Looking to buy 2004 4runner- need advice

[badast]

Hello,

New to the forum here and making my first post and looking to get into my first camping/ adventure vehicle. I am looking to buy a 2004 Toyota 4runner sports edition v8 with 146k miles on it. The timing belt and water pump were replaced 30k miles ago and comes with a pretty thorough maintenance documentation. The body is rust free and so is the frame. The only concern i have is that the transmission went out on it and the previous owners had a re-manufactured transmission put in by a toyota dealership 30k miles ago. Is this something that should be of concern? They want $10,500, does that sound like a good deal? Any input helps! thanks!

 

[SurferJacoby]

On the surface it sounds good but take a good mechanic with you. I have a 2000 V8 conversion and love the VVTI which was available from 06. If it were me I'd look more at an 06 and up but the 04 is still a great truck. If you have your heart set on this one though I'd still want to learn more about what went wrong. Did it slip etc? One of these transmissions going out that early seems a bit like a fluke. Install a transmission cooler and bypass the radiator if you purchase.

 

[michael_l]

Hello,

New to the forum here and making my first post and looking to get into my first camping/ adventure vehicle. I am looking to buy a 2004 Toyota 4runner sports edition v8 with 146k miles on it. The timing belt and water pump were replaced 30k miles ago and comes with a pretty thorough maintenance documentation. The body is rust free and so is the frame. The only concern i have is that the transmission went out on it and the previous owners had a re-manufactured transmission put in by a toyota dealership 30k miles ago. Is this something that should be of concern? They want $10,500, does that sound like a good deal? Any input helps! thanks!

Well you haven't got much input so I'll throw mine out there for you. I bought a 2005 with 122,000 for 10,500 from the original owner with full history down to every oil change about a year ago. I think that was about 500-1000 below market so I think your price is pretty fair. Like Surferjacoby said, I'd really want to know why the transmission went out. Could have been a fluke, or could have been abused. I'd also check the spark plugs, I think those are an 80k thing on that truck so you'd be wanting to change those out shortly as well.

As a truck though, mine has been awesome. We have taken it camping, little bit of offroading, out to the desert, up to the mountains, and through LA in between. It gets terrible gas mileage....well not so bad but certainly not great and has only an okay range of about 300 miles before I start to get concerned. I get about 14 in town, and up to 18 with all freeway, I have tires that BFG A/T KOs on there and they are plus one size up, don't remember off hand. I've had a couple of little things to fix, need a new cv boot, the auto door lock in one of the back passenger doors stopped working, light out in the dash, and tire pressure sensor failed. Overall though I love it, size is great, V8 power / torque is awesome, off road capability has surpassed even my expectations, and it's been serving it's purpose admirably. No regrets at all on my end. I look at new cars and would love a wrangler, diesel colorado, or a new 4runner even, but I'm quite happy having only spent 10k and having it all paid off.

Hope some of that helps!

 

[p nut]

I wouldn't be too worried about a reman transmission. They're typically OEM units, if a Toyota dealership installed it. You essentially get a new OEM transmission. The engine is robust as well. 2uz is one smooth engine and longevity is well-documented.

Are you ok with Full time 4WD? Takes a little toll on gas (along with the V8) but it can be nice at times. Either way, I think $10k would be a good price if it's as clean as you say it is.

 

[badast]

Thanks, for the input guys! Sorry, it has taken me a while to respond. I did go ahead and purchase the vehicle. I had a hard time finding decent 4runners within a 200 mile radius for around $10k where i live (indianapolis), and this is the first one to pop up that had a good maintenance documentation and is in great shape. I went to look at the vehicle on Tuesday and took a closer look at the service record from Kings Toyota in Ohio for the transmission work. The owners complaint was that the vehicle " sounded/felt like it was going over rubble strips" between 40-50mph. Bad torque converter? She said she let it sit for a week and it went away temporarily but came back again. Kings Toyota just went ahead and installed a re-manufactured transmission. The 4runner was driven in Michigan so i expected a rust bucket but there is no rust on the body from what i can see and just minimal/surface rust under the vehicle, It looks like the under body has been sprayed with a black coating. I will be posting some pictures shortly! Most of the major service work has been done, so besides new spark plugs that michael_l mentioned, does anyone have any other suggestions on maintenance? Will, Michelin LTX ms2 that are on serve me well for gravel and dirt roads snow and light to moderate mud? Thanks again guys!

lastly, I know from a financial stand point, the 4runner and any off-road vehicle for that case is probably a terrible idea when i could buy a gas efficient car but, I think everyone is allowed to make some bad decisions that will hopefully bring some enjoyment and adventure to their life.

 

[badast]

By the way i love your dog! I can't wait to move out downtown Indianapolis and get a puppy!

 

[SurferJacoby]

Congrats on the purchase

Hope to see some pictures real soon!

 

[p nut]

... Will, Michelin LTX ms2 that are on serve me well for gravel and dirt roads snow and light to moderate mud? Thanks again guys!

They'll be fine, as long as they have good tread on them. I'd venture to say 90% of the folks here will do just fine on those tires (including me).

 

[Clawhammer]

They'll be fine, as long as they have good tread on them. I'd venture to say 90% of the folks here will do just fine on those tires (including me).

I've got those tires and can't wait to replace them. The don't do well in snow and clog up with mud. They do fine for dirt roads though, and they wear like iron.

 

[michael_l]

Thanks, for the input guys! Sorry, it has taken me a while to respond. I did go ahead and purchase the vehicle. I had a hard time finding decent 4runners within a 200 mile radius for around $10k where i live (indianapolis), and this is the first one to pop up that had a good maintenance documentation and is in great shape. I went to look at the vehicle on Tuesday and took a closer look at the service record from Kings Toyota in Ohio for the transmission work. The owners complaint was that the vehicle " sounded/felt like it was going over rubble strips" between 40-50mph. Bad torque converter? She said she let it sit for a week and it went away temporarily but came back again. Kings Toyota just went ahead and installed a re-manufactured transmission. The 4runner was driven in Michigan so i expected a rust bucket but there is no rust on the body from what i can see and just minimal/surface rust under the vehicle, It looks like the under body has been sprayed with a black coating. I will be posting some pictures shortly! Most of the major service work has been done, so besides new spark plugs that michael_l mentioned, does anyone have any other suggestions on maintenance? Will, Michelin LTX ms2 that are on serve me well for gravel and dirt roads snow and light to moderate mud? Thanks again guys!

lastly, I know from a financial stand point, the 4runner and any off-road vehicle for that case is probably a terrible idea when i could buy a gas efficient car but, I think everyone is allowed to make some bad decisions that will hopefully bring some enjoyment and adventure to their life.

Congrats on the new truck! Like others have said, this thread is now worthless without photos!