tundra-lover

I just installed mine last week, and love them! No more yellow in the light at all, and I did the fog lights too. I paid $25 a piece for the Low/High's, and the fogs were $20 at Checker.

My 97' is having a few issues, mostly due to 109k miles: The temp sensor won't read outside temp correctly? My valve cover gaskets are starting to leak, the steering pump is leaking, the shocks are bad-and noisy(you can hear them squeeking, and creaking in the cold weather), and the tranny doesn't feel like it shifts right? Other than that it's OK, I just need to get some warm days, so I can get it shinned up- the salt on the road has caused little rust spots all over the car! Hopefully the buffer takes it all off!

I've seen a few of these problems at the Toyota dealership, from Tundra owners putting the FIPK kit on. My mechanic told me that they usually just had some oil residue on the MAF sensor, and was able to clean it off with no problem. I ran K&N in mine for over two years with no problem in both my vehicles. Side note: (One thing the mechanic here told me was that the computer can take up to 500 miles to adjust to the new fuel air mixture. So all these guys dropping it in for a day, and swapping it back for the OEM filter don't really notice any difference. If you want to see, just run one for a month at time?)

I have had my 97' ES for a couple of months now, and when I went down to the dealership, they told me that the 97's didn't have a cabin filter to replace? Do you know something different? Sounds like you found one next to the foot pedal, but do you happen to know of a replacement part number? I would like to go back and explain this to the dealership if you have it. Thanks!

I'm with you, they suck at the dealer, or the lube shop! If I have to go there, I usually end up watching them to make sure the clean it up. If they make a mess, I make them go wash it with the pressure washer (off the front crossmember). Can't trust em'!! You know what they say, "If you want a job done right, you have to ...!"

I was hoping someone would have some more info, anybody still reading this thread??? 97' Suspension seems to be limited, but wondering if anyone has the Tokico's at least??? Any confirmation on the stock strut brace would be cool. Thanks

Don't scrap it off! Just leave it until you can take it to a body shop to have them re-clear it with clearcoat. Let them sand it down, and refinish it with a high quality clear so it doesn't happen again. It's not that expensive, and should only take the better part of a day to do it. Just get a couple of quotes from local shop. P.S. I also tried the Meguires Enduralast, and am very pleased with the way it stays on, and makes the seal feel new, and protected from the elements. It seems like it may prevent more corrosion in the future, but not much for helping the leaks! I'll just have to be careful not to spray the carwash nozzle too close to the windows! Thanks for the input!

What I thought was interesting, was that Toyota told me that the 97' Camry V6 needed a Timing belt at 60K miles, and I talked with the Toyota/Lexus Guru mechanic personally, who told me the timing belt needed to be changed at 90k for the ES 300?? Something about it being different? I've never heard of any Toyota timing belt being changed at 120k unless it's the second one, and I've owned several. (Interestingly, the early straight 6 Land Cruiser doesn't need the timing belt changed at all). I also think you need to verify the non-interferance, and I also think $250 is cheap insurance for a timing belt! Ya, you guys are right about the tranny oil being a hot topic. It's up to the owner, and I just run my vehicles hard- so, I try to at least drain the four quarts every 15k. I just wish the drain pan had a plug in it like the Tundra does! After talking with people I work with, and family, some havn't changed the tranny oil at all- and mostly cause they had no flippin idea?! I don't think it's that big of deal? Good luck man!

Oh, sorry Jake, the tranny should be serviced every 30k miles. I think it cost me about $60 to have them drop the pan, drain about 4.5 quarts of fluid, and put a new gasket on. If you wanted to power flush it, your looking at about $200, and my tech told me I didn't need to do it as it wasn't looking that bad. When I did my Tundra tranny oil about four months ago, I ended up running all synthetic Red Line. I just pulled the return line off, cranked it over for a minute untill I filled a couple of quarts- then replaced 2 fresh quarts. Then I repeated the process until the entire 12.5 quarts had been replaced with new. It's kind of like a power flush, only not hooked up to a machine. It sure made one hell of a difference in power! I'm just not sure if you can do it with the Es 300?

With your engine, they suggest at 90k. You'll need to do the drive belts while your at it- as it will save some money later. Drive belts are about $8 for one, and $20 for the other. They Toyota shop may be a little cheaper, at least it was for me: $240 for the Timing belt installed, and drive belts were about $30. Hope that helps!

I've noticed a difference with my tires as well! I also wondered if you bought the car new?? If you bought it used, it may be possible to have had some body work done to it. It seems to be common practice of use car dealerships, or I should say from what I've seen in my area. Sometimes they don't do very good work?? Any body shop can verify if it's been done.

I've been looking to do the same with my 97', and I wonder if there is anyone actually running the Tokico struts? I just want a little firmer ride, with pretty much same ride height. (I don't want to do wheels, or tires yet either) It seems like the KYB is sold everywhere, but finding a dealer for Tokico is a pain... So far the closest dealer for me is Arizona, and Nevada. Interestingly, the KYB isn't much cheaper, as the Tokico strut is about $143 each. I also had a hard time with Whiteline- The website was hard to understand? I couldn't find any parts, and even after e-mailing them, they provided no part numbers or specific parts available. <_< From what you guys are saying, Eibach has springs available? And as far as strut braces go, I did find some info on 97's. With some help here, it sounds like the 99 Solara Stock (Suspension Support Brace part #53681-33010) as Toyota calls it will fit. I had to call several times, as the tech's couldn't find anything in the computer called a strut brace? The only other thing that may help is some poly bushings, if they make them?

I've got the Meguires Endurance in the garage, I'll give it a try this weekend and let you guys know what happens with my windows. It's not bad enough that I would pay to have the windows adjusted, especially if it may not help? Thanks!

Good question, I can't even find the power steering pump yet?? Not as easy to work on as a truck.

It's the same alarm on my Tundra as well, and you should be able to have a Toyota/Lexus tech turn off the beep all together, and just have the lights flash. I chose to do that, as to not alert everyone when I arrive/leave. The beep gets bothersome after a while.

Ya! I knew you guys would know what to do, Thanks!! I'm going to make an appointment today.

You may have already talked about leaky window seals before, but I couldn't find anything? My 97', due to the way the window's were designed(?), leak when I wash it. I'm not sure if it's due to aged rubber seals, or if it's a design flaw. Does anyone know if there is a fix, or is something to live with? It doesn't look like a real tight fit against the window, so I don't think a rubber dressing would help? Any of you guys replaced the rubber yet?

Does anyone know if I were to add a sub box in the trunk, if the factory (97') sub needs to be removed? I wonder if the sound waves would cancel each other out, or if the sound would create a passive sub effect with the stock 8" woofer? Any suggestions? I don't know how hard it would be to take it out, so if I can leave it, I will.

I agree lextech! I'm hoping mine will last for more than 300k with more that regular service. My 91' Runner has over 185k miles with Mobil 1 synthetic, and runs like brand new! I've done the same with my Tundra, and I can't wait to see what kind of mileage that one gets!

I found a set at Les Schwab, in a 215/65/15 that were last years Blissack model for $39 a piece! I think I'm going to get them, since it's the cheapest I've seen around here?

Ya, Toyota can do it no problem. That's who has done my service. It sounds like some of it isn't life threatening yet... maybe you can do a little at a time for now. Your looking at $400-500 for the power steering pump, and the valve covers are about $400 as well. Then I would just do a tranny flush the same they do the leaky gasket?? I just went through it myself.

The dealership, and other mechanic's tell me the ES 300/Camary is good for 200-300k miles. Anyone out there have that many yet? I'm very interested to hear what you guys have. Thanks

My car sucks in the snow, or I should say it's no fourwheel drive! I have the stock rims in the garage with bald Michelin's. I'm just wondering what you guys think will fit... I would like a 225, but I would like to see what you guys are running. Maybe a 215/65 Blissack??

I heard that Flowmaster had a new Quite free flow muffler out? You may want to check it out.

I've been looking for a while with no luck? I don't really want much, as far as replacement parts. But, I can't even find a FIPK kit for my 97' ES 300. I kind of thought the car was the same as a Camry? Sorry to have such a bulky request, but I know you guys are the ones to ask even if redundant. Please help. Anybody have suggestions for replacement headlight bulbs (brand), or a strut brace, or even replacement struts.... I was thinking about using KYB's? I also wanted to replace the Gold emblems with the nickel, but the dealership only has them for the newer ones, and I'm not sure they fit the same? I may even just paint them black? Any ideas guys?? Anybody running synthetic oil in the tranny??