Going to look at a T4R

Going to go look at a T4R sometime in the next few weeks, seller is a friend of a family member asking ~1K for it.
No definite info yet but family member thinks it's a 2000 or 2001 limited, ~170K miles, TRD supercharger, Auto trans, 4x4.
Owner said it needs a water pump (I would do the whole timing belt kit) so ~300 in parts and a weekend of my time to fix.

Anything else to look at on the T4R's?
It's from the Va area so I'm expecting some rust, I also plan on servicing the trans if I cannot find the service records.

What do I need to know about the TRD S/C? I assume it will need a rebuild as well (Family member believes it was factory installed).

 

It would be a great idea to rebuild the s/c if it's never been done. The water pump isn't too bad to change. I just did it in my girlfriends and it took me around 6-8 hours with lots of breaks and taking my time (was also on a conference call for work at the time lol). Go on t4r.org and do a search for pink milkshake. It's one of the biggest problems with these and is related to a failed water pump/radiator. It bricks the transmission if it were to happen so preventative maintenance is cheap in comparison. Make sure the 4x4 works properly on it if it hasn't been excersised properly over the years. 1k for it is a great deal so I'd probably buy it and do whatever is needed, you'll still come out ahead I'm sure.

 

I've never rebuilt a S/C, it shouldn't be too difficult though.
Waterpump/timing belt isn't too difficult, I did the one on my truck a few months ago, the biggest pain was re-torquing crank pulley.

I had forgotten about the pink milkshake issue, if I get it I'll make sure to put in an external trans cooler and remove the stock cooler from the system.

 

External trans cooler will eliminate the risk to be certain, did it on my 99.. the stock cooler is the radiator so don't be removing that lol.

Other than timing belt, pink milkshake risk, I cannot comment on the s/c as I have never had one...just usual shit that comes from age. Rust in the tailgate, rocker panels etc are common in this gen. Also rear axle seals seem to be punky but an easy remediation.

1k bones is a good deal so have fun, and keep us updated.

 

Was on a job with my cousin today and remembered to ask him about the T4R, he talked to his buddy and said we are welcome to look at it anytime.
Waterpump is the only issue, symptom is coolant leaking from around the pump.
He's wanting to get $1,200 for it and I already have a buyer lined up for after I fix it, trying to go look at it wednesday or thursday.

 

I have seen issues if the water pump is leaking over the cps also.

 

Went and looked at it this afternoon, decided to get it.
'99 with 207K on it, 4x4, TRD, factory supercharged, leather, power interior and sunroof.
Frame is in good shape, it has a few problems though.

Body damage at front left fender, body damage on rear lift gate (may have to replace it, but the window still works and the gate opens), very light damage to rear right quarter panel, interior is in good shape, both front seats are worn but not terrible, some exterior trim needs to be replaced/reglued.

Mechanically: the water pump needs to be replaced, timing belt was replaced at 170K, supercharger needs to be rebuilt I think, I need to get a J hook for the battery tie down, the lines that run to the rear for rear heat split and need to be replaced, and the AC need to be recharged.
Also he said that the power doors will all unlock but not lock electrically, I feel like that is a bad ground or some other electrical issue that should be somewhat simple to diagnose and hopefully fix.

Edit: He also said it needs a knock sensor, CEL wasn't on when we ran it though.

 

Awesome, good to see another one looking to be saved!

Just some thoughts...99 TRD? Didn't exist. Might be a nice sticker tho

Body damage I wouldn't worry about as ez fix except for tailgate, gonna be hard to replace...they are gold at that age.

I don't know a thing about SC

Rear heat lines...ya they are prone. High pressure rubber hose is a decent replacement, cuz factory steel lines are very speedy

AC recharge means a leak, could be speedy.

The electrical probs with locks is common, but also a gremlin. Mine are perfect but my folks 99 has the same gremlin as yours.

Good luck with the build friend...eager to hear how ya make out!

Edit: speedy = spendy

 

How does the supercharger sound? Does it rattle real loud when idling? A low/medium sounding rattle is normal at idle, depending on how warm or hot the motor is. But if it's obnoxiously loud (or if you can hear the rattle from inside the cab while driving) then it definitely needs a rebuild. There are some videos on youtube of what a TRD supercharger sounds like when it needs to be rebuilt. They're recommended to be rebuilt every 100k or so depending on how hard they were driven, so it's probably a good idea to start planning for it even if it sounds okay. Definitely change the oil in the nosecone asap though, that's super easy (you'll need the supercharger oil and a big syringe/tube to suck the old oil out). There are some good write-ups in the 1st gen section on TW.

I just bought this kit off of eBay to change the oil in my s/c...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Two-GM-Supe...ash=item19ed78faa6:g:29sAAOSwIzNXO1Hs&vxp=mtr

 

Oh and $1k is a steal...the blower alone is worth at least that much. Congrats on the score!

 

No sticker, just a small badge between the rear door and rear windows, doesn't look bad though.

After I get the mechanicals in shape I'll go ahead and fix the body damage unless my buyer doesn't want it done, some family of mine own a collision repair shop and he said that I'm welcome to use it on the weekends and all he'll charge is materials, I could probably pay the paint man to work a few hours on a Saturday to spray and blend the areas that need it and still be fairly cheap.

High pressure rubber hose is a good idea, sounds like a fairly simple job.

Yeah, the shop has a AC charge/evac system so I'll put it under a vacuum and see if I can find a leak, if not I'll go with a UV kit to try to find it.

I didn't know if the electrical issue was a common problem or not but i figured between the resources on the forums and the experience I have it shouldn't be terrible to trace out.

Thanks, I'm hoping to make a little profit on this so I can go ahead and order a front bumper for my tacoma since I managed to bend the DIY relentless I built for it.

SC was quiet, didn't run the truck more than a few minutes because the owner said that the leak will empty the radiator in about 5 minutes but it was quiet with a slight whine, I noticed where it looked like some oil had been leaking at the back of the SC so I figured a rebuild should fix that.

Thanks

 

Yup, I foolishly didnt comment on the purchase price...

Two thumbs up for what ya paid...and a big toe! Grats

 

There's a pretty gurl !

 

Thanks!
I really, really like it, thinking of selling my tacoma and keeping this after it's fixed.

 

Keep both...like me

 

I would but I'm barely 21 and living in an apartment right now working 3 part time jobs, insurance would kill me and I don't have a legitimate reason that I need two vehicles that are extremely reliable and get sub par fuel mileage.

I don't know at this point, I have access to a shop and tools, the ability to store the 4runner at the shop or at my apartment after it's running and if everything goes to plan I'll have a steady job starting in January.
I like the idea of having the money in my pocket if I sold my truck but at the same time I can't get top dollar for my truck right now because of some body damage and a damaged front (plate) bumper and non-functioning winch.

 

Shit dood, I'm 50 so we're in a different financial space. You're in a pickle lol. A good pickle but a pickle nonetheless...

When you're done, you'll know which one to keep...just keep us apprised if you wouldn't mind.

Best of luck, will be a neat write up ...1st Gen taco or 3rd Gen Runner.

 

Yeah, definitely in different financial spaces.
I could keep it and slowly fix it (Fix the water pump right away so it would be drivable and address the other issues later) and it wouldn't be too much of a financial burden, tags would be ~60/yr and insurance ~$20/month, but i'm not 100% sure what route I want to go.

I have no debt, all 3 of my jobs pay well but of the three jobs only one guarantees hours a week and it's the one that pays least and it's only 6-10 hours, the other jobs pay better but are on an as needed basis, so how many hours I'm able to work will most likely decide if I keep both or not.

I'll definitely keep y'all posted.
Thanks, there's not much left to do for the taco, just fix the winch, replace the plate bumper, and fix the body damage, I don't think I'll mod it much more because I don't have any specific needs from it other than DD/work truck.
The 4runner I would keep stock height and mostly do interior mods, but I feel like the 4runner is a little better suited as far as keeping some gear in the truck and living in the city.