AZ 3rd Gen 4Runner newcomer here! Have a few questions

First of all, thanks for letting me into this circle! I've spent the last week looking at forums and youtube and reddits and going down the proverbial Toyota rabbithole and falling more in love every day. I just bought this '97 4Runner from a private seller here:



Sadly it's time to let my third gen go. 1997 Limited Toyota 4Runner with 4 wheel drive and factory E-locker. Meticulously taken care of during my ownership over the prior 6 years (150,000mi - 200,000) with tons of maintenance and records. I am third owner. Prior owners had truck in Texas, I picked it up in Colorado and it's been in Arizona since. Never seen salt or rust. All work professionally done.

Rides on 3" Toytec Boss suspension with SPC upper control arms, rear Bilstein 5125 struts, tundra front brake upgrade, near-new General Grabber AT tires. Oil changes with OEM filters every 5k, tires rotated every 10k! 4wd high/low and rear locker all activate appropriately. Windows, rear window, and moon roof all function. Truck drives straight as an arrow and the legendary 3.4 V6 with automatic transmission is smooth as butter!

See maintenance below: - timing belt ~130k - weather tech mats front/back - Brake master cylinder and front brake hose replacement - Front CV axles replaced 160k - throttle body, fuel injectors, air temp sensor cleaned - spark plugs and wires replaced 160k - differential fluids flushed 170k - 4x innovations weld-on sliders - valve covers and upper intake manifold replacement 180k - catalytic converter replacement 180k - front upper/lower ball bearings, rear axle seals/bearings 190k - OEM steering rack, rack bushing, inner and outer tie rods replaced 195k - thermostat replaced 195k Truck in fantastic mechanical and cosmetic shape. Rear seats rarely sat in during my ownership. Carpet under weathertechs is perfect.

Small coolant leak, likely due for timing belt/water pump.

Otherwise turn-key ready. Used as commuter with occasional camping trip - no wheeling. Has some exterior scratches usual for a 27 year old vehicle. No body paint fade or discoloration. AC cold, heat hot. I have records for nearly all the above maintenance. Good on emissions through March 2026. Heck, I even have the original sale pricing sheet and manuals.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It's a beauty inside and out and i'm as excited as anyone else here would be with their hands on their own 4runner. That being said, I want to get off on the right foot and tackle some of the issues before they become headaches. The timing belt/water pump and a new radiator (also maybe an external transmission cooler to completely avoid the chance of the milkshake)

I wanted to come here to ask if anyone had solid advice. My first concern was the leak obviously. When coming to purchase at his house, there was a very small puddle underneath the grill on the drivers side and he was pretty transparent about it. Said the garage he takes it to weren't TOO concerned with it, but said the water pump was a likely culprit. I inspected the hoses and couldn't find any obvious leaks.

I've been driving it for a week but not noticing any more leakage. However, I want to get to work on getting rid of the problem. Now when I popped the hood on cold, I noticed the reservoir tank was below L (I know it's a heat overflow, but still would feel more comfy with it at proper level). My next concern was what fluid was he using. He was pretty meticulous with OEM oil filters and keeping everything in shape, but the shop record (he had a good stack thankfully) said the last place used UNIVERSAL. I'd rather flush everything asap and get the LONG LIFE 50/50 from Toyota but I want to hear thoughts on that too if anyone cares to chime in. I hope to get this done in the next week or two but in the meantime would feel better if I could fill the radiator. When driving, no overheating on the gauge but since an AZ summer is right around the corner, i'd rather sooner than later. Right now, the fluid in the reservoir looks yellowish and the radiator flow on top looks clear-ish. If I WERE to fill up, would I be safe using a universal fluid temporarily?






I took off skid plate to check bottom of radiator as well to make sure there wasn't any spillage or signs of the dreaded pink froth, but all looks clear thankfully.


I saw on youtube and on forums that this is a pretty easy as pie swap. I found a OEM radiator on the toyota shop: part number- 16410-AZ011

I figure I can buy hoses at auto zone or o'reillys. Is it best/necessary to OEM for this radiator or go for a Denso on Amazon? I've heard a lot have gone the Denso route but just had issues with draincock or other alignments. Then ill pick up a few gallons of the OEM long life coolant- 00272-SLLC2

New radiator cap necessary?

I figure once I get what I need, I can tackle the replacement pretty quick. But my next wonder was with draining out the old coolant to make room for new in engine. Saw plenty of videos going through the diluted gallons of water gallons to flush the old stuff out before replacing so if you have any advice on that, all ears. Sounds like that part will take a whole day with waiting for the engine to cool but it is what it is.

With the Water Cooler/Timing belt change out, I figure this is a big one. I want to buy the kit and have a local mechanic take care of it since I am not at a level of confidence to tackle this myself and without the proper tools. Everyone says this Ebay store is very reliable for OEM parts and I found what I think I need to assure it's done with proper replacement parts:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/180729034728

After forking out the cash for radiator and water pump, I figure it's worth it to have the replacement for the latter done correctly. I just don't know what to expect with cost. I'll have to shop around but i've heard it ranges from $500 to $1200. Assuming they accept my already bought parts, hoping labor won't exceed $800 but fingers crossed. I know it's a meticulous job.

I would love to know thoughts on which to get taken care of first if it matters.

Those are the major, right up front issues I want to take care of to have a little peace of mind for some extra few thousand miles in the hot desert but all ears on any other advice. You guys are amazing on here and I hate being the newbie amatuer, but if i'm already in love with this 4runner I can only imagine a year from now when I give her some TLC.

Thank you for coming to my TED talk. I appreciate you all

 

Welcome

 

Thank you! And i've copied this to an appropriate forum not thinking this was mainly for introductions. My bad

 

Welcome

 

Thanks!

 

Welcome from AZ!

 

Welcome aboard! Good news, replacing the radiator, water pump, timing belt, hoses & coolant is a pretty easy job on the 3.4L V6. I did it to my son’s 1999 Tacoma at 163,000 miles. I watched a few YouTube vids and jumped in. With the radiator, fan and timing cover removed it’s right there in front of you, the water pump and timing belt I mean. That engine is brilliantly designed. I used all OEM parts. I did a couple other things while I was there to increase performance, but not required. Have fun with the project!

 

Welcome

 

Thank you! Much appreciated

 

thanks!

 

Hello there! Thank you!

 

Welcome from Wisconsin! R&R radiator and other components, not a problem, use OEM stuff, take your time, do a good job.