Maintaining a 200k+ mile 💯 series

[Bisho]

I’m hoping this can be helpful for those looking at buying and maintaining a 20year old 200k+ mile . I bought mine 2 years ago to explore the country, and its done the mission well. I love this truck.

But, there isn’t much I haven’t fixed or tuned up in 2 years and 35k miles. I do all of my own maintenance, shop around for parts, and I have a lift which makes most things easier. I enjoy working on cars, so I’m not lamenting. I daily my truck because I want to, and I also “overland” and hit some pretty challenging trails. I’ve yet to find the limits of the truck, but I’m also not in any hurry to break something and take caution. I mostly have “I don’t want to get stranded” on my mind, and choose parts and maintenance appropriately.

So, a bit of history so you know where I started - what I could glean from carfax.
99k - first record - timing belt
160k - idle control valve, front pads
167k - axle seals
179k - alternator (Bosch), serpentine belt, radiator and big hoses, timing belt, water pump, tensioner
182k - rear crankshaft seal
189k - rear pads, rotors, brake fluid flushed
195k - starter and timing belt (unknown why it was replaced at 20k miles…)
211k - trans fluid
213k - brakes calipers, rotors, fluid flushed
218k - plugs, injectors flushed
224k - transfer case and diff fluid change, new Falken Wildpeaks, new idler and tensioner pulleys, new muffler, new ToughDog shocks, SPC UCAs, and OME rear springs

So, that’s my starting point. Sketchy early maintenance, but in those years I’m not sure how much carfax was a thing.

 

[Bisho]

So, it wasn’t perfect, but I think it had good bones. I’m more prone to fix things at early signs of failure based on my fear of getting stranded in the middle of nowhere, but I don’t go looking for reasons to throw parts at it, either. I change fluids regularly using good synthetics, so I won’t include all of that in the list, as well as grease fittings and rotate tires. I drove it home from OKC with 235k miles.

236k - replace all interior bulbs (including switched and instrument panel) with LED - about half were burned out. Replaced tail light LED bulbs with normal- they were causing surging when the flashers were on.
241k - right inner and outer tie rods (inner worn out - Proforge), left torsion bar bolt and adjuster (failed while trying to reindex), flush power steering and add AT205, aligned, replace PCV valve, radiator cap, oil cap gasket, fuel vapor return line ( most vacuum hoses old and cracked)
244k - replace front seat belt with used (fixed airbag light)
246k - center diff sensor (Beck Arnley 201-1788), reclamp passenger CV boots, front sway bar end links (shot-Beck Arnley)
248k - fuel filter (Wix)
249k - starter (failing-Denso), intake gaskets, both coolant temp sensors (broke putting intake back on), vacuum hoses, all coolant hoses and heater Ts (preventative), thermostat, new red coolant. Cooling System Rebuild Part Numbers - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/cooling-system-rebuild-part-numbers.1249096/
Decided to pack wheel bearings and discovered they hadn’t been done in who knows how long, as well as worn hubs and CV ends, and worn bushings and ball joints. So…rebuilt front end mostly OEM parts - LCA bushings, 555 ball joints, driver side inner/outer tie rods, driver cv axle (replaced unknown aftermarket), rebuild passenger cv (new outer tulip), diff seals, spindle bearings, bearings and races, hub flanges, cone washers, gasket, nuts, front and rear sway bar bushings, aligned
250k - a/c line isolators on fan shroud, gasket on evaporator cover
260k - front door lock motors
261k - A/C compressor, high pressure line, and condenser (failed-UAC kit), power steering return hose (getting sketchy)
263k - alternator (bearing failed-O’Reily), power steering pump (unneeded, I screwed up diagnosing the alternator…) rear brake pads
268k - valve cover gaskets (tube seal failure), 3 coils (cracks, Denso), reboot other coils, front door weatherstripping (much quieter), trans fluid, rear diff input shaft seal (leaking)
270k - fan clutch ( failed, unknown aftermarket - Aisin)

The fan clutch this weekend left me wondering what I haven’t replaced. My front break pads are nearing time. I’ll be doing the timing belt in the next 10k miles.

So, I hope this gives prospective owners some perspective on what they’re in for. If you don’t do your own maintenance you best have deep pockets.

I wouldn’t trade this for anything, though. I do love this truck, and wouldn’t hesitate to drive it to Alaska solo. It’s never left me stranded.

 

[Bisho]

BTW, other things on the future maintenance list…
New leather for front seats
Fix frozen sunroof (new cables, guide, and seal)
Rear door weatherstripping
Window runs
Power steering rack (so far AT205 has done the trick, but eventually…)

Everything else I want to do is fun stuff.

 

[sunfic]

195k - starter and timing belt (unknown why it was replaced at 20k miles…)

I guess improper installation for last timing belt causing oil leakage? I may be on exact the same boat as this situation.

 

[YungTexx]

This has been very helpful. I have just acquired a primarily single owner 1999 LC (out of its 23 years of life it spent 22 and 6 months in DFW). 265k miles. Second owner got scared off by some easy to fix stuff. But before selling to me he installed a brand new Iron man lift, iron man front bumper, BFGoodrichs, new leather seats, and HELLA lights....his loss, my gain.

It desperately needed CV axles. Bought rebuilt toyota ones shipped from CVJ axles in Colorado. Nice people. Other than that, a new alternator because of an intermittent crank but no start (which I think is what scared the second owner away other than the completely shot and leaking CV axles). Have had my man Kevin at LEXUTECH in Fort Worth look her over and the only recommendation was rack and pinon bushing mounts. Runs like a dream and survived a non-stop 13 hour drive from NE Tennessee in a monsoon. She is my daily.

 

[Bisho]

This has been very helpful. I have just acquired a primarily single owner 1999 LC (out of its 23 years of life it spent 22 and 6 months in DFW). 265k miles. Second owner got scared off by some easy to fix stuff. But before selling to me he installed a brand new Iron man lift, iron man front bumper, BFGoodrichs, new leather seats, and HELLA lights....his loss, my gain.

It desperately needed CV axles. Bought rebuilt toyota ones shipped from CVJ axles in Colorado. Nice people. Other than that, a new alternator because of an intermittent crank but no start (which I think is what scared the second owner away other than the completely shot and leaking CV axles). Have had my man Kevin at LEXUTECH in Fort Worth look her over and the only recommendation was rack and pinon bushing mounts. Runs like a dream and survived a non-stop 13 hour drive from NE Tennessee in a monsoon. She is my daily.

Cool. I started a Land Cruiser meet in Lake Worth on the third Thursday of the month. Check out Lone Star Cruisers in the club section or PM me.

 

[Bisho]

So, the last 6 months and 15k miles has been busy. I’m hopeful at some point maintenance will quiet down, but I do a fair amount of wheeling and exploring.

273k Alternator (O’Reilly warranty)
274k front brake pads
277k rear doors weatherstrip
279k timing belt, water pump, idler pulleys, tensioner, fan bracket (Aisin kit), crank and cam seals (Felpro), serpentine belt (Gates), repack wheel bearings, remove transfer case and replace front output shaft seal and bearing, transmission output shaft seal
282k rebuilt sunroof (cables, seal), steering rack (Cardone), high pressure hose (Sunsong), front sway bar links (Moog), power steering vacuum switch (I broke it…)
283k rebuilt power steering pump (Autozone, warranty) it started making noise coincident with changing the rack. I bled it as I should, unknown why it failed.
284k replace transfer case rear output shaft seal and bearing.

 

[YezusLX]

Sincerely, thank you for sharing this. This makes me feel better about the gigantic mess I bought. Thanks for sharing this. I am about halfway through your list and I have owned it for a year with ALMOST 150 miles on. I think it has gone through one tank of fuel. On the bright side, it's the most fuel-efficient vehicle I have ever owned! And when I finish this list it will in theory be completely new. But if I know anything about Toyotas it may very well be the last one I own because it will never quit on me.

 

[Bisho]

Like most here I love this truck. Of course I’m glad I’m a gear head with the skills, tools, and know how to deal with it, otherwise You’d need deep pockets to maintain it properly. I’m counting on the attention I give her resulting in trouble free back country exploring.

For perspective, I’ve had it 2.5 years and 50k miles. I do daily drive it, not because I have to but because I’ve never enjoyed driving anything more.

My wife and I have picked up a camping and exploring habit.
Ozarks / Ouachitas 6+times
Smoky Mtns, Cherokee NF, Chatahoochee NF (crossed GA mostly on dirt roads)
Talladega NF
Big Bend
TX Hill country
Lone Star Roundup Katemcy Rocks (Mason, TX)
Toyota Jamboree (Barnwell Mtn, TX)
N WI, UP Michigan
Sante Fe and Los Alamos NF
Pagosa Springs, CO (Rio Grande and Rocky Mtn NF
All around Silverton, CO

I know it sounds corny, but it’s become a lifestyle.

 

[YezusLX]

Like most here I love this truck. Of course I’m glad I’m a gear head with the skills, tools, and know how to deal with it, otherwise You’d need deep pockets to maintain it properly. I’m counting on the attention I give her resulting in trouble free back country exploring.

For perspective, I’ve had it 2.5 years and 50k miles. I do daily drive it, not because I have to but because I’ve never enjoyed driving anything more.

My wife and I have picked up a camping and exploring habit.
Ozarks / Ouachitas 6+times
Smoky Mtns, Cherokee NF, Chatahoochee NF (crossed GA mostly on dirt roads)
Talladega NF
Big Bend
TX Hill country
Lone Star Roundup Katemcy Rocks (Mason, TX)
Toyota Jamboree (Barnwell Mtn, TX)
N WI, UP Michigan
Sante Fe and Los Alamos NF
Pagosa Springs, CO (Rio Grande and Rocky Mtn NF
All around Silverton, CO

I know it sounds corny, but it’s become a lifestyle.

This is the dream. Right here. Not corny.

 

[GstacksLX]

Super helpful! and great inspo / motivation.
I’ve got to re do the CV axles and a few other odds n ends on my rig before a big trip out to NM/CA this summer. Appreciate it!

 

[Catching Neutral]

Nice

 

[newbielx470]

Thank you for the comprehensive list!
I've watched a Youtube vid which listed the fuse box as one of the items that should be replaced preventatively around 200k-300k miles. But it is much less frequently mentioned on this forum compared to heater-T, CV's, starter, steering rack etc. Is it a common failure point? Or only for certain model years?

 

[Bisho]

Thank you for the comprehensive list!
I've watched a Youtube vid which listed the fuse box as one of the items that should be replaced preventatively around 200k-300k miles. But it is much less frequently mentioned on this forum compared to heater-T, CV's, starter, steering rack etc. Is it a common failure point? Or only for certain model years?

I don't think its common, but it does happen. You can wire a bypass (or carry it with you as a just in case). Check the classifieds, someone sells a kit.

 

[Ellex the 470th]

I’m hoping this can be helpful for those looking at buying and maintaining a 20year old 200k+ mile . I bought mine 2 years ago to explore the country, and its done the mission well. I love this truck.

But, there isn’t much I haven’t fixed or tuned up in 2 years and 35k miles. I do all of my own maintenance, shop around for parts, and I have a lift which makes most things easier. I enjoy working on cars, so I’m not lamenting. I daily my truck because I want to, and I also “overland” and hit some pretty challenging trails. I’ve yet to find the limits of the truck, but I’m also not in any hurry to break something and take caution. I mostly have “I don’t want to get stranded” on my mind, and choose parts and maintenance appropriately.

So, a bit of history so you know where I started - what I could glean from carfax.
99k - first record - timing belt
160k - idle control valve, front pads
167k - axle seals
179k - alternator (Bosch), serpentine belt, radiator and big hoses, timing belt, water pump, tensioner
182k - rear crankshaft seal
189k - rear pads, rotors, brake fluid flushed
195k - starter and timing belt (unknown why it was replaced at 20k miles…)
211k - trans fluid
213k - brakes calipers, rotors, fluid flushed
218k - plugs, injectors flushed
224k - transfer case and diff fluid change, new Falken Wildpeaks, new idler and tensioner pulleys, new muffler, new ToughDog shocks, SPC UCAs, and OME rear springs

So, that’s my starting point. Sketchy early maintenance, but in those years I’m not sure how much carfax was a thing.

so glad you are enjoying your truck! I am too! But this is most definitely NOT a truck for someone who is BOTH 1- on a budget and 2- not particularly handy. I will also have to repair and/or replace many items on my 2000 LX470, but if you're not a talented do-it-yourselfer, be prepared to spend around $10-15k to properly sort out these trucks, on top of the original purchase price, ESPECIALLY if you "got a good deal" and/or (like me) mistakenly thought I was getting "a good deal" but realized after the purchase that the prior owner passed along significant deferred maintenance

 

[BullElk]

but if you're not a talented do-it-yourselfer, be prepared to spend around $10-15k to properly sort out these trucks, on top of the original purchase price, ESPECIALLY if you "got a good deal" and/or (like me) mistakenly thought I was getting "a good deal" but realized after the purchase that the prior owner passed along significant deferred maintenance

That may be the case if you make a really bad buy due to some previous crazy odd abuse. But that is not even close to th norm if you do any homework and just general checks before buying. As any decent to good deal, its all in the original purchase and nonOCD personalities. There can't be a better vehicle ever produced that requires less "maintenance" and still be as dependable and reliable as it is, in my experience and opinion.

 

[Ellex the 470th]

That may be the case if you make a really bad buy due to some previous crazy odd abuse. But that is not even close to th norm if you do any homework and just general checks before buying. As any decent to good deal, its all in the original purchase and nonOCD personalities. There can't be a better vehicle ever produced that requires less "maintenance" and still be as dependable and reliable as it is, in my experience and opinion.

the only conclusion that I can draw is that "I F**KED UP!" on my purchase. even tho my 2000 LX470 has a nice clean exterior and interior, its just one expensive mechanical thing after another. I thought I was getting "a good deal" on Ebay, purchasing a 156k mile truck with an AutoCheck score of 78 (54 is average for this truck, so I've heard) and a dealer with 100% positive. Its just a disaster. And now, another 2k for brake lines/connectors thruout, not to mention needing head gaskets and so on

 

[AlpineAccess]

the only conclusion that I can draw is that "I F**KED UP!" on my purchase. even tho my 2000 LX470 has a nice clean exterior and interior, its just one expensive mechanical thing after another. I thought I was getting "a good deal" on Ebay, purchasing a 156k mile truck with an AutoCheck score of 78 (54 is average for this truck, so I've heard) and a dealer with 100% positive. Its just a disaster. And now, another 2k for brake lines/connectors thruout, not to mention needing head gaskets and so on

Yikes. If you're replacing brake lines and head gaskets, yes...something went sideways.

 

[diabetik81]

the only conclusion that I can draw is that "I F**KED UP!" on my purchase. even tho my 2000 LX470 has a nice clean exterior and interior, its just one expensive mechanical thing after another. I thought I was getting "a good deal" on Ebay, purchasing a 156k mile truck with an AutoCheck score of 78 (54 is average for this truck, so I've heard) and a dealer with 100% positive. Its just a disaster. And now, another 2k for brake lines/connectors thruout, not to mention needing head gaskets and so on

Haha don't feel bad. I got my 2005 w/ 161,000 on it about a month or two ago. So far I've had to do the A/C condenser, full exhaust, fuel tank, timing belt, left CV axle, and now I broke a fuel line under the hood I'm waiting for parts on. It runs and drives like a dream but I'm a solid $7k deep into it so far. So much so that I've decided that all add on's and mods are going to wait a while which isn't usually my style.

 

[suprarx7nut]

the only conclusion that I can draw is that "I F**KED UP!" on my purchase. even tho my 2000 LX470 has a nice clean exterior and interior, its just one expensive mechanical thing after another. I thought I was getting "a good deal" on Ebay, purchasing a 156k mile truck with an AutoCheck score of 78 (54 is average for this truck, so I've heard) and a dealer with 100% positive. Its just a disaster. And now, another 2k for brake lines/connectors thruout, not to mention needing head gaskets and so on

Is your car very rusty with a heavily neglected engine? Head gaskets are a really rare failure on the 2UZ, so I assume it was allowed to overheat to an extreme degree. I'm guessing it was run dry of coolant?

Rust will kill anything, but the engine damage is a tough thing to do on these. Somebody must have been trying to do damage to it unless a heater T blew and they just kept driving on it.