Opinions On My Plan?

[AbruptlyBold]

Hello T4R long time lurker and first time poster today I thought it was finally time that I formerly joined and asked a few questions. I've located a 4Runner that I would like to purchase and there like a few things that I’d like to do with it. I would love to be under the impression that I know everything but I thought I might look into some other opinions before I went out there and started doing things.

Just a little about me; I'm a university student and I've always had a small passion for cars and almost anything revolving around them. To put it in perspective, when any of my friends have a problem automotive wise I'm usually the first one to get a call, text or BBM. (I keep and ODB II scanner in my backpack)

Now down to the main components of this post, a Third Gen 4Runner. This is a vehicle that I have always admired for its capabilities on and off road, not to mention it’s a pretty good looking vehicle. Although I probably won`t be utilizing many off road features, other than on those snowy days we get around here. It is a vehicle that is fairly large which means for me I can put all of my friends and our crap in it which is a plus. For a daily driver I don’t think it’ll be too shabby.


This is what I have come up with, for now.

After Purchase

Plan - Weekly Check
1) Oil Dipstick
2) Water Level in the Overflow Tank
3) Tire Pressures
4) Windshield Washer Fluid
5) Brake Fluid Levels
6) Power Steering Oil Reservoir

{Things I'm Prepared to Do Immediately}

- New Brakes
- Top up Brake Fluid
- Top up Coolant
- Top up Washer Fluid
- Water Pump
- Accessory/Timing Belt
- Fuel Filter

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mods and Other Things
(In This Order)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Preventative Maintenance
Check for Codes
Replace all fluids (All Synthetic)
Grease Driveshaft
K&N Drop-in Air Filter
Replace Timing/Accessory Belt (If Necessary)
Rust-Proofing
Spark Plugs

Mechanics
Tundra Brakes
Differential Breather Mod
Deck Plate Mod
New Shift Bushing

Audio
Headunit (Single DIN With Toyota Pocket)
Amplifier
Subwoofer (With Case)
Speakers

Wiring
10 Ft x 2 RCA Cable
100 Ft of 16 Gauge Speaker Wire
4 Ft of 12 Gauge Speaker Wire
18 Ft of 8 Gauge Speaker Wire
Fuse Holder
40 AMP Fuses x 2

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fluids
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(Intervals)

Engine Oil
Mobil1 - 5W-30 Full Synthetic - (5000)

Oil Filter
Only Toyota Oil Filters

Differential Fluid
Mobil1 - 75w-90 Full Synthetic - (Front) - (50,000)
Mobil1 - 80w-90 Full Synthetic - (Rear) - (50,000)

Transmission Fluid (MT All The Way)
Mobil1 - MT-90 (75w90) Full Synthetic - (50,000)

Transfer Case
Mobil1 - 75w-90 Full Synthetic - (50,000)

That`s about it, thank you from now for any help.



Some Info On the Rig

2000 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4x4
-One owner
-5speed manual
-V6
-4x4
-147,000km
-Accident free
-All original paint
-Rustproofed from new
-New timing belt done at Toyota @ 130,000km
-Serviced at Toyota dealer
-Tow Package


arty:

 

[fightman80]

Looks like a good list! However, the Serpentine belt is actually not a Serpentine belt. These trucks have accessory belts, and a Timing belt. You'll want to replace those, if they need it.

I changed my belts in the fall, and my timing belt was FINISHED. It was definately due!

Another note, alot of guys suggest synthetic fluids, but I (personally) don't think they are worth the money. As long as you use a good brand, and keep to your maintenance schedule, you will just fine. My 2 cents...

Welcome to the forum, and good luck with the purchase! :bluejump:

 

[Scat Adams]

K&N air filters are garbage IMO. I'd go with another brand like Amsoil or just stick with the OEM Toyota ones. Good luck!

 

[T4R_Finally]

Looks like you've done your homework and it's a good list, but a lot depends on what you are buying and what has been done to it and what needs to be done. You haven't given any info on that - which is fine if you want to keep it to yourself. Something I'd add, is don't forget about the pink milkshake and make sure you do your homework on preventing that, whether it be installing a new radiator and/or an external tranny cooler. Check for axle seal failure periodically and keep an eye on the lower ball joints.

And don't forget, you'll get varying opinions on almost any topic here. In the end, you'll have to decide for yourself what is in your best interest for your T4R. In my opinion, you can't go wrong with synthetic fluids, especially if the previous owner has been using them, unless the manufacturer recommends otherwise. For example, in my pickup, the manufacturer recommends synthetic in the rear differential but not in the front. So, I put synthetic in the rear and dino oil in the front.

Oh, and I happen to have had good luck with K&N dropins and believe that as long as they are properly cleaned and oiled, they are fine. It is very easy to over oil them and I think that leads to issues for people.

Good luck

 

[AbruptlyBold]

Looks like a good list! However, the Serpentine belt is actually not a Serpentine belt. These trucks have accessory belts, and a Timing belt. You'll want to replace those, if they need it.

I changed my belts in the fall, and my timing belt was FINISHED. It was definately due!

Another note, alot of guys suggest synthetic fluids, but I (personally) don't think they are worth the money. As long as you use a good brand, and keep to your maintenance schedule, you will just fine. My 2 cents...

Welcome to the forum, and good luck with the purchase! :bluejump:

Thank you for that, I always confuse the two.

K&N air filters are garbage IMO. I'd go with another brand like Amsoil or just stick with the OEM Toyota ones. Good luck!

Is there any reason as to why the K&N filters are trash that hasn't already been said, I'd just like to know for future reference.

Looks like you've done your homework and it's a good list, but a lot depends on what you are buying and what has been done to it and what needs to be done. You haven't given any info on that - which is fine if you want to keep it to yourself. Something I'd add, is don't forget about the pink milkshake and make sure you do your homework on preventing that, whether it be installing a new radiator and/or an external tranny cooler. Check for axle seal failure periodically and keep an eye on the lower ball joints.

And don't forget, you'll get varying opinions on almost any topic here. In the end, you'll have to decide for yourself what is in your best interest for your T4R. In my opinion, you can't go wrong with synthetic fluids, especially if the previous owner has been using them, unless the manufacturer recommends otherwise. For example, in my pickup, the manufacturer recommends synthetic in the rear differential but not in the front. So, I put synthetic in the rear and dino oil in the front.

Oh, and I happen to have had good luck with K&N dropins and believe that as long as they are properly cleaned and oiled, they are fine. It is very easy to over oil them and I think that leads to issues for people.

Good luck

The model I'm looking at is a 5speed, but thanks for the heads up on the pink milkshake, and the insight on the K&N filters. I've also posted some info on the truck I'm looking at.

 

[TheDurk]

Plan looks good, but you should try to get more info on what has been done to the truck. It received a major service at a dealer at 80k miles when the TB was done so that information should be available to you.

The water pump, accessory belts and thermostat should be done at the same time. If they weren't, I wouldn't do them now (I only did mine for the first time at 120k miles or 193k km), but I would keep a watch out for coolant leaks, belt squeaks, and overheating issues. My acc belts were toast at 120k miles.

As a 5-speed owner, I co-sign the MT-90 in the trans. Best stuff out there. I also do full syn at 50k in the other boxes but a cheaper GL-5 is good enough. I would also stay away from the K&N, I just don't see the benefits exceeding the risk of problems with our picky MAF's.

You are close to due for an O2/AF sensor change. I would do the front one if you think it is original. I believe a 2000 Canada truck has the less expensive O2 in front. A 2001 would have the A/F.

Good luck.

 

[Hepar]

Wow. That's quite the list there! Hope you get it and if you do, post pics!

 

[Blanco]

Welcome! Great to see another potential Toronto-based 3rd Gen 4Runner owner on here - I'm pretty much the only one it seems.

If you do end up making the purchase, please post pics and feel free to PM me anytime - I'm no master mechanic but always enjoy turning a wrench on weekends (when the weather is a little more agreeable!). Rust repair/maintenance is a biggie for me these days and I'm not looking forward to the tons of salt on the roads here over the next couple of months.

Assuming you buy the truck then your next 'official Canadian' maintenance would be the 156k km one and its the usual...oil and filter, air filter, check all fluid levels, battery, valve clearance, drive belts, steering components and shocks, inspect BJs and dust covers as well as driveshaft and boots, chassis bolts, brakes, calipers and brake lines, lube driveshaft.

I did most of this myself @ 160k kms this past summer with the exception of the oil change and a couple of other things. Toyota charges about $140.00 for this plus the cost of the oil change, plus around $25.00 for the shaft lube so the more you are able to do the better and it sounds like you know your stuff.

Keep us posted.

 

[Nashvegas34]

Thorough list, great research. I say "git r done".

Tranlated into Canadian, that's "git r done, eh?"

 

[Blanco]

Hey - I just saw the truck you're talking about online. I won't post the link as I want don't want to take away the glory if you end up buying it!

Looks pretty good, actually just like mine when I first got it! Price is about right, although if the timing belt hadn't been recently done, I'd come in with an offer of $600.00 less for sure. Have a good look underneath for major rust, the surface stuff is inevitable up here and can be sorted out easily. One thing I did NOT find until about 6 months after I'd purchased mine was a completely rusted and rotted out chunk of lower left rear quarter panel (hidden well underneath the side bumper piece) :dammit:

Feel under there with your hand or take a look with a flashlight - it's totally repairable but would easily take $500.00 off the price if you are okay with that flaw. Apparently a lot of salt slurry washes up in there form the road meridian - you may be fine on this truck but just wanted to throw it out there as something to check.

 

[AbruptlyBold]

Plan looks good, but you should try to get more info on what has been done to the truck. It received a major service at a dealer at 80k miles when the TB was done so that information should be available to you.

The water pump, accessory belts and thermostat should be done at the same time. If they weren't, I wouldn't do them now (I only did mine for the first time at 120k miles or 193k km), but I would keep a watch out for coolant leaks, belt squeaks, and overheating issues. My acc belts were toast at 120k miles.

As a 5-speed owner, I co-sign the MT-90 in the trans. Best stuff out there. I also do full syn at 50k in the other boxes but a cheaper GL-5 is good enough. I would also stay away from the K&N, I just don't see the benefits exceeding the risk of problems with our picky MAF's.

You are close to due for an O2/AF sensor change. I would do the front one if you think it is original. I believe a 2000 Canada truck has the less expensive O2 in front. A 2001 would have the A/F.

Good luck.

Right now I just haven't had the time to go into the dealer, I'm just working with what I have found on their site and sending them E-mails to no avail. Anyways negative on the K&N seems to be the consensus so I think I might just stray away from that. Also I'll make sure to look out for the things you posted and make sure to have my mechanic inspect it thoroughly as well.

Welcome! Great to see another potential Toronto-based 3rd Gen 4Runner owner on here - I'm pretty much the only one it seems.

If you do end up making the purchase, please post pics and feel free to PM me anytime - I'm no master mechanic but always enjoy turning a wrench on weekends (when the weather is a little more agreeable!). Rust repair/maintenance is a biggie for me these days and I'm not looking forward to the tons of salt on the roads here over the next couple of months.

Assuming you buy the truck then your next 'official Canadian' maintenance would be the 156k km one and its the usual...oil and filter, air filter, check all fluid levels, battery, valve clearance, drive belts, steering components and shocks, inspect BJs and dust covers as well as driveshaft and boots, chassis bolts, brakes, calipers and brake lines, lube driveshaft.

I did most of this myself @ 160k kms this past summer with the exception of the oil change and a couple of other things. Toyota charges about $140.00 for this plus the cost of the oil change, plus around $25.00 for the shaft lube so the more you are able to do the better and it sounds like you know your stuff.

Keep us posted.

First off its good to know that I'm not alone, I was worried I might have to drive down to the states to find owners with the same passion I intend to have. Another one of the things that I was thinking of as well was the rust issues, but its been rust-proofed since new and I plan on continuing the tradition to fight the salt on our roads. And revolving around the idea of turning a wrench sometime, I would definitely be up for something like that because I'm always willing to learn and I'm still trying to work on being better with things revolving around automotive issues.

Provided I do purchase the vehicle I'll make sure to do a once or twice over on all of the things you listed, as I do want it to last for quite a while and from what I read around here I don't think that will be a serious issues. I mean c'mon were talking about a TOYOTA :gun5: here. Can't be killed.

Hey - I just saw the truck you're talking about online. I won't post the link as I want don't want to take away the glory if you end up buying it!

Looks pretty good, actually just like mine when I first got it! Price is about right, although if the timing belt hadn't been recently done, I'd come in with an offer of $600.00 less for sure. Have a good look underneath for major rust, the surface stuff is inevitable up here and can be sorted out easily. One thing I did NOT find until about 6 months after I'd purchased mine was a completely rusted and rotted out chunk of lower left rear quarter panel (hidden well underneath the side bumper piece) :dammit:

Feel under there with your hand or take a look with a flashlight - it's totally repairable but would easily take $500.00 off the price if you are okay with that flaw. Apparently a lot of salt slurry washes up in there form the road meridian - you may be fine on this truck but just wanted to throw it out there as something to check.

Oh my goodness :wow: well that's terrible but the point is its fixed now, I will make sure to check that out too.


There's also another one that I'm looking at, its about the same in condition and has approximately 50,000km more but it has leather seats. Now I've read the leather vs. cloth thread but I'm not really sure which one would be better, right now I'm leaning towards the clothed 4Runner but hopefully its still there in the event of a falling out with this sale of the one I'm looking at.

 

[LittleCaesar]

That is quite the list to tackle. Since we are a visual hungry group, post some pics when you can.

Mobil, at least here in the states, doesn't offer a Mobil 1 full synthetic in 80w-90, but they do offer Mobil Delvac in 80w-90. If you can get you hands on Chevron Delo 80w-90, you will be happy. Otherwise most members run a 75w-90 in their rear diff and are good to go, synthetic or not.