96' 4 Runner Questions

[CruisinMT]

Hey guys my wife and I are looking at a 96 4runner with 135000 miles. I am familiar with FJ40's and 22r and 22re engines, but not the 3.4 L V6. I am curious about what things I should look for as far as deal breakers go. This rig has power everything and a standard 5 speed tranny. We are looking at it tomorrow and I need a list of things to look for. Post up on your recommendations. TIA

Lee

 

[CruisinMT]

no one has any input?

 

[raydouble]

Look for rust on frame and suspension (especially the rear axle)
Look for oil condition/dipstick (nothing burned on to it)
Look under the oil cap of signs of moisture/sludge
Look at inside the radiator for signs of oil contamination
Look at condition of CV boots
Look for fluid leaks everywhere
Look at the timing belt cover to see if there is a service sticker (the 5VZFE is a non-interference engine)

Edit: Make sure to take it through all speed ranges, so if it's going to set a check engine light it will.

Figure on replacing:
timing belt
waterpump
thermostat
spark plugs
plug wires
V-belts
steering rack bushings
all fluids

Hopefully it's a good one.

 

[Jetboy]

IMO the 3.4 is more reliable than the r series. There's really nothing that I know of that would be a known problem to look for. Just make sure the timing belt has been done. My 3.4 has 170k and the only thing I've replaced is spark plug wires and plugs. And the timing belt/water pump has been done. It's almost due for a second round of timing belt. It doesn't leak or burn anything. I change the oil on 5k mile intervals. And at 170k it still comes out dark caramel in color. Not black. It's actually surprisingly clean.

I guess the only other think I'd look at is the front steering rack and tie rod ends. Especially if it's been hammered down gravel roads for 135k miles.

Otherwise, I can't really think of anything that goes wrong with them. You shouldn't have rust issues in Montana. Maybe a carfax to see if it's been wrecked?

Good luck.

 

[CruisinMT]

well guys we picked it up and wow it's a great rig, runs great and looks even better, it had been in a minor fender bender in 97 but the body is flawless. I will be taking it in to have the timing belt done unless it could be a DIY job. I'm not sure what tools I will need. Post up if you know of any special tools I will need. thanks.

Lee

 

[raydouble]

well guys we picked it up and wow it's a great rig, runs great and looks even better, it had been in a minor fender bender in 97 but the body is flawless. I will be taking it in to have the timing belt done unless it could be a DIY job. I'm not sure what tools I will need. Post up if you know of any special tools I will need. thanks.

Lee

Nice, look forward to pictures.

Toyota Maintenance: 3.4L V6 Timing Belt Replacement

 

[Jetboy]

I think you'll like it. I love mine. The only think I've noticed is that the rear end is a bit more likely to want to come around on you on washboard roads at speed. Especially compared to my pickup, or even my fj-40, but it's really apples to oranges as the pickup was on 35's and the fj40 on 38's. Just be careful at first if you're driving fast on washboard till you get used to it. It's reasonably predictable. I'll often just hit the 4wd button and it's much better.

good luck.

 

[CruisinMT]

yeah I will get some pictures of the rig up soon. The pulley belts all look new to me, how long do you think it will take to change the timing belt? I've been into a couple 22r's and have totally gone through my F135 engine in my 40 series.

We bought it for my wife so I probably won't get to drive it much but it sure is fun and zippy compared to my 67' FJ40. Now to sell our 89' FJ62.

 

[raydouble]

yeah I will get some pictures of the rig up soon. The pulley belts all look new to me, how long do you think it will take to change the timing belt? I've been into a couple 22r's and have totally gone through my F135 engine in my 40 series.

We bought it for my wife so I probably won't get to drive it much but it sure is fun and zippy compared to my 67' FJ40. Now to sell our 89' FJ62.

I had mine done by a Toyota master tech who did it in an hour and forty five, while talking the whole time. I would give myself 3 to 5 hours to do it all.....think it would take a little less time than that.

 

[Duane]

well guys we picked it up and wow it's a great rig, runs great and looks even better, it had been in a minor fender bender in 97 but the body is flawless. I will be taking it in to have the timing belt done unless it could be a DIY job. I'm not sure what tools I will need. Post up if you know of any special tools I will need. thanks.

Lee

At 135K one would think that the timing belt would have been changed by now(every 90K) and that you should have many miles before it needs to be done again. It's a non interference engine so unless you are keen on doing it or the water pump, or drive belts look like they need attention I would maybe be inclined to put some more miles on it depending on where you go with it. It would be worth it if you could get a service history on the vehicle from a previous owner..check the manual or maintenance card maybe it was done, should be a sticker under the hood if a dealership did it or I have went to the local dealership with my VIN# and they printed off their history of everything they have done to it. I bought my 99 back in the spring and was pleasantly surprised to find a 4 page report the dealership printed off of all the services they did for the previous owner.
At any rate enjoy the 3rd gen.. some of us like them alot!
Oh and to add to that..if I need to spend money for labor to drop the coolant then I try to time it to get the coolant flushed/changed at the same time. I figure labor is half the bill so do things at the same time. just my 2 cents

 

[CruisinMT]

Thanks for the heads up I'll check under the hood for a service sticker. all the belts that I can see do look new so maybe we lucked out. I'll keep you posted.