3rd Gen 4Runner Buyer's Guide

caed123 said:
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!
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Look pretty clean! Make sure to check the climate control until thoroughly. They're notorious for being a brit buggy. Also, I'm not sure the market in your area, but seems a little high for a 2wd. I'm sure there's a little wiggle room.

muhoms1 said:
Have been lurking the forums for while. Looking to get into a 3rd gen found this 97 Limited near me. Does have a hatch dent but think the price can be haggled asking 2750 242k. The dent turns me off but owner stated the radiator and timing belts have been changed. Was thinking of offering 2100 to low.

Thanks for your info

1997 toyota 4runner limited 4x4 with third row leather seat A/C 4X4 V6
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I'd have them at least send you pics of the engine bay. Garage kept or not, I find it hard to believe that a Jersey car has no rust.
 
[MENTION=112857]muhoms1[/MENTION]

I'd like to suggest you start a new thread and move your post over ... Referring to your "should I buy this one" thread.
 
I've been browsing lots on this forum trying to educate myself.
I'm looking to get my first 4 runner.

I'm seriously considering a 2000 sr5 4x4 with 199k. All the belts have been replaced in the last 3000 miles and it is very clean otherwise. He is asking 6000 obo. If I offer 5200 am I getting a good deal?

2000 Toyota 4Runner

This is pretty much par for the pricing in my area it seems.
 
[MENTION=111912]jeremy1usc[/MENTION]

Please move your question and re-post it in an new "should I buy this vehicle" thread.

The buyers guide should not deteriorate into a neverending "should I buy this one thread"

That's twice in one week!


Thanks :humble:
 
Great thread!

I finally did it! I've been looking for a 4Runner for more than 3 months and I got one this week. (Pics to come)

Just wanted to thank you for this thread as it was exactly what I was looking for. Because of the info that I got off of here I was able to dodge a few bullets. I was also able to immediately pull the trigger and confidently buy when the right vehicle at the right price in the right condition showed up.

Big shout-out to 4-Ripcord for saving me a couple grand in bad decisions and repairs.
 
BIG Thanks

Jowenbrown said:
I finally did it! I've been looking for a 4Runner for more than 3 months and I got one this week. (Pics to come)

Just wanted to thank you for this thread as it was exactly what I was looking for. Because of the info that I got off of here I was able to dodge a few bullets. I was also able to immediately pull the trigger and confidently buy when the right vehicle at the right price in the right condition showed up.

Big shout-out to 4-Ripcord for saving me a couple grand in bad decisions and repairs.
Click to expand...

X2...Also a huge shout-out to Ripcord (and any others contributing or to whom we are linked via this thread)! I must admit that I stumbled upon this one pretty early on, but without a background in vehicle mechanics, I couldn't make sense of a lot of the info on here. Now, since I've been researching and scouring, day and night--making me late to work, and causing loss of sleep (but very happy 4Runner thoughts and dreams :) ) I can actually apply some of this stuff to my own truck. I'm currently waiting on some OME springs to carry out a rear-sag-intervention/mild lift fix, and next I am really going to go to town on some of those very quick (seemingly) and relatively easy DIY's for tuning the engine, ensuring optimal performance in that way, etc.

Again, it might sound funny, but words can't really express the stoke and gratitude--it's such a good feeling to be able to work on one's own equipment, whatever that may be. This site has already contributed SIGNIFICANTLY to my personal self-reliance in relation to maintaining my vehicle, and I really sincerely appreciate all the time and hard work spent in sharing all the knowledge!!!!!! Thanks so much.
 
Jowenbrown said:
I finally did it! I've been looking for a 4Runner for more than 3 months and I got one this week. (Pics to come)

Just wanted to thank you for this thread as it was exactly what I was looking for. Because of the info that I got off of here I was able to dodge a few bullets. I was also able to immediately pull the trigger and confidently buy when the right vehicle at the right price in the right condition showed up.

Big shout-out to 4-Ripcord for saving me a couple grand in bad decisions and repairs.
Click to expand...

IanKenway said:
X2...Also a huge shout-out to Ripcord (and any others contributing or to whom we are linked via this thread)! I must admit that I stumbled upon this one pretty early on, but without a background in vehicle mechanics, I couldn't make sense of a lot of the info on here. Now, since I've been researching and scouring, day and night--making me late to work, and causing loss of sleep (but very happy 4Runner thoughts and dreams :) ) I can actually apply some of this stuff to my own truck. I'm currently waiting on some OME springs to carry out a rear-sag-intervention/mild lift fix, and next I am really going to go to town on some of those very quick (seemingly) and relatively easy DIY's for tuning the engine, ensuring optimal performance in that way, etc.

Again, it might sound funny, but words can't really express the stoke and gratitude--it's such a good feeling to be able to work on one's own equipment, whatever that may be. This site has already contributed SIGNIFICANTLY to my personal self-reliance in relation to maintaining my vehicle, and I really sincerely appreciate all the time and hard work spent in sharing all the knowledge!!!!!! Thanks so much.
Click to expand...

glad you all like it, thats why I made it.

I too, could barely turn a wrench when I bought my 4runner. You learn a lot just doing little stuff and working your way up to bigger stuff. Keep it up.
 
What do you guys think?

Hi guys and gals, i'm new here. I've been looking around for a 4Runner for a little while. I finally found one to go look at, and I did just that today. It's a 1997 limited. ODO is 180k. AutoCheck (aka Carfax) is completely clean. I asked for service records from the dealer and he said he didnt have any. They are asking $5995

First thing I do when I show up is check out the body, interior, and engine bay. All very clean, minus some surface rust on the undercarriage, definitely nothing major. There is a sticker in the engine bay stating timing belt was replaced at 93k. The clock above the stereo deck doesn't work, which i read was a common problem. I checked all the piping to and from the radiator, no signs of rot. Went to crank it up and it didn't start, just clicked at a machine gun pace. The dealer brought out the mobile jump start unit and it fired right up. Took it for a spin and put it through its paces, drove around for about 15 minutes, mix of city, highway. Pulled over and checked the tranny fluid, clean and full. Started to test out the 4x4. Tried out 4Lo and it worked fine. Switched to 4Hi and worked fine. Took a little back and forth to get it back out of 4x4, but it worked. Everything else works fine, A/C, heat, sunroof, all windows including rear, oil was fine, etc, etc...

The only thing I am kind of weary of is the lack of service records in the dealers possesion. Will I have to replace the timing belt, since apparently the last time it was replaced was 93k? Do you guys think the reason it didn't fire up is the battery, or possibly alternator issue? Any insight into this would be great.
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Thanks Jim / AKA 4-Ripcord for putting so much great info in one spot. This information has armed me with a lot of knowledge that otherwise, would be hard earned. I have been searching lately, checking out CL and everything else on the hunt for my first 4Runner. I am coming from A 1994 Yota 4x4 extended cab V-6 manual, so I know just how solid Toyotas can be. But this information can bring people up to speed in short order.

I am crossing my fingers on a 2000 SR5 with pretty low miles. It looks great. I am not a big fan of leather, but the rest seems solid. As long as it doesn't have rust, and no other red-flags, and he calls back, I might have found one!
 

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Just a quick question for anyone who have replaced the radiator -

Which brand did you end up buying and is there a preferred replacement?

thanks in advance.
 
daveCFPrez said:
Just a quick question for anyone who have replaced the radiator -

Which brand did you end up buying and is there a preferred replacement?

thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

I have seen plenty of people with the KOYO, TYC, and Denso radiators. All are fine choices.

I am looking for one currently and Amazon is having a killer deal on the Denso radiator.
 
Hi

Hi, new here. Just picked up my first 4runner, '01 SR5 Auto V6. So far i love it, it's a much better drive than the tacoma i had previous. Also, can't say thanks enough for all the information on this forum! It's definitely going to help me maintain/mod the runner going forward.

S8GHSqx.jpg
 
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