Trip Question

[RiverRat37]

Guys I have a question that will be almost impossible to answer and I might get bashed for asking but I'd like your opinions... I have to go on a trip 250 miles from my house and the only vehicle I have to drive is my 1999 4runner. It has 136k miles and is running the (as far as I know) original radiator which has really clean fluid and a clean cap on the underside. It also has (as far as I know) the original water pump and timing belt. This thing runs as good or better than most newer vehicles I've been in lately. Question is... Would you guys feel comfortable driving it that far? Thanks

 

[KMAYO]

I wouldn't be scared about that trip. If I were you I would look at doing some maintenance soon.

-KMAYO

 

[Maxil]

I would drive mine across country and it is 1 year older than yours and only about 20k miles less, not much for these vehicles. We have one at work that had around 270k miles and likely the original timing belt. It goes on pretty frequent trips of about 300 miles round trip, did I mention that transmission has been slipping for 3 years? Unless you suspect something may be wrong, you will probably be fine.

 

[RiverRat37]

Thanks for the replies... Yeah my main concern is going that far on the original radiator and water pump/timing belt... Thanks again

 

[KHoffRunner]

Mine has 180k on it and I'm not gonna think twice when I'm taking it to college across the country to either Wyoming u or montana st.

 

[RiverRat37]

Yeah I'm not concerned at all about the mileage. I'm more concerned with doing it on original gear at that mileage. Like I said it does run excellent. Thanks again guys!!

 

[KHoffRunner]

I'd say you're alright for this trip but I would get the maintenance up to par pretty soon and add a tranny cooler.

 

[4R99JB]

If you felt that your vehicle was as bad as the worst case (story) it wouldn't matter which vehicle it was. You'd take a bus; unless you started reading stories about busses.

Most vehicles are better than the worst that is why its called averages. The average vehicle here is still Toyota. You'll be fine.

 

[RiverRat37]

Thanks guys

 

[jonwilly2]

2 months ago when I had 235 75s on with a 4:56 e locker, it revved high in the power band but gauge read outs like oil fuel and vacuum and temp showed it was hardly flexing a muscle at 85mph and did that for 100 miles across florida right at 3000rmp and got 26mpg

 

[98OzarksRunner]

If the WP goes out, it will leak some water under the car, not much to worry about - not catastrophic, and you can probably drive it home. If the TB breaks it will just stop and leave you stranded. Not a big deal (unless it's night in the middle of zombie country or something). If the radiator goes bad, that would be bad, but that could happen on the way to the local WalMart (and be just as bad, except for the towing). My last 4Runner had 220K when I bought it, original radiator (I think) and no issues (though I did put in a cooler).

I drive over 250 miles a week and nothing ever breaks. That should be a walk in the park.

 

[Blanco]

Just did 500 miles in my Runner this past weekend and planning to put another 300+ on it this weekend. I've got 105,000 on the ODO with original rad (new-ish TB and WP). Like a few others have said here, I too would have no worries about driving across the country in my truck. No reason your TB and water pump shouldn't last you awhile longer. Part replacement is always 'recommended' at a certain mileage but when I used to drive VWs, I commonly ran waaaaay over my 'recommended' replacement schedule on many occasions and when I finally did replace a belt or pump, they'd always look like they could take another 50k easily. Before any long trip, I always do a quick check of all my fluids, belts, hoses, tire pressure and inspect undercarriage for anything that looks dicey prior to leaving and coming back. I drove the snot out of a Toyota a couple of years ago around Australia and I can tell you, that these things will get you where you need to go with very little worry.