New 4runner owner-Just bought 2000 with supercharger

[abyss2829]

Let me apologize in advance for any long winded rambling. I have been researching vehicles to replace my wife's Crown Vic for a few months. I have always liked 4runners but up until recently decided I really wanted a 3rd row seat, but when this one came across my screen I had to check it out. I have a 2000 2wd limited with a supercharger. I am looking for advice one where to start with maintenance. I have only had one other vehicle that wasn't naturally aspirated, and that was purchased new and not kept long.
I've read about needing to change the oil in the supercharger, which may or may not be above my skill level. I also would like to switch to Mobil 1, seems there are varying opinions on whether this is good, bad or catastrophic. My hope is that when my son is 16 this will be his first vehicle....if we are willing to let it go, but he is almost 9 so I have a few years.
Thanks in advance for any and all advice!

 

[packweco]

Let me apologize in advance for any long winded rambling. I have been researching vehicles to replace my wife's Crown Vic for a few months. I have always liked 4runners but up until recently decided I really wanted a 3rd row seat, but when this one came across my screen I had to check it out. I have a 2000 2wd limited with a supercharger. I am looking for advice one where to start with maintenance. I have only had one other vehicle that wasn't naturally aspirated, and that was purchased new and not kept long.
I've read about needing to change the oil in the supercharger, which may or may not be above my skill level. I also would like to switch to Mobil 1, seems there are varying opinions on whether this is good, bad or catastrophic. My hope is that when my son is 16 this will be his first vehicle....if we are willing to let it go, but he is almost 9 so I have a few years.
Thanks in advance for any and all advice!

Let's see some pics!

I don't know anything about the superchargers for these things, but there is tons of info in the FAQ for general maintenance items and I'm sure there is info on the supercharger maintenance if you search.

 

[Hepar]

Welcome! Agree on the pics.

Read this thread over. Some amazing info on the TRD superchargers there.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/146022-3-4l-trd-supercharger-thread.html

 

[Fishwerks]

:welcome:

The oil in the nose cone has a change interval off 100,000 miles. If the supercharger is black (Eaton calls this the "4th gen" of the supercharger) you can do the oil change with the blower on the truck.

I couldn't find the oil change instructions online for the black supercharger, but here is a decent write-up by someone on TTORA (no pictures though). On the black supercharger it's probably easier than changing motor oil - supercharger oil - TTORA Forum. That being said, the oil change kit comes with a new phenolic drive adapter, so if you are going to replace that you have to pull the nose cone off entirely and it may be easier to just pull the blower in this case too.

If the supercharger is gray (Eaton calls this the "3rd gen" of the supercharger) you have to pull the blower off to change the oil. Here are oil change instructions for the gray supercharger - http://www.customtacos.com/tech.old/files/5VZ-SC-TRDOilKit.pdf

 

[abyss2829]

Unfortunately it is the 1st gen gray supercharger. To be completely honest, the allure for me was more of the low mile 4runner in the price range I had to spend. This is my wife's daily driver, I would be the guy giving away the supercharger via craigslist and probably not the guy trying a rebuild on the supercharger. I will however admit to a toothy grin shortly after the purchase when my foot "slipped" to the floor on top of the go pedal.