new owner

[Jack Abraham]

Howdy!
I'm Jack , I live in central New Jersey (No Jokes!)
After 25+ years of driving/Fixing Jeeps,
I bought a '98 T4R limited (130K) from a friend.
What a great truck!!
It's bone stock. Desert silver
All I've done is Brake job,Change Oil, new wipers,floor mats and replace all the burned-out bulbs.
I have some maintance records, seems she went to Toyota for regular visits.
Since reading the posts hereit seems I should do a deckplate conv. and get silverstar headlite bulbs.
So far put 2K miles on and been off road twice.
If anyone has helpful hints, I look forward
to reading them
Thanx,
Jack

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Welcome to the 3rd gen world.

What are your intentions with the truck? Regular off roader? Occasional? Daily driver?

 

[Jack Abraham]

Ron,
At this point it's my only vehicle other than my wife's gmc jimmy.
I use it for going on photo assignments, daily driving.
Camping & off-roading 6-12 times a year.
Basically good dependable transportation.

I'll like to keep it in good condition and not spend too much $$ doing so.
On my jeeps (all older models 80-89)
I did most of the work myself.
Tune-ups, brakes, seals,bearings etc.
The most difficult stuff was a body swap
and piston rings!
I do not trust some shops ( one place wanted $700. for a rear seal on my '88 wrangler - I did it. cost: $6.00 f/ part and
2 hours under vehicle. )
So for the T4R I'll like to do some things myself, I just don't want to bite off more
than I can handle.
>Jack

 

[alaskaman]

Hey Jack.

I just gave my 97 2WD to my daughter and her husband. I enjoyed that ride for many years. If the timing belt has not been replaced do that. you might want to replace the water pump at the same time. check your compression and have the engine seals looked at especially your valve cover gaskets. check the uni joints, have the tires balanced if you want to keep them. a good shop should get the car up and check all your under carriage fittings. on a cosmetic level take off your carpet panels and check for mold, and general scum. any signs of that replace the carpet and make sure the metal is clean and dry beforehand. have it detailed (there are a number of good detail threads on this site) esp if you want to do it yourself. have the electrical system tested by someone you like. check window motors, antenna motor (make sure it's free of dust and dirt) can be $$ to replace. check all seals around your windows and door and replace as needed. a little $ spent now can make the future enjoyable.

Happy trails. Welcome.

 

[Jack Abraham]

Hey Guys,
Thanks for all the input.
I going to check on the work that's been done, and as time & budget allows
I'll do what needs to be done.
So far the vehicle runs great, I've put on about 2K miles and been using regular unleaded which is saving me $$. My last jeep w/ carb needed super!! I've gotten
off road in the jersey pine barrens and it handles the sand and mud just fine.
I was wondering about the Rear Diff. lock.
Toyota makes it sound like if you use it
at all you might blow-up the drivetrain.
I assume it's like any other locking rear -
use when there is slick conditions only
(Ice,snow& mud etc.) not on just a wet road. In other words: if 4 Hi or 4 low
doesn't do it - lock the rear!
> Jack

 

[p nut]

I was wondering about the Rear Diff. lock.
Toyota makes it sound like if you use it
at all you might blow-up the drivetrain.
I assume it's like any other locking rear -
use when there is slick conditions only
(Ice,snow& mud etc.) not on just a wet road. In other words: if 4 Hi or 4 low
doesn't do it - lock the rear!
> Jack

Well, you don't want to use it unless you're really stuck. If you're on ice or snow, it really won't help and might even be more dangerous. And you should be totally stopped before engaging it and shouldn't go over 5mph (per manual).

I miss my old 98 Limited. Mine needed premium fuel because of the supercharger, but man was it fun.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Like p nut said the diff lock is for getting unstuck only or if you are offroad it makes climbing/traversing terrain where you'll get one of the rear wheels off the ground but still have full torque to the one that is on the ground.

You never just want to drive in the snow or ice with the rear locked,it can swing the rearend right around before you have time to react.