2000 4runner buying advice

[beverly]

Hi everyone, sorry if you hate these type of threads, but I could use a second eye. I took a look at a 2000 4runner Limited w/ locking diff and 187,000 miles. Timing belt was changed around 130,000. It looked decent for a 13 year old truck until I looked underneath. It seemed like some of the rust was flaking off, so I was curious if it was just the coating flaking off or surface rust or something else? What do you guys think? Would every bolt be a PITA and it's not worth my time? I couldn't find any terrible metal eating rust on the body itself, save for some bubbling next to the windshield. Some small parts under the hood were also rust colored.
He's firm at $8,500. I understand it's a desirable model and it being in Alaska, I expect to pay a little more for location purposes, but is this a fair price? I tried all the different modes (4L, 4HL, etc) and it all seemed fine, until I engaged the rear locker and it stuck on. I just assumed it hasn't been used frequently and got stuck, but I'm unsure. I had to leave it parked with it still locked. Thanks

Edit- I should add that he said the truck was from Utah. Could this underbody corrosion finish be a common thing there?

 

[JasonRedwood]

I am not sure about the under body. Im from southern California...
The price seems high for the mileage and corrosion to me.
I recently picked up a 97 limited 4x4 4runner w/ e-locker for $6800 with 129k on it. 4runners seem to go for a premium down here as well.

The e-locker can be a bit tricky on my 4runner as well. Usually reversing and turning then driving forward again disengages it. I have read that this is some what common for other owners as well.

Check out this link and maybe post your concerns there as well.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/82033-3rd-gen-4runner-buyers-guide.html

 

[Stone_Blue]

I would pass.
Looks just like underneath the 2000 Tundra I just bought last year. Even though my truck had the frame replaced, all the other rust is making me wish I had not bought this truck and just gone down south out of state for something better at the same price.
I am in western NY where they salt the roads.
Also, the oil on the rear diff may be just from a bad diff plug seal, but I found out that the housings on the 1st Gen Tundras ('00-'06) are notorious for rusting through in that area and leaking. And that huge flake on the housing is a good indicator its on its way.
With that much rust on everything I can assure you with CERTAINTY that regular maintenance, not to mention when it comes time for things like brake and suspension parts, you're gonna hate it. Also, I would bet the lower A-arm/cam alignment bolts are all seized up. Go have a mechanic inspect it before you buy it, and have him check those...If you cant have the vehicle aligned, you'll go thru tires faster and it will be unsafe to drive as suspension components wear (if they are already not worn out at 187K). Its a HUGE, PIA to get those cam bolts cut out to be replaced. Good chance your frame can get damaged by doing it, too.

Also, the steering rack looks like its leaking...Mine looked like that, and I had to replace my rack a month after buying the truck. Also had to spend over $200 for a new steering shaft joint, tie rod ends, (which were practically new due to them being replaced 2yrs previous during the frame replacement, but I had to buy new ones because they were rusted to the rack so bad, I couldnt get them off to swap to the new rack), steering shaft boot and poly rack bushings. Not to mention I had did all the labor myself. It was horrible. Yeah, I could have had a mechanic do it, but it makes me cringe thinking about all the shortcuts and half-@ssedness that I could have ended up paying HUNDREDS of dollars for, to have someone else work on my truck.
Plus 187K IS pretty high considering all that rust.

Dont let a good price now, sway you...You'll pay for it later...trust me, I'm in the same boat.

 

[Martinjmpr]

I am not sure about the under body. Im from southern California...
The price seems high for the mileage and corrosion to me.

The "Alaska Premium" adds at least $1k to the price of any decent used vehicle.

One thing I noticed when I was there in 2010 was that compared with the Lower 48, the average age of vehicles seemed to be significantly older in most parts of AK, but especially in places where there is no land contact with the Lower 48 (that is, Ketchikan and Juneau.) Talking with some folks there they explained that it cost roughly $1,000 to bring a vehicle - any vehicle - from the Lower 48 to either of those places. As a result, used cars in running condition are pretty highly valued and cost more than they would down in the lower 48.

As far as the rust, it's unusual for a Rocky Mountain vehicle to be that rusted - we live in a dry climate and they don't put much salt on the roads out here. I'm wondering if that rust was acquired either in Alaska, or maybe the truck originated in the Midwest or Northeast rather than UT.

As for whether you should buy it, that's a tough question to answer because there's so much I don't know. First question I would ask is, are you one of those people who worships the 3rd gen 4runner and just has to have one? As a former owner of a 3rd gen, I have to say that while they're good vehicles, IMO the fanboys have driven the prices up to ridiculous levels.

Second question I would ask is, what other vehicles can $8500 buy in Alaska? That would tell you whether or not $8500 is a fair price. For example, if a similar year/mileage Grand Cherokee, Trooper, Explorer or Montero would cost about $7500 in your area, then $8500 is probably a decent price considering the "Toyota Tax." OTOH, if you could buy a 2005 Grand Cherokee with 89,000 miles for the same $8500, then I'd probably shop around because that's a huge discrepancy in age/miles.

 

[Flagster]

I hate rust...
IMO I would pay 2-3K more for a vehicle with minimal or no rust...my beloved 92 acura legend was brought down by rust when I lived in upstate NY/MI...
I just bought two used trucks in the past few few years...both are over 18 years old and don't have any rust to speak of...
Not sure if rust free is possible in AK (do they salt up there)...
I would pass and search out a better choice...or if it is really the "one" prepare to do battle forever

 

[tanglefoot]

That one looks like it spent too much time following a salt truck. That undercarriage rust looks a lot worse than on my 1985 4unner that started its life in Florida. I would pass on it as well.

I'm one state over from Utah--things don't rust very badly around here.

 

[Elbee]

I got a clean 2000 Sport 4runner with about the same amount of miles. I got it for around the same price, but it looks like it was garaged it's whole life, the undercarriage is pristine. Thats the only reason I paid anywhere near that price (plus its a 2000 sport). I wouldn't touch it with that amount of rust, unless you can talk the guy down a lot off that price, and then I would i have that frame redone before the rust eats it. I'll would sell you my truck for that price if you were near by. I'm 8,000 miles away from rig so it doesn't get used much right now. It just gets driven twice a week and serviced when needed.

 

[beverly]

Thanks for the clear thoughts guys. I was pretty excited when it popped up on CL, as they don't come around very often with these features. AWD would have been nice for winter and the locker is a large bonus. My heart sank after 10 seconds of seeing it when I looked underneth, I knew it couldn't be good. I'm not dedicated to the 3rd gen 4runner, but it seems to be sized "just right". FZJ80s around town are haggard, Tacomas are insanely overpriced here (18k for a stock 2004 was recently posted). I'm kind of tempted to go large overbuilt diesel domestic, but they're pretty crude.

I'll pass on this one and keep looking.

 

[Flagster]

There are always more out there...I have made the mistake of jumping in too quickly...it's not like you found a Ferrari in a barn...I probably looked at 5-10 FZj80s before I found a respectable one...My FJ60 is another story...think drunk purchase off EBAY...arrive to pick up truck 400 miles away and title in someone elses name:snorkel:

 

[Martinjmpr]

I think the difficulty for you is going to be the small market + high demand + high cost of living that you've got there in AK. No matter what you find it's either going to be overpriced, or it's going to be thrashed - and still overpriced.

I guess you could look at it as part of the "cost" of living in such a beautiful place, though.

Once again, I would suggest expanding your search to include other brands.

Another thought: Are you headed to the Lower 48 any time soon? While it may be costly to bring a vehicle up, getting a better vehicle + paying less for it might make it worth while money wise (the big issue is whether it would be worth it time wise, since you'd be talking about a 2 -3 week minimum investment of time.)

Edit: Expanding a bit on the above: Do you have friends or relatives in the lower 48 who might be able to acquire a vehicle for you? You could either have them drive it up to you (if they're headed that way anyway, for example) or they could "hold" it for you until you have a chance to come down and get it.