Purchasing 1st 4runner: Towing

D

DC1843

New member
I am looking at purchasing a 1998 4runner limited 4x4 with the 3.4L and auto transmission. My main concern after doing some research is towing. I have a 5x8 v-nose single axle trailer without trailer brakes that I use to haul 2 dirt bikes and gear. All loaded up I estimate it ways between 1800-2000lbs. Would it have any issues towing my trailer? How would the stock brakes handle that weight range? What type of full mileage would I expect to get? I would use it for towing approximately 2-3 weekends a month ranging it distance from 240-1600 miles round trip. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Darren
 
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Your mileage will be crap, but you should not have a problem towing that trailer. I tow a boat all summer, with stock brakes, but I have a tranny cooler installed. And you definitely won't win any starts off the line! These are rated for 5000lbs, so you have a ways to go...

IMG_0684.jpg~original
 
You should do some research on "pink Milkshake", then replace your radiator, and add a high quality tranny cooler and you should be good to go. I would guess around 13-14MPG.

Oh yeah, also have the lower ball joints replaced with FACTORY OEM's not the parts store variety. Those two items (LBJ and pink milk shake) are the two things you want to avoid, and can easily be avoided with replacing 14 year old, worn parts. These vehicles are awesome, and will do the job nicely. IF you want, you can also upgrade the brake system with brakes from a Tundra to make for some nice stopping power.

Good luck!
 
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Thanks for the reply's. The 1998 that I am looking at has 78,000 and has been regularly maintained by a Toyota dealer. Should I still consider replacing the radiator and lower ball joints with that mileage? I will defiantly get a transmission cooler for it.

Millerad1651, how much does your boat and trailer weigh and what kind of MPG are you getting? How stable does it feel at highway speed (70-75 mph)?
 
I would go ahead and replace LBJ's being more concerned with the age over your lower milage. B&M external tranny coolers are usually the prefered choice but there are other options.

Also the 231mm Tundra brake upgrade will be a good idea concidering your trailer lacks braking. 4Runner rotors a prone to warp doing a bunch of "high heat" braking. It also helps for braking all the time, so it doesnt hurt anything. I've read people doing this from 200-600 depending on the parts used. I think mine cost in the range of 450 but I went with Brembo rotors, Akebono HP pads, and SS lines at the same time

I've had a 5x8ish trailer loaded up moving stuff and havent had any problems but it was all around town and a bit on the highway, no long hauls.
 
DC1843 said:
Thanks for the reply's. The 1998 that I am looking at has 78,000 and has been regularly maintained by a Toyota dealer. Should I still consider replacing the radiator and lower ball joints with that mileage? I will defiantly get a transmission cooler for it.

Millerad1651, how much does your boat and trailer weigh and what kind of MPG are you getting? How stable does it feel at highway speed (70-75 mph)?
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The boat and trailer is about 2500 lbs. I can tell its back there, but it doesnt move all over the place or anything like that...its pretty stable back there. I don't generally get up tp that speed on the way to the lake, about 60mph is as fast as I get. I get around 12mpg when I'm towing it...which isn't great, but it could be worse.

I would change your LBJs and do the tranny cooler...just extra precaution that costs less than either of the repairs if those fail.
 
Millerad1651 said:
Your mileage will be crap, but you should not have a problem towing that trailer. I tow a boat all summer, with stock brakes, but I have a tranny cooler installed. And you definitely won't win any starts off the line! These are rated for 5000lbs, so you have a ways to go...

IMG_0684.jpg~original
Click to expand...

Nice boat! The 3rd gen is perfectly happy towing 2500-3500 lbs.
 
Millerad1651 said:
I tow a boat all summer, with stock brakes, but I have a tranny cooler installed.
Click to expand...
It looks like your 4Runenr is lifted so do you also have some firmer OME coils in the rear? Upgrading rear coils might be beneficial for the original poster, however probably not as essential as the replacing radiator/adding tranny cooler, LBJ, and brakes.
 
krenaud33 said:
It looks like your 4Runenr is lifted so do you also have some firmer OME coils in the rear? Upgrading rear coils might be beneficial for the original poster, however probably not as essential as the replacing radiator/adding tranny cooler, LBJ, and brakes.
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I've got LC coils in the back (7.5 wraps). they tend to be pretty giving, although it doesn't look to bad in the pick. If he doesn't want a large lift, a set of OME 906s would serve him well.
 
I wouldn't say he "needs a lift" unless he needs justification for his wife. A properly distributed load is the key with any vehicle.
 
DC1843 said:
Thanks for the reply's. The 1998 that I am looking at has 78,000 and has been regularly maintained by a Toyota dealer. Should I still consider replacing the radiator and lower ball joints with that mileage? I will defiantly get a transmission cooler for it.
Click to expand...

For me, it isn't so much about the mileage as it is the age. Give how long these transmissions will last, I think it is cheap insurance to replace the radiator (if you can do it yourself) and add an external cooler. If you are planning on keeping this vehicle for a long time, then I would not hesitate to change it out. It's not that it is prone to fail, but as these trucks get older the LBJ and radiator failures can cost you big $$ and I just see it as an every 10 year maintenance thing. :juggle: YMMV.
 
Don't replace the radiator (unless it's in bad shape), just add a large aftermarket cooler and bypass the radiator completely. That way there is no way a rupture in the radiator could cause the ATF and coolant to mix.
 
Thanks again for the reply's. The dealer said that I can bring my trailer and take it for a test drive with it tomorrow. I will let you know how it pulls my trailer.

If I do purchase it I will defiantly do trans cooler and lower ball joints.

Darren
 
Since it hasn't been mentioned, get under the 4Runner, and inspect the frame for excessive rust. Being in the rust belt, there is a possibility that the previous owner(s) didn't do a good job of washing the undercarriage frequently, during the winter.
 
Test drove it today and ended up buying it. Pulled my 5x8 enclosed trailer with 2 dirt bikes with ease. Did a mixture of city driving and interstate driving on the test drive with no issues. Had a very smooth ride when doing 70-80 mph on the highway with no swaying or tugging. I plan on doing all the things recommended (trans cooler, radiator, lower ball joints) within the next week or two. Thanks everyone for the input.

Darren
 
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