12-21-2008, 10:45 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Utah
Posts: 24
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Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Utah
Posts: 24
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Noob looking to buy
Hi All,
I am a Toyota 4Runner noob and I am looking at a 03 4gen V8 Sport model with 77,000 miles.
Are there any areas of the truck I should be concerned with? aka Any know problems?
I have been searching the web and have not found much information on 4runner problems. Every car/truck has them, the 4Runner just seems to have far less. Hence my looking to buy one.
Thanks!
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12-21-2008, 10:51 AM
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#2
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Super Moderator
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Metro ATL & Cape Coral, FL
Age: 59
Posts: 6,276
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Super Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Metro ATL & Cape Coral, FL
Age: 59
Posts: 6,276
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Re: Noob looking to buy
Quote:
Originally posted by hewinutah
Hi All,
I am a Toyota 4Runner noob and I am looking at a 03 4gen V8 Sport model with 77,000 miles.
Are there any areas of the truck I should be concerned with? aka Any know problems?
I have been searching the web and have not found much information on 4runner problems. Every car/truck has them, the 4Runner just seems to have far less. Hence my looking to buy one.
Thanks!
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Welcome! Overall they are as your research indicated. I love mine. As for 'known issues' not many. Look at the stickys in problems and warranty section. Skim the maint section too. Read this too: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showth...threadid=44498
The V8 has a timing belt due at 90k so include that as you budget.
__________________
Chris
07 Salsa SR5, 4wd Cyclone pre-cleaner , Aux Transmission Cooler, Hidden Hitch 70779 (600/6000lbs, WDH=730/7300lbs), AirLift 1000, FJCruiser front springs (& now rear too!), Axle Vent Mod, Swaybar Bushing Upgrade, V6 Tick Reduction, VSC off mod, Maplight Mod, 255/75/17 Goodyear Wrangler SAs, Tailpipe Mod
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12-22-2008, 11:10 AM
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#3
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Junior Member
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Utah
Posts: 24
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Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Utah
Posts: 24
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CJ3Flyr, Thanks for the info!
As far as the timing belt goes, is that a DIY project or is it better left to a real mechanic?
Speaking of mechanics, does anyone know of a good independent toyota shop here in Salt Lake?
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12-22-2008, 12:03 PM
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#4
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Member
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Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Springfield, VA
Age: 49
Posts: 549
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Springfield, VA
Age: 49
Posts: 549
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Quote:
Originally posted by hewinutah
CJ3Flyr, Thanks for the info!
As far as the timing belt goes, is that a DIY project or is it better left to a real mechanic?
Speaking of mechanics, does anyone know of a good independent toyota shop here in Salt Lake?
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Welcome to the forums. No real issues with 4runners. Best thing you can do if the truck is from a used car lot or private buyer is to have the dealer to a pre-purchase inspection. Could save you a lot of hassle in the long run.
Also, please refrain from swapping topics, mid thread. If you want to ask about mechanics- start a new thread for that answer. Every post here gets saved pretty much forever and people search through them. Easier to keep all the topics in order.
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2008- sold
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12-22-2008, 03:53 PM
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#5
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Super Moderator
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Metro ATL & Cape Coral, FL
Age: 59
Posts: 6,276
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Super Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Metro ATL & Cape Coral, FL
Age: 59
Posts: 6,276
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Quote:
Originally posted by hewinutah
CJ3Flyr, Thanks for the info!
As far as the timing belt goes, is that a DIY project or is it better left to a real mechanic?
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It can be done DIY but only if you've done others and are familiar with valve timing etc. The actual work is semi-complicated but "do-able". The stakes are very high though. The timing/setup of the belt needs to be perfect.
If you have a pro supervise the install of the belt then ok otherwise I'd let someone else handle it.
__________________
Chris
07 Salsa SR5, 4wd Cyclone pre-cleaner , Aux Transmission Cooler, Hidden Hitch 70779 (600/6000lbs, WDH=730/7300lbs), AirLift 1000, FJCruiser front springs (& now rear too!), Axle Vent Mod, Swaybar Bushing Upgrade, V6 Tick Reduction, VSC off mod, Maplight Mod, 255/75/17 Goodyear Wrangler SAs, Tailpipe Mod
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12-22-2008, 04:23 PM
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#6
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Member
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Anaheim Hills, CA
Posts: 327
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Anaheim Hills, CA
Posts: 327
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5K miles and not a mechanical problem to speak of (that was not of my own doing)... 
Welcome to the forum
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12-25-2008, 05:58 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: new jersey
Posts: 3,636
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: new jersey
Posts: 3,636
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smart
it was a smart idea to join the forum & get info before you buy. welcome
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12-26-2008, 08:49 AM
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#8
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Member
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Charleston, SC
Age: 50
Posts: 664
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Charleston, SC
Age: 50
Posts: 664
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Welcome!!
Like others have said there are no big mechanical issue to speak of.
The only thing I thought of was the 03 had the grey lower body and bumper clading. 04s and up are all painted the color of the rest of the body. Granted that is just cosmetic.
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04 4x2 Black SR5 V-6, Bilstein 5100s @ .85 w/ Moog 81088 springs 2.75" lift front, FJ Rear Springs, 265/70s, Scion T1807 HU w/ AUX input cable. 151K miles. 07/08/14 Traded-in.
08 4x4 Salsa Red SE V-6 Daystar 2.5/1.5", 265/70 Revo 2s, SpiderTrax. Traded-in on 09/14/11 W/55k miles for 08 Sequoia 5.7L
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12-26-2008, 02:37 PM
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#9
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Junior Member
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Utah
Posts: 24
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Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Utah
Posts: 24
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Thanks everyone for the replies. We found a bought an 03 4x4 v8 Sport.
It was located 4 hours from our home, the drive home was great! For a truck with 77k on the odometer, it sure didn't drive like one with that many miles. We were able to get it for $10,500. It has some paint scratches, and the interior has some marks on the ceiling from a mountain bike. But all in all the wife and I think we got a good deal.
I will have to put new tires on it in the spring. and maybe an exhaust, lift etc etc
:rocker:
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2003 4runner Sport 4wd V8
Sunroof/JBL
2006 Volvo V70R 6sp Manual ( 300hp AWD sport wagon)
Last edited by hewinutah; 12-27-2008 at 11:44 AM.
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