My new buy - have I missed any initial maintenance?

[lpittman]

Hey again everyone...

So I bought a 1998 4Runner SR5 v6 and want to make sure I haven't missed any initial maintenance or things to look for.

What I have done so far:

- New tires
- Spark plugs
- Air Filter
- Cleaned MAF Sensor
- DeckPlate Mod
- Rear Diff Breather Mod
- PCV Valve
- Fuel Filter
- Working on the Intake Silencer Removal mod (waiting for parts to come in)
- Inspected seals (found rear axle seal leaking, just putting some cash aside to fix it)
- Front brakes need to be done (researching the tacoma brake upgrade and saving up)
- Timing Belt - saving up to do this as well

That covers what I've done to date (only had it a week) ... is there anything critical I'm missing that I should be checking out right away?

Cheers!

Luke

 

[kball]

Welcome to the forum

How many miles on it?

I'd replace the lower ball joints and if it's an auto trans replace the radiator or bypass the trans cooler in the rad by installing an external cooler.

 

[lpittman]

Welcome to the forum

How many miles on it?

I'd replace the lower ball joints and if it's an auto trans replace the radiator or bypass the trans cooler in the rad by installing an external cooler.

Thanks man. It has 200,000 km and is a manual 5-speed.

Any experience with Sankei parts? As below ...

1998 Toyota 4Runner Sankei 555 Suspension Ball Joint in Canada - Canada W0133-1621246 Suspension Ball Joint Canada

1998 Toyota 4Runner Sankei 555 Suspension Ball Joint in Canada - Canada W0133-1620899 Suspension Ball Joint Canada

 

[curtperry]

555 makes top quality stuff

I trust them as much as toyota OEM

 

[lpittman]

Great. Thanks for the input.

 

[rickashay]

555 makes top quality stuff

I trust them as much as toyota OEM

I completely disagree with this. I had "555" lower balljoints and inner and outer tie rod ends installed last summer. The balljoint boots on the one side somehow inverted on themselves and lost most of their grease. I removed the balljoints to try and fix the boot and re-grease them and found the ball joint to be almost seized. Now that I was worried, I removed the opposite side LBJ to inspect. The boot was in perfect condition and the balljoint again, was nearly impossible to move around in its socket. My inner tie rod ends were loose within a month of install (play in the actual joint).

I now have OEM stuff and you cannot compare the two parts quality wise. My rig gets wheeled and abused a fair bit in terms of exposure to water and dirt/mud, but my rig is very well maintained and I say buck up and buy OEM stuff the first time. I learned my lesson.

 

[imboredeveryday]

i would also throw a set of wires on it and check to see if you have any oil leaks on it check drive belts also

 

[Inate]

I just wanted to say welcome, from Kelowna, BC!

If you ever happen to be cruising for some fun PM me I can show you some fun trails around here and I am always willing to help out with wrenching, even if my knowledge is limited! Nice to do work as a team and learn together!

PS get to greasing your drive shaft! I only just bought my truck(98 limited 277k) and the driveshaft zerks were nearly bone dry. I have new tubes and guns if you need anything.

 

[hrt4me]

good tips

 

[agloukhoff]

The timing belt is pretty easy to do yourself. Took me less than an hour with the engine out, could probably do it in 4 in the bay and that's with removing the compressor to replace the tensioner.

 

[lpittman]

I just wanted to say welcome, from Kelowna, BC!

If you ever happen to be cruising for some fun PM me I can show you some fun trails around here and I am always willing to help out with wrenching, even if my knowledge is limited! Nice to do work as a team and learn together!

PS get to greasing your drive shaft! I only just bought my truck(98 limited 277k) and the driveshaft zerks were nearly bone dry. I have new tubes and guns if you need anything.

Hey man! Thanks for the offer! I would definitely be down for some wheeling. I've only just barely explored the Oyama Lake area and nothing else yet. Been trying to get the truck all tuned up as to avoid issues on the trail. Also, don't want to get too crazy until I get tow hooks installed.

The drive shaft seems to be okay from what I can tell - with my no-experience. I'll bring the beer you bring the grease gun?

 

[lpittman]

The timing belt is pretty easy to do yourself. Took me less than an hour with the engine out, could probably do it in 4 in the bay and that's with removing the compressor to replace the tensioner.

I don't think this is something I want to tackle myself quite yet. Finished doing the LBJs and outer tie-rod ends last night and that was slightly pushing my limits. Perhaps once I'm more comfortable I could tackle it, but I think for now I'll have the shop to the TB.

 

[SantaCruzRunner]

sounds like your on the right track, welcome!

 

[lpittman]

Cheers - thanks. Forgot to mentioned I did the rear diff seals and replaced the bearings on one side as well. I think I'm ready to roll.

 

[agloukhoff]

I don't think this is something I want to tackle myself quite yet. Finished doing the LBJs and outer tie-rod ends last night and that was slightly pushing my limits. Perhaps once I'm more comfortable I could tackle it, but I think for now I'll have the shop to the TB.

Read up on it before passing on it. Timing belts used to really intimidate me due to the horror stories of messed up timings, seized crank pulley bolts and broken crank pulleys.

The 4Runner has a fantastic access to all the stuff you need for timing belt once you pull the radiator out. I just did the timing belt on a Civic a few weeks ago and I WISH I had half the access you get in the 4runner.

The two hard parts are the crank pulley bolt and getting the AC compressor off if you are replacing the tensioner or do not have a tensioner compression tool.

Anyway you know your limits better than I do so certainly don't bite off more than you can chew but don't get scared off by the job just because it sounds tough.

 

[lpittman]

I appreciate the encouragement.

Doesn't it require a timing tool? Also - part of the issue is where I have to do my work. I live in an apartment and have been doing everything in the underground parking and I'm squashed between a wall and another car and am right next to the exit. So - really not a lot of room to work.

Gotta give the pocketbook a bit of a rest now. Kinda want to put my next chunk of cash into lifting it now tho.

 

[SantaCruzRunner]

I appreciate the encouragement.

Doesn't it require a timing tool? Also - part of the issue is where I have to do my work. I live in an apartment and have been doing everything in the underground parking and I'm squashed between a wall and another car and am right next to the exit. So - really not a lot of room to work.

Gotta give the pocketbook a bit of a rest now. Kinda want to put my next chunk of cash into lifting it now tho.

what kind of lift are you looking for?

 

[lpittman]

what kind of lift are you looking for?

Not sure yet - still doing the research. Wouldn't mind to find some used stuff for a trial-run to see what I like. I found a couple places I can get OME, which is a start, now I just have to narrow down exactly what it is I'm looking for.

Any suggestions?

 

[nissanh]

555 makes top quality stuff

I trust them as much as toyota OEM

DO NOT USE 555 parts. This will last a week max! I am telling thsi with experience.

I bought from rockauto. US $ 30 a piece. Don't remember about the make.

 

[SantaCruzRunner]

Not sure yet - still doing the research. Wouldn't mind to find some used stuff for a trial-run to see what I like. I found a couple places I can get OME, which is a start, now I just have to narrow down exactly what it is I'm looking for.

Any suggestions?

i run trd tundra springs and bilstein 5100s in the front and ome 890 with bilstein 5125s in the rear. great setup. near stock ride with great offroad capabilities.