colsoncj

I think so... you should post a pic of the odometer

turboale

I bought my 4R with 72k on the clock and it was pristine! Not a scratch on the exterior and mint exterior...

at about 90k I sank the vehicle... Drained, dried and Replaced all fluids, timing belt slipped two teeth but lucky for me the 3.4 isn't a valve bender. I actually drove the vehicle a block or so before they had diagnosed the problem and it had NO power but ran fine. Once they found out the t-belt had slipped they put everything back to spec and I was on my way with a happily running 4Runner.

At 140k I slapped a TRD S/C on and it continued to run great! Despite all the warnings of people leaning the engine out with the s/c at sea level it ran fine. No pinging (that I could hear)!

About 5k after that I sold the vehicle with out any problems...

That motor was unstoppable! I was not easy on that engine and it barely even flinched... Pics

964runnerKY

Here is a pic of speedo

colsoncj

Thats just amazing... is it mostly highway? Whats your average mpg?

92sr5yota

I have heard (not sure if its true) that the early 3.4s had something wrong with the HG. they got put on backwards or something weird.

ozarks_Runner

Good call on buying that rig. I paid $7200 for my 97 SR5 over the summer(bought in Springfield) it had 139k at the time. At first I missed my Tacoma, but now I'm really happy I went with a 4runner this time around.

20005spd

how could changin oil to often be bad??? when you change your oil and it comes out black that is what is bad. now dont take this the wrong way @ 3k miles your additives in the oil break down. thats y a 3k oil change interval is the norm. but i choose not to float on that line for the simple reason that i get free oil. also i dont want to see black oil come out of my motor because when it is black that means the combustion gases/vapors/junk is gettin into the oil. when i change my oil is comes out clean as it went in.

so please tell me y its bad to keep clean new fresh oil in my motor again??

ozarks_Runner

I've heard that it can be bad to change your filter too often, but not the oil... Reasoning behind the filter is that as it gets older the little holes get smaller so more fine particles are trapped. Keeping new filters in never lets the holes get small enough to catch the little stuff.
Anyone have anymore on that (oil and/or filter) one way or the other?

20005spd

that dosent make sense. if any thing the older your filter gets the more particles get stuck in it. keeping that filter in longer only allows more time for those particles to find a way through it and more time for the filter to clog up a bit and restrict flow. i am not sayn 3k isnt good but there is nothing wrong with to many oil changes. find me proven info on this matter and i might change my mind.

colsoncj

Thanks, theres a thread for it in the Ozarks board if ya wanna see pics!

964runnerKY

Mostly highway, it gets 16-17 around town.

colsoncj

Cool... Mines getting 14-15 in town right now, but I'm thinkin it probably needs some more basic maintenance, which should help (air filter).

I know on a 3VZE a dirty air filter can rob 3 mpg, are there any things like this on the 3rd gens/ 5VZEs?

colsoncj

I've heard the same... I believe someone else mentioned this in this thread as well... I think all 96's and some early 97's were recalled for it, but I'm not sure.

20005spd

ya 96's and possibly 97's had this hg recall. it was when they first came out with 3.4

4RunnerBuddha

I've got 103,000 w/o a rebuild or HG work. Timing belt was replaced at 60k, but no other major work has been done since.

blown4runner96

The HG on a select few were put on upside down... the recall was for an inspection and if found faulty, replacement. There were more HGs replaced than needed. It was a "gravy" LSC and many techs just went ahead and replaced them regardless of whether or not they were right side up... And I believe it was only for select 1996 4Runners. Regardless X01 and V06 were for completely unrelated symptoms.

On a different note, I had a 1996 4Runner that I installed a s/c on at 150k and finally sold at 198k. I've seen the 5VZ motor with over 400k miles on it and no problems outside of a leaky water pump or two. Maintence is important for the life of any vehicle.

And as for the tranny fluid, I wouldn't drive it into the ground without changing it. There is nothing wrong with changing out dexron or T4 fluid. World service is a little more complicated and has recommended change intervals of 100k, but non of the 3rd gens are running it. Anyone who says changing out tranny fluid is harmfull is full of it... unless your NOT putting the correct fluid or fluid amount back into the system. I would recommend every 15k and no more than 30k between tranny fluid changes... IMO

mkgarrison5

i agree i change mine every 15k-20k.. i jsut drain and fill.. rougly 5qts worth but its never brown. i know it doesnt seem much but i dont have a few hundred to drop into a flush.. besides its very easy. ifyou can change the oil, you can change the tranny fluid just takes a few extra minutes

Epic Ed

I'll jump on the bandwagon -- I just sold my '97 4Runner with 168,000 miles. It ran like a Swiss watch. I bought it with 135,000 on the clock and drove it for nearly 1 1/2 years with no issues at all.

You cannot compare the 3.4L to the POS 3.slow 3VZE of the 2nd gen 4Runners. I still own a 95 4Runner that has the 3.0L and the difference is night and day. I can't express enough contempt for the 3.0, nor enough accolades for the 3.4.

Ed