My wifes 4Runner ???

[Gear]

Hello Toyota Fans,
My wife has been driving a 2001 Toyota 4Runner with an Automatic since new. She just passed 90,000 miles. NO real problems to date.(2 broken electronic radio antennas). I am usually one to trade vehicles in well before this milage happens. Must be a Jeep thing. Well the wife loves this vehicle and says it is good to go another 100,000 miles. The problem or answer depending on how you look at it is she does not let me touch it. The questions -- what kind of preventative measures should be taken at 90,000 miles. We have done fluids along the way but not fan belts or tune ups. What is needed.

The second one is the suspension is shot.(bounces) Also looks like a low rider even thought it is a 4x4. What suspension should I put on it. Stock, DR or something different. Remember she is not into mods, but I think it is a safety issue at this point.

Third - do I just convince her to sell it to one of you fine folks. Continue to think that vehicles are disposable at 90,000.

What do you think

Thanks

 

[SOAZ]

Do the timing belt, while at it do the water pump too.
I'd do a tranny flush, front and rear diffs and transfer case.
Should be good for another long while.
I'm at about 130k and haven't done anything else.

My year 01 and 02 are considered the lowrider years for the 3rd gen 4runners.
Lots of people order a kit called the 99 springs (this will add an inch an a half in lift because 99 runners where the highest)
You could also do a performance products 1 inch lift with 5100 bilsteins. You will get almost 2 inches of lift because of lowrider year. Check out Steve's stuff at www.sonoransteel.com
He is an expert on these.
Good luck and I'd trust my girl to drive cross country in my 4runner despite the miles. They're bullet proof.

 

[kcowyo]

If she likes it, keep it. Easier to keep 'em happy than make 'em happy IMO.

At 90K do the timing belt, new shocks and brakes then let 'er roll. Our '99 is at 105K and I bought it with the knowledge, not necessarily the intention, that it would go 250K with a little TLC along the way.

I just put new 265/75 KO's on hers (no susp mods) and she needs new shocks. I'll likely stay in the stock realm for her shocks. I might upgrade a little but if she doesn't really notice or appreciate new suspension components, why drop the coin on them?

 

[TD64]

My Tacoma recently turned 90K and I had the 90K service done at Toyota of Escondido (link to current coupon). I added the timing belt and water pump (leaking). I would also recommend you change all belts at this time (get some new wipers too). My suspension is tired and an upgrade is coming soon!

I was out of town for a couple of weeks and my wife had my truck detailed while I was gone! My Tacoma looks and drives like new. I plan on keeping this truck for a long time.

 

[crawler#976]

Here's some info from my 90K service.

http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5619&highlight=timing+belt

 

[DaveInDenver]

LOL, 90K! I've always bought my Toyotas from people selling them at 100K. The 1984 ended up at 250K miles when I sold it (still running) and my truck right now is at 194K... The only reason my truck didn't make well over 200K on the engine was beyond normal control. There was a SNAFU with the non-Toyota timing parts I installed at 145K and so it suffered through the next 40K miles despite having less than good internal parts. It finally gave up at 187K and even that was graceful and gave me a couple of months warning.

I would consider a 90,000 mile old 3rd gen 4Runner just barely broken in. SOAZ's suspension suggestions, the preventative maintenance and be happy. You'll notice the owner's manual has suggested maintenance beyond 100K. That's for a reason... When you hit the end maintenance mileage, just start again at the 30K things.

 

[Cackalak Han]

Mine just turned 90k, too. I am going to do the timing belt, water pump, and check the cooling system. All fluids replaced and she should be good to go for a long time.

Oh, I can see the swaybar bushings starting to crack, so I am going to change that out with some poly ureth. (summer though. Too cold outside now!).

I love my 3rd Gen 4Runner. However, the 4.0L is very tempting.

 

[Gear]

Thanks everyone. Looks like I will be calling Toyota for a service. Won't be the first time, but I will need to look up that number. It is not on the speed dial.

Thanks again!!!!

 

[Ryanmb21]

Thanks everyone. Looks like I will be calling Toyota for a service. Won't be the first time, but I will need to look up that number. It is not on the speed dial.

Thanks again!!!!

While you're at it, put synthetic oil in the diff's and transfer case....I picked up 1+MPG...

 

[Terracoma]

You won't find it anywhere in print, and the service writer at the dealership will do his absolute best to assure you that it will "last the life of the vehicle", but I would also consider having the fuel filter replaced (in addition to the standard 90,000 miles service)... I have serious doubts that a $25 piece of equipment will maintain 100% efficiency through and after 90,000 miles of use.

But that's just my two-copper-Lincolns.

 

[TD64]

Thanks everyone. Looks like I will be calling Toyota for a service. Won't be the first time, but I will need to look up that number. It is not on the speed dial.

Thanks again!!!!

I have been using Toyota of Escondido for the past ten or so years and I have nothing but good things to say about them!

I have found them to be very fair and helpful, however, keep in mind that they have goals to meet, so, the person doing the service may recommend something to help meet their weekly/monthly goal. Know the game, know what you need and work with the service writer to play the game and only get the work done that your Toyota needs!

My service writer is:
Douglas Millikan
(760) 796-3843
dmillikan@toyotaescondido.com

Shoot me a PM is you want to discuss the dealership service web.

 

[toy_tek]

I agree with all the above recommendations:

• Timing belt, water pump & thermostat
• Accessory belts
• Fluid flush
• Bushings: swaybar and steering rack... use poly for both

Also would add

• Bearings for idler pulleys (coincides with timing belt)
• Check rear brake wear & adjustment. This prevents warping of front rotors.
• Replace rear axle seals... if they aren't leaking they will soon.
• Spark plug replacement
• Clean Idle Air Control valve (IAC)

Those are the only issues I've had till now at 149k. Bought mine with 49k.

Enjoy another 100k out of it.

 

[Grim Reaper]

LOL, 90K! I've always bought my Toyotas from people selling them at 100K. The 1984 ended up at 250K miles when I sold it (still running) and my truck right now is at 194K... The only reason my truck didn't make well over 200K on the engine was beyond normal control. There was a SNAFU with the non-Toyota timing parts I installed at 145K and so it suffered through the next 40K miles despite having less than good internal parts. It finally gave up at 187K and even that was graceful and gave me a couple of months warning.

I would consider a 90,000 mile old 3rd gen 4Runner just barely broken in. SOAZ's suspension suggestions, the preventative maintenance and be happy. You'll notice the owner's manual has suggested maintenance beyond 100K. That's for a reason... When you hit the end maintenance mileage, just start again at the 30K things.

My 4Runner had 205K when I elected to rebuild the motor (actually I bought a core motor and rebuilt it and swapped when it was done so that I didnt have any real downtime). Fact is the problem I was chasing was not as much the motor as I thought. I probably could have got another 50k.

The issue I has is the motor blew a head gasket at 190k. The PO took it to a hack shop that exchanged the head. The head they got back was cut excessively. The valves were ground too deep and the they were not trimmed down so they hit the rockers at the wrong angle and could not be adjusted properly. I sold the motor for $300 it ended up in a competition rock crawler for a while is my understanding. I do not know if he swapped the head or not.

Do the general maintenance and drive it for another 5-6 years.