OK here's the deal. I took my car in for a 30k major service for my '01 4runner SR5 V6. Its at 85k right now.

Here's the breakdown:

Major Service: $300

By priority:

They suggested that

I was wondering if I can get some aftermarket brand tires for around the same price. Some good looking aggressive ones without loss in mpg.

They said that usually timing belts are replaced at 90k but I don't notice any difference in the ride right now. Would I noticed something if there was something wrong with the timming belt?

They said that they need to clean out my speed control valve. According to them there some hesitation on the throttle. I did notice that a little. But isn't that kinda expensive for just cleaning that out? Can I do that my self? If so can someone link me to directions for doing that?

Right now I'm not too crazy about spending that kind of money can someone give me some advice?

 

The only thing I would do on that list is the timing belt and probably the water pump.

Get some tires at Discount Tire or similar. I don't understand the "fuel injection" service they are quoting you. The speed control valve? What is that, some fancy term for "throttle body?" A throttle body cleaning is very easy. Do that yourself and run some injector cleaner through.

 

I was quoted $699.01 for 265/75/16 Revos before $75 mail in rebate. That was tires, tax, mounting, balancing, everything right out the door. Yes, you can get much better aftermarket tires for the money. The allignment would be additional.

Timing belt? You will not notice anything and it will go out messing up a ton of stuff when it does. Definately worth the money to get it swapped now.

I'm not too sure about the other stuff.

 

your avg 31" tire is balparkish $100 per tire. buy the rubber online, take it to walmart for mount ballance, if your current tires are worn evenly and it tracks straight down the highway skip the alignment.

timming belt for $235?!?!?! i know on the older trucks its about $600 not including water pump etc. Ive also heard the new belts (new technology materials) are good for 100K+

cleaning the intake/TPS isnt that hard, but then again isnt something you would HAVE to do either.

i see no reason to take the truck to a stealership.

IMHO

 

Just say no to dealership tires...search on here for Revos if you want a good all season tire or bfg A/T if you want to do a little more serious wheelin. Yes do the timing belt, you don't want to be goin back in in a couple months to have it done. I dunno what a speed control valve is, ask what they are doing for "fuel injection" if they say cleaning it ask how, the only proper (and worthwhile) way is ultrasonic cleaning and i kind of doubt your dealer has that...good luck

 

The 3.4 is pretty easy to do. The dealer's around here often send out coupons to do the service for $209. They bank on the person needing drive belts and a water pump, pushing the total service bill up closer to $500 with labor.

As for the new technology materials, I would agree they are probably better. However, it is best to follow the recommended service interval.

 

I'm a nub can someone direct me on how to clean the throttle body or paste a link. Thanks.

 

https://www.yotatech.com/~corey/tech...b/haveblue.htm

 

You guys are the sh!@#.. Thanks for all the helpful info.

In conclusion. I took the advice of changing my timming belt. I called up a couple dealerships and they said that they would change the timming belt for $209. So I told the current dealership thats doing my major service if they can do it for 200.. and got it approved =). So total I'm spending today is roughly $500 all together for major service and changing the timming belt.

As for the other stuff I'm going to clean the throttle body myself and for the tires I'm going to do some more shopping.

I was shopping on tirerack.com and saw the revos they look bada$$... I was wondering if they're great on-road as well.. I don't really do much off-road driving its rare but I want all weather tires. My stock tires I was averaging about 19mpg... I don't want my runner to drop in mpg below that. I need suggestions on some bada$$ looking tires that wont hurt my mpgs and that will fit on my stock wheels' thanks.

 

For your described needs, the Revos would be a great choice.
Some others are Yokohama Geolander AT II and Nitto Terra Grappler.
Check out www.tires.com
They have great prices and free shipping

 

FWIW- We (Firestone) guarantee to beat competitors prices by 5% on comparable tires.

 

terryjmatthew,

"FWIW- We (Firestone) guarantee to beat competitors prices by 5% on comparable tires."

I'm about to get a set of Revos with the new $75 off promo, do they match online pricing like tires.com or tirerack.com? Thanks in advance

 

Don't know what "policy" is on that, but once you figure in shipping and then paying someone to mount and balance...
We would probably be cheaper anyway.

 

If its an auto tranny I'd also get the transmission flushed.

I like to buy tires at a place that gives lifetime balancing with purchase. That way you can keep getting them rebalanced for free through the life of the tires. I've probably had my BFGs rebalanced 7 or 8 times since I bought them and they still have more than a half-inch of thread left.