As the title says. It hasn't been daily driven in over 2 years, since then it's been a fun weekend car and still has a couple problems, mainly a p0420 and p0440 code keeping the CEL on, and I currently have an ABS control module shipping in to replace since it decided to die on me. We've kept up on all the general maintenance, timing belt replacement and oil changes and other various fluid changes, but are there any 4runner specific quirks I should check out while I have the chance?
My 4runner is about to turn into a daily driver. Any advice?
- Thread starter Dragon_EX
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
Brian.
Member
Our '99 just went full time DD (sold a 2018 Mazda that just wasn't enjoyable), but I've been prepping it for this anyway. Have to agree 100% on the bushings, they're Easily the single biggest change/improvement in the ride quality.. even above $1200 in new shocks and springs.
Beyond that, if you're on top of the normal things (TB, water pump, lower ball joints, radiator, etc..), just get the codes addressed and do the normal song and dance of daily driven vehicles, watching the consumables and address issues as they appear. Might be worth your time to check the flexible brake lines, ours were severely deteriorated. I just replaced the whole throttle body as we'd started the shift from stumbling idle to stalls at idle, and that's no good for my wifes daily driver. FWIW, cleaning didn't really seem to help and I've a 2 decade background in motorcycle mechanics... I'm used to cleaning dozens of carbs every spring.
Beyond that, if you're on top of the normal things (TB, water pump, lower ball joints, radiator, etc..), just get the codes addressed and do the normal song and dance of daily driven vehicles, watching the consumables and address issues as they appear. Might be worth your time to check the flexible brake lines, ours were severely deteriorated. I just replaced the whole throttle body as we'd started the shift from stumbling idle to stalls at idle, and that's no good for my wifes daily driver. FWIW, cleaning didn't really seem to help and I've a 2 decade background in motorcycle mechanics... I'm used to cleaning dozens of carbs every spring.
jgue467
Senior Member
I like OEM for most everything except motor/trans fluids, I do use toyo red in radiator.
If you have not checked out/tested the lbjs, that would be high priority to me, when they fail it is Catastrophic, drops to the ground instantly.
Mine has been a dd for 12 yrs not to mention a weekend hunting/offroading vehicle, no issues except cruising at under 10mph for a mile or two will always set a p0420, yet I can drive it for hundreds of miles on road and it will never set, weird. Luck!
If you have not checked out/tested the lbjs, that would be high priority to me, when they fail it is Catastrophic, drops to the ground instantly.
Mine has been a dd for 12 yrs not to mention a weekend hunting/offroading vehicle, no issues except cruising at under 10mph for a mile or two will always set a p0420, yet I can drive it for hundreds of miles on road and it will never set, weird. Luck!
Twisted Sid
Member
I would suggest not doing poly bushings if it's going to be a daily driver. I have poly in mine and I want to go back to rubber because of the harsher ride.
I'm also interested in what brand I should go with. I got the Energy Suspension poly bushings for the steering rack but if I should go with rubber for the rest I don't know where to look. First thing I should do is probably the sway bar bushings because they're just right there, and it doesn't seem like poly is a bad choice for it specifically.
David9962000
New member
Dragon, how many miles on your 4runner?
Right now its got a bit over 250k. That's why I'm worried about starting to rack up the miles, I definitely don't want to lose the car to something preventable.
Brian.
Member
Whiteline for Poly bushings (see the link in my sig, I've got all the numbers listed as well as links to Timmy and Seans videos). If you want Rubber, your only option is OEM and you're going to spend 3 times as much.
"Harsher ride" is 100% subjective. If mine is harsh (wife has no complaints and she's coming out of 3 years in a Mazda3 and 17 years in a Jetta before that), then "not harsh" must be floating like a 1970's Caddie. I've a background from the sport side (roadracing), so maybe my perspective is skewed.
Regardless, the MASSIVE change in comfort and control/handling has made the vehicle not only more enjoyable to drive but Vastly safer too.
spartacus
Senior Member
In addition to all the good advice. Make it your primary vehicle for a week or two. Drive it in stop and go traffic, traffic jambs, grocery shopping etc. The everyday manusha will give you a good picture of the health of your motor, tranny, ac and suspension. Short heat cool cycles are tough on motors specially hot summers. Cleaning the battery terminals, replacing the pcv and cleaning the maf should also be on that list.
I would only go poly on the steering rack bushings and both sway bars if you don't mind a sportier but somewhat harsher ride. OEM on everything else would be the best. Body roll on the 3rd gen series is a problem because of it's narrow base so that's why I consider poly sway bar bushings (to me) an upgrade vs the OEM equivalent which is soft.
David9962000
New member
I'm not sure if you have a timing chain or belt but either way get that inspected. Even a chain gets loose with that mileage.
RandyBobandy
New member
Depends on your tolerance for a harsh ride, I run poly on everything but my harsh ride tolerance is very high, I even plan to get poly motor and transmission mounts soon. If you want a comfortable ride get oem, all of the aftermarket rubber bushings are junk
I didn't see you or anyone else mention lower ball joints.
Brian.
Member
Got that covered in post #3 :wave:
Thanks! I consider lower ball joints the single most damaging missed maintenance part
It's definitely high on my priority list. A couple years ago the front driver side suspension got completely rebuilt after my brother smacked the wheel into a concrete barrier, but they left the other side alone so it's still all original, probably to cheap out. On the driver side you can see the LBJ all nice and new and the other side just looks sad. Probably should just get the whole front end rebuilt so at least both sides are the same.
Thepedigree13
New member
I switched over my 3rd gen to a daily driver about 2 years ago.
New plugs and wires made it feel smoother. I also change air intake filters pretty routinely. I use napa gold for those. They're affordable and seem to filter really well in this dusty southern TX area.
I also promptly replaced the radiator with an OEM Toyota one, with new hoses. My radiator wasn't bad but it was the original OD green colored one and I was afraid because of its age. I decided against an external tranny cooler, and will monitor my radiator for age/wear.
Next is bushings for me. I was under the truck last week and noticed several that are pretty bad.
If you lift your truck be ready to change out end links and cv axles, or reboot your cv axels. Mine threw grease shortly after lifting and my end links ball joints are shredded.
New plugs and wires made it feel smoother. I also change air intake filters pretty routinely. I use napa gold for those. They're affordable and seem to filter really well in this dusty southern TX area.
I also promptly replaced the radiator with an OEM Toyota one, with new hoses. My radiator wasn't bad but it was the original OD green colored one and I was afraid because of its age. I decided against an external tranny cooler, and will monitor my radiator for age/wear.
Next is bushings for me. I was under the truck last week and noticed several that are pretty bad.
If you lift your truck be ready to change out end links and cv axles, or reboot your cv axels. Mine threw grease shortly after lifting and my end links ball joints are shredded.
02_SE_Runner_DAD
New member
Stick with OEM on bushings.
