What have you done to your 4th Gen 4Runner today?

IF you end up doing the timing belt, I highly, highly recommend getting the Aisin belt kit -

$183 AISIN TKT-021 Engine Timing Belt Kit with Water Pump - Compatible with Select Lexus GS400, GS430, GX470, LS400, LS430, LX470, SC400, SC430 Toyota 4Runner, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Tundra

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008EEYWKI

Cheaper then OEM, uses almost all OEM parts and has everything you need for the job, minus coolant.

 

Confirming with my dad about a second timing belt, sticker on the timing cover says it was done at 117k miles, but if they didn't do it (shame on them since its over due) this is all that i would be doing:

- new LCA's
- new drivers side CV axle
- timing belt and all associated parts (water pump, tensioner and pulleys, etc) the kit linked above
- radiator and thermostat

ugh, looking at a couple grand at least. I love working on cars and can work on cars, but both my wife and i work full time, plus a one and a half year old... will have to pay to have all this done.

 

i'm going to order this kit. Is Amazon solid for it? or should i look for it from somewhere else?

 

Got mine off Amazon. It's safe, that's the link I used and have had saved.

 

Reboot the original CV axle, no need to replace it most likely. Both inner boots were torn on mine when I got it with 289k miles on it and they are the original CVs. Still in there with new boots and over 331k on the truck now.

Why the radiator? That's not part of doing the timing belt. Is it still the original one or has it been replaced before?

 

Radiator only because he said they’re signs of crustiness on the top so he thinks it’s starting to leak. I’ll check with my own eyes, but yes it’s the original radiator. Figure do the thermostat at the same time if I do the radiator.

ill look into just rebooting the cv as well.

 

OK, the rad makes sense then if it's the original and is starting to show those signs. Better safe than sorry there.

OEM CV axles are usually superior to the aftermarket refurbs. If you can keep the originals with just a reboot, I'd recommend that over replacing them. Shops want to replace rather than reboot as it makes them more money and takes less time.

Have them replace the axle seal when they pull that CV. The originals don't usually hold up after the CV is pulled out and reinstalled. New one is cheap insurance against a leak there.

 

Hey do you know if this is the right P/N?0442760141
CV Joint Boot Kit (Left, Right, Front)

because there is also this part:

0443760042
CV Joint Boot Kit (Left, Right, Front)

the Toyota parts site says they both fit my year 4runner and they look the same but are different prices. Just a little confused.

 

Cooper STT Pros MTs but I have had Nitto Ridge Grapplers in the past... Ridge Grapplers are the quietest iv tried so far my guess because it is a hybrid... also all the rest were MTs tho

 

I'm honestly not sure, they have so many variations, it's difficult to tell.

I'd suggest either going to your local dealer to get them or buy these - https://www.offroadsolutions.com/products/replacement-cv-boot/

They have both inner and outer, depending on which you need and it's a better material than the stock boots.

 

Ordered, thanks for providing the link.

 

New CV axles, JBA upper control arms, 1A auto lower control arms, and a steering rack. Also ordered a front bumper from Coastal Off-road

 

Dropped her off for the timing belt maintenance plus misc parts.

 

This is turning into a much more expensive endeavor than I anticipated. Many more 'new' parts being found that need replacing since its all apart. The ol' might as well replace it since you're in there scenario.

 

It happens. Just keep in mind that you paid a very good price for a vehicle, that once these repairs are done, will last a lifetime. The V8 4Runners will just keep going. It's a worthy investment.

 

Got the 4Runner back today… here’s everything they did:

- new oem LCAs
- new oem drivers side CV axle
- new oem radiator, thermostat, hoses and cooling fan pulley/bracket
- new timing belt (Aisin kit) and oem drive belt
- alignment

I purchased all the parts myself and surprisingly the total labor bill was less than what I was expecting, so that’s a plus

just a couple weeks ago was
- new front pads rotors
- fluid flush
- SS brake lines

goddamn she better be solid for a while now haha

 

Practically a new 4Runner now!

 

Had the front windows tinted to match the rest:

 

TMPS light is blinking (has been since purchased). Does the blinking light mean one of the sensors is bad? From reading online it sounds like one or more of the sensors is no longer communicating with the ECM. Is this just a buy new ones and replace or is there more to it (i.e. programming, cloning, etc)?

Someone linked an eBay sight that was selling OEM Toyota sensors for a decent price... anyone remember that eBay seller?

Can the sensors be swapped if i buy new wheels/tires?

Edit: Toyotapartsdeal has OEM sensors for $67/each. Is that a decent price? I would need all 5 correct?

 

Just picked up another round of maintenance items, lol.

- 5 new OEM TPMS sensors
- Spark plugs
- new air filter
- new gaskets for the diff fluid changes

 

New air filter and cleaned the MAF. Checked the throttle body and it looks pretty clean so didn't touch it. Checked the oil dipstick, still looks clean and full.

Poked around the vehicle and noticed the drivers side and rear hatch belt moldings were falling apart and like getting sucked into the window channel, so ordered new moldings. tm

Made an appointment for monday to get the new TPMS sensors installed.

 

Not uncommon for the belt moldings. I had to replace all 5 of them when I first got my 4runner.

 

The other ones looked ‘okay’ but I’m getting tired of spending money on this rig that was supposed to be in tip top shape haha so I’ll let them marinate a little longer.

 

I hear ya. They may run forever but it's all the other small things that start to pile up with these older vehicles.

 

Lol well, it happened. What kind of damage am I looking at if my wife drove roughly 10 miles with the parking brake engaged. She said she started hearing some weird noises and smelt something before she realized what was happening. Drove it home with it not engaged so I’m thinking at least the pads probably didn’t have time to stick to the rotors… but could be wrong.

how bad is it?

 

Probably best to just rebuild the parking brake. It's a drum parking brake in the rear with the actual brake being the disc. Shouldn't be too expensive, especially if you're able to DIY.

 

Interesting, I didn’t know the parking brake was like a rear drum. I looked at an exploded view but still can’t see where do the drum pads actually make contact in the setup? Inside the disc rotor or on the backing plate?

https://www.carid.com/images/toyota-oe/items/8416505.svg

Edit: watched a YouTube video. Doesn’t seem super difficult.

 

The rear discs have a built in drum, which is where the parking brake pads make contact. No, not super difficult to rebuild.

 

Just an FYI, for proper terminology on drum brakes the friction linings are referred too as "shoes" not pads as it is with disk brakes, so it "brake shoes" for drum brakes and "brake pads" for disk brakes.

 

Always calling me out on my messed up terminology... I'm old, gimme a break! You knew what I meant

Lol, it's all good.