I recently purchased valve cover gaskets for my 4runner. I figured, if I'm going to take it all apart to replace the old leaky gaskets, I might as well check the valves out. I've never done a valve job before, but I'm pretty handy with the tools. I heard the job is pretty easy once it's all taken apart. I would imagine if I were to take it to a mechanic it would cost a lot of $$$. You have to take apart half the engine it seems, just to get to the valve covers. Any savvy Toyota guys out there?

Go to http://www.t4x4pickup.com/ and put your query on that Toyota discussion forum. Those guys absolutely love answering questions such as yours. :)

IMO do a compression test. If all cylinders are within spec and you don't burn oil when the engine is cold (blue smoke out the exhaust from oil through the seals), don't bother doing the valve job.