Guys, what do you think of this one? 200k (kms, not miles) new timing belt.

I haven’t seen or driven this one yet. It’s a hike for me (they all are really) so I’m hoping to get your thoughts before hand.

Timing belt was changed 2-3 years ago is all I know from a maintenance standpoint. (It’s at corner lot used car dealer - yes, wary)

This frame doesn’t look the greatest. Do you guys think this could be OK with some minor repairs and annual oiling from here on in? Or do you think I’m going to find bigger holes under the scale?

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What are they asking?

Not bad for the rot belt. Check the frame around the the rear lower control arms. The arches and inside sections in the middle as well.

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First glance I would expect to see holes developing on the control arm mount with that amount of scale on the visible portions. If possible ask for pictures of the mounts and rear axle housing before traveling to see it. Will require some serious tidying up even if those are solid but certainly viable with some cleanup. All depends on the price as 200k km isn't bad even if it needs some grinding or patches but don't pay top $$ with that much rust.

It doesn't look good IMO, nice low milage though!, price makes a big difference, it is hard to tell because of the chosen pictures, but is that a hole on the driver front lower frame rail, if so you will have a hard time putting it on the road as is, and that rear driver frame rail doesn't look like it has much life left in it either.
There are all kinds of things you can do to preserve it if you can get it on the road, but you will be fighting that rust and it will be a losing battle until all rust and bad sections are removed replaced and painted, or the frame is replaced. It took me 2 years to find a rust free 3rd gen, and that was 8 years ago, so I can imagine they are even harder to find now, especially a Canadian Car.

I'm pretty sure I spy a pinhole just forward of the rear LCA mount.

Thanks guys, it doesn’t look too healthy. The rear LCA mount looks really rough.
If I go, I’m going to take a screw driver and poke around.

They are asking $4k CDN. Not sure if that’s in keeping for the low k market around here

About $3100 USD, which would be very fair if the frame wasn't so far decayed. I think they are aware of the issue. This is a dealer so I would expect them to ask way more if the frame was in better condition. Judging by the fresh Michelins, this may have been well maintained despite the rust.

There is potential at the right price.

Thanks guys, I’m going to check it out and see if they will let me take it to a mechanic for a full assessment.

I know they sell rebuild sections for these frames, or I can make my own. But if its bad in more than a few easy to reach areas (laughable comment, I know), I will pass. I like the low-ish kms but I’m not in for a full, body off resto/frame swap

That looks like a lot of rust, but I'm biased being from Arizona.

If you do choose to buy it do not pay more than 5 grand.

From Alaska here, I feel your pain on the frame rust issue. Upside is you can get cheap parts rigs with bad frames and good everything else. Do you have any welding experience/equipment to fix the worst of it?

Thanks, I do. However, I do know from previously restoring a gm truck that rust is usually 5x worse than it appears.

Frame sections in open areas is not a problem, but not in around areas congested with mechanicals and suspension attachments. I am not signing up for a frame off resto.

Im going to look at this one, but I’m having serious doubts.

Keep us posted. I'm sort of in the same boat as you (and also in Ontario) - but the one I'm looking at has more KM, and by the looks of it, more body rust. So far I just took a quick look at it, but I'll likely get a shop to check it out before I decide.

It's getting tough to find good ones in some areas. Each year these 4Runners age, the rust gets worse, and worse, and worse. The alternatives are to pay over the market average for one that's been cared for and coated or to shop outside of your geographic area (and most likely out of the country) which poses another set of challenges and costs.

Eventually we'll get to the point where rust will claim most 3rd Gen 4Runners in a given area. 4th Gens are getting pretty cheap and would be newer and less time for rust to eat it up, food for thought.

I didn’t see it today due to the storm. Where are you located?

There’s a 3rd gen listed in s.ont that’s out here from BC. Clean underneath. 350ish kms

Out of my price range. What he wants I’d rather put into a 4th gen instead, but if you love 3rds....it’s lifted too