Going to look at a 97 4runner, what to check.

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Ryan_289

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Going to look at a 97 4runner, what to check. *Bought it!*

I just put down a deposit on a 97 4runner. 1 owner, 111000 miles, SR5, leather, woodgrain, clean Carfax. It is at a Toyota dealership in Tulsa, OK and according to carfax it has been maintained at the same dealership. The timing belt was replaced at 54000 miles so it should still be good. Im 163 miles away and I can get my deposit back if something isnt right. It supposedly has been through the shop but what areas do I need to pay the most attention to when I go look at it. I want to double check for rust but I dont think that area would use much (if any) salt on the roads. At the mileage and age should I go ahead and replace the radiator?
 
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Yes ive started reading that. Lots of good info, thats how I knew about the "strawberry milkshake" If it all works out im going to get the truck for 7K.
I think thats a pretty good price for what appears to be an excellent exterior with typical driver side leather seat wear for the age. The back cargo area carpet is a little messed up and it is missing the right rear wheel well carpet. I for sure want to replace the wheel well carpet but was counting on putting a husky liner in the back so Im not worried about the carpet. Here are the pics they sent me.
 

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Looks pretty good! The pictures don't get any bigger, so it's kind of hard to tell from them, but I'm sure you'll be looking everything over in person when you go to pick it up.

Just do a good job inspecting everything, and give it a good test drive before you take it home. Make sure it goes into 4 hi and 4 low, etc etc. Check for all the stuff in the buyers guide, and if everything checks out, for 7k and that many miles and being sold at a dealer, I'd say you're getting a good deal.
 
I think the wood grain trim is not factory. Aftermarket trims will fade and then it looks ugly. Just to let you know.
 
If it is the stick on laminate wood, yes, you can indeed peel it off. Its been a while since I've done mine but you'll need goo gone to get off all the glue.
 
Do people not recommend checking the muffler bearing anymore? So important...











So old but still kinda funny.
 
hearno said:
Do people not recommend checking the muffler bearing anymore? So important...

So old but still kinda funny.
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Hey I know that joke! I work for a John Deere dealership. I started in part back in 2001 when I was in college. The mechanics like to test the new parts guys with those type of questions. Luckily I grew up on a farm and didnt fall for it!
 
Ryan_289 said:
Hey I know that joke! I work for a John Deere dealership. I started in part back in 2001 when I was in college. The mechanics like to test the new parts guys with those type of questions. Luckily I grew up on a farm and didnt fall for it!
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Haha. I work in a steel factory and you can tell when there's a new employee because they come up to you asking for the steel stretcher because they can't find it. Witnessed one guy walking around for a good hr asking everyone where it was because his foreman told him to find it. Poor fella.
 
It has been mentioned to me to triple check the frame for rust. Ive done some searching and it looks like the area behind the fuel tank and the control arm brackets are the main problem areas. I asked the dealership to put it on the lift and check it but I will double check for myself. The vehicle is native to Oklahoma so hopefully it will be fine. The frame rust issues on these things is terrible. Ive dug 60+ Willys Jeeps out of the weeds that were sitting on the frame in the mud that didnt have rust through issues.
 
Well I came home with it Wednesday night! It was really nice just like the pictures showed. The shop checked the frame for me but I crawled underneath to double check. Clean as a pin. Im nut sure that this 4runner has ever been off the pavement! I think I got a good one. The dealership changed the engine oil but I figure its probably a good idea to do a complete fluid change on the rig. Its been pretty nasty and rainey here but I hope to take some better pics this weekend.
 
welcome, did you check to make sure the cup holder in the dash works? and the one in the back? does it have the cargo area cover?
 
x2 on the cup holder. How 'bout the clock? Spare tire and steelie rim in decent shape? Bottle jack and accessories under the seat? VIN numbers match on all the body pieces and parts? Does it gots a locker? Looks like a real good find. Congrats!
 
You can see in one of the pictures it has the stock toyota locker button on the dash. All I want to know is if it works.
 
Yes the cup holder in the dash works. The rear cup holder works but one side is broken. The jack and lug tools are under the seat and do not appear to have ever been removed. I havent been able to look at all the vin numbers on all the panels but im pretty sure they will match up. All the glass (including the front windshield) is etched with the vin number and they match. I dont think it has the rear locker. Im not sure what the red push button to the left of the wheel does. Ive pushed it but didnt notice anything when I did.
 
Ryan_289 said:
Yes the cup holder in the dash works. The rear cup holder works but one side is broken. The jack and lug tools are under the seat and do not appear to have ever been removed. I havent been able to look at all the vin numbers on all the panels but im pretty sure they will match up. All the glass (including the front windshield) is etched with the vin number and they match. I dont think it has the rear locker. Im not sure what the red push button to the left of the wheel does. Ive pushed it but didnt notice anything when I did.
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That should be your rear locker if you put it in 4lo there should be a little r.r lock/er light on your dash should light up and not flash. But I'm not sure hard to tell with that picture but it looks like it.
 
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541joseph said:
That should be your rear locker if you put it in 4lo there should be a little r.r lock/er light on your dash should light up and not flash. But I'm not sure hard to tell with that picture but it looks like it.
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Ive been out playing with it. Im pretty sure its some sort of alarm system button. When I push it in and out a few times the horn honks.
 
541joseph said:
That should be your rear locker if you put it in 4lo there should be a little r.r lock/er light on your dash should light up and not flash. But I'm not sure hard to tell with that picture but it looks like it.
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That's not a locker switch.

I think you're probably right and it's something to do with the alarm system, but I don't have that on mine so I'm not sure.
 
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