I'm looking very seriously at buying a 4th gen v8. I've run into an "issue" with a couple of sellers who aren't willing to do the timing belt/water pump when the vehicle needs it. Some will knock off a couple hundred bucks, or try to use the cost of it as leverage to ultimately get me to pay a higher price overall.

My logic is that on these v8 engines, the timing belt especially is preventative maintenance and shouldn't really cause the buyer a penalty. Am I thinking about this incorrectly?

It's not like the chains of the past where they may just blow out. You will have time to notice it's in need, most of the time lol. I'd push for a discount and then do it later

hmm, I'm not sure. One I'm looking at has 190k miles and the timing belt's never been done, or at least no record of it. That seems like a pretty major preventative oversight.

I just bought a 160k v8 a few months ago. Timing belt and Wp had not been done. Im close to 180k now and just replaced the belt recently. Don't pass on a good 4Runner just because of that. Most shops only charge about $600-$1000 to replace it, but honestly if you're handy its a DIY job for sure.

When I took the belt off it looked absolutely fine too. That doesn't mean that neglecting maintenance is a good thing, but you won't have to worry about it breaking on you realistically.

TL ; DR - if its a good price then buy it, try and use the belt not being done as leverage. Once you buy it then get it done yourself or pay to have it done in a relatively quick timeframe. Don't sweat it too much.

Agree. Change the damn belt on high mileage 4runners. I’m in the process of selling my truck. It is sitting at Toyota right now getting the timing belt, water pump, accessory belts and pullies changed as I type this. I won’t be able to recoup that cost but it opens up potential buyers who otherwise wouldn’t think twice about looking at the vehicle.

@Formidable meet @bdjcl , Thank you guys for solving that one.

Just picked up an 03 one owner truck with a 4.7. Was owned by an older couple. 80 k miles. Would a timing belt job be recommended?

Every 90k is what Toyota recommends


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It all depends on the asking price,what is it?

If the seller takes the time and money to do this ahead of time with the intention to sell, its because they are trying to build up for a unicorn sale. Probably be able to ask for a premium when finding the right buyer.

On the flip side, if I was buying a high mileage 4Runner without a service record… a part of me knows it probably wasn’t done, and to expect to have to do it along with all the typical stuff like ALL fluids, and anything else which should be done to give yourself a starting point.

I would use the timing belt as a negotiation tool, but depending on how it’s priced and how informed the seller is, V8 4Runners, especially 4WD versions, tend to be a sellers’ market by a fair amount. The premiums I have seen asked for these things is a bit shocking at times when the seller is in the know.

yes.
isn't it 90k and/or 10 years? something like that.
either way, at that age, and mileage, yes it should be done.