| Engine oil & filter | 3VZ-E: 10W-30 above −18 °C, 5W-30 below 10 °C · ≈4.8 US qt with filter (AMSOIL, 1992 3VZ-E) · 22R-E confirm in manual | At purchase, then per the manual | Milky oil or a sweet smell on the dipstick on a 3VZ-E means head gaskets — walk away or budget for it.Oil filters — 1993 4Runner catalog · RockAuto ↗ |
| Air filter | Panel filter | At purchase | Check the intake boot between airflow meter and throttle body for cracks — a common source of unmetered air.K&N air filter, 1988–95 pickup & 4Runner (3.0 V6) · LC Engineering ↗Air filters — 1993 4Runner catalog · RockAuto ↗ |
| Fuel filter | EFI in-line filter | At purchase if no record | On 22R-E trucks it's below the intake manifold; owners pull the driver's front wheel and watch the flow direction.Fuel filter, 22R-E/22R-TE EFI (1983–95) · LC Engineering ↗Fuel filters — 1993 4Runner catalog · RockAuto ↗ |
| Spark plugs, wires, cap & rotor | 22R-E: Denso W16EXR-U · 3VZ-E: Denso K16R-U · gap 0.8 mm (0.031 in) for both (Denso catalogue) | At purchase | Wire sets differ by year on both engines — match the terminal style on your cap.NGK plug wire set, 3VZ 1992–95 · LC Engineering ↗NGK plug wire set, 3VZ 1989–91 · LC Engineering ↗Denso 5 mm plug wire set, 22R/22R-E 1993–95 · LC Engineering ↗ |
| Timing belt, tensioner & water pump (3VZ-E) | Belt kit + water pump + thermostat | A 4Runners.com member recalls 4 years / 96,000 km (≈60,000 mi) as typical | No records = do it now. Owners favour Aisin parts over bargain kits.Timing belt kit — 3VZ 1988–1992 · LC Engineering ↗Timing belt kit — 3VZ 1993–1995 · LC Engineering ↗Water pump — 3VZ 1993–95 · LC Engineering ↗3VZ water pump, 1989–92 (without water tube) · LC Engineering ↗ |
| Timing chain & guides (22R-E) | Metal-backed guides recommended | Inspect at purchase | Listen for slap from the timing cover at cold start.22R/22R-E metal-backed timing chain guides (1985–95) · LC Engineering ↗22R/22R-E timing chain tensioner (1983–95) · LC Engineering ↗ |
| Coolant & cooling system | Toyota-type long-life coolant · 3VZ-E 4WD ≈9.5 US qt (AMSOIL, 1992 3VZ-E) · 22R-E capacity confirm in manual | Drain/refill or flush at purchase, then keep it fresh | 4Runners.com's 3VZ-E advice: never let it overheat, refresh coolant regularly, and keep up with the belt and water pump. Pressure-test the system if coolant level drops.22R/3VZ thermostat housing gasket · LC Engineering ↗Coolant, radiator & thermostat — 1993 4Runner catalog · RockAuto ↗ |
| Automatic transmission fluid (A340H) | Fluid type and capacity confirm in manual | Drain and refill at purchase | Prefer repeated drain-and-fills over a pressure flush on a high-mileage unknown.Transmission fluid & filters — 1993 4Runner catalog · RockAuto ↗ |
| Transfer case | Manual-gearbox trucks: GL-4 or GL-5 gear oil, ≈2.3 pt (with ADD) / 3.4 pt (without); A340H automatics take ATF, ≈1.7 pt (AMSOIL, 1992 3VZ-E) · viscosity confirm in manual | At purchase | V6 trucks have a chain-driven case; four-cylinders kept the gear-driven unit — confirm which you have before ordering parts.Transfer case parts — 1993 4Runner catalog · RockAuto ↗ |
| Front & rear differentials, ADD | Front (ADD): GL-5 hypoid, SAE 90 above −18 °C, 80W-90 or 80W below, ≈4 pt (AMSOIL, 1992 3VZ-E) · rear confirm in manual | At purchase | 1990-on 4Runners use Toyota's vacuum-operated ADD (automatic differential disconnect) with locked hubs; per 4Runners.com, check that 4WD actually engages and the vacuum lines are intact.Differential parts & gaskets — 1993 4Runner catalog · RockAuto ↗ |
| Front wheel bearings & seals | Clean, repack, set preload | At purchase | Any hum or play on the test drive means do it now.Front wheel bearing & seal kit, 4WD IFS 1986–1995 · LC Engineering ↗ |
| Brake fluid | Type confirm in manual | Flush at purchase | SR5 V6s have rear-wheel ABS; bleed per the factory procedure.Brake hydraulics — 1993 4Runner catalog · RockAuto ↗ |
| Steering & front end | Idler arm, tie-rods, CV boots | Inspect at purchase | Idler-arm wear is the usual cause of highway wander.OE idler arm, IFS 1986–1995 4WD pickup & 4Runner · LC Engineering ↗ |
| Rear coil springs & shocks | Coils + shocks | Inspect at purchase | Most have sagged; Old Man Emu 2 in coils come in 180 lb and 330 lb (HD) constant-load rates.Old Man Emu 2 in rear coils (180 lb), 1990–95 4Runner · LC Engineering ↗ |