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My ‘01 just went over 469,000 the other day. Original engine & transmission, purchased new. Two timing belt jobs and a complete transmission flush every 100k.
My ‘01 just went over 469,000 the other day. Original engine & transmission, purchased new. Two timing belt jobs and a complete transmission flush every 100k.
Unlike Andreas's showroom quality truck, mine has seen a little more rough treatment. I tow a 3,000#, high profile trailer with it, and that's shortening it's life. All the same, my list of "repairs" is very little more than routine maintenance.
I bought the truck in 2015 with 189,000 miles. At that point, timing belts, two rear axle seals and shock replacements was all that happened (aside from plugs and oil changes).
I quickly caught up on some delayed maintenance: radiator and hoses, shocks, fuel filter, drained/flushed all fluids, new valve cover gaskets, plugs and wires.
2nd timing belt/water pump job done at 250,000.
Leaf springs (casualty of my towing and previous owners house renovation/dump trips, plus springs meant for offroad comfort, not heavy loads) at 260,000 (ish).
Somewhere in the 270,000s was my first ever time stranded on the side of the road, due to a failed rear wheel bearing. I'm sure due to my towing. My trailer's tongue weight is in the 300lb range, plus a lot of gear in the back and often a canoe on top.
So I had both rear bearings and axle seals replaced. Then started the saga of one side leaking again a week after the work, again a couple months after. Switched mechanics and so far so good.
290,000, new front shocks and coils, lower control arm bushings. Cat.
Not a completely exhaustive list, which no one's interested in anyway There's a cv in there somewhere, along with steering rack bushing, inner & outer tie rod ends.
Really pretty good. Deciding now a. if I can afford gas to take a trip down to the desert this spring and b. if the truck is up for it. I think it is, but my gas mileage and power have been a bit off lately, and I had a check engine light that's gone now and I didn't manage to diagnose.
I'm thinking my paint job is still plenty good to justify a wax every now and then...Maybe I'll start.
I'll add that since putting on the black steel wheels, I've started getting compliments from both friends and strangers. Had two random guys over the last couple weeks say something like "that's a nice truck" as I got out. Combination of the fact that they just don't make anything like this anymore, and honestly it's amazing the difference in looks between old alloy rims and black steelies meant for the spare tire. They've got a bit of an old military vehicle look to them.
Sorry, I just had to join the crowd.
I get that when I'm driving any of my vehicles around town, although the two 87's REALLY need a new paint job.
You would be amazed how many first and second gen 4Runners live in Klamath Falls. Heck, I live about 20 miles north of it, little town called Chiloquin. VERY small town, but longest continually inhabited town in the USA. As far as the science types can tell, about 11,000 years now. Pretty incredible, to my mind. Had no idea when I moved here. It was just a nice, small, town, well away from Yuma. I hate Yuma!
I pulled into the four-way stop we have, yeah the only 4 way there is in town, and sat there staring at the other three 1st gen 4Runners there with me. Amazing in a town this size. We sat and stared at one another for a few, then off we went, in our 4 directions. Let ya know how any we have around here?
Every winter, the Toyota's come out of estavation (summer hibernation) in their hundreds. Every time I go into Klamath, I look at all the Toyotas driving around. Really surprizing how many there are.
Just a note, whenever you loose a rear axle seal, make sure to verify that the differential breathers are clean and clear. Nothing will fail rear axle seals like a clogged breather!
A good quality ceramic coating will help preserve that beautiful paint job, it really will. I got my 99 done, and not only is it nice and shiney, it's slick as heck. The snow just sliiiides off, like it was a non-stick pan! Just use brushless car wash, or soft cloths, and the guy that did the coating said it can last up to 5-7 years. A lot easier than waxing it
Even works like RainX on the windshield. Water beads up and rolls off. I haven't had it in a good rain storm yet, but I'm not concerned. I really like the effect it has so far.
Thanks. It is amazing how many are around. Plenty up here in MT, too. I wish I could have held on to my older ones, but my life is too mobile.
I do occasionally check my breathers, and they're always clear. I know the first owner had a seal leak, and the second owner. Mine never leaked until the axle bearing blew out, taking the seal with it. After that it was the mechanic who replaced them. It wasn't that he did a terrible job, but I live in a town of domestic ranch trucks. He doesn't have experience with Toyota-specific problems, or some of the specialized tools, like the one to get the bearings/retainers off without resorting to large hammers and torches. Since bringing the truck up to my preferred mechanic a couple hours a way, I've had no leaks.
06-26-2020, 12:59 PM
There's a cv in there somewhere, along with steering rack bushing, inner & outer tie rod ends.
