost after failure, so if you have a lot of miles on them go ahead and replace them.
Click to expand...

I'm at 131000. I'm pretty sure the timing belt and water pump was done but I don't know how to tell.
 
TheArkMaster said:
I'm at 131000. I'm pretty sure the timing belt and water pump was done but I don't know how to tell.
Click to expand...

If it was done by a reputable shop they will write it on the engine cover, either directly or put a sticker there. If its not there I believe you can pull the engine cover and inspect the belts condition.
 
I went through this recently with my 4Runner. Generally well-maintained, but I'm anal.

I'll add a few additional items to your list list:
- sway bar end links/bushings. Probably toast by now, worth inspecting.
- throttle body clean out. Mine was filthy. Definitely idles smoother now.
- Power steering flush. Prepare to get messy. Steering is noticeably smoother.

My 4Runner had about 118k when I got it a year ago.
 
2002tii said:
I went through this recently with my 4Runner. Generally well-maintained, but I'm anal.

I'll add a few additional items to your list list:
- sway bar end links/bushings. Probably toast by now, worth inspecting.
- throttle body clean out. Mine was filthy. Definitely idles smoother now.
- Power steering flush. Prepare to get messy. Steering is noticeably smoother.

My 4Runner had about 118k when I got it a year ago.
Click to expand...

Thank you! I was planning on doing my TB but the sway bar links and bushing is smart and the power steering! I'll definitely do that.
 
I would also add fuel filter replacement to the list. It's $20 for the part and the fittings are threaded (on my 01 at l least) so it's really easy to replace. When I did mine the fuel came out almost brown.
 
thadude12 said:
I would also add fuel filter replacement to the list. It's $20 for the part and the fittings are threaded (on my 01 at l least) so it's really easy to replace. When I did mine the fuel came out almost brown.
Click to expand...

Hopefully he has done all of the maintenance on his list since October 2013.
 
I would do the extended differential breather mod. If your rear diff breather is original I can almost guarantee its plugged which can lead to the axles seals leaking. It will cost you less than 20 bucks and will help to make sure your axle seals don't leak.

Replace all fluids
Replace the radiator (I wouldn't install a external cooler but everyone has their opinion on that)
Inspect all other suspension components and replace if necessary

enjoy....
 
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