Okay, thought I'd shore up some maintenance issues and did so this weekend.
-new cap and rotor, cap looked almost new, slight corrosion on rotor but I did it anyways.
-new spark plugs, old ones looked okay, but time for new ones
-plug wires, aftermarket "lifetime" set. Looked like crap when removed.
-new fuel filter. Holy crap. what a pain in the arse that thing was, I'm gonna be sore from working on that. The old one had ugly fuel coming out when removed so I'm glad i did it, but I don't want to do it again it was sooo painfull.
-drained and refilled transfer case. Looked like new
-drained and refilled differentials. Looked like new coming out.
-fixed wires of rear window defrost, hope it works now!

Wanted to flush the radiator and coolant, but couldn't find those dang engine block plugs and the fuel filter took so long that I ran out of time. Will probably have someone else do this along with transmission service, repacking wheel bearings.

I have decided to wait for the hoses, belts, and thermostat. Belts and hoses "appear" to be in good shape and I'm banking on the thermostat being OK for awhile too!


Seems to run better, but that may be me rationalizing for the time and money that I spent.


These service intervals are killing me. I"m only putting 3-4,000 miles a year on my Runner but manual says to replace on time intervals as well.

 

A lot of these time intervals can be ignored. The only service items that I follow based upon time and mileage are my oil changes, coolant flushes, and timing belts. Everything else is not subject to time intervals, only mileage.

 

repacking the wheel bearings really isn't all that hard...might want to give it a shot yourself.

here is a write-up with step-by-step instructions

http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/maintenance/front_end

 

What is the time interval on the timing belt? 6 years? I 3 years I'll have to do it again and only have 30,000 miles on it!!!!!!!!!!

P.S. Thanks for the tip on the wheel bearing pack. But its football season now and w/ 2 a days and such (I coach) I won't have the time.

 

im having my fuel filter done...just cause im having CV boots done and its easier to pay someone than for such difficult work, NTM I have insufficent tools for the job. I dont know about timing belts, but my timing chain has something like 90K interval.....im prolly due in 40K, I might rebuild the thing with the Engnbldr kit, if i have the cash.

 

which engine do you have (22R/RE 4cyl or 3.0 6cyl)?

if the 22R/RE, you do have a timing chain, but it does not have a regular replacement interval. you pretty much just replaced it whenever the timing chain guides get munched. i suppose if you were really anal, you might want to check it for stretching every once in a great while, but mostly just wait for the guides to get munched. (it will make a rattle at about 2800RPM...can be verified by pulling valve cover and shining flashlight down front of engine.)

if you have the 3.0, you have a timing belt, not a timing chain. that does have a replacement interval.

eb's t-chain kit only costs like $50-$60. not sure about 3.0 t-belt kit...if he even offers one.