New member w/ a '99 4Runner, the fun begins...

[Rusty Shackleford]

Hello all,

New member here. I'm also new to Toyotas. I've had Jeep/Chrysler products for the last 15 years, so I have plenty of experience working on them, but none on Toyotas, so I'll need a little hand-holding here and there.

I'm getting a '99 4Runner SR5 V6 on Friday. 176k miles. Runs and drives excellent for its age and the body and paint are in good shape as well. The guy I'm buying it from has recently replaced the alternator, timing belt, radiator, and rear shocks. Other than that, I have no idea what the maintenance upkeep has been like, so I'm going to go through and try to bring everything up to par.

I've read through all the stickies and bookmarked a lot of pages for the DIY stuff, so I think I've got a good handle on how to do the things I plan on tackling. I'm making a shopping list for an initial tune up and fluid change, and just want to run this by you guys and see if everything looks good.

I'm going to get everything I can at Napa, but it looks like I'll have to order some stuff online.
Simple Green
Windshield washer fluid
Wiper blades - 17" Qty 2, 13" Qty 1
Air filter
Oil drain plug
Oil drain plug gasket
Di-electric grease
PCV valve
PCV valve grommet
Spark plugs - NGK 3967 Qty 6
Plug wires - NGK 4412
Engine oil - 6 qts 5W-30
Oil filter
75W-90 GL-5 gear oil - 3 bottles (for transfer case & front diff.)
80W-90 GL-5 gear oil - 3 bottles (for rear diff.)
TC fill/drain gasket - TOY 90430-18008 Qty 2
Front diff. fill gasket - TOY 12157-10010 Qty 1
Front diff. drain gasket - TOY 90430-24003 Qty 1
Rear diff. fill plug - TOY 90341-18006 Qty 1
Rear diff. fill/drain gasket - TOY 12157-10010 Qty 2

Do you guys buy all the gaskets online, or from the dealership? It looks like toyotaonlineparts.com has all the ones I need. Or if there's a cross reference I can use to just buy them at Napa, I'd rather do that.

Should I get carrier gaskets for the front & rear diff's, or do you recommend using RTV? It seems like if the bolts are torqued properly, then the carrier gaskets should be fine.

There's a local transmission shop that I've used in the past that is very reputable, so I'm going to have them do a full service fluid change on the transmission to lighten my work load a little.

Also on my list is to:
Replace front O2 sensor. The seller said this is the reason for the CEL being on.
Clean throttle body & MAF sensor
Grease driveshaft
Replace fuel filter
Check brake fluid, pads & rotors, replace as needed.
Check power steering fluid
Check/grease ball joints - this thing has greasable ball joints, right?
Check front shocks/struts
Check throttle cables, tighten as needed

I'm going to go full synthetic on all the fluid changes. Please let me know if I should add anything. I'm sure I've missed some stuff. All suggestions are appreciated. Sorry for the long post.

 

[3rdgenT4R]

I'm pretty new myself and have only done mild/standard maintinace on my 97, just bought a '00 limited that I am much more intrested in improving as time/$$ allows.....

That said, i will offer what little advice i can

Pay attention to you gaskets, some work better than others and you don't want to have to do the work twice a month later....I see you made the smart choice my going with Toyota's

Was your WP changed with the TB?
Auto or 5sp....if auto might want to think about a radiator swap or dedicated cooler....see pink milk shake
Ball joints had a few issues, although not common, failure did occur, double check them.
Some folks like SEa Foam...ie decrab...I have used this on outboards and on a 3.0 yota engine but not the 3.4.....some claim BS, some claim awesome, some claim can cause damage?

As for the O2 sensor, which one?....make sure you get the right code ...ie bank 1, bank 2, ect....

One mod that I really like is the continuous 12v power mod, easy and very nice convenience......I originally did mine the hard way on my 97 by running a wire, not knowing all I had to do was remove a relay and use a 3" piece of 14 g wire.



Enjoy and welcome.....really think you'll love the 3.4.... She's a little lacking at the throttle but I'll trade that all day long for reliability/durability.

 

[Rusty Shackleford]

I'm pretty new myself and have only done mild/standard maintinace on my 97, just bought a '00 limited that I am much more intrested in improving as time/$$ allows.....

That said, i will offer what little advice i can

Pay attention to you gaskets, some work better than others and you don't want to have to do the work twice a month later....I see you made the smart choice my going with Toyota's

Was your WP changed with the TB?
Auto or 5sp....if auto might want to think about a radiator swap or dedicated cooler....see pink milk shake
Ball joints had a few issues, although not common, failure did occur, double check them.
Some folks like SEa Foam...ie decrab...I have used this on outboards and on a 3.0 yota engine but not the 3.4.....some claim BS, some claim awesome, some claim can cause damage?

One mod that I really like is the continuous 12v power mod, easy and very nice convenience......I originally did mine the hard way on my 97 by running a wire, not knowing all I had to do was remove a relay and use a 3" piece of 14 g wire.

I'm not sure if the water pump was replaced or not. Something I can add to the list I guess. It's an auto trans. Pink milk shake? Guess I'll have to do a search. Thanks for the reply!

 

[3rdgenT4R]

The trans coolant line runs through the radiator, overtime mineral deposits in radiator can decrapitate the trans line......two fluids mix....not common by any means ..but..not good!...plenty on here....search pink milkshake....cheap insurance to swap radiator and or get dedicated cooler......many go with dedicated cooler, although some say do not bypass new radiator and some same do bypass.....my 2cents is probably to get Koyo replacement radiotor and BM transcooler and use both BUT...I am still researching this info


BTW.....yes I said "decrapitate".... Kinda of combo of bad things!

 

[BlackCat914]

none of us know how to work on them either, since they never break.

 

[3rdgenT4R]

Also, if you have not read Ripcords buyers guide, do so....good info.

Just search 3rd gen buyers guide

 

[3rdgenT4R]

none of us know how to work on them either, since they never break.

Touché......they are great trucks, aren't they!

 

[Rusty Shackleford]

Touché......they are great trucks, aren't they!

I have always loved the 3rd gens, which is why i'm getting one now. I think Toyota made a huge mistake going with the body style of the 4th gen - way too soccer mom-y, in my opinion. But it looks like they're back on the right track with the current design.

Anyway, back to the original post - everything looks good? I want to get all (or most of) the maintenance up to date before I start on the mods.

 

[Rusty Shackleford]

Enjoy and welcome.....really think you'll love the 3.4.... She's a little lacking at the throttle but I'll trade that all day long for reliability/durability.

Yeah, I'm going from an '06 Hemi Ram, which is gobs of power on-demand, to the 4runner. I definitely noticed the lack of power when I test drove it, but the transmission shifted flawlessly and the engine ran so smooth and balanced. I was very impressed.