Should I buy Extnded warnty or get $400 36k mls service?

[Fro-Runner]

The time has come for me to make a decision as I only have 3 days left until my 4Runner becomes 36 mos old. It only has 23k miles on the speedo.

Here's what I must decide on. The dealer offers a 30k/3yr/36 mos service for $399. This service includes: tranny flush, oil change, tire rotation, air and cabin filter replacement, differential fluid change, lube chassis including propeller shaft, adjust brakes including E-brake, battery service, coolant change and replace the spark plugs but get a load of this (resistor plugs cost $35 extra, Platinum $50, and Iridium $120). Now that's a whooping $520 plus tax if I want the Iridium plugs in my 6 cyl engine. Wow'zers! :awais:

I believe Shaun sells the 7yr/60k ext warranty on here for around $600 plus tax. I've already switched to synthetic oil and plan to do the same with the tranny and diff oils. I have the homemade cabin filter in place along with two Fram air filter changes already (every 10k mls for cabin and engine air filters). I want to switch the coolant over to the green stuff anyways and this would easily be a drain, fill with water, add in a bottle of super flush, run engine for 5 mins then drain and refill with prestone 50/50 mix. I have a grease gun but need to get the rubber hose model and a tube of green grease. Battery cables are easy to clean and the brakes shoes can be replaced at about 50k (I baby my big baby). Finally, I plan on adding a lift anyways either the Donahoe coils F&R or by just saving money and installing the Old man EMU system in the fall.

What do you folks here think? Should I spend the money with Shaun on a ext warranty? Or safisfy Toyota's maintenence schedule and get the 36k service for $399 with the tranny and radiator flushes minus the plugs installed?

 

[toto]

The "36k Service" and the extended warranty really have nothing to do with each other. All of the things you mentioned as part of that service are regular maintenance items. I'd have to check the Maintenance Guide to see if they're really due at that time, though. The plugs in the V6 are a 30K interval, so that's right.

The extended warranty will cover the possible failure of a whole list of factory parts. More details are available on Toyota's Web site, if you're looking at a Toyota extended warranty.

The maintenance needs to be done, but since you're doing it on your own, you're doing great. It sounds like you don't need to pay to have the dealer do that work. You just need to consider the extended warranty. There are several threads around here from people who were glad they had that warranty, but after all, it is a Toyota that you're taking good care of.

 

[Hank]

Hold on now...you definitely don't want to use the usual 50/50 mix of the "green" coolant in your 4R at all. You should only use the "pink" glycol based super long-life coolant (good for up to 90k miles). Just a heads up

 

[Fro-Runner]

Hold on now...you definitely don't want to use the usual 50/50 mix of the "green" coolant in your 4R at all. You should only use the "pink" glycol based super long-life coolant (good for up to 90k miles). Just a heads up

OH NO! That longlife pink/red stuff was a good ploy by the manufacturers. It is now been recommended by experienced repair shops to change your coolant more often. I am switching back to the green stuff because I like Prestone antifreeze. All antifreeze mixtures are glycol based and can be mixed nowadays. DO NOT BE FOOLED with that 100k mileage crap. Please change your coolant at least every 30-40k miles. This will remove the deposits and old antifreeze from your truck.

 

[Fro-Runner]

Took my truck in to the stealership this morning for the valves to be adjusted under warranty (only 4 days left on factory one).

I decided "NOT" to do the 30k mile service as I only have 23k miles on my truck. This will give me time to think about the extended warranty. Besides, I believe I am going to do the services myself and switch to synthetic fluids when possible. I have not been able to locate the Denso (#IKH20) Iridium plugs @ $11.95 ea yet.

Some of you here should be advised that the NGK #LFR6AIX-11 is incorrect for the V-6 motor. Two websites I looked at show this plug fitting the V-8 engine only.

Updated and EDITED::: I just called Shaun from this forum for the 7yr/75k mile extended warranty for $620 including tax. I'd rather have the security and peace of mind for any major breakdowns. I can easily document my own services and keep the fluid purchase receipts.
:bigok: THANKS shaun! Many of us here really appreciate your service.
:biggrin2: