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I think the key to reliablity in a 20 year old vehicle is preventitive maintenance. This means replacing worn parts before they fail. This takes a certain amount of dedication and attention to detal. My recommendation would be to start with a solid used vehicle, then do a complete tune up and replace other wear parts (radiator & heater hoses, fan belts, etc.). I think it's also good to repair any leaks, at least the major ones. Then you drive the vehicle for a while and pay attention and learn how it sounds, feels, smells, etc. Vigilance is key, but after a while it will become second nature to check the oil level at every fill up, monitor the gauges under different driving conditions, and listening for sounds that are not normal. At this point you will be better prepared to discover problems starting to occur such that you can address them BEFORE your truck leaves you stranded. And then you continue to maintain your vehicle, following Toyota's recommended maintenance intervals, and/or recommendations that can be found on this site. I keep a maintenance log so I can remember when I did what last. On a "new to me" vehicle, I will often purchase two sets of key wear parts (fan belts, fuel filters, etc.). One set gets installed and the other gets stored in the vehicle as a road side spare. When the time comes to replace, I install the spare on the truck and replace the spare with new. Doing this is not free, but I think it is cheap insurance for peace of mind and to minimze being stranded away from home.
It is very helpful in detecting potential problems is you have an understanding how your vehicle works. Doing your own preventive maintenace will help you learn this, and also you will be more self-relient if you do have a road side failure.
I purchased my FJ60 used with 140K miles. I've owned it for 10 years and it now has 210K miles. I still take my truck on long trips (1000+ miles). this past spring was the first time I had to get a tow home--my aftermarket smog pump siezed. I was 10 miles from home and had my old pump that I had rebuilt waiting on a shelf in the garage.
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