Toyota 4Runner 1999

My 1999 4Runner has done 154,000 miles. Touch wood has not given any major problems these 23 years.
I now am planning to do the following:
Replace the timing belt, water pump, and related items that come as a kit
Replace the valve cover gasket
Replace serpentine belt
Replace radiator
Repair the transmission shifter which now has a lot of play.
Should the valves be replaced?

There are smaller items such as inspecting the steering linkage, steering gearbox, fuel tank cap gasket, drive shaft boots, drive belts, ball joints, and dust covers.
If I ask you to specify any other important item left out, it may not mean much because often even a small hose or fitting can be problematic.

Is there something really important left out? Could you recommend the brand of different major components that I should specify to the auto shop?
Thank you!
Aamir Raza
Houston, TX

 

I also have a 1999 4Runner. 204,000 miles. I've had it a year. Service records show valve cover gaskets were replaced long ago. It does not leak oil at all. To my knowledge the timing belt has never been replaced. Almost everyone on 4Runner forums says replace it. But I'm letting mine alone. I have never heard of one breaking. And if it does break, I'm pretty sure it's a non-interference engine.

Unless you like spending money, I would only replace things that need it. Most on this forum will disagree with me but that's my point of view.

Mine had a sloppy shifter. I replaced the shifter bushings, and now it feels like a new car. This is the cheapest repair you mentioned and one you will enjoy every time you drive the car.

 

The problem with that approach to the timing belt is the degree of inconvenience and cost when it does break. I replaced mine many years ago on my 2001, along with idlers and water pump, at about 125k miles, somewhere around $400 in parts as I recall. Belt looked great, but I replaced it at my convenience, not the truck's. I had a belt break on a Camry prior to that, when my family was in the car and I was at work. That's an immediate change-of-plans event. The nice thing is that you can pop off the plastic cover and see the condition of the belt in just a few minutes.

One thing I would add to your list: replace alternator brushes. A $20 preventive maintenance task that isn't difficult and will last another 150k-200k miles.

 

Wut? Does the 4cyl use a serpentine belt? The 6 cyl doesn't.

 

Probably just means alternator and A/C belts, regardless the other maintenance item id have them do is the Lower Ball Joints, catastrophic failure point on the 3rd gen’s, and long overdue

other than that seems like a good list!

 

I should add that my 4Runner is a 2WD previously owned by older people and I don't think it's ever been off-road or used for towing. If yours is a 4WD, has been off-road a lot, used for towing, then it's probably led a harder life and could use more preventive maintenance.

 

Roboturner and Alan-in-Alabama thank you both! Mine is a 2WD. Also, the comment on lower ball joints is appreciated.