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

I can confirm that, got my 2000 for 3K and replaced just about everything, even new cylinder heads and carpet. Pretty much factory new but if I had bought one in the same mechanical condition, whew would that have cost a lot. Probably more than I spent in replacing everything. At least this way I know it’s good to go for years, and that the parts I used are genuine and not just junk that will go before it’s time. Still, even without restoration, your right in that they still need work done, gaskets, alt, ball joints, and definitely timing belts, also switching back to HOAT coolant.
 
lockedlex said:
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.
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LOLOL I know! Sometimes the best thing to do is get a vehicle to trade. Get that on the cheap side and trade for the 3rd gen. In Michigan the high end of the market is 3700 bucks but every truck is hit or miss with the frame.
 
lockedlex said:
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.
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After 300k it isn't a shocker for an engine or trans to give up out of the blue. One day an engine can start knocking or a transmission planetary gear can fail. We are a bunch of cocky 3rd gen owners but the next decade or so will show what can really happen to a vehicle this old. On the bright side, we still have a reason to be cocky. Failure at this age will still be less than most other vehicles.
 
Look at the southern US. My 3rd gen has spend its whole life in the Dallas area and has absolutely zero rust.
 
I'd look at the dry states like Arizona, California, Rocky Mountain states. I think most 4 wheel drive vehicles in coastal states will have the most incidence of rust.
 
T4R2014 said:
After 300k it isn't a shocker for an engine or trans to give up out of the blue. One day an engine can start knocking or a transmission planetary gear can fail. We are a bunch of cocky 3rd gen owners but the next decade or so will show what can really happen to a vehicle this old. On the bright side, we still have a reason to be cocky. Failure at this age will still be less than most other vehicles.
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This is so true. Hit 320k today and the thing runs like a new 25 year old truck. Tomorrow who knows what the thing does.
 
T4R2014 said:
After 300k it isn't a shocker for an engine or trans to give up out of the blue. One day an engine can start knocking or a transmission planetary gear can fail. We are a bunch of cocky 3rd gen owners but the next decade or so will show what can really happen to a vehicle this old. On the bright side, we still have a reason to be cocky. Failure at this age will still be less than most other vehicles.
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LOL, the next decade will make these 30-35 year old trucks. If they need rebuilds by then... so be it, that's the LEAST we can do for them. That's unheard of in many circles, a working, fairly modern car that can hold it's own 35 years later?
 
lockedlex said:
LOL, the next decade will make these 30-35 year old trucks. If they need rebuilds by then... so be it, that's the LEAST we can do for them. That's unheard of in many circles, a working, fairly modern car that can hold it's own 35 years later?
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I speaking of the time period between now and the next decade. Many less well-maintained ones on c-list have upwards of 250k. Serious failures are very possible despite running well enough. In the end these are not going to be usable like a new vehicle. Moral of the story, maintain and be nice to them.
 
T4R2014 said:
I speaking of the time period between now and the next decade. Many less well-maintained ones on c-list have upwards of 250k. Serious failures are very possible despite running well enough. In the end these are not going to be usable like a new vehicle. Moral of the story, maintain and be nice to them.
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True, there are some dogs out there. I'm not considering those in my search. Hence the limitations of finding good ones and the price premium they now see to carry.
 
I've got 2 rust-free locker equipped 4runners. One has spent it's entire life in CO, the other came from NM to CO.
If you want to buy at the nice price, you might have to compromise and get the diamond in the rough. I paid $2500 for my '98 which needed a cosmetic left front corner - bumper, headlight, fender.
 
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DesertRoads said:
I'd look at the dry states like Arizona, California, Rocky Mountain states. I think most 4 wheel drive vehicles in coastal states will have the most incidence of rust.
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I had bought a 99 from a guy in San Diego a few years ago. He didn't have it long or live on the coast per say, but it spent most of its life in Colorado. It had quite a bit of rust. I think they salt the roads in the Rockies. CA and AZ should be rust free. I know in the Central Mountains of CA we use a basalt type of rock during the winters on the roads.
 
CTDST16 said:
I had bought a 99 from a guy in San Diego a few years ago. He didn't have it long or live on the coast per say, but it spent most of its life in Colorado. It had quite a bit of rust. I think they salt the roads in the Rockies. CA and AZ should be rust free. I know in the Central Mountains of CA we use a basalt type of rock during the winters on the roads.
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Some California locations use salt, but since only a tiny fraction of the population is around it, you can assume California vehicles are rust free...

-Charlie
 
phattyduck said:
Some California locations use salt, but since only a tiny fraction of the population is around it, you can assume California vehicles are rust free...

-Charlie
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Good to know! I've never seen them put salt down around us and always assumed we had phased out salt. Heck, you can't even permit a water softener these days....:shrug:
 
Be patient, but be ready to pounce.

I've been casually looking for the last month or so. One just popped up in a Toyota dealers inventory with ~120K miles, and a GA owner history (RUST FREE). 99 SR5 Sport w/ locker. I got a look at it, was very happy with what I saw, made an offer and they bit.

Not sure if they were just looking to turn it quick instead of sending it to auction, or if they were just desperate to make a sale, but I think I got a smoking deal for about 2/3's of what I've seen similar examples listed. Like $1000 less than what I'm seeing ones with 100K more miles listed.
 
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