Looking to buy a 4Runner?

Hey TW peeps. Been out of a Tacoma for quite some time now and have been searching high and wide for something decent in the $5K range and getting frustrated. Most are ridiculous miles or rusted out or just have issues. I have branches out and begun looking at 4Runners which seem much more reasonably priced. So question to all those with knowledge of these, what should I be looking for? Obviously the rust issues on Toyota’s in general and any leaks. I did come across one that looks almost too good to be true. Going to go look at it tomorrow. 2001 V6 with only 104k on the clock. No rust that I can see and the dealer also confirms no rust on the body or frame. Says he’ll take $4,700 for it. Thanks all!

 

Thanks for the link

 

No problem. They are great cars and that one is a rare color. If it’s 4wd it will have the multi mode transfer case so it has awd and 4wd. Since it’s a 2001 it won’t have a rear locker but can be retro fitted in.

Big things would be timing belt and water pump at that mile stone and if it has original radiator swap it to avoid pink milk shake.

@MattJakobs has the same color and year.

 

Thanks, yeah I was thinking the reason it may be priced low is because it may be due for a timing belt and water pump. I’ll report back with my findings tomorrow

 

Idk how mechanical you are but I just did mine and it only took me about 5 hours with a hand from @MattJakobs.

Got a kit off eBay from aircabinman that is all oem parts for a great price so if that’s the reason and you can do the work looks like a good price for low miles.

 

Yeah I’m pretty good with tools and my hands but I wouldn’t be tackling a job like that without someone who could guide me through the process

 

Oh, hey. Didn’t see you there

 

That’s what Timmy the toolman on YouTube is for. He makes great instructional videos about everything on 3rd gen 4runners.

 

Ok, swing on by I’ll have food and cold beer

 

Always loved that body style. Hopefully it's clean as they say and yall can make a deal.

 

Yeah me too. Minus the low hanging running boards. Then give it a lift, some wheels and tires, armor, roof rack, lights.... shit

 

Supercharger ​

 

I have a 1st gen and 2nd gen tacoma, my girlfriend has a 02 3rd gen 4runner and i honestly wish i got that as my 1st car over the 1st gen tacoma. More room, same engine and 99% the same drive line. The body really is the only difference. Great SUVs for the money

 

You were feeling mighty helpful today

 

I loved my '96 4runner. All of the driveline stuff is tried-and-true, and they have that classic old-school overbuilt but still utilitarian Toyota feel. The interior felt like it was put together a bit better than the one in my Tacoma, and had some nicer features (the seats were amazingly comfortable, and you have to love the roll-down back window). Despite what the dealer may say, I'm pretty skeptical about a 17 year old vehicle in PA with claims of no rust, regardless of the mileage. For whatever reason, the rockers on these always seem to be rusted out in the salt belt, while similar year Tacos seem to fare better, perhaps due to the ever-present-on-the-4runner running boards trapping sediment close to a particularly vulnerable area of the body. I'd check the rockers front and back really closely, as well as behind the fender flares. Some body rust might not be a dealbreaker, but you should at least know what to expect. The frame likes to rot on the passenger side rear near the exhaust. I'd be wary of any undercoating - check that shit out thoroughly with a flashlight. Before scooping an Arizona truck I looked at a couple local 1st gen Tacomas up here that the sellers had half-assedly undercoated, right over the obvious frame rust. Even if it's an older undercoating, the coating eventually cracks and allows salt and water to work its magic from the inside out. Like I said, I'm really skeptical of rust-free claims. Good luck!

 

Thanks for the advice brother

 

Following for interest...


Mine