1998 4runner with 402,000K

F

flappn

New member
Hello All, I am new to the board. I have a 1998 Toyota 4runner with 402K on it. Todate she has been a really good truck. I love my 4runner and can't imagine the thought of not having it or driving it.

My question to all you experienced 4runner owners is, do I put money into my 4runner or move on. The body is in really good shape with rust only starting to appear on the rocker panels. Motor runs great, does not burn oil or coolant. I change all fluids on a regular basis. Timing belt, water pump, muffler, starter, alternator are all fairly new. It does need a clutch though.

I have heard myths that the body will rust before the motor dies, I just don't know the reality and I know no one can tell me if my truck will make it or not. What have you folks seen for mileage on 4runners? Ive heard 500K - 800K.

Thanx
 
Register to hide this ad
At this point, I'd fix it and keep going. There's a member on here who posted his with 615K on it about 8 months ago. I'm betting he's pushing 700K by now.

If it's as clean and well sorted as you say, keep it going. Hell, might been be worth it to fix the rusty rocker panels too.
 
I've always heard 300 to 400k before you start having real issues, as long as the proper care, maintenance, and prevention steps are followed. I'm sure some don't go quite that far and some go further. But it sounds like you might be right on schedule as far as getting to the point where you have to decide if you've topped it out or if you should put more money into it.

I'd say it depends on what the truck is worth to you to keep. How many more miles do you realistically expect to get out of it? If you are shooting for 800k or else you think it's not worth it, then I would say don't go there. It may make it, but it may not. If squeezing another 100k out of it would be worth spending a few dollars on it, then go for it.
 
The biggest question for me would be if you could get enough out of it to get a newer one or less miles. I have a Runner with 341k that I just bought and I plan to just keep fixing it until it dies, then fix it some more. To me it's cheaper to spend a few hundred a year to keep it going rather than spend a hundred a month on a newer vehicle.
 
I had this dilemma. It's where you start making compromises. I got rear ended into a car in front of me. Insurance didn't total it out but I only paid to have the major stuff fixed. I am discouraged to keep putting money into it knowing anything could go wrong with so many miles on it. I certainly wouldn't be doing any expensive mods that can't be transferred off. But I do keep up the regular maintenance and fluids. I don't have a problem replacing an alternator or radiator but anything over $600 or so, I seriously consider before pulling the trigger.

SO if I were you, I'd come up with a threshold chart of how much you are willing to spend based off of, and easy yes, to a maybe, and to a no level and sort out what you would do if faced with that choice so you'd have already thought it out and the emotion can take more of a sideline to the decision.
 
i say keep going, the rig isnt going to just up and die. if you are good to it on the maintenance then it will be good to you. and yes the body/frame should rot away before the motor dies. at this point with the amount of miles you have on it, no one will buy it for anything close to what its worth, of what it would cost to get a new vehicle so i say drive it till you cant anymore. either way your only talking about a $500 -$1000 savings if you sell it now and get something. basically im saying you will probably only get $1000-1500 for your truck now with the mileage it has on it. adding more miles will not really take any $$$ away from its value.
 
I understand your dilemma. First, if your buy a new 4runner you are looking at $600 per month car payments along with the routine maintanence you will have to pay anyway.

If you buy a used lower mileage 4runner, you don't know what you've got and you have to answer the same question all over again.


I have a '99 with 328,000. The vehicle runs great, it has a few issues, but since I do my own maintenance and repairs, it costs way less than car payments.

If you have to go grovelling to the dealership each time you need a repair, then that's a problem. If you do your own repairs or if you have an honest mechanic who understands 4runners, then you should keep the vehicle. Give it superb maintenance, don't modify it, and use only factory parts. You may get 1/2 milion miles out of it.

.
 
Thanx to everyone for responding. You folks have confirmed in my head what I have been thinking. I do have a trusty mechanic that has been doing work on my runner for years now at a very fair price. I turst him.

So I'll keep the baby rolling. Thank you
 
At this point if its paid for you are pretty much saving money every mile you go. Keep it on the road it will last as long as you keep up scheduled maintenance.
 
I have to agree with the posts above. I would set aside some money for the day when you reach the tipping point on whether it is worth it to keep on going with it. I hit 195,000 last night and I hope to hit 250,000 before I have to even think about a replacement. Routine maintenance and doing a lot work yourself really helps out. Mine has dents, but runs like a champ. I say keep on trucking.
 
I say keep it. I have a 97 with 166,000 miles and I actually just bought a 2011 SR5. I figure I can still use the old rig for work purposes and off roading and I will hand it over to my daughter when she becomes a senior in high school. So I know it's going to last a long time. That's as long as she doesn't crack it up on me!
 
I am right there with you, jspagna1.... I cant imagine having any other truck, mine is a 2001 with 270k. Ive taken good care of her and she has not failed me yet, short of needing a new cat converter. Ive changed timing belts/h20 pump, oil changes, tune ups... whatever it takes to keep her happy. At what point do we give up keeping them running?
 
silvascript said:
I am right there with you, jspagna1.... I cant imagine having any other truck, mine is a 2001 with 270k. Ive taken good care of her and she has not failed me yet, short of needing a new cat converter. Ive changed timing belts/h20 pump, oil changes, tune ups... whatever it takes to keep her happy. At what point do we give up keeping them running?
Click to expand...

It's a scary thought to think when your mileage only goes in one direction. UP!!!! I say never to give up on these rigs. I have had mine since 2008 and now has 212K on mine. I have driven From Utah to Iowa and back a few times, not too mention daily driving her all over. I loves this truck though. If I could I would park her in the house next to our fireplace. (My wife would probably kill me though). I hope to reach well into the 400K mark.

I have to say flappn, Your Mileage on you 4runner is a testament to how well these truck were made. Off topic, SORRY, but in Utah there is a Lexus ls400 (made by toyota) that has a million + miles on it sitting on a show room floor.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

Total: 911 (members: 1, guests: 910)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,312
Messages
3,554,089
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top