need maintenance suggestions - just bought 03 4runner

H

hook17

New member
Hi,

So I just bought a 2003 4runner 4x4 v8 limited 93k miles and im getting mixed messages from people as to what to do. As per the service records the previous owner basically stuck to just oil changes and air filter changes.

I know at this point I definitely need a timing belt and water pump change.. Ive been told that i shouldnt replace the differential fluid if its not leaking. Also told i shouldnt touch the tranny fluid. its too early for spark plugs.. and a fuel injection cleaning is point less i heard if theres no problems. I may try the seafoam thing though just for kicks.

any other suggestions or comments would be appreciated. Looking to take it on a 1000 mile roadtrip up north.
 
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welcome to the runner klan.
i would check the cabin filter 1st. its the easiest.
change the plugs anyways. i change mine every year reguardless of what manufactures claims are.
rear diff fluid change is pretty simple BUT when you do, open the top bolt first then the bottom. if you cannot get the bottom open atleast you can pull the fluid with a hose.
i changed my trans fluid every year as well. pretty straigh forward.

this is why it is called preventative maintenance and not, oh crap maintenance.

just my .02
 
So of course I took it to the dealer and it wasnt just the timing belt and waterpump..

timing belt
water pump
oil change
rear, front and transfer fluid change
spark plugs
front brakes

the damage will be $1100
 
spare change

I love inputting my .02

i just bought my 03 limited 6 @135k in april. $10.5 but miles are miles.

i def changed the cabin air filter. i heard some people have mold on theirs, just change it. i got mine for like 8 bucks off the shelf. then the engine air filter. if youwant to get all techy, then clean the MAF, but i havent yet.

then i say seafoam it. do this first, and afterwards change the plugs and fluids.

11 hundo for the dealer is pretty typical. theres a lot of work to be done, but IMO you can break that list down into self-projects which should trim a lot off that bottom line. as a mid-level auto guy, im too nervous to touch the trans or the fluids in there. just too much to mess up. id rather spend that guap on something else. but at this point i also have more time than money

dont wait with brakes. im about to get mine done, and i buy the best pads i want online and take them to a shop who throws them on for $60. that being said, my guy makes sure to add there is NO warranty on the product so if it messes up hes in the clear.

ive changed two water pumps in my life and they are pretty straight forward, just dedicate a day to it.

after maintenance, detail the **** out of it. i cleaned the leather and im about to super-detail the body... clay bar and polish.
 
this is awesome! I am picking up my 03 Limited today. 120K/V8/2wd - $10K. Thx. for all of the suggestions. This is exactly what I've been searching the boards for.

I know not too many people are posting pics of 03's, but I plan to do so after the clay bar and polishing weekend.
 
I had all the fluids changed in mine at 80k. No problmes at all from that. The dealer should do the tranny flush as you need to force the fluid through to get the torque converter cleaned out... not something you can fully do without the proper machine. Check the brake pads while you're under it doing the diff fluids as they'll need it. I'd pull the plugs too.
 
hook17 said:
So of course I took it to the dealer and it wasnt just the timing belt and waterpump..

timing belt
water pump
oil change
rear, front and transfer fluid change
spark plugs
front brakes

the damage will be $1100
Click to expand...

Actually sounds like a very fair price for all that!
 
stanleybb50 said:
Actually sounds like a very fair price for all that!
Click to expand...


$150 for changing front/rear/transfer case

.. None of that really made a noticeable difference to the way it drives. It still drives great. Is it too late to use the seafoam? Also any suggestions on what brand bug deflector, sunroof deflector, and vent visors to buy?

I'm considering splurging for the weathertech floor liners.
 
edwardphoto said:
this is awesome! I am picking up my 03 Limited today. 120K/V8/2wd - $10K. Thx. for all of the suggestions. This is exactly what I've been searching the boards for.

I know not too many people are posting pics of 03's, but I plan to do so after the clay bar and polishing weekend.
Click to expand...

I searched for a while for a 4runner with 4wd since I'm moving to detroit. I think $10k is a great price for a limited. I felt like I had to pay a big premium for the 4wd, but the car was pretty clean.
 
hook17 said:
$150 for changing front/rear/transfer case

.. None of that really made a noticeable difference to the way it drives. It still drives great. Is it too late to use the seafoam? Also any suggestions on what brand bug deflector, sunroof deflector, and vent visors to buy?

I'm considering splurging for the weathertech floor liners.
Click to expand...

I have Weathertechs and love them.

I had AVS vent visors in my old car and was a big fan as well. They're the ones held on (very securely) by 3M tape.

Sent from my LS670 using Tapatalk
 
810moto said:
welcome to the runner klan.
i would check the cabin filter 1st. its the easiest.
change the plugs anyways. i change mine every year reguardless of what manufactures claims are.
rear diff fluid change is pretty simple BUT when you do, open the top bolt first then the bottom. if you cannot get the bottom open atleast you can pull the fluid with a hose.
i changed my trans fluid every year as well. pretty straigh forward.

this is why it is called preventative maintenance and not, oh crap maintenance.

just my .02
Click to expand...

you change your plugs every year? holy hell man you are throwing your money away!!!! even the cheapest of plugs should be good for damn nearly 30k or more
 
I just paid 12,500 for a really clean 2003 v8 4wd limited. it had 131,000 miles but super super clean :D

it had brand new tires, oil change and serp belt.

photo1.jpg~original
 
Bacon said:
you change your plugs every year? holy hell man you are throwing your money away!!!! even the cheapest of plugs should be good for damn nearly 30k or more
Click to expand...

Yep, if he had a boat, i could understand it....he should rather send the money to the starving kids in Africa! :)
 
A good generic list

•Item. What it should look like new/when to replace/what to look for.

•Oil. Good: honey / Replace: coffee
•Radiator coolant. Bright green or range / Not that
•Brake pads. Significant material left / 1/16th" material remaining
•Brake fluid. Bright yellow / Looks contaminated from bright yellow
•Tranny oil/fluid. Honey colored (Manual), Red (Auto, DextronIII) / If color looks contaminated or smells burned
•Belts. Replace if they look worn, cracked, fraying.
•Spark plugs. Replace if worn, gap too large (from wear).
•O2 Sensor. CEL or ODB/ECU triggered.
•Valve clearance. Per manufacturers specification (P.M.S.)
•Compression. PMS.
•Tires. Should not be worn down to the wear indicators.
•Blinker fluid. Should be clear and smell like unicorn laughs. Refill as necessary (Just checking if you're reading).
•Fuel filter. Replace on schedule. (R.O.S.)
•Bulbs. Replace as needed, don't want to get a ticket.
•Wipers. Replace as necessary. (R.A.N.)
•CV Boots. R.A.N.
•Tire wear. Tires should wear even with no sign of uneven wear like feathering or cupping or excessive wear on one side. This could indicate a need to do shocks or springs.
•Mounts. Replace if you have excessive motor movement or weird clunks.
•Air filter. Motor and cabin. RAN.
•Timing. PMS.
•Timing belt, Replace on schedule.
 
Last edited:
If any of you guys are still following this thread, I took your advice and a vehicle I might buy checked out on Toyota service site by VIN....feel free to run it as well there if you can, JTEBT17R840031489

According to this how I am reading it, he only changed the oil like at freaking 20k mile intervals?!?!?! He said all the servce was done at dealer, is there regular services they do as part of a plan if he bought it there that might not be recorded on that website for oil changes? I know Toyotas are awesome, but if he only changed the oil 5 times in 66k miles holy smokes...
 
No way. Several things:
First, it is up to the dealer how and which info is submitted to toyota head.

Second. It is probably they had their oil changed at a place that simply didn't submit it. There is an annoying maint light that comes on every X miles.

I wouldn't worry about that.
 
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