recommended maintenance schedule q

[mchestnut]

Bought my 2007 4runner LTD from a private party, at 60k miles and was covered under 'certified used' warranty at that time. Since that time I have changed oil/filter and rotated tires, but nothing else.

I am super skeptical of dealership (aka stealership) recommendations including 'factory recommended maintenance schedules'. I'm currently siting at 85k miles, and I see that spark plugs and timing belt replacement as well as some 4x maintenance are on the 90k service list.

With this in mind I have a couple questions - is the factory recommended maint schedule trustworthy and should I be following it, especially when it comes to larger service items mentioned above? If so - are you taking your T4Rs to the factory garages or would you recommend independent toyota/japanese specilaist garages?

Thanks!

 

[Gatafly]

Yes I would follow the factory recommended schedule. I would also have a transmission fluid exchange done. When you have the timing belt changed have them also change the water pump and idler pulley. The servide done around 90k is not cheap as there are many things to do. If you are somewhat mechanically incline you can do everything yourself except timing belt and tranny fluid and save yourself a ton of $$. You may even be able to do the transmission fluid. I did mine in less than an hour with a friends help to start and stop the engine and give moral support.

 

[bergs]

FWIW I've gone way over the mileage on the timing belt twice.
First time it was changed at 136,xxx miles because I did not believe the guy that sold it to me and this second time I am currently 3000 miles past the change interval (Dayco t belt kit) and will likely go another 10k before changing it.
Plan on 8 hrs if you're doing the t belt on your own the first time. Worst part for me was fabbing a "holder" for the harmonic balancer.