'01 Supercharged 4Runner opinions

C

Crammit442

New member
Hi. I've been a lurking member here for several years, but have never posted. I've been driving a '97 SR5 4Runner since '99, but it was recently totaled. I've been looking for a replacement 3rd gen for a while now, but haven't found the one yet. I just stumbled across a supercharged '01 Ltd w/173,000 miles on it. I'm very familiar w/the 5VZFE motor, but don't have much experience with or knowledge of the superchargers. I've driven them and they were really nice, but I'm a little concerned that I could be buying a truck that is likely to be problematic. I talked to Magnuson, who built the SC's for Toyota and they said if it turns freely and doesn't have any obvious grit or rough feel that I should be fine. I know there are lots of members that have experience w/the SC. I know you can't give me a definitive answer, but does anyone have any gut feelings about whether I should seriously consider this truck? I'm including a link below I the CL ad. FWIW, Magnuson said that the rust on the face of the pulley was very common and not a concern. Thanks in advance.
Charles

https://knoxville.craigslist.org/cto/d/2001-toyota-4runner-limited/6589720545.html
 
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That's an amazing deal!!!

+1 on the grill. I'd check to make sure that it wasn't in a front end collision. The grills are straight-swappable, so maybe the owner just likes that style better.

I'm not very versed on the SCs either, but that's a 2nd gen SC, which from what I understand is more easily maintained/more reliable than the 1st gen SCs. So that's a good thing.
 
Crammit442 said:
Hi. I've been a lurking member here for several years, but have never posted. I've been driving a '97 SR5 4Runner since '99, but it was recently totaled. I've been looking for a replacement 3rd gen for a while now, but haven't found the one yet. I just stumbled across a supercharged '01 Ltd w/173,000 miles on it. I'm very familiar w/the 5VZFE motor, but don't have much experience with or knowledge of the superchargers. I've driven them and they were really nice, but I'm a little concerned that I could be buying a truck that is likely to be problematic. I talked to Magnuson, who built the SC's for Toyota and they said if it turns freely and doesn't have any obvious grit or rough feel that I should be fine. I know there are lots of members that have experience w/the SC. I know you can't give me a definitive answer, but does anyone have any gut feelings about whether I should seriously consider this truck? I'm including a link below I the CL ad. FWIW, Magnuson said that the rust on the face of the pulley was very common and not a concern. Thanks in advance.
Charles

https://knoxville.craigslist.org/cto/d/2001-toyota-4runner-limited/6589720545.html
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I love these kinds of threads! :zoom:

Disclaimer: I bought a 3rd Gen 4Runner coming from a 3rd Gen Toyota Pickup for the sole purpose of getting a supercharged engine! These 3rd gens only lack one real thing and that's power and these chargers make up for it.

That's a super clean 4Runner, it sure does look well cared for. Rust on the frame is always a concern though, so be sure to take a good look at it and poke at it with a hammer/screwdriver to make sure there's no soft spots. However, yes rust on front of the pulley does diddly-squat. They used steel pulleys and you can always buy smaller aftermarket ones make of aluminum for more power and rust-free properties.

One thing you can do to check the coupler and rotors is to remove the supercharger belt and then spin the pulley back and forth quickly by hand. If there's play, than the front needs to be rebuild with a new coupler and the bearings are probably on their way out. None of this will damage the supercharger or the engine though, it'll just get noisy and annoying. A replacement nose cone usually runs about $300 and is considered a "rebuild" and can be installed at home with nothing but a socket wrench. Easy-peasy.

The supercharger does not affect longevity or reliability of the engine. You'll find a lot of guys with 200k+ miles with a charger.
 
He said he's got a buddy w/a lift and he'll get me some undercarriage pics. It looks and sounds like a good deal, but I'd like to get as much info as possible before I go 500 miles to look at it/buy it. He says he doesn't know anything about the grille, but the Carfax doesn't show any accidents. His story is that he buys a few cars here and there and resells them for a little extra money. He says he's been driving it for about three months. He says there's a small whine from the SC, but nothing very loud. W/o hearing it in person, its hard to know if it's just the normal SC/boost sound or what. I guess if the pics of the bottom look good, I'm going to go look at it w/the intention of buying it unless I find anything major.
Additional input is welcomed. Thanks again.
Charles
 
There are two supercharged ones on Chattanooga craigslist right now. 98 for $3900 187k?, and a 96 $4900 220k. Both have several upgrades.
 
Crammit442 said:
He said he's got a buddy w/a lift and he'll get me some undercarriage pics. It looks and sounds like a good deal, but I'd like to get as much info as possible before I go 500 miles to look at it/buy it. He says he doesn't know anything about the grille, but the Carfax doesn't show any accidents. His story is that he buys a few cars here and there and resells them for a little extra money. He says he's been driving it for about three months. He says there's a small whine from the SC, but nothing very loud. W/o hearing it in person, its hard to know if it's just the normal SC/boost sound or what. I guess if the pics of the bottom look good, I'm going to go look at it w/the intention of buying it unless I find anything major.
Additional input is welcomed. Thanks again.
Charles
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The supercharger is supposed to whine, it's the sound of the rotors spinning. Apparently the guy doesn't like to redline his 4Runner, otherwise he'd hear some real noise! Love it.
 
I would be all over that thing. I just moved to Nashville from out west with my t4r and a SC boxed up ready to go in. If you want to read about my adventure with finding the blower check out the SC thread.
 
My 2001 Limited has the same grill, no accidents. If the frame looks good and no rust in the panels etc, why not? On the surface, looks like a good deal.

Good Luck,

B
 
Woah! That's an awesome price for that truck, can't believe how clean it looks. Especially with the prices out here in NC, people in Charlotte are asking the same price for 4runners with 250k miles
 
I'm going to get him to loosen the belt and see how the SC feels. If he says it's smooth and the undercarriage pics look good, I think I'm gonna fly up and look at it w/the intention to buy it unless I find something ugly. Quick SC question. My '97 was heavily sound dampened and had had a competition level sound quality stereo system. Dampened like 5-7 layers of DynaMat in places. It was still a capable 4WD truck, it just sounded really good. Assuming the SC is in proper working order, is the whine a sound that makes you smile because you know it's making power or is it a nuisance like a loud gear drive on a V-8? I'm assuming it's only really notable at WOT/hard acceleration? Since I have a vehicle to drive, my plans are to get it home and remove the ENTIRE interior, sound deaden, and install all my stereo components nice and neat while the truck is empty. The last time I did it, I had to drive it while working on it and it took forever because I had seats, headliner, door panels, etc removed. Doing everything with it empty should be a lot more fun.
Charles
 
Link12 said:
There are two supercharged ones on Chattanooga craigslist right now. 98 for $3900 187k?, and a 96 $4900 220k. Both have several upgrades.
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The listing for this truck has been removed. He texted that he was getting tons of calls so he took it off CL and would be getting me pics. He isn't responding any more so I assume he sold it or whatever. I'm not exactly the master of using craigslist and I can't seem to find the listings you mentioned. I was really hoping that I'd finally found THE ONE, but it doesn't look like it now. Any chance you've got as link to the ones you found? I'm willing to wait for the right truck, but driving this 2WD '99 Tahoe is NOT the same as driving a 4Runner! If anyone comes across a deal on a rust free '99-'02 4WD, please pass it on. This no Toyota thing is getting old!:moping: Thanks!
Charles
 
Crammit442 said:
The listing for this truck has been removed. He texted that he was getting tons of calls so he took it off CL and would be getting me pics. He isn't responding any more so I assume he sold it or whatever. I'm not exactly the master of using craigslist and I can't seem to find the listings you mentioned. I was really hoping that I'd finally found THE ONE, but it doesn't look like it now. Any chance you've got as link to the ones you found? I'm willing to wait for the right truck, but driving this 2WD '99 Tahoe is NOT the same as driving a 4Runner! If anyone comes across a deal on a rust free '99-'02 4WD, please pass it on. This no Toyota thing is getting old!:moping: Thanks!
Charles
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You waited too long. Nice 4runners with good prices & especially manuals, e-locked or S/C'd sell fast. I found my Limited on a Fri night & drove 250 miles to see it on Sat & bought it right there. No dilly dally!
 
Scramble said:
You waited too long. Nice 4runners with good prices & especially manuals, e-locked or S/C'd sell fast. I found my Limited on a Fri night & drove 250 miles to see it on Sat & bought it right there. No dilly dally!
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Ain't that the truth. I called a guy just hours after he posted it and by the time I was there to buy it he already had multiple offers lined up. I also didn't low ball at all, since there were others will to pay full price so if I tried to pull that he might have backed out.
 
I guess this'll just have to go in the lesson learned department. He said I was the first call he got and that pending extra pics, I was gonna fly up there. He even told me what airport was closest and that he'd come pick me up. He texted me Sunday that it'd been raining so he didn't have the pics yet, but that it was still mine if I wanted it once he got the pics. At this point, I'm assuming it's gone. I suppose it's possible he'll send the pics and he's holding it for me, but it doesn't look like it. I guess I'm back to looking. If anyone sees another good '99-'02, please pass it on. Thanks.
Charles
 
Crammit442 said:
I guess this'll just have to go in the lesson learned department. He said I was the first call he got and that pending extra pics, I was gonna fly up there. He even told me what airport was closest and that he'd come pick me up. He texted me Sunday that it'd been raining so he didn't have the pics yet, but that it was still mine if I wanted it once he got the pics. At this point, I'm assuming it's gone. I suppose it's possible he'll send the pics and he's holding it for me, but it doesn't look like it. I guess I'm back to looking. If anyone sees another good '99-'02, please pass it on. Thanks.
Charles
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I bought mine in California and live in Washington State. When I was talking to the seller, I never mentioned I was out of state until we had a sort of tentative agreement on the sale depending on an in-person inspection. That's when I let them know where I was coming from.
 
Hepar said:
I bought mine in California and live in Washington State. When I was talking to the seller, I never mentioned I was out of state until we had a sort of tentative agreement on the sale depending on an in-person inspection. That's when I let them know where I was coming from.
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That's probably not a bad idea. I guess I'm just old fashioned, but if I had an ongoing conversation/tentative deal w/someone and I got a solid offer from another buyer, I'd give the first person a last chance to buy before selling w/o talking to them. I guess in his defense, there are a lot of tire kickers out there, especially when selling on the internet. As much as it sucks, the right one WILL come along.
Charles
 
Crammit442 said:
That's probably not a bad idea. I guess I'm just old fashioned, but if I had an ongoing conversation/tentative deal w/someone and I got a solid offer from another buyer, I'd give the first person a last chance to buy before selling w/o talking to them. I guess in his defense, there are a lot of tire kickers out there, especially when selling on the internet. As much as it sucks, the right one WILL come along.
Charles
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I'm definitely the same way, but cash is king. One in the hand sort of speak. If someone shows up to look at it and has the money on the spot, hard to blame someone too much for taking it.
 
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