The truth is most people on this forum, whether its 120 , 80 , or any other series, do way more maintenance then what is needed. You could say there is a more carpet bomb approach vs precision strike. For instance, lets say a timing belt job. Everyone knows that the timing belt will explode as soon as it reaches 90,001 miles. So the timing belt job gets done, along with a new radiator because you were in there. Since we're doing a new radiator we may as well replace the hoses. But, why stop at just those hoses, because now the rest of the heater lines and what not can be replaced since the coolant is out anyways. $500 later you have replaced the $30 timing belt !
I used the same approach when doing AC on both of my 80 series. The system had leaked down and the low pressure sensor wouldn't allow the compressor to engage. The most likely culprit in an old system is the schraeder valves. They cost about $3 for a set. I went ahead and replaced them, along with new compressor top seal, O-rings at every connection, new expansion valve, new drier, etc. $200 later I had taken care of those schraeder valves.
So that's one approach towards vehicle maintenance. I think most people are doing it for shear peace of mind because they are so worried about a breakdown when they are on trail or family vacation. The truth is these vehicles will take horrible amounts of punishment and survive. One need look no further than CNN for proof. Tell me if you've ever seen media footage that goes something like this - 10 terrorists with machine guns and an AA mounted in the back of 1980's hi lux ? How much maintenance do you think that "technical" gets on a yearly basis ? My father is another shining example of the "if it ain't broke" maintenance method. He drove an 87 Toyota truck for much of my young life and through my high school years. His particular model was the factory turbocharged 4cyl. Somewhere around the 200k mile mark the turbo went out. Since they were over a $1000 to replace he decided to just remove it and have a new downpipe fitted. I think he sold the truck at the 300k mile mark and it still ran like a top. I guarantee you he never did anything more preventative than an oil change.
With our recent GX purchase I decided I was going to be more reasonable about my maintenance approach. I eyeballed all the suspension components to make sure nothing was going to fly off. Changed the oil over to my favorite synthetic. Checked the plugs and decided they were good enough for another 10-20k miles. The timing belt had been done at 90k and the truck already had a new radiator and red coolant. Sometime this week I will slide under there and grease the drive shafts up. I will eventually bleed the brakes and freshen up the fluid in there just because its cheap and can have a huge impact on braking performance. Other than that we plan to just drive the thing and enjoy.
I used the same approach when doing AC on both of my 80 series. The system had leaked down and the low pressure sensor wouldn't allow the compressor to engage. The most likely culprit in an old system is the schraeder valves. They cost about $3 for a set. I went ahead and replaced them, along with new compressor top seal, O-rings at every connection, new expansion valve, new drier, etc. $200 later I had taken care of those schraeder valves.
So that's one approach towards vehicle maintenance. I think most people are doing it for shear peace of mind because they are so worried about a breakdown when they are on trail or family vacation. The truth is these vehicles will take horrible amounts of punishment and survive. One need look no further than CNN for proof. Tell me if you've ever seen media footage that goes something like this - 10 terrorists with machine guns and an AA mounted in the back of 1980's hi lux ? How much maintenance do you think that "technical" gets on a yearly basis ? My father is another shining example of the "if it ain't broke" maintenance method. He drove an 87 Toyota truck for much of my young life and through my high school years. His particular model was the factory turbocharged 4cyl. Somewhere around the 200k mile mark the turbo went out. Since they were over a $1000 to replace he decided to just remove it and have a new downpipe fitted. I think he sold the truck at the 300k mile mark and it still ran like a top. I guarantee you he never did anything more preventative than an oil change.
With our recent GX purchase I decided I was going to be more reasonable about my maintenance approach. I eyeballed all the suspension components to make sure nothing was going to fly off. Changed the oil over to my favorite synthetic. Checked the plugs and decided they were good enough for another 10-20k miles. The timing belt had been done at 90k and the truck already had a new radiator and red coolant. Sometime this week I will slide under there and grease the drive shafts up. I will eventually bleed the brakes and freshen up the fluid in there just because its cheap and can have a huge impact on braking performance. Other than that we plan to just drive the thing and enjoy.
