New Owner (2 Viewers)

[dru]

I apologize if there’s a specific thread for new owners, I’m pretty bad with keeping track and sussing them out.

I just picked up a 96 cruiser, my first Toyota. Super stoked, but also yall have me PARANOID about head gaskets

Im mechanically inclined, but would love to hear yalls input for base lining these cars, because I intend to hang on to this one for quite some time. Have 260k on the odometer and not too shabby of a service record in the last 20k i.e. fluids axles birfields.

I’ve been sussing out a knock, which I believe I’ve narrowed it down to PS pump with stethoscope. (Fluid hopping out of reservoir at idle/leaking) and my main focus right now is cooling system upgrades, then I’ll head in to everything else mechanical. Ultimately going for a full OEM+ style resto

I’m located in the Raleigh NC area and would love to meet other owners in the area and chat about these super rad rigs.

 

[Rusty Marlin]

Welcome to MUD.
The Old North State Cruisers is your local club and they have satalite clubs all over NC. Good groups of peeps.

Search is your freind, but do it on Google and include Ih8mud in the criteria, you'll get better results.
example:

If you make down to Columbia, SC drop me a PM.

 

[dru]

Welcome to MUD.
The Old North State Cruisers is your local club and they have satalite clubs all over NC. Good groups of peeps.

Search is your freind, but do it on Google and include Ih8mud in the criteria, you'll get better results.
example:
View attachment 3935706


If you make down to Columbia, SC drop me a PM.

Appreciate it!

 

[Pascoscout]

Aside from the standard fluid changes here are a few things to look at:

Inspect rear heater hoses/pipes and remove/replace if rotten
Check "Pesky Heater Hose" and replace if it still looks factory
Front axle overhaul (new bearings and seals)
Inspect all engine hoses and the air intake for cracking and replace as needed
Inspect brake lines (soft lines) for rot and/or swelling and replace as needed
Address oil leaks from places like the distributor o-ring and the oil pump cover gasket
If factory locked overhaul those

As to the head gasket my 1997 has over 300k on the original... they aren't all bad

 

[dru]

Aside from the standard fluid changes here are a few things to look at:

Inspect rear heater hoses/pipes and remove/replace if rotten
Check "Pesky Heater Hose" and replace if it still looks factory
Front axle overhaul (new bearings and seals)
Inspect all engine hoses and the air intake for cracking and replace as needed
Inspect brake lines (soft lines) for rot and/or swelling and replace as needed
Address oil leaks from places like the distributor o-ring and the oil pump cover gasket
If factory locked overhaul those

As to the head gasket my 1997 has over 300k on the original... they aren't all bad

Luckily previous owner supplied a bunch of oem stuff including PHH parts. I had cylinder leak down and bore scoping done since I don’t own any of that equipment anymore. (Moved on from auto tech to biotech)
12% leak down and no abnormal wear found from the bore scope! Appreciate the input!