new to me 4runner, new to site

[fastgtfairlane]

ive been reading some threads on here and checking out everyones rides on here.. theres some sweet runners here! anyway i just bought a 94 4runner sr5 4x4 v6 5spd.. has 202k leather, power everything,sunroof, cruise and sits on 31s.. its gonna be a project daily driver.. just want to keep it in good mechanical condition and would love to get several years out of it.. i looked at this truck for several months and was reluctant because of the 3.0l engine.. this engine seems to be in good running condition.. finally went and checked it out and fell in love with it.. especially the rear tail gate and the 5spd.. i had a 2010 4 door tacoma and had to get rid of it because the payment got too much to handle so wanted a 4 door but the 4 door tacomas are still quite pricy.. the truck does have a few issues im looking to take care of..

-the timing belt needs replacing.. was done at 95k.. has a possible valve cover gasket leak on the passenger side..
-would love to get more power out of the engine.. any bolt ons worth the time? the previous owner installed a k&n filter.. i did read a thread about installing a late 80s cressida or supra mass air meter that will give a nice power bump.. i would think the computer would need to be tweaked to calibrate with the larger maf.. can someone confirm this?
-there is a whine noise that starts around 45ish mph when accelerating.. i did find a receipt where someone changed a pinion seal a year ago.. my guess is he didnt get the pinion depth right on reassembly? i have a friend that owns an auto shop and he mentioned trying some lucas diff fluid might help.. he drove it with me before i bought it so he heard it..

i havent had time to take some pics but will get to it this week! its a pretty clean truck overall and runs and drives great.. any suggestions regarding advice would be fantastic as im new to these trucks.. im soo looking forward to taking it camping and having 4x4 in the snow what little we get.. this seems to be a great site and looking forward to learning more about the 4runners

 

[wallytoo]

-there is a whine noise that starts around 45ish mph when accelerating.. i did find a receipt where someone changed a pinion seal a year ago.. my guess is he didnt get the pinion depth right on reassembly? i have a friend that owns an auto shop and he mentioned trying some lucas diff fluid might help.. he drove it with me before i bought it so he heard it..

i don't think anything in a bottle or can is going to solve a pinion depth issue, if that is the source of the noise.

 

[fastgtfairlane]

i dont even know if thats the issue or not.. i was just putting info out there that i found regarding the receipts.. i was thinking the same thing as well..

 

[Hyde802]

Dont try to make it faster, just a waste of $. Headers and a cam are about the only worth while mod to make to the 3.0. Your better off swapping the motor before dumping thousands on mods to get you MAYBE 15hp. Put your money into axle gears to make it quicker.

The Lucas stuff is just a band aid to quiet the whine, not fix the problem. Front or rear whine? If the pinion seal was replaced, it could be a sign or an already failing bearing, or an out of balance drive shaft.

Do the water pump while your in doing the timing belt. Its cheap and its a prime time to change it.

Welcome to the forum!

 

[fastgtfairlane]

haha yeah i know the 4runner isnt ever gonna set a speed record by any means.. i dont plan to change the engine as long as it runs good.. its had the head gaskets replaced by a previous owner so hopefully i wont have to worry.. i would gear lower, but with no overdrive, it turns 3k at 70 already haha..

its a whine that starts around 50 and gets loudest around 60ish and continues to whine at a higher pitch but isnt quite as loud if that makes sense... only on accel not decel.. any ideas?

yeah was definitely gonna do the water pump with the timing belt and probably the valve cover gaskets at the same time

 

[Hyde802]

Have you checked the fluid levels in the trans/transfer/diffs? Could just be low.

:ranger:

 

[fastgtfairlane]

i did just before i bought it and they were all pretty full.. i did not check the fluid level in the transfer case though. could that cause a whine?