What Did You Do To Your 3rd Gen Today?

[jarwil]

New to this board and 4runners, but getting excited as my preventative maintenance binge is almost done. Next stage is to start on the fun stuff with mods.

Just replaced the timing belt, water pump, tensioners kit and all the accessory belts. This followed brake pads and rotors, all fluids flushed and changed, and replacing a few hoses. Also eliminated a broken mechanical antenna with the "tacoma whip" mod.

In the mail I have a champion cc1998 3 row aluminum radiator, and new radiator hoses - once that is installed I'm planning on a headlight retrofit and suspension (thinking the Toytech Ultimate kit).

 

[SpidermanGeek]

New to this board and 4runners, but getting excited as my preventative maintenance binge is almost done. Next stage is to start on the fun stuff with mods.

Just replaced the timing belt, water pump, tensioners kit and all the accessory belts. This followed brake pads and rotors, all fluids flushed and changed, and replacing a few hoses. Also eliminated a broken mechanical antenna with the "tacoma whip" mod.

In the mail I have a champion cc1998 3 row aluminum radiator, and new radiator hoses - once that is installed I'm planning on a headlight retrofit and suspension (thinking the Toytech Ultimate kit).

I see no mention of new Lower Ball Joints.

 

[Echo_Spartan]

I had a cracked window wiper fluid reservoir that I replaced, easy job but satisfying nonetheless!

 

[repo]

New o2 sensor.

New battery (interstate 24F)

New spark plugs and wires. One of the old ones was loose I discovered when changing them. The connector on one of the coil packs had blue corrosion I'll probably replace it.

Oil change

 

[repo]

Depending on the brand, it came from the factory that way. It's been said that many times people had NGKs on one side and Denso (I think) on the other from the factory. Just how they rolled down the line and what they had on the shelf on each side at the time. Mind blowing in a way, but apparently harmless.

The story goes there was something in the supplier contracts that meant Toyota had to use equal amounts of Denso and NGK plugs or something like that, so they simply put 3 of each in each vehicle.

 

[jarwil]

I see no mention of new Lower Ball Joints.

Previous owner had recent done them. Score for me :rockon:

 

[SpidermanGeek]

Previous owner had recent done them. Score for me :rockon:

 

[phattyduck]

Previous owner had recent done them. Score for me :rockon:

Just make 100% sure they are OEM, otherwise it was less than useful...

-Charlie

 

[John7M7]

Just make 100% sure they are OEM, otherwise it was less than useful...

-Charlie

You're making a good point. Some idiots will save a couple bucks and go aftermarket on crucial parts, make sure the PO wasn't that guy.

 

[Solidape]

Just make 100% sure they are OEM, otherwise it was less than useful...

-Charlie

So moog are no good? Why use OEM when they are the ones with the problem to begin with?

 

[SnowLizard]

So moog are no good? Why use OEM when they are the ones with the problem to begin with?

actually, OEM's 'might' fail after 125k miles... all after market's I have heard 'can fail' from 5k to 50k few 50+k ...

the point would be the OEM's only fail after they have WAY too many miles on them, they are a 50k mile part... but some have seen 250k no problem... where as the AM's just roll the die and let us know.

 

[Solidape]

actually, OEM's 'might' fail after 125k miles... all after market's I have heard 'can fail' from 5k to 50k few 50+k ...

the point would be the OEM's only fail after they have WAY too many miles on them, they are a 50k mile part... but some have seen 250k no problem... where as the AM's just roll the die and let us know.

I understand what you're saying.. but also I don't.

You say OEM's fail after way too many miles, but 125k is a low mileage toyota. I wouldn't expect to have to replace a LBJ yet on a "normal" car. What is it about the design of our LBJ that makes them so prone to going out prematurely? For that matter, why is it such a huge deal on the 4runner when the same thing can go out on any vehicle and cause the same issues with the front suspension.

 

[SnowLizard]

I understand what you're saying.. but also I don't.

You say OEM's fail after way too many miles, but 125k is a low mileage toyota. I wouldn't expect to have to replace a LBJ yet on a "normal" car. What is it about the design of our LBJ that makes them so prone to going out prematurely? For that matter, why is it such a huge deal on the 4runner when the same thing can go out on any vehicle and cause the same issues with the front suspension.

toyota says to replace the lower ball joints every 50k miles... just because you don't change them doesn't mean it will fail at 51k... or 250k... it's toyota's recommendation.

after markets have made the same part as OEM, but with weaker materials... so being weaker makes it more prone to failure.


The scare is this, you have weaker parts on a 'weak design'... IIRC... technically the lower ball joint is always in a 'pull out' force, where it's the lip of the ball joint housing keeping it together. if you have weaker materials, then i'll fail faster... for after market ball joints, there are threads on here of failure after 5k miles, other at 15k, and some at 35k... do you want the chance of unknown failure? or would you like to control when you replace parts and how many parts, whether you do it safely or at 15-65mph ?... < point... that's the scare.

 

[99Runnr]

Why change oil every 5k when the light comes on the dash? Why change timing belts on the 3.4 every 100k when it's not an interference engine? Some of us take care of things, an don't like breaking down. History has shown us aftermarket LBJ are just not reliable when these days, it's pretty much guaranteed to total your 4runner unless you fix it yourself, or roll over, or kill someone.

Entirely your gamble to take, but it's a big deal over probably any other wear item on these trucks, cause it IS critical to buy the right parts. The LBJ plays a very important role in the suspension design on these trucks, 100k mile wear item is not that big of a deal when it's $180 to replace both instead of $100 at Autozone and you don't bounce off your damn headliner in the meantime.

 

[Solidape]

I get it, its a crappy design that is prone to failure early. Also, the price of these ball joints is a lot more than a typical ball joint for other cars, at least, from what I'm seeing. No big deal, it just seems like someone would engineer something that would be stronger or last longer than these by now. I'm at 160k, so its time to check them out with the prybar and see how they are.

 

[phattyduck]

So moog are no good? Why use OEM when they are the ones with the problem to begin with?

My OEM joints hadn't broken by 270k miles. But it had an easy life (2WD, no wheeling - just dirt roads). Failure of the joint causes serious suspension failure.

The OEM parts last 5-10x longer than any of the aftermarket parts.

Ball joints are a wear part and need to be replaced periodically. OEM lasts the longest.

-Charlie

 

[SnowLizard]

it just seems like someone would engineer something that would be stronger or last longer than these by now.

I ABSOLUTELY agree!!! but I haven't found any, and no one else is coming up to the plate... but someday I hope someone does.

 

[4RunEver]

I bought a pair of nfab steps from a 5th gen owner today. If I can fab up some brackets, I think they're gonna look spot on!

 

[ZionXIX]

I get it, its a crappy design that is prone to failure early. Also, the price of these ball joints is a lot more than a typical ball joint for other cars, at least, from what I'm seeing. No big deal, it just seems like someone would engineer something that would be stronger or last longer than these by now. I'm at 160k, so its time to check them out with the prybar and see how they are.

I think we are forgetting the real problem here. Toyota designed great LBJs. They got carried away and designed the core of the vehicle to run so long that it outlasts the LBJs.

Seriously, I just had a conversation not too long ago with a relative of mine that decided to buy a new car because she was paranoid that her old one was going to break at any moment. Here car had 60,000 miles on it and she bought the same car just a newer year and no miles. Not a damn thing was wrong with that car. Where the majority of the populace sees 100,000 miles as the end of a vehicles life, the 4runner is barely out of high school.

And after all, if there is still demand for a part, Toyota will probably keep manufacturing it. Its more profitable to "treat" a problem than to "fix" it.

 

[Dale Bob]

Hi All. Since I don't have enough posts to start a thread I'll start here. I just took a 2000 SR5 on trade the other day. I had a feeling it would have frame issues and it does. I'm going to take it a shop tomorrow to get it up in the air for a look over and see how many placed the frame has rusted through. I did find a place that repairs frames and if its not too bad I may go that route. It's that or the junk yard. Body is good but I believe it has been ignored mechanically for a long time. Cords are showing on the inside of the front tires. Any input on the frame issue would be greatly appreciated.