mbakerwh

Hi yotatech--

I recently purchased a used '99 Tacoma 4x4 SR5 Extended Cab Standard transmission pickup with a Leer shell on the back. It had 224,000 on it when I bought it and now has about 225,200. I love it--Its awesome. I've had a 2wd 4Runner for about a year now (well, it's my girlfriends) and love that as well--But I finally got a full time job and had the money to invest in a good truck for myself. Unfortunately, yesterday I shredded a tire on my way home from work--hit a pothole and due to dry rot it totally fell apart. So today, I took it into a Goodyear shop, got a new set of 4 tires for about 650 bucks (not too bad, since they retailed for a lot more) and am back on the road. They also did an overall inspection of the truck and recommended a LOT of service. I wasnt really expecting all of the things they mentioned, given my understanding of vehicles (limited) and my experience driving it/comparing the ride to our 4runner.

Here's a list of everything they said needed to be done--
Tranny Flush Service (150)
Fuel/Induction System Clean (110)
Power Steering Fluid Exchange (90)
Rear Differential Drain/Refill (80)
Front Shocks and Struts (420)
Rear Shocks and Struts (220)

So, in total, about 1100 bucks in parts, labor, etc.
They also mentioned the timing belt and serpentine belt looked like they were starting to crack in places.

I'm curious to hear what folks think about each of these services they recommended, how urgently I need to think about doing them, etc. Also, never having done automotive work, how hard is it to do all of these things?

Thanks,
Matt

ohoktimmyg

Dont worry about any of it. Its all bull˟˟˟˟. These people exaggerate problems to generate business.

If you really wanted to get the things done you could go anywhere else and get better prices.

or learn to do the stuff on your own, because it will be way cheaper.

For example:
Power Steering Fluid Exchange (90) 30 mins, buy fluid
Rear Differential Drain/Refill (80) 10 mins, buy fluid

The only things you couldn't handle as a beginner would be the tranny flush and the timing belt.

Good luck

wyoming9

iTrader: (1)

Welcome to Yota tech!!

Really a hard call to make not seeing the truck.

Places like Goodyear are always trying to sell service.

At that mileage it could very well be due for another timing belt.

The fact that you did not take notice of the bad tires !!

Who really knows what kind of work was neglected

My advice if your not inclined to do the work hunt around for a shop or some one who knows Toyota`s and go from there.

Spend some time reading threads on here

Stetson_md

I'd let'em do the timing belt; and and tranny flush if you want it done ,but the rest is diy when you can get around to it kinda stuff.

hatda02

Welcome to YT.

As mentioned above, you might want to have the timing belt checked as that is more than basic work. Everything else in the list they are totally ripping you off. Even with minimal to no automotive experience you can do most with basic hand tools.

The list and the prices are BS. If they are doing the rear diff with that age and miles, they should also be doing the front diff. If they are doing the tranny, they should be doing the xfer case.

Tranny Flush Service (150) - This is BS. You have a stick, nothing really to flush. Drain and fill. A couple quarts of the good stuff will be 1/4 of this. Two bolts to remove. You will also do your transfer case while there. Two bolts as well.

Fuel/Induction System Clean (110) - Do some research on this and you can do it for a few bucks by adding some cleaners to your system.

Power Steering Fluid Exchange (90) - Buy a mighty vac and a couple quarts of PS fluid. Suck out the reservoir, fill, drive. Repeat two or three times. Do this every couple of years.

Rear Differential Drain/Refill (80) - Again, two bolts, couple quarts of fluid. You will also do the front at the same time.

Front Shocks and Struts (420) - These are a little harder than basic hand tools. A factory equivalent shock is about 50 bucks. So they are charging 300 in labor. You could get complete units for 130 to swap in - four bolts.

Rear Shocks and Struts (220) - Factory equivalent rears are between 20 and 40 each. Two bolts each shock.

You will also want to seriously consider exchanging your brake fluid and clutch fluid. A few minutes and a few bucks. It may not hurt to clean your cooling system which will included new coolant.

Uisge Beathe

For me personally, my answer resonates about the same as everyone else. Only...these jobs that take us 10 minutes here or there may not be a realistic expectation. OP does state "Also, never having done automotive work, how hard is it to do all of these things?". Not that the extra time investment should discourage you from doing the work, just expect that you will probably be going at it a little slower and taking your time.

There are other things to consider too such as access to tools or the investment in tools (not too many tools required for these jobs, Harbor Freight can get you wrenching on the cheap), a garage (or location) to do the work in, plastic bins to drain fluid into, containers to dump the old fluid in to take to recycle (obviously use the plastic the new fluids came in), so on and so forth.

My previous owner was using a Honey Badger to tighten and un-tighten some of my drain and fill plugs. They were completely rounded off, probably from using 12 point or maybe SAE sockets or the wrong tool completely, so I had to hit them with a grinder to put a point at each shoulder so my 6 point sockets could grab onto them. The Allen Key / Hex Wrench plug was completely rounded on the front diff...that was interesting.

I'm all for the OP to do this wrenching on his own because they are all pretty easy jobs (excluding timing belt) but I'm just saying there are other things to consider.

Heck...I remember a long time ago the very first time I changed my own oil I drained the transmission accidentally. It was on a front wheel drive car and the drain plugs were almost next to each other (so it seemed), one being more prominent than the other...guess which one. I was so embarrassed...I had the car up on one of the lifts at the base Hobby Shop, where you could work on your own vehicles. They had a few loaner tools and a few quarts of oil and incidentals but what they did not have was gear oil to fill my transmission back up with. I took up a lift overnight because my tranny was drained and it wasn't until the next day I could catch a ride with a friend to go get some gear oil...then as an added bonus there was no fill plug. I had to fashion a long skinny funnel by rolling some wax coated paper into a very thin cone and filling it through a very small hole that was just plugged with a rubber nipple on the top of the transmission, the fill hole was so recessed that paper funnel had to be like a foot and a half long and could only be a couple of inches wide to fit all the way down.

I laugh now but could've died from embarrassment.

Nervo19

Don't let them do any of that work. They aren't generally the best mechanics and they charge as much as dealerships. Let them do tires and alignment. Find a repair place that specializes in foreign cars. I've been using a place near me for at least 15 years that charges half of what a dealer would charge. You should have the timing belt and water pump looked at and change the fluids. Shocks can wait until you have more $$.

mbakerwh

A quick note on the tires--I did notice the dry rot and was planning to replace this winter/spring but it turned out they had been recalled as well--But only for the original purchaser, which was the previous owner. Some off-brand tire company that was screwing people. So a blessing in disguise I guess, at least it didnt happen going 80 on the highway.

Awesome, thanks for all that advice and welcoming me to YT. I figured as much for most of the services--I havent ever changed my own oil, always just had our local mechanics do it in MA--But we just moved here and I havent found anyone good, trustworthy, and local around here. I do have a garage, plastic bins, and most of the tools needed (a basic socket set and assorted screwdrivers) to do most everything--It's more that I've never really done auto work that scares me. But I should probably just suck that up and start somewhere, eh?

Thanks again for the advice and help--I'll probably start to work on the fluids now, get the timing belt either done for me or find a friend who's more comfortable doing it with me, and get the struts done sometime this winter.

Looking forward to many more miles with my beast!

-matt

Uisge Beathe

Just a quick suggestion, always make sure that you can get the fill plug off first BEFORE you remove the drain plug.

Nothing like draining your fluids and finding out the fill plug has been completely rounded off.

Kevin_A

These things don't all need done at once. Like others have said, do what it takes to make your ride safe, then tackle the other things later.

Pick a task, do all the research you need, then buy the part/fluid/tools/whatever and go to it. If you have to wait for your next paycheck for the parts and tools you need for the next job, well, that will give you time to research it as well !! Eventually you will have the tools and know how to do it, that's when it get's fun!

Do a search here for help, you'll be glad you did.

My son brought his pickup home a few weeks ago, the stealership told him what all needed done and quoted him $1400 !!! He was worried what to do, but we got the parts and fluids, and luckily I had the tools, and after $120 and an afternoon spent working, he was headed home!

chadsy

This will save you mucho dinero

• Tranny Flush Service (150)
  • http://home.centurytel.net/stevenjac...sh/tranny.html
• Fuel/Induction System Clean (110)
  • Seafoam treatment through the gas tank & PVC
• Power Steering Fluid Exchange (90)
  • http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-ge...ing-flush.html
• Rear Differential Drain/Refill (80)
  • http://www.4runners.org/writeups/difftsf/
  • 2004 Toyota 4Runner Driveline Service -EricTheCarGuy - YouTube
• Front Shocks and Struts (420)
  • Easy!
• Rear Shocks and Struts (220)
  • Easy!