New to me truck - maintenance suggestions?

[SLEEPR]

I won an auction for a Millennium Silver 1999 Hilux Surf 5VZFE with 74k miles and it's on it's way from Japan! I'll post over to the new member forum when she arrives and I can take my own pictures. In the meantime, I'm planning maintenance and wanted to ask your collective opinions. I have no service records, no idea what has or hasn't been done. I've purchased a new Denso radiator already, plan to swap that out and flush the coolant as well. Here is my list so far:

New rad, flush coolant. New thermostat? Rad cap?
Drain and fill differentials and t-case. Drop pan and clean tranny filter?
Seafoam and change oil (dinosaur 5w30).
New brake and power steering fluid?
Any areas I should lubricate?

 

[jgue467]

Come on - ya' gotta tell us how much ya paid + shipping - we're far too curious!

If you haven't already - read thru this: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/69744-3rd-gen-faq-tutorials-documentation-reference.html

It'll have pretty much everything you need to know. Seems you've already got a decent handle on things. Enjoy & Luck!

 

[SLEEPR]

I've searched and read through the FAQ and stickies. Primarily posted because I wasn't sure how far to go on a Japanese truck with no service records. I think I'll just do as much as I can and hopefully haven't overlook anything.

As far as cost...

The truck was $2500 USD at auction. After the fees, shipping, taxes, etc, I'll be around $6250 USD.

 

[jgue467]

Well in that case, I'd recommend the 90,000 service, which is Everything plus the timing belt/water pump. I mean you never really know how/what the PO did or not, perhaps you'll get lucky and they left meticulous records in the glove box! 4wd? Good price, show us pics!

 

[SLEEPR]

Leaning in that direction, just have to convince wife that my new truck needs maintenance!

Yes, it's 4WD. I'm not exactly sure what options there are, the Hilux SSR-G package is different than North America.

Here is a pic after being unloaded from the auction.

 

[amalik]

wth is that on the hood?

 

[slides]

those are standard in japan

 

[Justin727]

wth is that on the hood?

Nothing....

 

[slides]

what did you use for an auction sight?

 

[amalik]

weird ass place for another mirror.

 

[SLEEPR]

I used this broker - B-Pro Auto | JDM vehicle imports Calgary, Alberta, Canada

There are links on his site for the auction portal he uses.

what did you use for an auction sight?

 

[gamefreakgc]

The original timing belt goes easily 100k+, even up to 150k miles. I think you can hold off on that for now since the parts are pricey, and so is labor if you aren't doing it yourself.

I'm going to say the opposite of everyone else here. Even if the previous owner thrashed the car (which does NOT seem to be the case) at 74,000 miles you don't have to do really anything other than change fluids. Maybe new spark plugs and wires, but really, you don't have to touch hardly anything yet. You can swap the radiator though if you want for peace of mind.

 

[IanB]

wth is that on the hood?

Parking mirror, common on RHD vehicles from Japan.

Looks sharp, do you know if it came with the optional Recaro seats?

I'd do the lower ball joints, and add a tranny cooler/bypass the factory in-rad cooler, and then not worry about changing out your rad. Otherwise, just change all the fluids like any other new to you used truck.

To pass safety you'll need LHD headlights and amber corner lenses, use only OEM for this stuff cause the quality of aftermarket sucks. You'll also need to add DRL's.

 

[99blackt4rsport]

Nice!! I was looking at that direction before on buying a jdm vehicle, are you going to be able to register this without a problem since it's 4runner are similar and also available in the us? I was looking at the diesel version manual 4wd with oem factory spare tire swing out. At least now I can see someone bought one and is actually receiving the goods not some sketchy website.

 

[99blackt4rsport]

Oh darn your in canada!! Disregard last comment you guys get to have the nice stuff there while we have to go through loops and crap to get stuff from Japan legalized here in u.s.

 

[CDNsurf]

Leaning in that direction, just have to convince wife that my new truck needs maintenance!

Yes, it's 4WD. I'm not exactly sure what options there are, the Hilux SSR-G package is different than North America.

Here is a pic after being unloaded from the auction.

Bought the exact model a few months ago and have been driving it here up in Edmonton for the last 4 months. It is equivalent to the North American Limited model expect for a few items (off the top of my head: no cruise control, no powered seats, no cargo cover) has some features not included in NA such as the road side flare, annoying but useful backup chime once reverse is engaged, power rear view mirror that pops down from the spoiler (really handy for parking), field unit monitor (compass, altitude and pressure)

Mine is a 1998, but really a 1999 (produced in late 98). But for maintenance everything you suggested should be good and what others did. I was fortunate to have the 90k service done prior so only some minor things got done once it arrived (all fluids changed, new spark plugs, air filter)

Two things I recommend you checking out and what was wrong with my Hilux: 1. The common problem with the digital heater unit (my buttons didn't work completely and I had to replace the unit) 2. My AC compressor was seized (they use the AC down there a lot (not a big deal, bought a new one for ~250, and going to get in put in soon). Other than that the truck runs flawlessy! Enjoy:hatsoff:

Heres a picture of mine

 

[CDNsurf]

Parking mirror, common on RHD vehicles from Japan.

Looks sharp, do you know if it came with the optional Recaro seats?

I'd do the lower ball joints, and add a tranny cooler/bypass the factory in-rad cooler, and then not worry about changing out your rad. Otherwise, just change all the fluids like any other new to you used truck.

To pass safety you'll need LHD headlights and amber corner lenses, use only OEM for this stuff cause the quality of aftermarket sucks. You'll also need to add DRL's.

The only thing my truck needed to pass safety was just the DRL's, the headlights and corners did not need to be changed. Not sure if its different here in Alberta?

 

[SLEEPR]

[MENTION=62240]IanB[/MENTION] - No Recaro. I would have liked them, but didn't see them on a lot of units.
[MENTION=111747]CND[/MENTION]Surf - Did you use the NA 4Runner HVAC controls, or did you have to order a JDM one?

Mine hasn't shipped yet, the broker is sourcing a sport hood for me first imp:

 

[CDNsurf]

[MENTION=62240]IanB[/MENTION] - No Recaro. I would have liked them, but didn't see them on a lot of units.

[MENTION=111747]CND[/MENTION]Surf - Did you use the NA 4Runner HVAC controls, or did you have to order a JDM one?

Mine hasn't shipped yet, the broker is sourcing a sport hood for me first imp:

The units are the same harness wise, just the buttons and mounting screw holes are flipped.

I ended up sourcing one from a junkyard in Ontario, because its a NA one the mounting holes for the screws were flipped (so I just modified it a bit and it sits perfectly in there)

Hopefully in your case your unit works and don't have to deal with it. There is also the option of sending it to some guys through eBay that repair it. I didn't go this route because it was the middle of Jan. and I needed the heater to be functional. So now I have the NA one in my truck and my broken jap one I may send in for repair one day.

Best of luck with the truck! Ill forward to seeing what you do in terms of a build with it. I started a minor one, but being in Uni. I don't really have the money for anything major yet

 

[IanB]

The only thing my truck needed to pass safety was just the DRL's, the headlights and corners did not need to be changed. Not sure if its different here in Alberta?

According the the HTA, the requirements are all the same. Each province picks and chooses which things they enforce though, and MB is pretty sticky with RHD's. They also have been known to make you swap to seatbelts with the FMVSS/CMVSS tags on them, check that your tires and brake hoses have DOT/SAE markings, all glass has the proper markings, etc.

Your headlights are for a RHD world though, if you pull up against a garage door or wall you'll see that the light pattern kicks up on the left, right into opposing driver's eyes, not on the right where it would light up signs on the side of the road. I'd keep an eye out for a set of '99+ OEM headlights and grab them when you can, they'll put more light where you want it than what you have, and less where you don't.