3rd Gen 4Runner Buyer's Guide
- Thread starter 4-Ripcord
- Start date
Hepar
New member
I just looked at the pictures on their Flikr and I honestly think they covered up some rust (or someone did). If you look at the engine bay, there are obvious signs that there is at least some rust on the vehicle (you can see it on the brackets as well as on some of the bolts). But if you look at the picture of the tow hitch, it's perfectly black. You'd expect to see at least a bit of rust on that. As well as underneath, but it too appears to be straight black. I guess I'd just be pretty surprised to see a vehicle that spent its life in VA, NC and SC that has no rust at all.
My 4Runner came from Cali and it has absolutely ZERO rust in the engine bay, but even it shows a couple of small surface rust spots on the tow hitch.
And I bought mine sight unseen. But it was a private sale and through the negotiation, I felt 100% confident that the vehicle was exactly as presented. I'm also pretty jaded on used car dealers. Especially those on Ebay.
So, other than my jade rust side, it does look like a pretty clean example. Might keep in mind that they recommend the timing belt every 90k, so it would be coming up on another timing belt somewhat soon.
I'm not a fan of used dealers either. I don't need one right away so I might wait for something (somewhat) local to show up. Let me know if any of your friends have a 3rd gen for sale Mopar lol.
He did send me pics of the underbody and it looks like there is a few spots with rust. Hard to tell if any has been covered up though.
He did send me pics of the underbody and it looks like there is a few spots with rust. Hard to tell if any has been covered up though.
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RocksRunner
New member
Hello,
Just picked up my first 4Runner 1999 Limited. So far i think i found a gem, complete service history 1 owner here in NC. There some signs of her age and minor rear bumper damage reported on the Carfax.
So just completed the standard plugs and air filter, thanks for the write ups on those.
Thinking of doing the B&M transmission cooler conversion. The radiator looks new, but $60 is fare less expensive than a tow and a new tranny and radiator.
Thanks again guys for all the sound advice. Pretty sure without this site i would have bought a something i would have regretted.
Just picked up my first 4Runner 1999 Limited. So far i think i found a gem, complete service history 1 owner here in NC. There some signs of her age and minor rear bumper damage reported on the Carfax.
So just completed the standard plugs and air filter, thanks for the write ups on those.
Thinking of doing the B&M transmission cooler conversion. The radiator looks new, but $60 is fare less expensive than a tow and a new tranny and radiator.
Thanks again guys for all the sound advice. Pretty sure without this site i would have bought a something i would have regretted.
T4R2014
Elite Member
Rust?
Hahahahahahahahah
Hahahahahahahahahahaha
Gotta watch out for those rusty Florida cars. They love to park them right on Daytona beach.
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Hepar
New member
That's not nearly as bad as I was expecting and looks like an honest representation (no obvious signs of covered stuff).
Just curious what a shift solenoid would cost to fix? New transmission or easy part? I found this one and I won't have to smog it since I will be registering whatever 4 runner I get out of state.
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/cto/5876835433.html
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/cto/5876835433.html
Mgyver1
Member
My Tacoma had a shift solenoid code and I replaced the solenoid. About 1k miles later the transmission ate itself. I would expect to replace the transmission on that rig.
Awesome. Thanks for the reply. That is what I was thinking would be the best route anyways. Just wanted to make sure. Think I am going to keep looking though. Noticed the back fender has a big dent in it.
I had a shift solenoid go out on my 2000. I ordered a set from amazon that has all of them. I want to say the set cost maybe $120(You'll have people argue to get OEM but i read several reviews of peopling using these without issues and the set costs less than one OEM). but i replaced them all, and one of them was bad so I had to go back and switch it with my good oem. It was worth it and several thousand miles its still running great.
SpidermanGeek
New member
-Service records are always a plus, especially regarding Timing Belt/Water Pump, Lower Ball Joints, Radiator (especially for an Auto), & Rear Axle Seals replacement.
-As little rust as possible yes, but worry less about the body and more about the frame, especially from about the rear door hinges to the rear bumper.
-Low Miles.. if Service Records/Maintenance is on the up and up... Mileage isn't really a concern unless we're talking 300K+... and even still.
-Overall cleanliness will likely be a direct result of the prior points.
T4R2014
Elite Member
Baseless. Sounds more like you got unlucky. The cost of a solenoid is way less than a transmission. It's worth a shot to try that than to risk junking a transmission that was fine for no reason.
Mgyver1
Member
It's not baseless, it was my experience. Regardless, I would never suggest anyone junk a transmission that was working. By all means replace the solenoid, but if it were me based on my past experience I would start budgeting and prepare to replace the transmission in the event it goes out.
havent hit the 15 post limit yet, im desperate
Hi everyone, i am sorry this isnt the right place, but im stuck 1,000 mi away from home in a hotel and have some time to get advice, so thats what im looking for.
here is my situation:
99 4runner, 4x4, v6, 3.4L auto trans. 130k miles
I had just driven (with my dad) about 17 hours straight when we decided to stop, get some food, and a hotel.
We were just off the 40 and going about 15mph up a small hill, when it wouldnt go forward any more. Engine ran fine, just stopped going forward. I also noticed (it was raining) there was some dripping going on under the engine as there was a rainbow-shimmering fluid washing away.
Well we stopped it and got it towed to a shop right away. I had measured the trans fluid and it was a few inches above normal (although we were on a hill) and the coolant reservoir was full (but a little dirty looking).
Shop says the transmission is shot. Tech said the tranny fluid looks old/burned and he saw some solid (keyword: clutch) pieces in the fluid when was was doing his initial diagnostic. asked him about the dripping and he said it was a small leak in the pan but the fluid was still full and that was not the issue.
My dad picked this up from a dealer back in August (in NY) and i live in NV, and just got some time to drive it back, so we havent put any real miles on it until now. Odo says about 130k. No clue on the prior history. My dad took it to a shop to have it looked at before we bought it, we heard nothing about the transmission.
Bad part about this deal is we dont live in TN so we cant just curb the car for a while and wait. I need to get back to NV and my dad NY of course. Shop says a jasper rebuilt with install is about 4-5k.
Well Im looking around for used ones now and the shop says if we find a used one they will install it and expect the time to be about 8 hours @ 95/hour. Thoughts? It will cost quite a bit to have it towed back to NY.
I have found a used tranny a 10 hour (roundtrip) drive away for $300 that I am planning to get tomorrow unless someone recommends otherwise, the shop said they would install it.
Hi everyone, i am sorry this isnt the right place, but im stuck 1,000 mi away from home in a hotel and have some time to get advice, so thats what im looking for.
here is my situation:
99 4runner, 4x4, v6, 3.4L auto trans. 130k miles
I had just driven (with my dad) about 17 hours straight when we decided to stop, get some food, and a hotel.
We were just off the 40 and going about 15mph up a small hill, when it wouldnt go forward any more. Engine ran fine, just stopped going forward. I also noticed (it was raining) there was some dripping going on under the engine as there was a rainbow-shimmering fluid washing away.
Well we stopped it and got it towed to a shop right away. I had measured the trans fluid and it was a few inches above normal (although we were on a hill) and the coolant reservoir was full (but a little dirty looking).
Shop says the transmission is shot. Tech said the tranny fluid looks old/burned and he saw some solid (keyword: clutch) pieces in the fluid when was was doing his initial diagnostic. asked him about the dripping and he said it was a small leak in the pan but the fluid was still full and that was not the issue.
My dad picked this up from a dealer back in August (in NY) and i live in NV, and just got some time to drive it back, so we havent put any real miles on it until now. Odo says about 130k. No clue on the prior history. My dad took it to a shop to have it looked at before we bought it, we heard nothing about the transmission.
Bad part about this deal is we dont live in TN so we cant just curb the car for a while and wait. I need to get back to NV and my dad NY of course. Shop says a jasper rebuilt with install is about 4-5k.
Well Im looking around for used ones now and the shop says if we find a used one they will install it and expect the time to be about 8 hours @ 95/hour. Thoughts? It will cost quite a bit to have it towed back to NY.
I have found a used tranny a 10 hour (roundtrip) drive away for $300 that I am planning to get tomorrow unless someone recommends otherwise, the shop said they would install it.
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jgue467
Senior Member
The used one is probably what i would do, hopefully it has some sort of warranty?
I would check the engine's radiator fluid condition. If it pinkmilkshaked then that fluid needs replacing before you get on the rest of the trip.
Did you get to look at the tranny fluid? Brown and burnt is almost still better than 'pinkmilkshake' color.
Luck. :cowboy:
I would check the engine's radiator fluid condition. If it pinkmilkshaked then that fluid needs replacing before you get on the rest of the trip.
Did you get to look at the tranny fluid? Brown and burnt is almost still better than 'pinkmilkshake' color.
Luck. :cowboy:
no warranty on the used one im afraid. its gonna be a swap and a prayer.
i havent looked at the radiator nor the fluid in the pan. fluid on the dipstick seemed fine. planning to have it taken to a trans shop here in town and have it assessed tomorrow
