Hello all, (here's where you say "HI Chris!")

Anyway, I just wanted to say hi and introduce myself.

Hi.

My name's Chris and I live in Northern Virginia. I like to hunt, go camping, and generally play in the forest. I just bought my first 4Runner last week. I've been a "Toyota man" for some time, but this is my first Toyota truck. It's replacing my aging Paseo (190k miles and still runs great). My 4Runner is a 1997 SR5 with power everything, V6, 5spd, and only 58k miles. So far, my wife and I love it. She's going to use it as a daily driver (her commute's much shorter than mine) and I'll use it for a hunting/camping vehicle (playtime!).

Most of my offroad driving consists of barely maintained forest roads (sometimes not maintained at all) with some forays off the road for various reasons. Around here, forest roads tend to be hardpack with lots of rocks of various sizes. Generally, a car can clear them, but not always. When we do get off the road, the terrain tends to be soft soil with lots of rocks mixed in. Snow happens, but rarely gets over 10".

I'm looking forward to tweaking this truck. I've been reading as much as I can lately and driving my wife nuts with some of the changes I want to make (she thinks it's good enough as it is ).

Ok, got some questions:
I need new tires. I have the optional 16" rims (currently shod with 265/70-16 Wrangler RTS). I'm thinking about going to 265/75 for a better selection, lower price, and more clearance. What are some good tires for mixed driving. Noise is unimportant, but it needs to be decent on the street and capable on the type of terrain I described above. I've heard good things about BFG TA/KO and Michelin LTX. Any other good ones?

I didn't get an owners manual. I am going to get one, but for the time being, what are the service items that need to be done for a 4Runner with 60k miles. What should've been done in the last 20k and what is coming up in the next 20k.

Are there any good truck stores in Northern Va or SW Va?
Are there any good offroad spots in those two regions (or within an hour's drive).

Thanks,
Chris

 

Chris welcome to the board! I have BFG's on my truck and love them! They aren't very loud and seem to work well on all types of surfaces. Some complain they are no good in the mud but I don't use mine in deep mud anyways.

 

Welcome to the board. As for tires... look at Bridgestone Dueler ATs. I'm currently running them and I like them far better then BFG ATs (though that's just me). My Duelers are much better in the rain and snow, and when aired down can handle most non-extreme off-road terrain.

I gotta ask... you're username... mtnbkr - you ride?

 

Guys, thanks for the info. The Duelers are on my list, but I'm still researching. How about Pirelli Scorpion A/T's? They seem to get good reviews.

Also, I currently have 265/70s on my Runner. What is your opinions on going to 265/75s? They seem to be more common and less expensive in many cases. Will the power loss be noticeable with my V6 (mods are forthcoming, the K&N is on the way)? I plan to tow a popup camper in the future (probably less than 2200 gross) in some pretty steep mountain areas (near West Va).

jacksonpt, I used to ride a lot, but not so much these days . I even raced Sport class for a season (got tired of being spanked by Expert capable riders who wouldn't move up to the proper class).

Chris

 

I liked my Dueler MT's. They weren't too loud. Performed excellent both on and off road. I ran a 265/75/16 w\ stock suspension and had no trouble at all. Also they have excellent tread life.

 

I looked at them before I got my Duelers... but my dealer told the they don't wear well. He had seen a lot of them need replacing after 25k miles. He actually recommended a cheaper tire to me than the scorpions, so I know he wasn't in it for the buck.

 

Welcome!

I went with these and love them!



Check out my full write-up here with more pictures:

Best all season tire, pics and write-up

 

Welcome,

I will have 265/75/16 Dueller A/T's on my 99 this week.

I currently have 265/70/16 Dueller A/T's and have been very impressed. Quiet (for an A/T), good in the wet, stable in the dry and fair/good in the snow. Wear has been good.

I researched Scorpions and got a few too many negatives about balance and wear although a couple of folks here use them.

I had 265/75/16's Michelin LTX A/T on my 96 with no lift and they rubbed under extreme conditions but after about 5k, they were fine.

Only negatives were slightly poorer ride as the /75's have thicker side walls with more plys and a little more roll (expected from a taller profile tire)

They were incredible wearing but I felt were not so good in the wet...snow performance was fair/good.

David

 

Uh...these guys pretty much covered the tire part, so...

HI CHRIS How are you?

:fireman:

 

Doing fine, just trying to learn all this stuff

Chris

 

These guys get excited about tires, I'll try to answer the rest of the question. Welcome Aboard!! Get the BFGs.

60 K is the interval for a major tune up. The first thing that comes to mind is the timing belts. They are inside the motor and you have to take a lot of stuff off to get to them. Check your radiator and heater hoses, fan A/C & alt belts . Completely change all of your fluids with possible exception of brake fluid and power steering. Replace the coolant, transmition fluid, diff oil, transfer oil, motor oil. Lube the drive shafts and universal joints. Also lower your spare tire, lube the mechanism, and raise it again. Make sure you have everything you need to change a flat and make sure you know how the cable spare system works.

 

I personally use Goodyear MT/R's and love them....no probs whatsoever!! Also, welcome to the board!!! You will find a great deal of usefull infomation and a whole bunch of really nice people to deal with!!

 

Ugh. I was hoping the V6 was a timing chain instead of belts. Is the engine an interference design? The hoses and belts are fine, I've already checked those. I gotta get specs for the different oil changes. I've already checked out the spare tire system. Pretty neat IMO.

There goes a weekend

Chris

 

Believe me, you don't want a timing chain breaking in a Toy engine.
The 20 & 22R & E series have the chain.
If it breaks, so does the posiblilty of your engine.

With the 3.0 & 3.4 V6, it's a timing belt, and non interference.
It if breaks, the engine stops, but no damage can concour.

Techs, if I am wrong on this, please correct me, but this is what I have been told since I have had Toyota's.
Corey

 

Hey Chris,

I've got the scorpions and I like them so far. There's about 10k miles on them and they seem to be wearing just fine. When the guy mounted them he said they balanced up real easily. I even noticed that one of my wheels doesn't even have any weights (or maybe I lost it off roading).



They seem to do real well in the snow, rain and rocks. Their only downfall is thick mud, they don't clean very well but then again, they're not mud tires. The duelers and bfg are the most popular ATs around here, with the bfgs the best for off roading (but not by much). I wouldn't get the LTXs for off road, they're great on road though.

The MTRs are the hottest pure off road tire out there right now, but you don't need them for hunting. If you wait for the Jeep Rubicon to come out then there will probably be a lot of 31s on the market.

jx pretty much covered the maintenance part.

Don't get the KN filter, it's a waste of money. Do the deckplate mod instead. You can read about that in the FAQ section on the main page (near the bottom).

Steve

 

You will. It just takes time! I didn't know squat when I was here. Well, now I still don't know squat, but I do know alittle bit! Have fun, that is the most important part. :fireman:

 

Yup, I'm just trying to be a sponge right now. What's scaring me is my tendency to rebuild mechanical item I have to "make it better". Stock is never good enough. With this vehicle, I have to restrain myself since my loving wife will be driving it to work (she's a preschool teacher). Can't have her climbing into a jacked up, firebreathing monster truck can we?

Chris

 

And the problem with that would be??

 

Hi chris

what can i add about tires ,
there made of rubber and you need them to get the rig to roll the way it is intended to . I run on yokahama geolanders and as yet i have not tried them off road .

 

I had Scorpions on my 94 truck and had no problem getting around in the wet and the snow. On my 4Runner I have Michelin LTX A/T's and find them to be ok but not as well on wet roads as the Scorpions.