3rd Gen 4Runner Buyer's Guide

[caprosh]

All information is here. The post I was looking for before buying the vehicle. It is perfect effective guide no doubt about that. However, I am also running a car related blog. But, this thread has good information and learn lots of new things.

 

[4-Ripcord]

All information is here. The post I was looking for before buying the vehicle.

:cheers:

That was the goal, glad it helped

 

[flynhigh205]

Just bought an 02 Sport with 33k on the clock

Like it says I found a one owner 02 sport model with 33k on it. It was owned by a little old lady, 2 hours away from my house. This thing looks brand new. I’ve been looking for one for the last year. I had two dealers sell two right out from under me. One dealer I was 5 minutes away. My girl couldn’t believe how popular the 3rd gen 4runner is. And how hard of a time I was having finding one. I didn’t want one with thousands of miles or a lot of owners, I know not an easy task. I’ve owned a 79 and a 83 Toyota pickups when I was younger. I beat the snot out of the 79. And it just kept running. I currently own a 02 Dodge Cummins I bought new. It has close to 200k on it. But the fact is I don’t need a diesel truck anymore but I can’t bring myself to sell it. So I bought the 4runner as my daily driver. I can’t thank this site enough for the wealth of information I’ve found.

 

[flynhigh205]

More pictures

 

[octanejunkie]

This is a fantastic thread and should be a sticky :first:

SUBSCRIBED AF!

That being said, pricing for parts and services probably isn't going to be accurate nationwide, or as time goes by, but it's good to know what the cost of doing certain PM is vs. the cost of not doing it and repairing the failure.

 

[4-Ripcord]

This is a fantastic thread and should be a sticky :first:

SUBSCRIBED AF!

That being said, pricing for parts and services probably isn't going to be accurate nationwide, or as time goes by, but it's good to know what the cost of doing certain PM is vs. the cost of not doing it and repairing the failure.

It used to be a sticky, then it was placed in the master reference thread and far less people see this thread out:

 

[TB12GOAT]

Invaluable information for those looking to buy a 3rd Gen. Thank you.

 

[Patriot12]

Like it says I found a one owner 02 sport model with 33k on it. It was owned by a little old lady, 2 hours away from my house. This thing looks brand new. I’ve been looking for one for the last year. I had two dealers sell two right out from under me. One dealer I was 5 minutes away. My girl couldn’t believe how popular the 3rd gen 4runner is. And how hard of a time I was having finding one. I didn’t want one with thousands of miles or a lot of owners, I know not an easy task. I’ve owned a 79 and a 83 Toyota pickups when I was younger. I beat the snot out of the 79. And it just kept running. I currently own a 02 Dodge Cummins I bought new. It has close to 200k on it. But the fact is I don’t need a diesel truck anymore but I can’t bring myself to sell it. So I bought the 4runner as my daily driver. I can’t thank this site enough for the wealth of information I’ve found.

Did you say 33k on an 02? 1 owner? Wow, this is the unicorn of all unicorns if so.

 

[amalik]

Did you say 33k on an 02? 1 owner? Wow, this is the unicorn of all unicorns if so.

That could have issues from sitting so much too. You never know.

Sent from my LGMS428 using Tapatalk

 

[octanejunkie]

That could have issues from sitting so much too. You never know.

Sent from my LGMS428 using Tapatalk

Maybe someone Ferris Buellered it. Maybe we'll never know.

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[manualdr5]

Manual 3rd Gen

After winning out on a bid for an extremely clean low mile runner the dealer for some reason wasnt able to get the title from the auction house. You can bit I was pretty pissed off! My search for a clean 5sp has been going on for close to a year and prettty close to throing in the tire after so many failed attempts mainly because of rust issues....F@ck I hate salt :mad2:

What I'm thinking of doing now is grabbing a clean 2000 auto and do a swap. Would love to hear what everyone has to say. Also if the swap is done properly will it be as good as stock?

Thanks for the feedback!

 

[octanejunkie]

After winning out on a bid for an extremely clean low mile runner the dealer for some reason wasnt able to get the title from the auction house. You can bit I was pretty pissed off! My search for a clean 5sp has been going on for close to a year and prettty close to throing in the tire after so many failed attempts mainly because of rust issues....F@ck I hate salt :mad2:

What I'm thinking of doing now is grabbing a clean 2000 auto and do a swap. Would love to hear what everyone has to say. Also if the swap is done properly will it be as good as stock?

Thanks for the feedback!

I'm in the same boat as you, sans the auction debacle, but looking to upgrade my 99 2WD (which I love love love) to 4WD, and yes, it's been done before.
[MENTION=139000]phattyduck[/MENTION] is the posterchild of this, here is his holy grail build thread

 

[phattyduck]

I'm in the same boat as you, sans the auction debacle, but looking to upgrade my 99 2WD (which I love love love) to 4WD, and yes, it's been done before.

[MENTION=139000]phattyduck[/MENTION] is the posterchild of this, here is his holy grail build thread

I did auto 2WD to auto 4WD.

Auto to manual + 4WD is a bit more involved. I'd say COB is the one for that: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/61636-cobs-4runner-timeline-pic-heavy.html

-Charlie

 

[manualdr5]

I'm in the same boat as you, sans the auction debacle, but looking to upgrade my 99 2WD (which I love love love) to 4WD, and yes, it's been done before.

[MENTION=139000]phattyduck[/MENTION] is the posterchild of this, here is his holy grail build thread

Sorry to hear man...thanks for the build thread, wow 2wd to 4wd thats amazing man I wish I had the space, time, money and skill set! lol

I know swaps from auto to manual have been done but I'm not sure if the auto has to be the same year as the manual donor truck and if not, can the auto be an 01 or 02.

I did auto 2WD to auto 4WD.

Auto to manual + 4WD is a bit more involved. I'd say COB is the one for that: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/61636-cobs-4runner-timeline-pic-heavy.html

-Charlie

Thanks for the link Charlie.

 

[flynhigh205]

Yup 33k on it. Definitely wasn’t Ferris’d. It was driven about 2k a year according to the carfax. Honestly it looks brand new inside and out. I truly feel I found a unicorn. The dealer said about 25 people a day called about it. Some offering 10 grand more than the asking price. Which was 11k. He had people calling from the west coast, Canada and Mexico. I was so thankful the dealer didn’t sell this one out from under me. Still had all the manuals and plastics coverings in the glove box. I’ve already put over 2k on it. I have a aluminum radiator that’s going in soon. Then the Tundra brake conversion.

 

[krizzo]

This is extremely helpful for new users. I wish each Gen had a post that was as detailed and organized as this.

 

[4ranna]

Hi all - long time lurker first time poster! This has been an amazing resource to learn about the T4R and I really appreciate the wealth of knowledge on here!

I'm going to see a 3rd gen 1999 and am hoping to get your expertise

Ad here: https://baltimore.craigslist.org/cto/d/1998-toyota-4runner/6414729469.html

It's a 98 SR5 2WD Auto. 190k on the clock and timing belt done around 170k (will verify when I view it). Frame is said to be in great condition with no rust. Exterior is very clean, but the interior looks pretty poor. I'll be sure to check the radiator to see if it's been replaced and ask about coolant flushing/servicing.

Is there anything I've missed and for the price, does it appear reasonable if all the above points check out?

Thank you!

 

[phattyduck]

The interior picture shows is a 4WD. Interior mostly looks like it can be restored...

Check that frame really good when you see it in person - mainly right by the rear lower control arm mounts.

-Charlie

 

[4-Ripcord]

A 20 year old SUV in Baltimore? I'd wager big money that frame is not "in great condition"

and yeah as Charlie said its a 4x4, first line of the ad text

For that price though, not bad assuming the frame is not swiss cheese.

 

[4ranna]

A 20 year old SUV in Baltimore? I'd wager big money that frame is not "in great condition"

and yeah as Charlie said its a 4x4, first line of the ad text

For that price though, not bad assuming the frame is not swiss cheese.

Just been to see it. Firstly, good spot on the 4WD. I was confused by what I thought looked like 4WD selector but I couldn't tell properly from the pic as he had written specifically RWD. Turns out it's a Limited too, not an SR5 (now I notice the side emblems) - it has the push button t-case shifter.

Few points. Started fine from cold (and it was covered in snow), no smoke from the exhaust. The engine bay and radiator looked immaculate - amazing condition. Rado must've been replaced. ALSO - the frame. Wow. There was no rust! The guy wasn't kidding! Other than the tow hitch I didn't spot any other rust on the car at all...I'm beginning to think it's an out of state vehicle as the seller has only owned for it a year. I'm about to purchase a carfax, so will report back after...

Other points, I don't think it's been used for highway miles. The lack of road rash, the clean engine and just how clean it was underneath, combined with the couple rear parking dents and worn away brake pedal and steering wheel tell me it's been used in traffic. The interior is in abysmal condition, even the foam is coming out of the seats, but I think a couple hundred dollars and a lot of elbow grease would turn it around! Also the passenger side running board has a couple of holes (the black marks in the pic)

Everything is original and works (stereo, heat/ac, electric seats etc). Didn't have remote central locking. Also there is a crack in the windshield which will have to be replaced, the tires are pretty worn and will need replacing, and I'd definitely give it a full service.

If the carfax is clean I'm thinking of going back with an offer of $2k. Thoughts?