3rd Gen T4R Longevity is UNREAL!!!!

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BamaDrewski

New member
Just turned 317K miles on my 2000 T4R (Originals transmission, original engine, original CV’s, etc., etc….) and every single time I drive it, I LOVE it! This is the best vehicle I have ever owned and now on the hunt for a second one as a spare/project/hobby.

I am noticing our third gens are getting harder and harder to find. They stay on the road so long, few people get rid of them……..

Of course if you live in a rust/salt area, they fail on the frame. Living in Alabama, this is not an issue. I am OCD about my rig and spend a great deal of “hobby time” keeping her updated and satisfied. Overall though, when I see folks with Chevy’s (And not just Chevy’s….) that crap out (on multiple fronts) after 100K, I just smile to myself.; our 3rd generation 4Runners are INCREDIBLE!!!
 
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My son recently got a 2000 that is super clean, 148k miles, just a great rig. We have an elderly neighbor couple that has one that looks exactly the same except hers is a 4x4. The old lady was out walking yesterday evening and we got to chatting about them. She was saying how much she loves hers but she is going to have to sell it because the DMV isn't going to renew her license and her husband's bad back doesn't allow him to climb into it. It has 93k miles on it, always dealer serviced and receipts for everything. We made a deal on the spot, I'll be at my bank tomorrow to get the cash. I'm currently driving a 2015 Tacoma that I will sell and make the 4Runner my daily driver.
 
Boneyard said:
My son recently got a 2000 that is super clean, 148k miles, just a great rig. We have an elderly neighbor couple that has one that looks exactly the same except hers is a 4x4. The old lady was out walking yesterday evening and we got to chatting about them. She was saying how much she loves hers but she is going to have to sell it because the DMV isn't going to renew her license and her husband's bad back doesn't allow him to climb into it. It has 93k miles on it, always dealer serviced and receipts for everything. We made a deal on the spot, I'll be at my bank tomorrow to get the cash. I'm currently driving a 2015 Tacoma that I will sell and make the 4Runner my daily driver.
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WOW! Talk about being in "the right place at the right time!" (You lucky dog!!!! LOL)
 
Yeah, my 2001 that just died of rust still had almost all its original parts. I mean CV joints, ball joints, starter, power steering pump, fuel pump, every single bearing, all original. Can't think of everything. I replaced the radiator once on a preventive basis to avoid the dreaded pink milkshake, the timing belt once, the alternator because I couldn't purchase just brushes, diff oil a couple times, and I think that's it. Insanely durable - still had the ORIGINAL transmission fluid and front diff fluid. And purred like a kitten yesterday when I traded it. Rust is disheartening. You keep using OEM parts and good, fresh oil, and no telling how long she'll last.
 
Boneyard said:
My son recently got a 2000 that is super clean, 148k miles, just a great rig. We have an elderly neighbor couple that has one that looks exactly the same except hers is a 4x4. The old lady was out walking yesterday evening and we got to chatting about them. She was saying how much she loves hers but she is going to have to sell it because the DMV isn't going to renew her license and her husband's bad back doesn't allow him to climb into it. It has 93k miles on it, always dealer serviced and receipts for everything. We made a deal on the spot, I'll be at my bank tomorrow to get the cash. I'm currently driving a 2015 Tacoma that I will sell and make the 4Runner my daily driver.
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You make sure that you treat that old lady properly. Don't take advantage of her! You got yourself an almost new vehicle there. Congrats, be the good guy, and take care!
 
Congrats. Deets and pix please.


Eddie

P.S. I'd buy a couple lottery tickets if I were you cuz you just hit the T4R lottery and you might just be on a lucky streak. :D

Boneyard said:
...We have an elderly neighbor couple that has one that looks exactly the same except hers is a 4x4. The old lady was out walking yesterday evening and we got to chatting about them. She was saying how much she loves hers but she is going to have to sell it because the DMV isn't going to renew her license and her husband's bad back doesn't allow him to climb into it. It has 93k miles on it, always dealer serviced and receipts for everything. We made a deal on the spot, I'll be at my bank tomorrow to get the cash. I'm currently driving a 2015 Tacoma that I will sell and make the 4Runner my daily driver.
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I dream of having been old enough to buy a 4runner new in 2002 and taking care of it myself out of the rust belt. Would likely have owned it forever and it would be in immaculate condition.

But that's not my reality. I am very happy with my 98 4runner sr5 as the 6th owner in the rust belt. Wish it had been better taken care of, but mine will also last me a good amount of time but I will be replacing ball joints, cv axle and perhaps even the rack and pinion and definitely removing rust on the frame. I'm shooting for 400k miles out of mine (currently at 182k), but would love for it to keep going.

I honestly might do a total restoration + offroad build in the future like Joe Rogan did here because this car has sentimental value to me:

YouTube
 
I would usually have a hard time buying a vehicle over 100k but the Gen 3 T4R might be the only vehicle along with Landcruiser that I would consider buying over 200k. It really does seem to be nothing for them.
 
BamaDrewski said:
our 3rd generation 4Runners are INCREDIBLE!!!
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Truth. I just bought mine back in September with 193k miles and the lady I bought it from didn't take the best care of the Runner. I've been slowly nursing it back to health as it's been in my possession. A little tune up and some basic car care goes a long way in reviving a 4Runner.

I just drove from Salt Lake City to Skagway, Alaska and ferried down to Juneau, no problem during the 2,551 mile journey. The only thing though is I think my clutch is starting to go out now
 
They have a lot of forged parts in the motor! Get the top of the line automatic!
Mine had 350k and carried 1000lbs in it it’s whole life!
3rd gens are bulletproof
 
Honestly, its not just 4runners.
I've had great experiences will all NA 90's toyotas.
I currently also have a 96 Avalon with over 250k miles, and it runs wonderfully.
 
Currently working on a 1997 for my sister inlaw 185,000 blown head gasket almost done with it serviced from front to back with a little body work replacing the bumpers reshaping the hood and a fender. All the coolant hoses replaced including the second heater core. This one will be the 4th 3rd gen rebuild I've done in the last 12 months. Not including the head gaskets I did on my daughters 2004 4.0 V6 that engine was a major pain. :rockon:
 
330k here supercharged. All the maintenance is up to date. And it runs purrrrrrrfect


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Mr. Goodkat said:
I would usually have a hard time buying a vehicle over 100k but the Gen 3 T4R might be the only vehicle along with Landcruiser that I would consider buying over 200k. It really does seem to be nothing for them.
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I bought my 2nd 4Runner with 217K & wasn't even worried as it was a one owner dealer serviced vehicle. Been DD it for a year & a half putting 16K on her with no issues except a loose spark plug. No fault of the truck!
 
Guess I bought a lemon or something... here is the list of items I've had to repair/replace under 125,000 miles. Originally purchased my 2000 4Runner with 98,000 miles two years ago.

Transmission (whole transmission breaks going 45mph one day)
CV axles (popping constantly)
inner and outer tie rods (can't keep the 4runner in alignment)
lower control arm bushings (popping and alignment issues)
radiator (driving on interstate and it just starts pouring out the bottom)
rack and pinion bushings (steering very loose)

Now my brakes are shuddering very bad when I brake hard. Guess I'll have to replace those next including the wheel bearings. Also my exhaust has a leak now. Eventually, the whole 4Runner will be new parts at this rate. I regret ever buying this POS.
 
jeredcollins said:
Guess I bought a lemon or something... here is the list of items I've had to repair/replace under 125,000 miles. Originally purchased my 2000 4Runner with 98,000 miles two years ago.

Transmission (whole transmission breaks going 45mph one day)
CV axles (popping constantly)
inner and outer tie rods (can't keep the 4runner in alignment)
lower control arm bushings (popping and alignment issues)
radiator (driving on interstate and it just starts pouring out the bottom)
rack and pinion bushings (steering very loose)

Now my brakes are shuddering very bad when I brake hard. Guess I'll have to replace those next including the wheel bearings. Also my exhaust has a leak now. Eventually, the whole 4Runner will be new parts at this rate. I regret ever buying this POS.
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Lemon? possible. Or it was poorly maintained and driven in rough conditions. I guess we would need to know more about the area and conditions the vehicle was driven in and and I don't think off-road is the only type of driving that hard on a vehicle. Cities with tons of traffic and poorly maintained roads can be just as hard with 1-2 feet diameter potholes, gigantic seems in the concrete, tons of idle time in traffic with poor airflow, constantly flooring it to merge off of off-ramps or to the next light, hammering on the brakes once they reach said light or the next traffic jam.

Driving around Chicago comes to mind for me. I looked at one that needed tons of work and seemingly was only used "highway" or "no off-road, only Urban settings." That means nothing.

Does your area dump a lot of salt on the roads? What specifically broke in the transmission? The brakes are known to be weak but even then again, if it's driven properly or maintained properly considering the conditions they should still function fine. Pulsing brakes is usually driver error (I'm not blaming you).
 
jeredcollins said:
Guess I bought a lemon or something... here is the list of items I've had to repair/replace under 125,000 miles. Originally purchased my 2000 4Runner with 98,000 miles two years ago.

Transmission (whole transmission breaks going 45mph one day)
CV axles (popping constantly)
inner and outer tie rods (can't keep the 4runner in alignment)
lower control arm bushings (popping and alignment issues)
radiator (driving on interstate and it just starts pouring out the bottom)
rack and pinion bushings (steering very loose)

Now my brakes are shuddering very bad when I brake hard. Guess I'll have to replace those next including the wheel bearings. Also my exhaust has a leak now. Eventually, the whole 4Runner will be new parts at this rate. I regret ever buying this POS.
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Those are some of the problems with a low mileage vehicle. ALL of the bushings in your front end have probably dried out & should be replaced. Coolant probably was never changed. Front disks can warp especially when using cheap pads & rotors & is common on A/T's. Happened to my limited. Never had an issue on my M/T because of downshifting. My limited had 217K when I bought it & it drove like a dream. But it was one owner dealer serviced it's whole life. We bought a low mile (2004 31k) Subaru 4 years ago, one owner & dealer serviced it whole life. Its in great shape but I've replaced all of the things you've mentioned above except the trans. 3rd gen trans are notoriously strong. Did you get service records when you bought it?
 
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Scramble said:
Those are some of the problems with a low mileage vehicle. ALL of the bushings in your front end have probably dried out & should be replaced. Coolant probably was never changed. Front disks can warp especially when using cheap pads & rotors & is common on A/T's. Happened to my limited. Never had an issue on my M/T because of downshifting. My limited had 217K when I bought it & it drove like a dream. But it was one owner dealer serviced it's whole life. We bought a low mile (2004 31k) Subaru 4 years ago, one owner & dealer serviced it whole life. Its in great shape but I've replaced all of the things you've mentioned above except the trans. 3rd gen trans are notoriously strong. Did you get service records when you bought it?
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Yes, a binder of receipts and invoices. Was the #1 reason I bought it... well that and the fact it only had 98,000 miles.
 
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