droppdwn said:
I still have a healthy level of concern for longevity and reliability, but then again that's why I'm buying a Toyota. I don't remember a head gasket recall on the 3.4L V6 though... My old 3.0L had one, but have any of you heard of one for the 3.4? Maybe it was just that first year.
This is a good way to spawn a new topic though: What spare parts do I bring to Armenia with me?
The list that I have tentatively is as follows:
Brake Pads
1 front driveshaft (with the cv boots)
1 rear half shaft (don't know the correct nomenclature for half of the rear axle) and are they interchangeable like the front?
Fuel filter
Oil Filters
2 air filters (it's dusty there)
Upper and lower radiator hoses / Clamps
Locker actuator parts?
U joints?
2 extra tires (anyone have a wheel recommendation (light and cheap preferably)
I can't ship oil or liquids so...
If you are going to take brake pads, might as well take a pair of brake shoes too - especially if one of the axle seals decides to go (hopefully not though).
The rear axle shafts are interchangeable as are the fronts.
I have 122,000 miles on my original u-joints, with no problems thus far. I guess they are small enough that it wouldn't hurt to take a spare or two.
If you want a light/cheap wheel, try for a stock Toyota alloy wheel of that year.
In addition to your list, the following things come to mind:
1. Hose clamps that will fit your CV boots (or HD zip-ties)
2. Some CV grease (does that qualify as oil or liquid?)
3. 32mm socket to remove the wheel nut on the front CV axle. (verify your particular nut though! It may be 34mm)
4. A pair of spare c-clips that go on the inner CV axle stub
5. Spark plugs
6. If poor/dirty fuel is an issue - you might want to take (2) filters and change the first one after x-amount of miles regardless if it feels like it needs it or not.
7. A spare set of bolts (4 or even only 2) for the lower ball-joint knuckle. (the reason for this is because you will remove these bolts to change a broken CV axle, and if you strip them, or damage the heads you are SOL).
8. Spare lamp bulbs (not sure what will be avail. there)
9. Fuses
10. moly-grease for drive shafts (does that qualify as oil or liquid?)
11. Cheater bar for lug wrench (1 1/4" x 36" galv. pipe) - or cross-type lug wrench
12. Tire repair kit with lots of plugs and a sidewall patch
13. JB weld
14. Duct tape
15. Bailing wire
16. Thermostat (I have never needed mine though)
Before you go, check to see if the Toyota red coolant will be avail. when you get there. If not, then if you ever need to change coolant, be sure to completely flush the red coolant out of the system (pressurized flush) and then add whatever is available. If there is any way you can stick to a non-silicate coolant, do it.
Regarding the HG recall, yea - I think on that very early run of the 4Runner/Tacoma, there was a recall on the 3.4 - but I am not 100% sure. You should be able to call Toyota to verify.
If I think of anything else, I will post it.