does the timing belt etc., need to be replaced on my 1997 4runner it has 127000 miles

 

If it's not been done before (or if you don't know) then yes, it needs to be done. Toyota says every 60,000 for the 97 iirc. It's every 90,000 for newer 3rd gens so I tend to do it some time between. Many of us have had good luck with kits from aircabinman over on Ebay, he has a few to choose from. I personally prefer the ones with mainly Toyota parts, especially for the timing components, water pump and thermostat. Also consider replacing the drive belts and rad hoses since they have to come off to do the job, and if it's time to.

One of his kits:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/15-Piece-3-4...item2a144a37e8

You'll also want to have a torque wrench that can handle 217 ft lbs...

 

Just be aware he sells like two kits one is all Factory Toyota Parts from Toyota

The other is the same parts from the Original parts vendors

 

Thank you for your input.....aircabinman it is then....

 

Thank you for your input....aircabinman it is then....

 

You're welcome and heed what Wyoming9 says too....good advice.

If you don't have a hydraulic tensioner tool and don't want to deal with the original tensioner, also has drive belts:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/15-Piece-3-4...=item2a144a37e

There's a kit without the tensioner as well.

A write-up I like if you want some info:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/15-Piece-3-4...item2a144a37e8
There's many write-ups and videos to choose from.

and a few piddly notes from my last tb job (I have only done 3 and am not even a shade-tree mechanic) starting post 3102:
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f200...l#post52360070

There's a couple different torque values for the crankshaft pulley floating around, 184 and 217 ft lbs.
I use 217 ft lbs.