New guy needs a little help.

[dodgetruck]

Hello all,

As my name implies, I own an American, gas guzzling, Dodge truck and know not a thing about 4runners. My buddy wants some help with his 99, so I told him I'd give him a hand. We're going to start with changing the oil. Any advice on what kind (conventional or synthetic), given that his truck has 195,000 miles on the clock? Also, is there any other general maintenance (something else I do to my truck is Seafoam, but unsure because of the higher mileage on this vehicle) we should do before winter hits full force? Are there any other easy/quick mods I can do to help out mpg or performance? Like I said, I don't know anything about toyota's, but changing the oil is pretty straight forward on any vehicle. Thanks guys!

 

[MAD 69]

Read all the stuck threads on the top of this page first and do not even think about using synthetic oil on a vehicle that already has 200K miles on it - unless synth has been used all along, use the same oil the truck has in it now.

 

[dodgetruck]

Yeah I didn't think synthetic would be a good choice for a high mileage vehicle (given that I don't know it's history), but just wanted to be sure. I'll check out those threads, thanks.

 

[LittleCaesar]

I think Mobil Super High Mileage is a good oil for the price at Chinamart. Semi synthetic and resource conserving.

Just check to make sure the ATF looks good as well as the coolant.

 

[the great him]

Just check to make sure the ATF looks good as well as the coolant.

and make sure they two are not mixed lol

 

[dodgetruck]

Alright thanks guys. I'll probably go with just some high mileage conventional. It's what I use in my truck, I'm sure it'll do fine in my buddy's 4runner. Thanks again, and I'll probably be back again sometime soon when we start doing some more stuff to it and I need help.

 

[T4R_Finally]

Is this runner new to your buddy or just to you? Does he have any history on it? If new to him with no history, check out the 3rd gen buyer guide sticky and check over those things. Pay close to discussion on the "pink milkshake", and he is going to want to check on when the timing belt/water pump was last done.

 

[dodgetruck]

Is this runner new to your buddy or just to you? Does he have any history on it? If new to him with no history, check out the 3rd gen buyer guide sticky and check over those things. Pay close to discussion on the "pink milkshake", and he is going to want to check on when the timing belt/water pump was last done.

Nah he's had it for awhile, it's most likely been either dealer or shop maintained. But yeah I'll go check that "pink milkshake" stuff out. I'll also find out about the timing belt and water pump. Thanks for the heads up man.

 

[LittleCaesar]

Also check the rear axle seals for leakage (the axle and tire has diff fluid on it).

If a 4wd, then check the condition of the lower ball joints as well.

You may want to ask if the starter contacts or starter has been replaced.

Most high mileage oils now are semi synthetic; my friend uses Valvoline Maxlife in his T100 in order to stop a rear main seal leak. So far, so good.

 

[dodgetruck]

Also check the rear axle seals for leakage (the axle and tire has diff fluid on it).

If a 4wd, then check the condition of the lower ball joints as well.

You may want to ask if the starter contacts or starter has been replaced.

Most high mileage oils now are semi synthetic; my friend uses Valvoline Maxlife in his T100 in order to stop a rear main seal leak. So far, so good.

Will do, thanks. How much of a pain are the ball joints on these trucks? I know on Dodge's (from experience) that they're a pain, but no idea on a 4runner. I'd imagine ball joints are one of those things that are a PITA no matter what vehicle you're working on.

 

[zcruiser]

Probably needs new plugs and wires too...

 

[dodgetruck]

Probably needs new plugs and wires too...

Good call, that totally skipped my mind. What kind of plugs are the best for these engines? My Dodge performs the best with Autolite 3923's. Any specific brand plugs? What size wires do you run? 7 or 8 mm? I know these are probably all noob questions, sorry haha.

 

[LittleCaesar]

Lower ball joints are not too bad, if you have two pitman pullers each side takes about 1/2hr to 45 minutes. There are plenty of write ups on doing them. OEM or NAPA are the way to go with them.

I have done lower and upper ball joints on a 94 Ram with the 318 as well as a 99 with the 360 (5.9) in it. Much more time consuming on the Ram.

Spark plugs (need the dual electrode since the 4runner utilizes a waste spark system)
http://www.amazon.com/NGK-BKR5EKB-11-Multi-Ground-Spark-Plug/dp/B000COVKVM/ref=pd_sim_auto_1

Spark plug wires:
Amazon.com: NGK (4412) TE66 Wire Set: Automotive

 

[the great him]

also along with the oils, make sure you only use 5w30, and not 10w40 or other "typical"oils as thicker oils can actually starve critical components of the engine of oil, thinner is better, but again dont go too thin, 5w30 or 10w30, but thats it.

 

[zcruiser]

Good call, that totally skipped my mind. What kind of plugs are the best for these engines? My Dodge performs the best with Autolite 3923's. Any specific brand plugs? What size wires do you run? 7 or 8 mm? I know these are probably all noob questions, sorry haha.

Check here: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/59008-how-installing-3rd-gen-spark-plugs.html#post487185

This is a good collection of reference threads: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/69744-tutorial-documentation-reference.html