New Here - Just bought 2003 SR5 - need advice

Just bought it for our twin 16 year-olds to share for the year (then plan to find another). I'm in Columbia, SC.

Would love to hear if there are any particular things I need to check/do to the vehicle. I have a mechanic looking it over now, but would love to hear from you guys.

The vehicle has 350k on it, but it just received a donor V8 with only 150K on it. The last engine blew due to a clogged radiator cap (REPLACE YOUR CAPS every couple years...it's cheap insurance).

Timing belt was done 40K earlier. ALL new AC components. New-ish brakes. Lots of life on pads. Engine is still smooth as silk like most of these V8s seem to be. I feel like the vehicle still has a lot of life left in it. Hell, I'd drive it to Minnesota tomorrow. I plan to refurbish the interior with new carpet and seat covers (recommendations welcome).

It rides beautifully, but it doesn't look like the coils/shocks have been replaced since it was purchased, so I plan to replace those. What other things should I go ahead and replace in the suspension while I'm at it?

I've owned three Tacos, but this is my first 4Runner with this sort of mileage.

Thanks in advance and it's good to be here.

Kristian

 

With that new engine, it should go another couple hundred thousand miles. Welcome aboard Kristian.

 

welcome

 

Welcome from SoCal

 

Welcome!

 

Welcome

 

I had (still have but not running) 2003 sr5. 434,000 miles on it. It’s funny you mentioned the radiator cap because my radiator blew a couple of weeks after I replaced the cap. Anyway, it over heated and toasted the engine as far as I know because it won’t run. I never replaced anything on the suspension because It didn’t need it. Always rode and handled good although, the swaybar bushings probably needed replacing. The transfer case had a slow leak where the electronic 4LO/4HI shifter bolted onto the transfer case. I just kept it topped off every 4 or 5 months. Definitely would want to check that. The rear door will rust because the weather stripping along the bottom of the window disintegrates. Check for rust on the frame underneath. It was the best vehicle I’ve ever owned so I went and bought another 2003 V8 limited with 221,000. I replaced the front hub assembly on that one when I bought it. I never had to replace a bearing one on my first one. Look at cv boots, check the grease fittings on the u-joints and the spline shaft, 6 if I remember correctly but could be wrong. I think there are 4 u-joint grease fittings and 2 spline shaft fittings. You’ll need to remove skid plates to access the front ones.

 

Welcome

 

Welcome from "Dry" WA State....Any pics?????????

 

No pics yet. Will post once I get a chance. Thanks for the welcome! Great to be here!

 

Welcome from Arizona!

 

Welcome from Wisconsin!

 

Welcome from VA