What to watch out for on a 3rd gen 4runner?

[Mr. Leary]

Need pics.

I'm not a big fan of SCs, but then again I drive like granny and don't like adding components that create more stress for the engine. I also don't like having to run on premium fuel, because premium fuel, if you can find it at all in the random gas station in the countryside, may have been sitting there for quite some time. Farm trucks don't get premium fuel...

That said, 4Runners are not overpowered by any stretch of the imagination. You might prefer the SC, as it will allow the truck to get out of its own way every once in a while! :coffeedrink:

Make sure there is a diff drop. 3.5" lift is big for these trucks.

Make sure the stock catalytic converter is still on there. Most other cats piss off the computer in short order and a new Toyota cat costs like $800.

I bought my Land Cruiser the same way... fly in, have the seller pick me up... give it a good lookover, and drive it home. Remember, your biggest advantage is the ability to walk away. You would rather waste $200 on a flight back home then $2000 on a truck that you will have to drop new parts into... don't be hasty!

 

[bikerjosh]

4runner-thoughts

pics

ok, thoughts now?
thanks Josh

 

[Mr. Leary]

Looks like pretty uneven tire wear on the front, with a bumper that is improperly fitted (looks like a TJM).

Looks alot like what my truck used to look like, before I started bolting and welding a bunch of expensive crap onto it.:sombrero:

The truck looks pretty clean. Doesn't look like its seen too many trails. This is a mixed blessing. Probably means it has not been rode hard and put up wet, but also means that some of the key components have not been used often.

Be sure to check to see if the locker engages, cuz the actuators tend to seize up if unused. You have to be in 4LO for the locker to engage (but there is something called the "gray wire mod" later if you wanna change that)

Is the transfer case shifter a lever or push button? Is there a locking center diff?

 

[bikerjosh]

4runner underside

Ground is wet with snow, these picss the owner sent that looked worrysome, thoughts?

Sorry the images are low res, better images can be found at:


http://cid-2986af310186713d.skydriv...rid=2986AF310186713D!182&authkey=bUGreAZDKAQ$

and
https://cid-2986af310186713d.photos...r/PB100978.JPG?Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos

Thanks Josh

 

[RusM]

Ok, here's what I found. Thoughts?
2000 4runner, rear e-locker, AT, cloth interior, sport hood(scoop),
120k on truck, TRD S/C installed at 80k by dealer
timing belt done at 90k, body looks clean
3.5" racerunner coilovers, ARB like front winch bumper with pia's, performance exhaust, needs tires 2nd owner, original did all the work. Asking 9,900, might go for 9k. truck is out of state so I'd have to fly and drive, or fly home if it's not as represented.
thanks for your help.
Josh

I'm a cheap bastard, everything seems too expensive to me! My thoughts would be to find a completely stock truck and mod it to my liking or buy an already modded truck that's completely built. That's not a whole lot of truck for $10k:Wow1:.

 

[Mr. Leary]

I looked at the links, but still cannot determine what is water and what is leaking parts...

I'll agree with RusM, however. I would not pay 10k for that truck. Its a nice truck, but not worth 10k. Heck, when I was considering selling my (almost fully) built 4Runner, I was thinking about 10k. 10k should buy a low mileage completely unmolested truck with service records (and you would still have to dump cash into it to get it built up), or a very built truck that has modifications that have already been shaken down.

Try to get some more pics when the truck is dry, and try to get the price down a bit.