3rd Gen 4Runner Buyer's Guide

[poleclimber63]

I am in the process of looking at two 4runners and need advice. The first one is closer and is a 99 limited E-Locker with 112K miles looks very clean but is from canada and has no service records. $6K

The other is a 99 SR5 with 190K miles 4 hours away but is a 5 speed and is owned by a mechanic from california. The 4runner also has body armor all over rear bumber, front grill and underbody amor a 4" lift and newer tires. He has also changed all the fluids and replaced rear diff seals. $5200 OBO

Which 4runner is the better buy? I want sothing that will have a relativly low startup cost and last me a long time. It will be used for my family on vacations but I wont be rock climbing or anything extreme.

Thanks

Hard to say...No. 2 is attractive due to the history, 5spd, armor, lift, tires and maintenance. No.1 is attractive due to the lower mileage. The lack of history is a question mark...
Don't be afraid of a CDN vehicle as they are the same as the US trucks except for the Speedometer... over the years Ive noticed us Canadians generally put a little less mileage on our vehicles... obviously I've also seen some high mileage vehicles here too! Find out where in Canada it came from as vehicles from the West Coast should have less corrosion...

You need to ask yourself what you want to do with it. As an off road, outdoors truck I would lean towards 2. Truck 1 maybe a better all around town/utility vehicle.

I bought a 98 SR5 2yrs ago... it was in brilliant condition, NO rust at all, seemed tight... I had great luck with it until just before Xmas, when I had a con rod failure=== replace engine!! This is probably due to lack of maintenance ie. oil changes... I'm in the process of preparing for my engine swap (JDM=Japanese Domestic Market) now! I had no history on this truck, so I took a chance on this 16yr old vehicle... that's the chance you take I'm ok with it, as this truck will probably last for many years after this swap. As everyone here says, do your homework--- maintenance records are important! Good luck!

 

[ErikM]

Hi, everybody

Looking at this site for a bit and would like to ask for some feedback on my situation

Sitting in a '99 4runner limited with 239000 miles

Listed for $5900 which seems high for the year/mileage

Looking underneath I can see some rust but don't know how to tell how much is too much

Engine seems solid... Not sure if the timing belt was ever changed

Took for a test drive... Hard breaking didn't throw off any warning signs like shuddering, etc

All the buttons and whistles, etc, are in working order... the interior is in decent condition considering the age

Anyhow, 239000 miles seems like a lot...I know these things could go another 150000 miles; but yeah, already at 239000 miles

Anything worth worrying about?

There is another '98 limited with 150000 miles that's getting a ton of work at the dealership that I was interested in; but was told this morning it need something done with the transfer case

Could be something big or nothing big

The interior of the other 4r isn't in as good condition as the one I'm sitting in now

Is this (239000 miles) likely to get another 100000+ miles out of this?

Would it be better to hold off until that other '98 is available for a test drive, considering the mileage difference?

Really want a 4r but want to make sure I get a solid purchase

Thanks for taking the time to read my babbling and for any feedback I can get

Thanks

Erik

 

[Zone]

Searching for a 4Runner third generation

I'm searching for a third generation 4Runner, and have been looking in Craigslist
and found one with 175,000 miles on it. please check it out and tell me if it's a good buy or a rip off thanks! The price says $4,999 but it is actually $5,250.

Here is the link. 2000 Toyota 4Runner 4D Sport Utility SR5

 

[Riceye]

please check it out and tell me if it's a good buy or a rip off thanks!

Here is the link. 2000 Toyota 4Runner 4D Sport Utility SR5

The description is a generic one for a t4r of that year. Nothing really specific to this vehicle's history. Description cites "steel wheels" when they are clearly alloy.

Have yoy checked carfax, etc?

Seems a bit high, but probably really clean.

You do realise it is 2wd, right?

 

[Zone]

The description is a generic one for a t4r of that year. Nothing really specific to this vehicle's history. Description cites "steel wheels" when they are clearly alloy.

Have yoy checked carfax, etc?

Seems a bit high, but probably really clean.

You do realise it is 2wd, right?

I do know it's 2wd that's what prefer because I'm want to save gas and do you think the miles are too high?

 

[Riceye]

I do know it's 2wd that's what prefer because I'm want to save gas and do you think the miles are too high?

Not really. See if there are any maintenance records. It's about due for timing belt, water pump, etc. And always the question of the transmission cooler/pink milkshake. May be due for an external cooler or new radiator.

Then, things like tires, suspension, exhaust, etc. Check the first page of this thread for a comprehensive checklist. All these costs add up rapidly. Some work can wait, but other stuff, like the trans service, is best done sooner rather than later.

Have you seen the vehicle in person?

 

[Zone]

Not really. See if there are any maintenance records. It's about due for timing belt, water pump, etc. And always the question of the transmission cooler/pink milkshake. May be due for an external cooler or new radiator.

Then, things like tires, suspension, exhaust, etc. Check the first page of this thread for a comprehensive checklist. All these costs add up rapidly. Some work can wait, but other stuff, like the trans service, is best done sooner rather than later.

Have you seen the vehicle in person?

No I'm just looking online right now, do you know good places to buy used 4runners?

 

[Riceye]

No I'm just looking online right now, do you know good places to buy used 4runners?

I watch craigslist lots. By owner, and in different areas of the country. As long as the area is road salt free. I've done fly & drive purchases a few times with great success.

 

[Zone]

I watch craigslist lots. By owner, and in different areas of the country. As long as the area is road salt free. I've done fly & drive purchases a few times with great success.

Okay thanks for all the help!

 

[ErikM]

Not sure if the OP is keeping up with this but i found a couple dead links in "post 7", regarding "new owners area"

spark plugs section, the link to the write-up returns "404":
"Here is a write-up on changing the plugs: 4Runners.org - Changing Your Spark Plugs"

same with the oil change link directly below the spark plug section:
"...OEM Toyota is commonly regarded as the BEST filter, the part number is 90915-YZZD1. 4Runners.org - Changing Your Oil"

might be more but only found those two of the few i clicked

Erik--

edit: found another regarding cleaning MAF/TB sensor

 

[4-Ripcord]

Not sure if the OP is keeping up with this but i found a couple dead links in "post 7", regarding "new owners area"

spark plugs section, the link to the write-up returns "404":
"Here is a write-up on changing the plugs: 4Runners.org - Changing Your Spark Plugs"

same with the oil change link directly below the spark plug section:
"...OEM Toyota is commonly regarded as the BEST filter, the part number is 90915-YZZD1. 4Runners.org - Changing Your Oil"

might be more but only found those two of the few i clicked

Erik--

edit: found another regarding cleaning MAF/TB sensor

That is because 4runners.org is down. I don't care enough to find new write-ups and link them. If you want to find a write-up, give this crazy website called Google a try.

 

[the great him]

That is because 4runners.org is down. I don't care enough to find new write-ups and link them. If you want to find a write-up, give this crazy website called Google a try.

High five!

 

[thirstyturtle]

Unbelievably thorough and accurate thread!

Thank you so much for saving me a LOT of Googling and having it all in one place. SO helpful for a first-time 3rd gen prospective buyer.

 

[robtmc]

This is indeed a great thread. I kept my mitts off the wife's baby (2001 2WD 4R) knowing how she felt about my diddling cars, but now that I have inherited it, all bets are off.

 

[V-23]

As a new 4R owner this has been like a bible to me. I didn't know about the toyota service record look up website.. typed in my vin# and there it was all the service records my vehicle ever had. I love it! Thanks

 

[bikesurfrun]

1999 Limited 4wd-need negotiating advice

Hey there Forum,

Looking for some buying/negotiation advice. Been trying to find a 3rd gen 4wd in San Diego, but haven't seen much worth buying for months (too many miles, rough, too expensive etc). Drove a 1999 Limited with e-locker with 75k miles, one owner, in great shape. Asking $14000. Highest blue book is only $9300, but I haven't seen much listed for months that was close to blue book. Seems crazy to pay $14k, but I do like the vehicle. Any opinions on where to start negotiations or what a reasonable price should be?

 

[BrianSD_42]

Drove a 1999 Limited with e-locker with 75k miles, one owner, in great shape. Asking $14000. Highest blue book is only $9300,

Well don't buy that one. What a rip off. You also have to watch out for odometer rollback. It really DOES happen; we've seen more than one thread on this forum by someone who was a victim.

All you can do is wait it out. When using CL I prefer to check the "by owner" only box and don't even look at dealers. It may take months but you'll find something.

 

[nhmiller]

Thanks guys! I appreciate the kind words. I love constructive criticism as well. So if you see somewhere that I could explain something better or left something out, speak up please!

Thanks again for this great guide. I joined the forum as part of starting a search for a gen 3 4runner - and this content is EXACTLY what I was chasing.

You asked about how it might be improved... You might consider adding a section on any safety deltas between the sub-groups.

I am buying for two purposes:
1) Weekend woods / camping vehicle
2) Something that my 16 year old son can cart himself and his younger siblings to school in (saving my wife 2 or three 30 mile round trips per day).

In all honesty - #2 is really the primary reason for the buy. So - understanding safety deltas / changes for these models is a real question that I want to answer and might have impact on how I narrow my search. Perhaps I am alone in this... maybe not... Regardless I think it would be great info to include in this already excellent guide.

I assume that if you want to add content you do it in the initial post(s) so I have not ground through all 25 pages of responses looking for this info. If it is there and I have missed it - I apologize and I'll take the Gibb-slap that I probably deserve...

Anyway - thanks again for the great guide.

 

[KANO]

4-Ripcord.....

You sir are a mind reader. This is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks!:bravo:

 

[caed123]

1999 Limited

I'm looking at this 1999 Limited at a dealer. Appears to be in VERY good cosmetic condition. It has 160,000 miles on it. They want $4900 for it.

Here's the description from the dealer site:
Just came in very nice & clean Limited 4Runner!
All Scheduled Maintenance.
Always garaged.
Custom wheels.
Fully loaded.
Ice cold A/C.
Looks & runs great.
Low mileage.
Must see.
Non-smoker.
Perfect first car.
Performance tires.
Power everything.
Runs & drives great.
Well maintained.
Very clean interior.
Upgraded sound system.

Got the Carfax and it shows it has had 3 owners and one minor accident. I can't tell much about scheduled maintenance and have no idea about transmission/radiator, etc.

Can someone take a look at the details and the Carfax and let me know if I should pursue this and what questions I should ask? I'm a total stranger to this and would appreciate some help! This is a great forum!

View attachment CARFAX.pdf