So I'm asking for advice from the most knowledgeable 4Runner people I know. I have asked questions before on this forum and have always received great feedback.
My question is: Do I continue to keep my 97 4Runner SR5 that has 199,000 miles and continue to invest money in it? I do all maintenance and repairs myself.I have read that it can go to 250,000 miles, but I'm not sure what that means in terms of parts replacement. I really love this vehicle. Its the best I have ever owned.
I use almost daily to work and to tow a small boat each year on vacation from NJ to northern Lake Champlain and as the mileage ramps up, I feel uneasy about using it with fear that something is going to fail on it (especially while on vacation!) I have owned it for 129,000 of the miles it has and meticulously maintained it. (new parts over the years: starter, radiator, timing belt, solenoids in transmission, rear axle seal, rotors, one fuel injector, plugs and ignition wires once)
It currently has steering wheel shimmy when it reaches 70 mph and also when I apply the brakes on a higher speed stop or coming down a steep hill. I have had this in the past and replaced the rotors / pads and it solved it for a time but it returns after a few months. Now I would like to replace the original calipers, rotors, pads and also the original front struts, even though the struts seem ok doing the "bumper bounce" test. I figure since the calipers and struts are original its time to replace them. Does anyone have similar or even higher mileage and any thoughts on what I may expect in terms of parts that may need replacement? Ball joints? Master cylinder?Alternator? How long do these darn things last???