Hey everyone,

I've loved reading this forum over the past couple months while looking for my new runner. You guys are a serious wealth of information.

I had a '99 Limited in green, 4wd w/ rear locker, got it with 65,000 mi. on it in 2006 and it was totaled the end of January 2011 with 119,000 mi. I loved that truck, really loved it. Still thinking about it and the accident probably a little too much

So, I spent 2.5 months looking for the right replacement. Wanted limited or SE with around 100,000 mi. and didn't want to spend much more than $12,000. Well, finally after searching cars.com every day for what seemed like eternity, i found a match.

I just bought a black 2002 SE 4wd with 101,000 mi. I got it for $12,000, but have to do the timing belt & water pump. Also, it apparently was in a wreck, so the air box needs to be replaced. The doors got new skins, so no evidence of damage at all. I had it inspected at a Toyota dealership for $108 before purchase and everything checked out (minus the issues I just mentioned, of course). Also, I had the frame looked at for any damage before purchase, and it was all good there, too. So, good to go, I pulled the trigger!

HERE'S WHERE MY QUESTIONS START:

Shifting is generally smooth, but I wonder what is normal for this truck. My old one had a little "pop" while shifting that felt awesome, like a kick of power. This one is smooth, but dips rather than pops during shifts.
Could this be related to the fact that the timing belt (and other belts) need to be replaced? Can I expect this service to effect performance at all?

While braking, first of all the brakes feel softer than what I'm used to on the 4runner and when reaching slower speeds, there is a "lurching" accompanied by the occasional creaking sound that can also be felt in the brake pedal. Could this just be an issue of something being out of round? Something else? Regardless of what you might think, what might I be looking at?

I should say I absolutely love the feel and response of the x-reas system. Its like night and day vs. the two-tube shocks on my first runner. Definitely more rugged. Can anyone give any insight as to the durability, though? I've read a number of threads about the systems costly repairs and that they are prone to leaking. I'm in Colorado and my truck has been its whole life too. Would that mean anything for the systems life expectancy? Is this system really as much of a "ticking-time-bomb" as some posters have made it seem??

And my final question...there are a few spots on the truck that look like the clear-coat has faded, leaving what looks like a dried-out whitish spot. There are also a couple spots on the leading edges that have tiny chips, that almost look like tiny oil spots around the chip. Any thoughts on good remedies/ ways to prevent these spots from getting worse?

Overall its a nice-looking truck, but I'm a bit anxious having just spend all that bread and not knowing how this big service will effect any of the issues I just described.

Any and all response are much appreciated and I will post some pictures if anyone shows any interest in this thread.

Thanks guys, I look forward to being a member of this forum!!!

Not to be an A-hole but it sounds like you over paid a little bit on that truck. T-belt shoulda been done and any other issues you're finding for that price.

The t-belt and other belts will not help the shifting issue, if it's not a good frim shift it's not good. I would have trans flushed and new filter installed ASAP! It sounds the rear brakes are out of adjustment, that's what is giving the soft pedal feeling but the lurching may be warped rotors.

Be prepared to spend a pretty penny if you aren't planning on doing the t-belt service yourself, I've seen people that have paid $900 for that job alone.

x-reas? uhhh??

You did over pay for the truck - for that price the truck should have been low miles and in mint condition.

I didn't know they made an SE in '02 and offered XREAS?

^^Yeah, 3rd gens don't have x-reas OP.

Price can be so dependent on condition and location. 12k is easily what dealers around here would expect people to pay for something like that Runner.

How about some pics?

Wow, I just got my ass handed to me. Well, I feel pretty good about the money I paid for the truck, now I'm just nervous the tranny is f*ed. I don't know what to say, or think, but the toyota dealership inspected it and gave it a green light.

@MAD 69, when was the last time you looked at the 4runner market? Because I would argue with Hepar and say that this was a fair price for this truck. But what the hell, you live and learn.

And about the XREAS, this thing has a mono-tube system, so what exactly is it? If it isn't XREAS, I'm stoked cuz I still think it handles nice n' tight and I don't have that insane repair cost looming over my head.

Thanks for all the feedback

Where are you located?

I'm in Denver, CO.

And here are the shots you requested: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/member...02+runner.html

$9k is about the price ceiling at the moment for most area's, i paid $1850 for mine, most trucks though are $5-$7k.

Where are you guys coming up with these numbers? If you look on cars.com, or any dealers websites, you will quickly find you are misinformed.

Also, I should say I was looking for a truck with relatively low miles (~100,000) that had been in a dry, salt-less climate (like CO) for its whole life. I found it, pulled the trigger, and am stoked about it. I might agree that I overpaid, but not more than $1,000. It is literally impossible to find a truck like mine for $9k. Find it and link it if you can, but I'd say its a waste of time looking.

Where are the pics?

Toyota 4Runner Forum - thebeatmoves's Album: 2002 Runner

Niiiiiiiice. I say it every time I see one, but I LOVE the black sports.

Hey man don't worry about it. The truck is worth as much as it means to you. You got what you wanted and are happy with the price so that's all that matters.