1997 4Runner, 283k miles - MaxLife or Restore and Protect?

[fofojoe]

I’d run it in both. No downside. Only benefit.

I'll keep an eye out for bulk Valvoline Restore and Protect

 

[tired]

I'll keep an eye out for bulk Valvoline Restore and Protect

You just missed their rebate. I maxed that out. $5 off a jug. I wouldn’t be surprised if it comes back. But it’s still the same price as most quality synthetics off the shelf at Walmart.

 

[tired]

On the RX300, I got that with 230k miles so the grime comes from before. Similar situation, paid $2500 and it's already ran great for years so I've easily gotten my money's worth. I've had the valve covers off since then and it's varnished, but not caked with grime or anything. I'm just used to my Crown Victoria that was pristine under the valve covers at 170k

I've dropped the pan and cleaned it out thoroughly, + short OCI's to keep it clean.

Maybe I'll switch to Valvoline Restore and Protect there too

And trust me, I'm looking for a reason *too* run Valvoline Restore and Protect that's not the novelty of a new product. Just making sure this would be a good use case rather than me falling for the hype.


Overall the rest of the 4runner is in good shape.
There is an oil leak somewhere that could be contributing to the drop in level as well. Not enough to put a drop on the ground, and it could be left over from other fixed leaks. But fixing that won't be a problem.

Paints a little rough but all there, mechanically everything seems to work. Some rust on the underside, but I've posted that around other forums and the consensus was good.

The way I see it, this could sell for $3500-$5000 all day long because it's a 4runner. I get it for $2k, enjoy it for however long I want, then sell for $3k and get my money back.

I think you’re getting a great deal and a legendary truck! I wouldn’t think twice! Enjoy it! The 5VZ will outlive us both.

 

[fofojoe]

I

I think you’re getting a great deal and a legendary truck! I wouldn’t think twice! Enjoy it! The 5VZ will outlive us both.

I appreciate your input I've been going back and forth about it but I think I'm going to do it. There's $200-$300 worth of stuff I'd want to address right away, then some other stuff I'd address slowly over time.

First off, I'd change every fluid. Oil, transmission, front/rear differential, transfer case, brake fluid, coolant and power steering fluid.

Biggest issue is the hole in the exhaust, but the owner already bought a stock style replacement and is including it at that price. I can fix that myself. Cat is fine too, just leaking behind.

2nd issue is the throttle cable - I guess they get really gummed up. You have to press that thing down hard. And I'm used to cable driven throttles, the 3 other vehicles I have use em. But good ole Toyota, I can get an aftermarket cable for $45 or an OEM for $105.

Then it's addressing some of the frame rust. I'm thinking knock out the chunks, wire wheel the metal and use Eastwood Rust Encapsulator over it. There's some rust for sure, but again I've posted photos of it around multiple forums and 90% of the comments said go for it. I've been reading other posts and watching videos too and there are waaaaaaay worse 4runner frames out there.

A couple of the body trim panels (it's a Limited) have broken plastic clips, so I'd either remove em entirely or replace the clips.

Then I'd take the interior out and give the carpet a thorough clean. Recover the seats with eBay seat bottoms, and address some decent rust on the driver's side floor pan.

I figure I can do all of that for under $400, and I'd do all the work myself and have all the time in the world.

 

[tired]

I

I appreciate your input I've been going back and forth about it but I think I'm going to do it. There's $200-$300 worth of stuff I'd want to address right away, then some other stuff I'd address slowly over time.

First off, I'd change every fluid. Oil, transmission, front/rear differential, transfer case, brake fluid, coolant and power steering fluid.

Biggest issue is the hole in the exhaust, but the owner already bought a stock style replacement and is including it at that price. I can fix that myself. Cat is fine too, just leaking behind.

2nd issue is the throttle cable - I guess they get really gummed up. You have to press that thing down hard. And I'm used to cable driven throttles, the 3 other vehicles I have use em. But good ole Toyota, I can get an aftermarket cable for $45 or an OEM for $105.

Then it's addressing some of the frame rust. I'm thinking knock out the chunks, wire wheel the metal and use Eastwood Rust Encapsulator over it. There's some rust for sure, but again I've posted photos of it around multiple forums and 90% of the comments said go for it. I've been reading other posts and watching videos too and there are waaaaaaay worse 4runner frames out there.

A couple of the body trim panels (it's a Limited) have broken plastic clips, so I'd either remove em entirely or replace the clips.

Then I'd take the interior out and give the carpet a thorough clean. Recover the seats with eBay seat bottoms, and address some decent rust on the driver's side floor pan.

I figure I can do all of that for under $400, and I'd do all the work myself and have all the time in the world.

Sounds like a fun project, and after all that, you'd have a pretty sweet ride. I'd say go for it, especially since you can do the work yourself!

I'm pretty biased towards Toyota OEM parts. The throttle cable, I'd assume you could get away with third party, but I find people seem to regret going non-OEM and most Toyota part applications. They make good stuff.

 

[fofojoe]

Sounds like a fun project, and after all that, you'd have a pretty sweet ride. I'd say go for it, especially since you can do the work yourself!

I'm pretty biased towards Toyota OEM parts. The throttle cable, I'd assume you could get away with third party, but I find people seem to regret going non-OEM and most Toyota part applications. They make good stuff.

I agree, where it's reasonable I'd go OEM. Their filters for example are cheaper than almost every brand of you buy in bulk ($5.50 a filter, packs of 10).

Since 2022 (about 35k miles) this 4runner has also had the following serviced at a dealership..

Oil pan gasket
Transmission output seal + fluid change
Sparkplugs and wires

In my mind this is a solid $5k truck after I address the bigger issues I mentioned.

And to bring it back around, yes I DO plan on running Valvoline Restore and Protect

 

[Insertcoolname]

my old camry liked maxlife

 

[Japanese]

My goal is to take good care of this truck, but not overspend too much. I just "finished" my last project so I've got the itch to get dirty again, and this popped up.

How is the truck doing? Did you get it and does it burn a lot of oil?