New owner/member with some questions please

[SSmokybear]

Hello all!

New member here but not new to forums. We are the proud new owners of a nice 1998 SR5 4Runner w/205K miles on it, Dune Silver 2wd with tan cloth interior. Bought it for my girlfriend who is getting out of a new BMW. She wanted to change things up a bit.

So we have been searching the forum here for tips and tricks and they have been quite helpful, thank you.

I have a few questions I am hoping you all can assist with as you are the experts on this vehicle. With vehicle like this and with this mileage on it what are the problem areas I should be looking at and what PM stuff should be done to it right away? Timing belt was done at 160K, what’s the maintenance interval on this part?

Hood is dented so we need a new one and I am looking at one with the hood scoop. Any suggestions?

She doesn’t like the SR5 dash and cup holder. I am looking to convert it to a limited style or the 99 version with the cup holder in the center console. I found one link showing how to do this but am curious to know if there isn’t someone providing “kits” to do this. Also the vents are shot so I need to find a source for new ones. Any advice? I have read about the clock going bad as well. What’s the fix? Interior and dash lights? And recommendations?

I am going to refinish the whole interior with new carpet, get the seats refinished and clean up the plastic.

So thank you all in advance for assisting us in our new toy mods.

Tom and Jennifer

 

[WrexHAmm]

I would first give her a nice look over (the runner not your girlfriend). Check for leaks, check the filters etc. I would personally do a plug and wire change. Change the oil and check for any shavings. Replace the air filter. Check out the shocks and brake pads. Give the tires a once over (kick them and stuff), check out the wear patterns and remaining tread life. Just a basic tune up if you will. We would rather have you both safe and sticking around than looking good :bluejump:

On mine, 2001, the steering went to crap and I am going to replace the sway bar bushing and steering bushings. These engines are pretty damn bullet proof but that doesn't mean you should neglect the other parts that go bad over time. Nice thing is you won't have to worry about too much abuse considering it is a 2wd.

Depending on how bad the hood dent it you might be able to pop it out yourself and save a few bucks. You could use that money and get a nice wood dash kit From Burtman Industries. Chicks dig that stuff.

You best bet for replacement parts is here, YotaTech forum or craigslist. People tend to roll the 4runner and then part it out. Don't go and get anything from the stealership, just be patient and you will find all your parts you need. You should be able to find vents, seats, carpet, console to swap. Clock might be a bit harder, lots of demand for them. Dash lights you might have to actually buy

I don't believe there is a "kit" to do the console swap but from what I have read it isn't too difficult. Give yourself a Sa****ay and you can do it! A lot of people have done it so search the forums and you will find what you are looking for.

Welcome!!

 

[zcruiser]

Welcome Tom-jen!

With vehicle like this and with this mileage on it what are the problem areas I should be looking at and what PM stuff should be done to it right away? Timing belt was done at 160K, what’s the maintenance interval on this part?

Probably need to replace your radiator or bypass the tranny cooler section of it with an external cooler. Search on 'pink milkshake', which is a failure of the seal between the transmission cooler section of the radiator and the engine cooler section, resulting in a mixing of engine coolant with transmission fluid = bad.

Rear main axle seals are also known to fail, look at the inside of your rear wheels and see if they are wet with oil = bad.

If timing belt was done at 160K, you're good for another 40-60K. Check to see if you need new spark plugs and wires, though, as they tend to get overlooked.

Hood is dented so we need a new one and I am looking at one with the hood scoop. Any suggestions?

Hood w. Scoop: 96-01 Toyota 4Runner Limited Hood w/scoop

 

[SSmokybear]

Thank you both VERY much!

Interesting to find out about the radiator. The pink milkshake issue, is this a radiator issue by manufacture? OE part or are aftermarket radiators a cure for this?


Suspension and Steering:

We are going to have it fully inspected and replace anything worn out. What are the best replacement parts to use? Timken, OE, or any other brand?


The rear end:

Just discovered the whole rear end was just redone. All bearings, axles, seals, and diff.


Hood:

Sent and email to the owner of the hood asking if he will sell it and ship it. Thank you for the link!!


Engine tune up:

What are the preferred spark plugs? gap? Aftermarket or replacement coils? wires? Filters?

What brand of shocks are preferred for this vehicle for regular on road driving?


Brakes:

If the brakes need attention I am ready about a possible Tundra brake upgrade. Any more specifics about that as an option? Wheel size needed?


Center console:

Is the 99 upgrade the only option available? Or can a limited interior be used? What about the different dashes and years? What years are convertible?


Interior:

Ordered a new carpet kit in Essex with mass backing with new floor mats in Caramel 1054. Expensive but will be worth it. Having a new trunk mat made as well.

Seats: instead of reupholstering them we are going to get custom sheepskins made in beige.

Steering wheel:

Going to get the old steering wheel refinished in leather $250

I will get before pics up in the next post. Thank you all so much for the continued support and assistance.

 

[zcruiser]

Interesting to find out about the radiator. The pink milkshake issue, is this a radiator issue by manufacture? OE part or are aftermarket radiators a cure for this?

This is an issue with the original equipment radiator. Anything over 100K is susceptible. No history on aftermarket radiators. Adding an external cooler is the preferred deterrent unless you are operating regularly in extreme cold temps whereupon you need the integrated cooler in the rad to WARM your tranny fluid upon startup.

See this thread for lots of useful links: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/69744-tutorial-documentation-reference.html

The rear end:

Just discovered the whole rear end was just redone. All bearings, axles, seals, and diff.

Congrats!

Engine tune up:

What are the preferred spark plugs? gap? Aftermarket or replacement coils? wires? Filters?

See this thread for instructions on recommended plugs: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/59008-how-installing-3rd-gen-spark-plugs.html

I have not replaced wires, so not sure what to recommend other than OEM.

Do make sure you clean your MAF sensor, and do it properly or you won't get any benefit. Link in the reference list above if for 96-98, yours will be different: http://www.4runners.org/writeups/throttle/index.html

Not that the visible wire on the outside of your MAF is not the part that really needs cleaning, it's the one down inside the tube of the MAF sensor. You have to look down the tube to see it.

Brakes:

If the brakes need attention I am ready about a possible Tundra brake upgrade. Any more specifics about that as an option? Wheel size needed?

Tundra upgrade is straightforward, most recommend buying reconditioned calipers from auto parts store and returning 4Runner calipers for core charge. Link for Tundra upgrade is listed in the reference thread above.

Grinding on wheels not required if you have these:

Also, there are a large number of 'how-to's stored on Yotatech at http://www.yotatech.com/f128/