Where are all the rust-free 4wd 4runners?

Yea only the misinformed pay ridiculous prices for a 3rd gen. They are good vehicles but since Toyota still makes the 4runner my 4th n 5th gen are better vehicles in every measurable category. I love my 3rd gen because it takes me back 25 years. How many buyers really think like that to make the 3rd gen so popular?
 
UnderFire said:
YHit Facebook marketplace, various buy sell trade groups like toyotaholics B/S/T on Facebook...
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Sure wish you didn't have to sell your soul to use that resource (or, rather, I wish people would stop using things that required their soul as payment). I don't know anyone out here in the real world who actually uses that site, so it's not like I could look and just ask them to make contact. And I tried the whole "fake" thing, was never approved.

Just angers me as I have see some deals on there, things I'd gladly pay the asking price for. As usual, I simply can't even give away my money.
 
There are tons of them out there for reasonable prices, you just gotta know where to look and be willing to replace an engine or transmission or something. Sometimes you can find rust free southern or western 4Runners in rust belt areas of the country. I picked up a beautiful 02 with a blown motor for $900 at a local dealership after a retired Air Force couple from CO traded it in. Got a nice rust free 02 Limited that came from FL with PMS for $500. Bought a super clean rust free one with 175k (origin unknown) from another local mechanic for $3500, sold it to my plow guy for $4500 cash plus $500 off the plow bill after doing absolutely nothing to it at his insistence. Just bought it back for $4500 after he put pads, rotors, calipers, struts, rear coils, 2" lift spacers, swaybar links and a set of new General Grabbers on it. I usually pay $100-$500 for rusted frame junks and $500-$3000 for fixer uppers. Running driving 4Runners sell for $3-$10k around here depending on condition, mileage and mods. As I said, they are out there, you don't need to pay $10k for one.
 
I have a 96 4x4 with 195k miles, no locker though -$5000 firm. Located in southern California. Clean title
 
lockedlex said:
So this is weird. I have a 3rd gen, I'm looking at another one for a relative, so we can do overlanding trips together, camping and light offroading, etc.

It needs to be 4WD, with Locker and no rust (don't care if it's limited, SR5). The ones that are available around the Southwest are going for 8k-16k with about ~200k-250k miles!

Did prices just go up? My 00 Limited with Lockers I bought in 2011 was around 10k I think.

Even 2nd gens on ebay and Autotrader are in the 8k range now. And first gens are going for 10k+!

2nd Gens used to be 3-4k. And I could have sworn 5-6k for a 3rd Gen 4wd was about average a year or so ago. Also, there are so many fewer available!

Across the entire US, including all conditions w/ and w/o lockers there are like 40 for sale. W/ lockers are even rarer and w/o rust even more rarer.
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I've been saying on this forum forever that these trucks are starting to go up in value. They go for even more than that in the desert.
 
Hi I have no rust from west coast 2000 4runner SR5 with locker. 160k miles, all fluids replaced and fresh undercoating done in 2019. Make me an offer 773-619-6100
 
Forgot to add I am in Chicago and this is by far cleanest 4runner out there. Interior is spotless and absolutely no rust because original owner had it on west coast till 2016 and had undercoating done too.
 
VernySanders said:
I've been saying on this forum forever that these trucks are starting to go up in value. They go for even more than that in the desert.
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I think that's the thing. These are 21+ year old trucks going for 6-10k... 2 years ago, they'd be closer to 4-7k and many of them are beat up/nasty. Some of the higher priced ones are mint, so that's understandable, but not for 11-16k.

Hmmm.. I'll just wait a bit... in 3-4 months when we have 12% unemployment.. these will all be on fire sales.
 
Novashards said:
I got lucky getting my 99% rust free, a bit mechanically neglected, 2000 Limited 4wd E-locker in NC a couple years ago for $4500. The first post has pictures of underneath from when I first got it and the last post has after fluidfilm application this year.

My New 2000 Limited 4x4 E-Locker - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum
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^ yep, that's exactly my point. 2 years ago, 4500. You did end up having to put a crazy amount of work into it though. I'm hoping to eventually find something requiring a bit less work.
 
lockedlex said:
^ yep, that's exactly my point. 2 years ago, 4500. You did end up having to put a crazy amount of work into it though. I'm hoping to eventually find something requiring a bit less work.
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it took me about 6 months to find my current project.

you have to be realistic your going to need to fix almost anything out there. almost all these trucks need valve covers (unless you like that burning oil smell?) lower ball joints, probably a steering rack, maybe bearings and brake work all around. timing belt yea probably. the main seals are leaking on the engine at this point and... the list goes on and on.

they are old trucks and they usually need between $1K - $3K of stuff done to them regardless.

don't get me wrong I now own 3 of these majestic beasts. I love them.

however to me it's the choice of buy a new 5th gen and drive it without having to do any real maint for 10-15 years or.... buy a decent used 3rd gen and put a bunch of parts/time into it and get a decent truck that should last for a while. your going to spend a lot less than buying new but there will be days when your not loving that 20+ year old 3rd gen.
 
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I'm use to base-lining my cars so am ready for TB, VC, LBJ, Seals, etc. I'm OK with that. Plus my other cars are german and I'm averaging about 2-4k a year in "maint and repairs" to keep things running.

My 4runner has been about $380/yr in Maint/Repair. I love these trucks!
 
lockedlex said:
I'm use to base-lining my cars so am ready for TB, VC, LBJ, Seals, etc. I'm OK with that. Plus my other cars are german and I'm averaging about 2-4k a year in "maint and repairs" to keep things running.

My 4runner has been about $380/yr in Maint/Repair. I love these trucks!
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look u might find a 3rd gen 4runner that needs minimum work but chances are they will need alot of work. Ones likes most of the members up here that have had all of that work performed already is rarely on the market. After all 25 years is a long time not to have serious transmission, motor, suspension, etc work. So the chances that you actually get 1 that doesn't need some major work is rare especially since most are selling them cause they need major work. Mine has 319,000 miles and I've got one that rarely needed maintenance for 15 years. The last couple of years it needed lots of suspension parts replaced, head gasket, the original alternator and few other minor fixes. A car this reliable just gets passed to family like most good 3rd gens.
 
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I'm on my 3rd 3rd gen. None needed anything major... Starter contacts, one needed an alt, rear axle seal, vcg, O2 sensors. All of them got a suspension refresh since I've placed lifts on them.

Otherwise, that's it. I don't consider any of that major work. Never had trans, engine failures or anything else you've mentioned. Cumulatively, they had about 550k miles on them.. all on original drivetrains.

Why are you saying they would need serious work when yours yourself has 319k and is just fine? Lol.

As long as they are maintained.. and even barely need that.. these run forever. The exception seems to be the 01-02 with abs modules and trans problems and even those aren't set in stone.
 
lockedlex said:
I'm on my 3rd 3rd gen. None needed anything major... Starter contacts, one needed an alt, rear axle seal, vcg, O2 sensors. All of them got a suspension refresh since I've placed lifts on them.

Otherwise, that's it. I don't consider any of that major work. Never had trans, engine failures or anything else you've mentioned. Cumulatively, they had about 550k miles on them.. all on original drivetrains.

Why are you saying they would need serious work when yours yourself has 319k and is just fine? Lol.

As long as they are maintained.. and even barely need that.. these run forever. The exception seems to be the 01-02 with abs modules and trans problems and even those aren't set in stone.
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the odds are that with so many 3rd gens out there approaching 200k or more miles when they are sold they will need work. Well maintained vehicles can't avoid a head gasket issue, leaky valve covers, master brake cylinder replacement etc especially when they have been running for 20+ years. I have 3 4 runners, 3rd, 4th, and 5th gen. I know they can be very reliable but 20 years of use and multiple owners can cause even the best made vehicles to have lots of issues. Like others has said it would be best to prepare to make it a project and pay accordingly instead of relying on it being solid with minimal issues.
 
Thebeastlives said:
the odds are that with so many 3rd gens out there approaching 200k or more miles when they are sold they will need work. Well maintained vehicles can't avoid a head gasket issue, leaky valve covers, master brake cylinder replacement etc especially when they have been running for 20+ years. I have 3 4 runners, 3rd, 4th, and 5th gen. I know they can be very reliable but 20 years of use and multiple owners can cause even the best made vehicles to have lots of issues. Like others has said it would be best to prepare to make it a project and pay accordingly instead of relying on it being solid with minimal issues.
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Definitely ready for all that, but don't agree with the statement that, "After all 25 years is a long time not to have serious transmission, motor, suspension, etc work."

Leaky valve covers and Master BC replacements are a long way from "serious Trans, motor, etc work." Like I said, I'm happy to put in the time to baseline anything we end up buying, but they sky is not falling. I've had 3 3rd gens (98-99-00). Solid trucks all around. Seems like your experience is the same too.

Back to the original point, that is just seems like 3rd gens have gone UP in price for rust free 99-00, with Lockers. But there are indeed some deals to be had on secondary sites like CL, FB. Etc and that's where I'll be looking.
 
lockedlex said:
...there are indeed some deals to be had on secondary sites like CL, FB. Etc and that's where I'll be looking.
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Not sure if anyone mentioned Ebay, but that's where I find lots of vehicles I want, but yes you will 'shop' for 6-9 months before the 'perfect' one comes along yet it will.

Here's 3 minutes of looking, I'd go with this and add the locker: 1999 Toyota 4Runner 4dr Limited 3.4L Automatic 4WD | eBay

or this: 2000 Toyota 4Runner Sport 4WD V6 CD Tow Package Moon Roof Video CARFAX | eBay

Lots of lockers.... 1996-04 Toyota 4Runner Tacoma 8" 4.30 E-Locker Rear Differential 3rd Member Kit | eBay

Oh yeah I agree, 20-25+ yr old vehicles don't guarantee problems, look at all the Original parts still going on my Red one in sig. Most systems have never needed to be opened up in this baby...

Luck and let us know how it turns out, the fun is in the Hunt!
 
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Thebeastlives said:
the odds are that with so many 3rd gens out there approaching 200k or more miles when they are sold they will need work. Well maintained vehicles can't avoid a head gasket issue, leaky valve covers, master brake cylinder replacement etc especially when they have been running for 20+ years. I have 3 4 runners, 3rd, 4th, and 5th gen. I know they can be very reliable but 20 years of use and multiple owners can cause even the best made vehicles to have lots of issues. Like others has said it would be best to prepare to make it a project and pay accordingly instead of relying on it being solid with minimal issues.
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My take on it is this. 4runners (and Toyotas in general) are so reliable and forgiving that Po's tend to do next to no maintenance and get away with it for years. They only decide to sell them when something expensive comes up and the cost of delayed maintenance is more than they want to spend. I think it's rare to find one that doesn't need the whole gamut of updating (lbjs, timing, suspension, axle seals etc.).

If you find one up to date consider yourself very lucky. Like I always say about buying a boat, you are shopping for a good Previous Owner as much as a good boat.
 
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