Vivalo

I’m looking at getting an SC300, either aiming for a stock 60-70k mile mint conduction one or for one that is preswapped to a Twin Turbo JDM engine

For the stock low mileage ones, the owners I talk to say they never had the timing belt service done but I thought that they should be replaced every 100k miles or 10 years (whichever comes first). Does that still hold true?? These cars I am seeing (1999-2000) are running on 17-18 year old belts which seems really risky.

For engine swaps, do people always replace the timing belts at the same time as the install? Seems a no brained foe
me but when I talk to owners they often don’t know and so have no idea about the age of the belt that is keeping their engine alive. (Again really really risky considering the expense of the swap)

JoeBlob

Some people are just too busy being "jdm" to actually do the maintenance. If I wasn't shown the receipt for when my 400 last had one done I would have bought a kit the day I got the car... I'd rather spend the $150+/- and an afternoon than blow my engine over a damn belt

KahnBB6

iTrader: (5)

^^ This. Unless there are recent receipts for any services proving wear parts are within their mileage intervals you should plan on doing them. I don't recall what common US model shares a nearly identical timing belt with 1JZ's (it was a very specific Mitsubishi or Isuzu engine) but if you can get the factory Toyota belt, do that. Gates also makes a good 1JZ timing belt. Driftmotion should sell one also.

1997Soarer

iTrader: (1)

Always assume NO MAINTENANCE was ever done unless you have proof. And even if you do, if it was years ago, you are probably due to change it again and should.