Doesn't the ARB bumper come with it's own crumple thingies to replace the ones you remove? It's pretty well tested to work with airbags and stuff from what I've read, albeit it on a Tacoma.
3rd Gen 4Runner Buyer's Guide
- Thread starter 4-Ripcord
- Start date
Doesn't the ARB bumper come with it's own crumple thingies to replace the ones you remove? It's pretty well tested to work with airbags and stuff from what I've read, albeit it on a Tacoma.
octanejunkie
Elite Member
Yes, they call them impact absorbers and you can't mount the bumper without them
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Jidaran
New member
https://baltimore.craigslist.org/cto/d/2002-toyota-4runner-sr5-4wd/6626232696.html
Thoughts on this one?
I've emailed to ask for VIN and service records, hoping to check it out tonight with cash in hand. Looks like a steal though.
Thoughts on this one?
I've emailed to ask for VIN and service records, hoping to check it out tonight with cash in hand. Looks like a steal though.
It looks like the tow bar has been painted. Probably rusty underneath. You can tell when a 3rd gen is likely in good shape from pictures if the tow bar still has the sticker above the hitch, and no rust on it (if it's the factory one). If it's bad enough for the dealer to hit with spray paint, the rest of the undercarriage is usually horrible.
See the sticker:
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Jidaran
New member
thanks for the heads up. i still think i'm gonna check it out, but i'll pay extra attention to the undercarriage. the carfax did provide much help, looks like they took it to the dealership until 60k, then after to some place that didn't register the work.
he didn't think his parents kept records on the work, but i'm gonna see if he can find out where they took it and go from there. definitely getting it inspected before i commit though.
edit: i called him to make arrangements to come see it, asked if i could take it to be inspected by a mechanic. he said he didn't want that, cause even though there's nothing wrong with the car, if they found something and i told him, he'd have to disclose that in the ad. he has two other buyers lined up coming today. i don't think this guy is necessarily shady, i think he just wants to get rid of the car ASAP. but i'm not really trying to buy a car with no service records, no list of work recently done, and no inspection.
he didn't think his parents kept records on the work, but i'm gonna see if he can find out where they took it and go from there. definitely getting it inspected before i commit though.
edit: i called him to make arrangements to come see it, asked if i could take it to be inspected by a mechanic. he said he didn't want that, cause even though there's nothing wrong with the car, if they found something and i told him, he'd have to disclose that in the ad. he has two other buyers lined up coming today. i don't think this guy is necessarily shady, i think he just wants to get rid of the car ASAP. but i'm not really trying to buy a car with no service records, no list of work recently done, and no inspection.
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Jidaran
New member
well my curiosity got the best of me, so i swung by to take a look. the underside was pretty rusted out, it definitely wasn't gonna pass inspection. still took it for a test ride for fun, engine was in great condition. to bad about the undercarriage.
you were spot on with the paint on the tailgate. i have no idea how you noticed that level of detail in those pics, but kudos.
you were spot on with the paint on the tailgate. i have no idea how you noticed that level of detail in those pics, but kudos.
First Time Buyer
https://newjersey.craigslist.org/ctd/d/1999-toyota-4runner-sr5-4dr/6630205445.html
Took this 4runner for a spin today. Susupension seemed ok but a bit squeaky. Engine seemed a bit noisy but ok. Transmission ok. Definitely something wrong with the steering. After reading the info at the beginning of the thread, I think it may be a ball joint failure but I don't really know. The dealer said they'd repair the issue before purchase. The dealer showed me a vehicle history report provided by Experien but I forget the name of it. It had been in a "rear end collision" in 2009 with little detail. This car has had only 1 owner.
What can i realistically expect if I buy this car? How much money should I expect to put into it? I am expecting to put about 2k - 3k into it. I guess the amount depends on the potential issues.
Here are a few pics i took of the engine.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1KeO8sHuqV9kWuElM4YFwHo_ceA-QjIPZ
Thoughts?
https://newjersey.craigslist.org/ctd/d/1999-toyota-4runner-sr5-4dr/6630205445.html
Took this 4runner for a spin today. Susupension seemed ok but a bit squeaky. Engine seemed a bit noisy but ok. Transmission ok. Definitely something wrong with the steering. After reading the info at the beginning of the thread, I think it may be a ball joint failure but I don't really know. The dealer said they'd repair the issue before purchase. The dealer showed me a vehicle history report provided by Experien but I forget the name of it. It had been in a "rear end collision" in 2009 with little detail. This car has had only 1 owner.
What can i realistically expect if I buy this car? How much money should I expect to put into it? I am expecting to put about 2k - 3k into it. I guess the amount depends on the potential issues.
Here are a few pics i took of the engine.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1KeO8sHuqV9kWuElM4YFwHo_ceA-QjIPZ
Thoughts?
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octanejunkie
Elite Member
Interior looks pretty clean save stains on the seats on the passenger side.
The front bumper looks done, seen better days - no biggie to swap, or negotiate with. Brown radiator, to be expected; it needs to go. GM stamped on the airbox lid? The rust in the engine compartment, however, gives me terrific pause.
Get under the vehicle with a long, heavy screwdriver and see if you can poke it through anywhere. My guess is this truck is a rust bucket polished up to catch the eye of the unsuspecting - low miles, low price; what could go wrong?
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Posting here because I can't post my own threads yet.
Based on what I've seen online, it seems like the 4Runner bumper got updated in 1999. Prior to 1999, it looks like this:
1999 - 2002, it looked like this:
Does anyone know the purpose of the change? Is there a functionality there, or is it just aesthetics? I'm currently looking at buying a 3rd gen, and while I like a lot of the improvements in the later model years (multi-mode in particular) I hate how the bumper looks. Is it possible to install a pre-99 bumper on a 99 - 02 4Runner?
Since no one has replied to you, The safety ratings and roll over statistics of SUVs of the era we’re all on the hot seat. The 99-02 had an enlarged crash bar over the 96-98 in an attempt to beef up safety ratings a bit. The front bumper was re-designed to fit over it.
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Thanks for replying to my post. I'll take a screwdriver to it when I get the chance. If the frame is rusted out, does Toyota still sell gen 3 frames? Do you know how much it would cost?
Thanks for the reply. Ill check out the rear LCA mounts when I get the chance. They wanted $4000 for it. Like I asked in the post above, does Toyota still make 3rd gen frames? I'd be kinda interested in putting some cash into it to return it to its former glory.
octanejunkie
Elite Member
It would be cheaper and easier to find and buy a different vehicle than do a frame swap, and as far as I know, no, Toyota doesn't sell replacement frames, but I can ship you a rust free CA frame
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T4R2014
Elite Member
You can buy a frame from them. But why. This truck doesn't have sentimental value to you. Time is money and you'll be better off buying a west coast truck.
del mar
New member
Front Dash panel
I am wondering if anyone has installed a new radio with GPS nav, USB, Stereo, backup camera, etc., into the existing radio space on a 3 Gen. and how easily it is to see the screen.
The current space looks a little low to see easily - certainly is NOT a heads up display.:drama:
So, is the front center dash frame on a 4th gen. for the radio etc. interchangeable between a 4th Gen and a 3rd gen.???
I am wondering if anyone has installed a new radio with GPS nav, USB, Stereo, backup camera, etc., into the existing radio space on a 3 Gen. and how easily it is to see the screen.
The current space looks a little low to see easily - certainly is NOT a heads up display.:drama:
So, is the front center dash frame on a 4th gen. for the radio etc. interchangeable between a 4th Gen and a 3rd gen.???
Yeti4runner
New member
98
https://denver.craigslist.org/cto/d/1998-toyota-4runner-limited/6651641349.html
Any thoughts appreciated. Auto check shows an accident so I’ll be all over that when go to look at it this afternoon. Says he replaced the radiator I’m assuming bc of the accident but not sure till I see it. I’ll inquire about the tbelt and wpump.
https://denver.craigslist.org/cto/d/1998-toyota-4runner-limited/6651641349.html
Any thoughts appreciated. Auto check shows an accident so I’ll be all over that when go to look at it this afternoon. Says he replaced the radiator I’m assuming bc of the accident but not sure till I see it. I’ll inquire about the tbelt and wpump.
Looks like the hood is tweaked some. The pictures show a difference in space with alignment. It could be the picture but I would be all over it. The radiator may have been swapped for the pink milkshake in the transmission. Some just swap the radiator versus doing a by-pass(which should be standard in my opinion).
So crawl over it, look at the frame, inside engine for little crinkles in paint from the accident. Does it say what type of accident? Personally with the accident and how it looks, the price isn't bad but I would be ALL over it with the accident. Check fluids, how burnt is it? How motivated to buy/sell it(both parties)?
Way less than I paid but still could be decent. Does need some love but isn't as bad as I've seen as example here:
16k for a 4Runner
Not worth 16k..but just a example of over here local. They will go from 3k to 20k from what I've seen or get linked on occasion.
CESwartz07
New member
Found this post and this website via a google search when researching before purchasing a 4Runner. As a result, I'm the proud new owner of a 1998 Toyota 4Runner Limited V6 Auto 4x4 w/ eLocker. Just wanted to say thanks for the great post, although some of the old dead links could use updating.
