2000 SR5 T4R for son

[Brian Keeler]

Looking at purchasing one with 160K miles for my 16 YO son with the 3.4 V-6
Is this a good motor and any issue with it or this model year?

Thanks for any input!

 

[rdgt4r]

Great year, great motor, great vehicle period. He would be thrilled to get a 4runner, I know i would.
As with any used car take it to your trusted mechanic and let him do a once over to get his insight on whether its a good buy or not, mechanically speaking.

 

[brian2sun]

IMO, the 3.4 is the most solid engine Toyota has ever made and the 3rd gen 4runner is the best looking of all the gens.

 

[Pikeman]

I have over 200k on mine and there are a few threads about how many miles on yours and a few are at the 300k range. The only real issues these have is rear axle seal leaks, an occasional valve cover gasket leak. With 160k on the clock would check last time the timing belt was replaced and consider that in the near future. I bought my 98 with 150k on it and didnt even bat an eye knowing the reliability of these engines and vehicles in general.

 

[rdgt4r]

yeah, you can't go wrong. Do yourself a favor and don't let your son see this forum because he just might not want it stock for long haha.

 

[JohnsD90]

Looking at purchasing one with 160K miles for my 16 YO son with the 3.4 V-6
Is this a good motor and any issue with it or this model year?

Thanks for any input!

The only real problems you may see are rear axle seal is bad (easy and cheap), rear differential whining which means you need to replace it, and the auto tranny slipping (most haven't had this problem), and those are the most common problems that you could see, most owners never encounter any problems, and your son will love the truck, coming from a 17 year old with a 97.

 

[rdgt4r]

The only real problems you may see are rear axle seal is bad (easy and cheap), rear differential whining which means you need to replace it, and the auto tranny slipping (most haven't had this problem), and those are the most common problems that you could see, most owners never encounter any problems, and your son will love the truck, coming from a 17 year old with a 97.

What? rear diff whine? haven't heard that one yet, from my understanding 200 was a solid year even for the rare, rear axle seal issue. Same with the tranny.

Anyways its better than most 9+ year old SUV's.

 

[JohnsD90]

What? rear diff whine? haven't heard that one yet, from my understanding 200 was a solid year even for the rare, rear axle seal issue. Same with the tranny.

Anyways its better than most 9+ year old SUV's.

Well I know of a number of people having the issue, Me, Darkrunner, Fonerunner, Greenmonster, and a couple others. It is when the Pinion bearing is worn out, it being to whine and squeal, its easier and cheaper to just replace the rear diff than to change the pinion bearing.
And these cars are beautiful and are bulletproof, way better than any other car in its class.

 

[rdgt4r]

Well I know of a number of people having the issue, Me, Darkrunner, Fonerunner, Greenmonster, and a couple others. It is when the Pinion bearing is worn out, it being to whine and squeal, its easier and cheaper to just replace the rear diff than to change the pinion bearing.
And these cars are beautiful and are bulletproof, way better than any other car in its class.

Ohhh gotchya. Most of the guys you list have manual trannys or are pre 2000 so thats probably a link. I haven't heard of a 2000 auto having rear diff problems.

 

[JohnsD90]

Ohhh gotchya. Most of the guys you list have manual trannys or are pre 2000 so thats probably a link. I haven't heard of a 2000 auto having rear diff problems.

Its the same diff throughout the years, the difference between some of them doesnt have anything to do with years its the gearing of the rear diff, an 01 or 02 could have the problem, it isnt year specific.

 

[Brian Keeler]

Thanks for all the responses! I can tell you guys aren't bias : I like the looks of the 3rd gen too! Wife just got a 2010 T4R and I have a 07 Tundra Crew Max.
Shopping around, this one for $6500 seems to be a good deal with clean carfax and one owner even if I do need to but a new 3rd member, timing belt and tires soon...

I am sure he will want to do some modifications! He helps me work on my 77 bronco built for rockcrawling with 38's dual lockers, double T-case, long arms, HD axles yata yata...but that is my toy and not my driver...

Thanks again!

 

[rdgt4r]

Thanks for all the responses! I can tell you guys aren't bias : I like the looks of the 3rd gen too! Wife just got a 2010 T4R and I have a 07 Tundra Crew Max.
Shopping around, this one for $6500 seems to be a good deal with clean carfax and one owner even if I do need to but a new 3rd member, timing belt and tires soon...

I am sure he will want to do some modifications! He helps me work on my 77 bronco built for rockcrawling with 38's dual lockers, double T-case, long arms, HD axles yata yata...but that is my toy and not my driver...

Thanks again!

AWESOME! Bias pshhh dont know what your talking about. haha. We will look forward to you and your son getting involved on the forums for sure. Now about that bronco, lets see a family portrait of cars here. = )

 

[Brian Keeler]

AWESOME! Bias pshhh dont know what your talking about. haha. We will look forward to you and your son getting involved on the forums for sure. Now about that bronco, lets see a family portrait of cars here. = )

Here is one of the Bronco

 

[rdgt4r]

yeahhhhhh I like! you sure do have a nice line up of cars. How you liking the 2010 4runner?

 

[Brian Keeler]

yeahhhhhh I like! you sure do have a nice line up of cars. How you liking the 2010 4runner?

The wife drives the 2010 and just got it last week so I only got to 'test drive' it....It is really nice! I have always liked the T4R's since they first came out with them, actually before that when I saw a PU converted! So now I have it made with the Tundra I love for hunting/towing the bronco....and a sweet T4R to take to the beach! I have a great wife :dancin:

Actually the pic is my 76. I am also in the process of restoring a stock 77 bronco and have more toys, here is the list:

2001 31' Funmover motorhome toyhauler
77 stock bronco (WIP)
76 Offroad bronco
2007 Tundra Crewmax
2010 T4R SR5 with leather added
2005 Polaris 4 wheeler
2006 Bad Boy Buggy for hunting
2009 Ruff & Tuff 4x4 buggy for hunting
18' flatbed trailer

Who dies with the most toys wins right?

 

[wes smith]

my 2002 i bought with a bad tanny(i knew about it before purchasing)so the dealer paid to have it replaced. apparently the p.o. has beaten the living sh## out of it. you actualy have to try and make a toyota transmission go out at 95k miles(i had a ford expedition and the auto tranny exploded at 40k) im happy tho because i have a brand new tranny.

 

[steezemcqueen]

Well I know of a number of people having the issue, Me, Darkrunner, Fonerunner, Greenmonster, and a couple others. It is when the Pinion bearing is worn out, it being to whine and squeal, its easier and cheaper to just replace the rear diff than to change the pinion bearing.
And these cars are beautiful and are bulletproof, way better than any other car in its class.

mine happened because i had leak in the rear axle cover from a rust hole(damn VT and their insane salt use) i patched the hole but it didn't hold on my trip from VT to colorado and the oil leaked out thats when my pinion bearing went. not really any issue with the diff itself

 

[inshore4runner]

im 16 and i have a 97 runner, and i love it. i have just under 140 on mine, and ive replaced the starter and brakes...

 

[Clemsonfan15]

4runners are very popular on college campuses and with teens in general. I'm 19 and go to Clemson and there are a lot of them here. Solid vehicle that will last a long time with proper maintenance.

 

[MillerPKA]

I got my 4runner at 150k and beat the snot out of the 5vz for 40k. She's been sunk jumped and driven all over the place. I've been taking care of her more or less since. Original motor and tranny passing 221k and purring like a damn kitten. If its been kept well by the previous owner that 4runner will show you some great value. Good collection man welome!