Faults:

Replaced the engine @ 130,000 miles, not because it died, but I was afraid it was time.

Replaced the transmission after 120,000.

A seat rail broke last year.

General Comments:

I love this SUV, it is rock solid dependable, still stylish after all these years, and can be customized to fit your needs. We live in Northern California, and have taken it camping in the High Sierras, to the snow, to the beaches, in the wilderness, you name it, we've been there. I have driven that car hard, really hard, and it still keeps going.

It just doesn't stop... One time I was pulling a large load up in the High Sierra mountains, and third gear died on the manual transmission, just spun. We are in the middle of nowhere, so I had to just continue. I held the stick in third with my arm, and forced it into fourth gear, it locked and we got home. It took us 200 miles home with no third gear and a sketchy second gear. Still pulling the load.

I am thinking I am going to rip that car apart, give it a full refurbishment and keep it for another 20 years. I just can't part with it.

Faults:

Since I have owned it I have replaced these things, although they were not necessarily broke, just worn.

All 4 shocks at 249000, still had original shocks on it.

All 4 ball joints at 255000, was still running on originals.

Fuel filter at 247000, also original replaced.

Both drivers side calipers, were leaking from seals, they were also original.

Front brake pads and twice rear pads, not sure why the rears are wearing so quickly.

The 3.0 V6 is known for burning oil, and mine burns about a quart every 1000 miles, but that is with heavy stop and go traffic, highway it barely burns any.

Air filter, common maintenance, but not in stock anywhere.

ALL fluids have been replaced.

Power steering high pressure hose broke at 248000 miles.

Power steering belt tensioner at 245000 miles, can't find new, had to order used from California.

General Comments:

This vehicle is a gigantic metal block, and I love it.

Most of the items I have replaced have never been replaced in the 256000 MILES of the vehicle's life!!!

It was owned by two other people before me who didn't look like they kept up on maintenance as well as I do. I am 19, and do most work myself, and it is the only vehicle that I have owned that hasn't left me stranded somewhere. I make 500 mile trips from college to my home on breaks, and it makes them with no problems.

The 3.0 V6 is a great engine, except that it is propelling a 4500 pound vehicle, so it's not a racer, but it gets up to speed and still has enough power to pass. It also has problems with the valve stem seals that makes it burn oil, but doesn't seem to affect the performance at all.

It is very top heavy vehicle, and you feel it on highways with wind and on sharp corners, but I have gotten used to it, just something to keep in mind.

This truck has one of the best 4 wheel drive systems I have every used, still has same center differential and rear end, and it shifts in and out smoothly, and handles amazingly in the snow.

If you can find one with lower miles, it's going to be reliable amazing vehicle. Also go for the LS 3.0 V6 model as the 3.5 V6 in the SR model is known to have more problems.