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The Ultimate 5th Gen 4Runner Maintenance Guide
These are my personal maintenance steps and intervals. Based on your usage, the intervals may vary.
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More step by step instructions in the blog are coming soon!
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There are many great sites, forums, and videos for 4Runner-specific and general auto repair, but this site specializes as a reference tool for everything 5th gen 4Runner. The articles below provide a detailed, step-by-step instruction with full photos that can help you make a new maintenance item easier or as a continued reference/refresher.
Difficulty: Easy
Frequency: Every 6 months or 5,000 miles.Â
Estimated time: Less than an hour
Estimated cost: Depends on the oil used, typically around $50-$70
Intake & Cabin Filter Change
Difficulty: Easy
Frequency: Every year or 16,000 miles
Estimated time: Less than 30 minutes
Estimated cost: Depends on the filter, typically around $40
Differential & Transfer Case Fluid Change
Difficulty: Moderate
Frequency: 1.5 years or 15,000 miles (differentials)
3 years or 30,000 miles (transfer case)
Estimated time: A few hours
Estimated costs: Using genuine Toyota fluids, the cost is around $130 for the differentials and $120 for the transfer case
Front and Rear Sway Bar Link Replacement
Difficulty: Easy
Frequency: As needed
Estimated time: A few hours
Estimated costs: Around $200 for OEM (front) or $125 aftermarket (front, bundle)
Difficulty: Moderate
Frequency: 3 years or 36,000 miles
Estimated time: A few hours (much easier with a lift)
Estimated costs: Using genuine WS fluid and dealer parts the cost is around $200
Difficulty: Easy
Frequency: Every year or 10,000 miles
Estimated time: 15 minutes
Estimated costs: About $10 investment
Difficulty: Easy
Frequency: Check as needed
Estimated time: 15 minutes
Estimated costs: Using the genuine Toyota part (Aisan), the cost is around $5
Spark Plugs
Difficulty: Moderate
Frequency: 2 years or 30,000 miles
Estimated time: A few hours
Estimated costs: Using genuine Toyota-Denso plugs, the cost is around $45
Lubricating the Prop Shafts
Difficulty: Moderate
Frequency: 6 months or 5,000 miles
Estimated time: Less than an hour
Estimated costs: Depends on the grease