Treating my 2008 4Runner: 80K Milestone

[aluker85]

I bought my 2008 4Runner brand spanking new with only .5 miles on the odometer when I drove it off the lot. She is a 4.0 L V6 4x4 SR5 and has been very good to me. Living in Houston I have a 25 mile commute (mostly highway) with some stop and go driving and lots of highway travel on the weekends (all highway). I do all the simple maintenence myself: trying to religously change the oil and oil filter every 5-6K miles (about every 2-3 months) and rotate the tires every other oil change. I use whatever synthetic that is on sale at that given time but try to stick to Castrol, Pennzoil Platinum, and/or Mobil 1 5W-30 with a WIX #51348 oil filter. While the oil is draining I usually inspect the air filters and replace if necessary. I replaced the tires with BF Goodrich Rugged Terrains T/A at 66K and I have never had an issue - she still purrs like a kitten and drives like a dream.

Now that she's hit the 80K milestone I'm thinking about treating her to some new blood. I rarely use the 4 wheel drive :-( anymore and have never changed the oil in the front and rear differientials. Also I have been keeping an eye on fluid levels (Coolant, steering, etc) and they are still the originals from the factory. I had issues with coolant becoming acidic and eating through the plumbing in my old 97' F-150 (no jokes, she was a great truck). So I am a little concerned about that happening again in the 4Runner.

What can I do to pay a little back to the machine that has been this good to me? I would like to do it all myself but will take to a dealership for the complicated stuff.

Any advice is appreciated!

 

[Synister]

If you haven't already, definitely change out the spark plugs, they are a 30k interval item. The stock coolant is very good and so is the tranny fluid but many here agree that 100k is about as much as you can expect out of a fluid so maybe think about that. Definitely change at least the rear diff fluid, a good 75w-90 like Mobil 1 gear should do wonders back there. All of these jobs are DIY, just search the site and you will find write ups for all of them. Oh, and give her a good wash and wax, maybe some clay bar treatment, to keep her looking nice!

 

[Aquabear]

Hello fellow 2008 V6 4R! Sounds like you have a great truck like mine.
Great advice from sinister. I can only add a few things all DIY like clean MAF sensor with spray cleaner from auto parts store, clean the throttle body again with spray cleaner but add a rag. Maybe clean off the battery terminals and check the fluid level in your battery and add the correct fluid if necessary. Change your cabin air filter behind the glove box to breathe in some fresh clean air while you drive!
Good luck and I hope you get many years out of your truck like I hope with mine!

 

[aluker85]

Thanks

I thank ya'll both for the advice! I cleaned my MAF last night with some CRC cleaner. Man that was easy! After 80K miles I was suprised on how clean they were! I used to think it was overkill but maybe changing my air filter every other oil change has paid off. The pollen season in Houston is brutal, usually turing my black vehicle to a light yellow from February - May and the rest of the year the air quality pretty much sucks haha. There was still enough build up on the MAF to make it worth while AND it was definetly worth the experience getting a little grit on the hands again. I'm not certain if it is actaully driving better but it certainly feels that way....could be the same thing as food grown in your garden always tasting better. I'll keep an eye out to see if my mileage improves.

I plan on taking on the throttle body this weekend and yesterday I ordered replacement plugs and gaskets for the front and rear differentials and transfer case as well....for good measure in case I mess up on my first go chaning the oil out for each.

...speaking of...while at O'Reilly's yesterday getting the CRC I noticed an oil pan drain plug they were selling that doesn't require removing the plug to drain the oil from the pan. Its the Dorman AutoGrade EZ Drain Oil Plug. Just a quick push up and twist will release the flow. Seems risky to me but I'll have to admit it would be convienient! What are your thoughts on using one of those?

 

[Aquabear]

Great job in DIY. Good for more know how for yourself and save money or use the money for tequila or a juicy texas ribeye:biggrin2:!!!

Since I'm not a gambling kinda guy, I wouldn't use that plug. Although it sounds great, to me it's no biggie to unscrew the oil drain plug. But sometimes new tech is easier and better, I just would not want to be the test dummie for that.

Keep knockin off those DIY projects!

Edit: I hear ya, having a black 4R myself, the pollen or colored dusty sand shows up fast on a freshly cleaned black 4R.