New owner here! Questions and advice...

[mdolly]

Hi All, I just picked up a 2004 4Runner Limited V8 w/NAV and so far it's great. 90,000 miles and looks and feels strong. I had it run through a 2 hour PPI at a Toyota dealership and they said everything looked really clean. I had a chance to get under the car and see for myself and besides some surface rust there was nothing I could see of any concern.

It has not had the 90k timing belt service so that is the big one...how long can these things go for in reality (safely) before the service? The Toyota mechanic told me up to 120,000 miles before I should seriously worry about it, but I don't plan on pressing my luck that much. I'd say I will enjoy it for about 5k until 95,000 and then do the service? It's also going to need front pads and possibly rotors, but I am not sure I entirely agree with the Toyota tech because he also said it needs new calipers? Unless there is an issue the calipers should not need replacing right?

Thanks in advance for all the forum help, I was originally wanted a V6 one but from reading up on here on some little issues and the negligible fuel econ difference once I found a solid 4Runner I pulled the trigger.

Full disclosure I paid $12,500. Good deal?

 

[Lineman]

Congrats on the purchase! Great looking Runner.

Timing Belt:
First, if you have a 2004 V8, YES it is an interference engine and will damage the engine if the belt breaks.

Second, the manual says 90K miles or every 72 months, 6 years. Whichever comes first. Yes you are at 120 months.

Third, to each their own. If it breaks your screwed. To replace it will give you piece of mind.

I replaced mine at 55K miles but it was at the 72 month mark. When you get the timing belt done. Include the water pump and serpentine belt as well.

Rotors and Pads are very simple to do yourself. I wouldn't replace the calipers until there was an issue.

 

[toyo]

Congrats on your purchase. If it was mine I would replace the timing belt, water pump, idler and pulley. Since there is no way of knowing how the belt is and when it can fail it's simply like rolling dice.

When you are ready for pads I would use Toyota pads. No squeak, dust and are competitively priced. There is an issue with the calipers sticking/seizing. Does it pull to one side? Do you have an infrared gun? If so, you can drive it while doing some moderate braking. Check the temp of the caliper and rotor after you have stopped. Compare to the other side. Just make sure you hit the same spot with the temp gun on each side. You should not have more than a 20 degree difference. I had a 2004 4R which I drove for 176K miles with no caliper issues. My 08 had a bad one at 59K. No reasoning at all.....

 

[mdolly]

Congrats on the purchase! Great looking Runner.

Timing Belt:
First, if you have a 2004 V8, YES it is an interference engine and will damage the engine if the belt breaks.

Second, the manual says 90K miles or every 72 months, 6 years. Whichever comes first. Yes you are at 120 months.

Third, to each their own. If it breaks your screwed. To replace it will give you piece of mind.

I replaced mine at 55K miles but it was at the 72 month mark. When you get the timing belt done. Include the water pump and serpentine belt as well.

Rotors and Pads are very simple to do yourself. I wouldn't replace the calipers until there was an issue.

Got it, yeah if it's mileage OR time and I'm passed the time limit then I will get it done ASAP. I agree, I didn't think the calipers had to be replaced unless there was an issue. No uneven braking that I can feel or uneven pad wear either. I'm excited to get it all serviced and taken care of so I can start racking up the miles!

I bought the 4Runner in the hopes that it will last me a long long time.