New 4Runner Owner

[AtlantaKing]

Hi, ya'll. I'm a new owner of a 2002 4Runner Limited 4WD. I was not planning on buying one so soon but due to my old car being totaled, I saw the chance to get the vehicle I've been lusting after. It's got 76K miles on it, but it's still as tight and as quiet as anything I've been in! I'm impressed :bigok: (well, coming from a family of domestics...:awais: ) I've already taken it out on the beach (the main reason I got a 4Runner as I like to fish on the beach, plus the scantily clad nubile sun maidens make for great distractions between bites ) and it's great. Aired down to 18psi, it floats over the deepest ruts, and really smoothly to boot. Anyhow, here's a picture of my baby!

Now, I've got a couple of questions. I know about the regular oil changes and whatnot, and the timing chain interval at 90k, but are there other maintenance items I should be looking out for? What type of oil should be used for the oil changes (just so I know and so I can keep a quart in my trunk box)? Anything specific to watch out for?

Also, can anyone recommend a good mechanic/shop in the metro Washington DC area? Not that I'm anticipating any problems, but I would like to keep on top of the preventative maintenance since I'm planning on keeping it for a while. I would like a trustworthy mechanic so I can get a tranny cooler installed, as well as a tow hitch.

 

[Ill4Runner]

Congrats on your new purchase. I bought mine from a Toyota dealer in '05 and have had them do all the maintenance since. If you could find a reputable Toyota dealer in your area I think that would be your best bet. I haven't paid for an oil change in the two years I've had it and they always do a full inspection every time I bring it in.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Welcome to the forum and nice truck.

I've got 130k on mine and not really surprisingly has very minimal squeaks or rattles and the funny part is most of them are from the cargo cover itself but the hatch area is still tight as a drum.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Oh yeah,watch your axle seals in the next 20,000 miles as it's sort of a common issue that these will leak as my current and '97 Runner did at about 100k. My mom's '99 Limited just started at about 90k so it does seem to be almost more of a maintenance item on most 4Runners.

Otherwise my truck has seen just regular maintenance (timing belt,waterpump,fluids flushed) but I am due for a O2 sensor/ A/F sensor (Cali truck) or even both.

Overall I've been happy with my trucks performance and I'm the 2nd owner taking over at 95k about three years ago.
It sees off road (intermediate trails) about 10-12 times a year and is daily driven 11k miles a year and am very happy with it so your's should keep you happy for a long time with only 78k on the odo. Nice find.

Almost forgot;Toyota recommends 5w30 in our trucks but 10w30 works fine too. I use M1 5w30 synthetic w/M1 filter and change my oil every 8-9k and recently had a compression check and came within 1-3psi from factory spec on all 6 cylinders.


Here's a profile of my truck to show off.........:biggrin2:
http://www.yotatech.com/f79/x-awdrivers-99-highlander-118787/

 

[AtlantaKing]

Thanks for the replies, guys. I'm planning to find a good dealer to do my service, but it's rather hard without any first-hand experience. I'll call around :

I've read about the axle seal issue with the 4Runners, so I'll be keeping an eye out on that. I think it's covered under my extended warranty, so I'm good if it goes in the next 30k miles

As for the timing belt change...what do the shops in ya'll's area charge? I've started calling around and the price quote I'm getting is around $700 for timing belt and water pump service.

Does Toyota recommend a specific brand of oil, or would a good quality 5w30 or 10w30 do (like Castrol GTX)? Any performance differences between the 5w and the 10w?