Hey guys cool forum dont see many people flaming others.

Anyway im thinking about buying a 90 4 runner auto 4x4 v6 with 200,000 miles.

The guy wants $2650 for it but it has a few problems:

Clear coat is all gone from roof and hood.

Auto tranny seems to be leaking, there also seems to be oil stain located above the tranny on the underside of the chassis strange I thouht?

Transfer case also seems to have kind of a wet look in some places where the drive shaft enters.

Front left CV boot torn replaced with temp boot but joint doenst make noise so might be able to save it in time by just replacing the boot.

When driving on freeway the steering wheel shakes like crazy (I noticed the front tires were really messed up lumps in all kinds of places). The back end also feels kind of weird but the back tires one of them is also messed up.

Spare tire is flat (no biggie but still).

the good side:
engine sounds fine, no rod knock, all windows work including sunroof and back window, coolant looks nice and green no brown stuff, 4wd seems to work fine in both 4hi and 4low.

How much do you think It would cost to fix all the problems...I would love to do it my self but ever since moving away from home I dont have a garage. Do any of you know a good place in the bay area (CA)?

Is the truck worth it??

Thanks

Well first welcome, your right not much flamming here unless it's in fun.

Anyway where to begin, Your going to need a paint job sometime right? 1-2K

Is it leaking tranny fluid and engine oil? If it's just oil driving it could spread the oil all over the place like that, not a bunch of leaks maybe just one. You would have to trace it a little better to find out.The way you said it was on top maybe it is a valve cover leaking but it could be lots of things.If you are going to have a shop find it and fix it it will cost more $.

The CV is easier to just replace the CV then to take it apart and replace the boot, who knows how many miles are on the CV, I just did my passenger side last week(torn boot) cost $65 with the core charge.Have a shop di it. $100-150


Sounds like it needs new tires. your looking at $500-600 for 4 or more if you want a new spare. Plus alignment.

You would need to see if the Headgaskets were done under the recall, call the dealer with the VIN.

Is this going to be your daily driver?

If so then routine maintenance will need to be done unless the P/O kept records.Tune up/timming belt etc.

well I hope this helps.......


Mike

While you're at the dealer checking on the headgasket recall/replacement, you may want to ask about the steering relay rod recall / replacement, too. The replacement is free and you get a free alignment with it !!

MIke in AR

The V6 (3VZE) is infamous for Valve Cover oil leaks. I got mine for $60 at autozone. My CV Axle boots were torn, so I just replaced them in my garage; $160 at autozone with $90 core charge, lifetime waranty. Tires could be pricey, anywhere from $400 to $900. A paint job? $300 at any macco auto body, comes with a 1yr clearcoat waranty, but they have better paint jobs for extra money. Definatly do check if the head gasket recall was done, just take your VIN to any toyota dealership with a service center, they will help you out. And while you are there, check to see if your 4Runner is within the Steering Rod Relay recall; The recall is called the "50N" recall. If you get it, take it to your family mechanic to check the Front and Rear differntial gaskets, as well as the Transfer Case. Sounds like a good buy though.