ok so I bought a 2000 T4R SR5 for $5000. 167,000 miles on it. Everything worked good, electronics ie...power windows etc..., It had a 3" lift and looks pretty cool. When I drove it, it felt ok but needed new tires. So I bought new tires. $1100 for BF Goodrich KO 33's......about a month later, replaced both Tie-rods, Steering Rack, Timing belt, water pump, all 4 brakes done, turned rotors, etc.....trans service, rear end fluid service, all new belts.....The steering rack went out again after 3 days, It smelt bad & shop replaced it under warranty. Still, all the bushings on sway bars, upper trailering arm, body, etc...are bad, shop wants $500 more for that. I have dumped $3000 into this ride. Now. When I shift, there is a loud clunk in the transmission. It drives fine on the freeway, shifts between gears good its just when I shift, it makes noise. I was just wondering how far I should go. Keep dumping $$$ into it or what. I could try to sell it for $6500 and eat the $1500......or should I keep it? Please give me your opinions. thanks for reading.

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Or have the tranny rebuilt and then not have any worries for like 60k till you need new brakes and tires, and then not worry for another 40k miles when you need a timing belt. Seems like you have a brand new truck now.

I agree with John. Spend the $500, and know that you have a dependable SUV still at a decent price. Better yet, Learn how to do the work yourself. It'll save you $$$ in the long run.

OR, eat the $1500. Sell it. Go spend $30k on a new car, or $6500 on something else that you're going to have to dump even MORE money into.

It sounds like you will, in a very short period of time, have a very reliable vehicle in your hands. But, every person is different. If you dislike the vehicle, why keep it? Or maybe you've just had a bad day and you're fed up with spending cash on your ride? Do some research here on t4R.org or Yotatech.com when you feel you've got a problem. 90% of the time there is a very simple alternative to a problem that a stealership or shop is going to charge you $90+ an hour to fix. Just remember that they'll take advantage of you at EVERY opportunity.

if it only makes noise on the shift, i would say start with checking the trans mount.

As far as how much to spend, my 00 cost me almost double what you originally paid, and i've put my share of money in to it, some as preventive maintenance, some as actually repair/worn out items. It doesn't bother me one bit, its never let me down, continues to impress me off road, and still holds its value pretty damn well.

Where are you located BTW?

I agree with John. keep it you have covered done all the basic maintenance and will have a totally solid truck. Before you rebuild the trans though check to make sure you don't have a bad ujoint or loose drive flange. They can both cause a clunk feel. Sweet looking runner you'll love it for years to come

Thats kinda what I was thinking. I am in southern California. Its the 169K i have on it now that worries me. I have never had a car with that high mileage. The transmission shifts great through the gears, and the engine is strong. How many miles can these things last ? I love the size and functions of the truck so I really want to keep it. But if the trans goes out, I'll probably blow it up!!! LOL

169k... I Think that's about mid-range for most of the T4R's around here. :P

Take care of it and you'll see that number double. These things have a resale reliability factor for a reason.

I bought a 97 limited 6 months ago it its the 3rd toyota I've owned. 4 months after I bought it blew a head gasket. When I got the heads off I found the cyliner walls were badly scored. Now almost 3k later I've got a good trouble rig that will last for a long time.

how do I find this thread a week from now after its buried under new posts. I can't seem to find a place that keeps all my threads? please help.

I you type the title you posted "When do I give up" in the search bar at the top right side of the grey tool bar.....it will produce a search and find your thread.......

BTW, keep the truck....I've had mine for 7 years now, and this morning, after not being able to drive it for a few days.......I'm excited to get behind the wheel and just drive it to work! ;)

It almost seems like you are near the finish line.
Would be about like running a Marathon and say F&%$# it after running 25.95 miles when you can see the finish line up ahead.
With any luck you will have less than $10K into it but close to a new truck that should be worth it.

Unless you already know of a perfect 4Runner with everything already done to it selling for $8k then probably wont do much better.

ok there are a bunch of us(me, drifter, and a few others) in So Cal that are willing to help you do the repairs for food and beverage. Also a few that would give you a good rate and do the repairs for you. Stickfigure does good work for a fair price from what I have heard and the couple times I have met him seems to be a good guy.

What part of the IE are you in?
Do you have some tools and or willing to learn to fix your own truck?

Also to find threads you created, go to User CP then click on the Statistics tab, then find all threads started by.

The bushings are all bad? WTF, who is selling you all this? What was wrong with the tie rods and steering rack at 160+K?? I think all this is usually good for much longer. Now, I don't know what a 3" lift does to these components, but it seems like either this Runner was abused, or you are getting sold a bill of goods..

If it's 2wd, you may have a tough time selling it for much more than what you have invested. Having said that, what you have done so far will extend your usefulness by 100K, not many vehicles out there today that can stand by that reputation.

Good luck with your decision. ....... Regards 8sm

Thanks. I'm in Riverside. Yes I have tools and am wanting to work on it myself, however, ....this is my daily driver so I kinda need it to be operational all the time. Yes...I would like to learn about this truck and do stuff myself. I will continue to use this forum for advice. Thanks to you and everyone else who has been helpful.