New guy here and new to 4runners

[loko ino]

Hi all.
Bought my first 4Runner about a week ago and love it so far. Has some issues that come with age but drives pretty well. I got a 1993 Forerunner V6 3.0 5spd with 126k miles and paid $2500 for it. It was in a wreck where the left side of the body got a crease in it and the left side of the rear bumper is pushed in. Had a buddy mechanic look at the frame and he said it was all straight and probably cost me about $600 to get the body straightened and a few more hundred for a new bumper. Good deal otherwise so I got it. Interior is pretty good shape. All in all, happy purchase.

Since I just got it and there are no service records for it, at 126k miles I am trying to figure out what maintanence oriented things I should do first? I did check the oil before buying and looked like it was changed fairly recent. I added some lucas oil treatment to engine, and some injector cleaner. Thinking of draining the tranny and other fluids and just refilling for now, with good synthetics. Sugestions?

Thanks guys and looking forward to being part of this community.

BTW..any 4Runners in the Fresno/Clovis area?

 

[4runnin83]

Welcome to the forum. 126 is really low for a 93. I have a 93 w/ 185 or so. The biggest issue with the 3.0 is headgasket failure. The exhaust cooks the gasket and causes it to fail, and you get a lovely oil/coolant mixture. I would check your tranny fluid, make sure its nice and pink, also check the coolant make sure its clean. I put a new radiator in mine recently my original one took a crap. Other than that its all usual stuff, spark plugs, belts etc. MAIN THING TO REMEMBER, DONT OVERHEAT

 

[loko ino]

Welcome to the forum. 126 is really low for a 93. I have a 93 w/ 185 or so. The biggest issue with the 3.0 is headgasket failure. The exhaust cooks the gasket and causes it to fail, and you get a lovely oil/coolant mixture. I would check your tranny fluid, make sure its nice and pink, also check the coolant make sure its clean. I put a new radiator in mine recently my original one took a crap. Other than that its all usual stuff, spark plugs, belts etc. MAIN THING TO REMEMBER, DONT OVERHEAT

I read a post about radiator needing the Toyota red stuff and rust so I immediately went out to check mine..I think the radiator is new..I didn't notice before but it is "shinier" than the rest of the engine and there is a hologram sticker on it that says made in China..so at least that is new =)
Will def do the tranny pretty quick here..this is going to be a paycheck to paycheck kinda build.

 

[4runnin83]

Totally understand, I had mine for 2 years before I lifted it, then another year until I put bigger rims/tires on it. You may want to look into the timing belt as well. It can be done in your garage, but its kind of a pain.

I actually run green coolant in mine, no problems.

 

[poleclimber63]

good deal

As your new ride is a STD, I'd change the oil in the gearbox, transfer case and front and rear diffs. Considering the age I wouldn't use synthetic, I'd use gear oil. The seals may seep/leak as the molecular structure of synthetic is smaller and with older worn seals this may allow leakage.
If you have no idea when the timing belt was replaced you should consider doing this, along with the water pump. Checkout the tie rods and ball joints... shocks??
Keeping it going will be question of maintenance and keeping it clean, clean, clean.
As the previous member mentioned, Head gaskets are the 3.0L's biggest problem.
You have exceptional low mileage for a 93', as long as you have no head gasket leakage, you got lucky. How's the body? It's hard to find a 93' without rust in the body and tailgate and of course the bumpers.
Good luck, it sounds like you have a great project!

 

[loko ino]

As your new ride is a STD, I'd change the oil in the gearbox, transfer case and front and rear diffs. Considering the age I wouldn't use synthetic, I'd use gear oil. The seals may seep/leak as the molecular structure of synthetic is smaller and with older worn seals this may allow leakage.
If you have no idea when the timing belt was replaced you should consider doing this, along with the water pump. Checkout the tie rods and ball joints... shocks??
Keeping it going will be question of maintenance and keeping it clean, clean, clean.
As the previous member mentioned, Head gaskets are the 3.0L's biggest problem.
You have exceptional low mileage for a 93', as long as you have no head gasket leakage, you got lucky. How's the body? It's hard to find a 93' without rust in the body and tailgate and of course the bumpers.
Good luck, it sounds like you have a great project!

No rust at all..not sure where the PO kept this thing but it is pretty immaculate for over 20 years old. The roof is faded, that's about it. Only body damage is from the hit on the rear driver side that pushed in bumber, lower left hand corner and dented the area above the well well. The bed door opens and closes fine.
I guess I got lucky getting this.

I will change the oil in the gearbox, transfer case and front and rear diffs ASAP, good point with not using synthetics. I still want GL4 and GL5 right?
Tie rods, ball joints and shocks all look ok to me..got a mechanic friend who is gonna dig more into it this weekend, I only have cursory mechanic skills. Rides good and turns great with no popping or cracking though.
Timing belt, water pump and head gasket are top of my list to get done as soon as I get the funds. Glad I have the same checklist as you guys, thanks for the info.