Hey y'all. I just bought a 01 4x4 sport with 111k. Any suggestions on what to have a look at service wise to make sure I'm up to speed. The timeing belt was supposedly done recently so I'm going to pull the cover and check that. What seems to go and need preventative Maint at its point in life. Thanks in advance for the help.
Service / items to check
- Thread starter benzgt
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thegipper
New member
Read this http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/82033-3rd-gen-4runner-buyers-guide.html
It should have all the information you should need.
It should have all the information you should need.
mtbtim
Elite Member
For preventative maintenance, you could reference this thread. Lots of helpful info:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/221201-3rd-gen-4runner-preventative-maintenance.html
For parts to replace as preventative maintenance, here's the two big ones:
1) Lower Ball Joints - known to fail and could cause significant damage and/or cause you to crash when they fail.
2) Radiator - The reason is for the possibility of the trans cooler in the bottom of the radiator cracking, allowing the the ATF and Engine Coolant to mix (aka Pink Milkshake) and then that contaminated ATF makes it's way back to the trans and screws up the transmission. Some buy a new radiator and call it good, some buy a new radiator and also add an external trans cooler ran in-series with the radiator cooler, some buy a new radiator and an external trans cooler and bypass the radiator cooler and finally some just buy an external cooler, bypass the radiator cooler altogether and cap off the cooler nipples by running a hose between the two.
If you enjoy wrenching or would like to learn, here's a list a videos that could help you along the way with your DIY mechanic needs:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/217550-3rd-gen-toyota-4runner-diy-videos.html
This is an awesome forum and you made a great choice coming here for help. Good luck and don't hesitate to ask questions.
Timmy the Toolman
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/221201-3rd-gen-4runner-preventative-maintenance.html
For parts to replace as preventative maintenance, here's the two big ones:
1) Lower Ball Joints - known to fail and could cause significant damage and/or cause you to crash when they fail.
2) Radiator - The reason is for the possibility of the trans cooler in the bottom of the radiator cracking, allowing the the ATF and Engine Coolant to mix (aka Pink Milkshake) and then that contaminated ATF makes it's way back to the trans and screws up the transmission. Some buy a new radiator and call it good, some buy a new radiator and also add an external trans cooler ran in-series with the radiator cooler, some buy a new radiator and an external trans cooler and bypass the radiator cooler and finally some just buy an external cooler, bypass the radiator cooler altogether and cap off the cooler nipples by running a hose between the two.
If you enjoy wrenching or would like to learn, here's a list a videos that could help you along the way with your DIY mechanic needs:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/217550-3rd-gen-toyota-4runner-diy-videos.html
This is an awesome forum and you made a great choice coming here for help. Good luck and don't hesitate to ask questions.
Timmy the Toolman
TIM: Thanks for all that info and videos. I'll get started and if I have any questions I will ask. Thanks again.
mtbtim
Elite Member
No problem Jason. Good luck and welcome to the club.
If you don't know for sure when it was done last I would change ALL the fluids.
Same for LBJs and radiator.
Plugs and wires are a good plan too. The waste spark system eats plugs for breakfast, good to get in the habit of changing them every 30k if you use copper. Make sure replacements are dual ground plugs. That said I bought mine with 150k miles and I'm pretty sure the plugs were original, and they were still functional.
Check the breathers for rust/corrosion. There's two in the engine bay, driver's side. They are the front diff and the transfer case/transmission. They're probably fine. The rear diff breather sits right on top of the diff, unless the previous owner extended it. In which case you'll just have to follow the line and see where it goes. Plugged rear diff breathers are something to watch for, as that can blow your axle seals and cost a bunch of money and/or time to fix.
Once you have all the basic maintenance done and it's in good shape beware of upgradeitis. That can cost you far more than maintenance/repairs.
Same for LBJs and radiator.
Plugs and wires are a good plan too. The waste spark system eats plugs for breakfast, good to get in the habit of changing them every 30k if you use copper. Make sure replacements are dual ground plugs. That said I bought mine with 150k miles and I'm pretty sure the plugs were original, and they were still functional.
Check the breathers for rust/corrosion. There's two in the engine bay, driver's side. They are the front diff and the transfer case/transmission. They're probably fine. The rear diff breather sits right on top of the diff, unless the previous owner extended it. In which case you'll just have to follow the line and see where it goes. Plugged rear diff breathers are something to watch for, as that can blow your axle seals and cost a bunch of money and/or time to fix.
Once you have all the basic maintenance done and it's in good shape beware of upgradeitis. That can cost you far more than maintenance/repairs.
