About to become a true member

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Well, after much debate and several questions, I'm ready to become a true member of the forums. My car sold Monday, and then the 4runner I had lined up ready to buy sold before I could get to it. I hated it because I've had a lot of trouble finding a 4runner in my price range (~$11k). After about 4 hours of searching online last night, I finally found my 4runner. I have no clue why, but this thing is priced crazy cheap (you guys told me to wait and I could find something better than the v6 I was looking at, and man were yall right). It's a 03 4runner limited, 123k miles, fully loaded, in dash nav unit, only a few minor scratches, 1 owner (locally owned and maintained at the local Toyota dealer), and best of all only $11,500. I'm just waiting on a call and I'll make a deposit to hold the vehicle, I'll be going to pick it up Thursday. That being said, anything I should look for? It is suppose to be rock solid, and I really have no reason to doubt that. Any suggestions? Thanks!

 

[gptoy96]

Congrats on the truck!

Looks clean and sounds like a great price. All I can think of is get a carfax and see what it says. Is it at a dealer now or is it private?

I drool at the condition/price you guys can get down in the states, we pay a premium for Runners up here, makes me sad....

Well done!

 

[riverider]

Looking at the rear it shows a tow system. This might be a sign of some really hard use. Being clean inside and out many times does not tell the real story. Have this 4Runner checked by a expert Mech. before signing on.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

I've ran a carfax. It was purchased locally, serviced at the local toyota dealer, 1 owner, and no accidents or other issues reported. Finding a 4runner for that money is not easy, I searched probably 10-15 different sites and an area of over 10 states before I finally found this one.

 

[chaz]

see , things happen for a reason. congrats on your find/buy. goodluck with her.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

How true that is, I thought my chances at a 4th gen were over (I have to get another rig asap, didn't have time to wait it out). This completely maxes me out, but I know I'll enjoy it. It's a huge leap from my 96 Mustang Cobra that I just sold and the 97 2wd 4runner I had previously. I'm still skeptical, it just seems too good to be true. However, everything checks out so I'm sure it'll be fine. I'm just pumped and ready to go get it Thrusday.

 

[r32]

She's looking real fine!

Congrats!

 

[JAC]

Wow....nice!...you got a very very good price.. Nav and all that?...Congrats!

 

[eskimochaos]

Im not gonna say I told ya so but.....I told you to wait for a V8!

MAKE SURE 4LO works!!!!!!, on cars that its not used frequently on the actuator can become stuck and cost upwards of 3000 to replace.

Put it in N, turn the knob and ensure it activates.

Make sure timing belt has been done and at what mileage, make sure spark plugs have been done, ensure coolant has been changed all of these around 100k. See if you can get records on vital fluids such as diffs b/c if they havent been touched, I recommend you put some M1 75w-90 in there.

Im sure Ill think of more later.

Oh yea, if it has X-REAS, make sure none of the shocks are leaking, if it has rear height control, make sure it works!

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

I know you can't on the fluids (well maybe besides color), but is there any way to tell if the timing belt has been changed? At 123k I'm sure it has, but you never know. I'm not sure if it has X-REAS, haven't saw anything that said it did, but won't know until I can take a look at the shocks. I probably wouldn't have thought about checking 4lo, I appreciate you bringing that up. That's great advice, thanks a lot!

 

[eskimochaos]

I know you can't on the fluids (well maybe besides color), but is there any way to tell if the timing belt has been changed? At 123k I'm sure it has, but you never know. I'm not sure if it has X-REAS, haven't saw anything that said it did, but won't know until I can take a look at the shocks. I probably wouldn't have thought about checking 4lo, I appreciate you bringing that up. That's great advice, thanks a lot!

If the timing belt was done at the dealer there should be a sticker with the date/mileage it was replaced on over the radiator plastic shroud in plain sight when you open the hood.

Its something the Original Owner would definitely know.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

I have no way of contacting the original owner, and after reviewing the carfax the last odometer reading that the vehicle was serviced by the dealer was at 66k miles. I'll check for the sticker under the hood, hopefully it has been done.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

I went and picked it up today, it's all mine. I found service records in the glove box that didn't show up on the carfax. The vehicle was extensively maintained by the Toyota dealer. 4 lo worked great, and timing belt was done at 93k miles. It is all I wanted and SO much more. I'm almost speechless, it's much nicer than I had imagined. Also, I was having a ton of trouble finding a base model v6 4x4 in my price range, much less a fully loaded one with v8. I do have one final question. It has rear height adjust, is that the X-REAS? Thanks for the input guys, I couldn't be happier with my purchase. I appreciate the help.

 

[chaz]

rear air bags, if you tow something or carry alot of stuff. also give the rear a firmer ride. x-reas are lines that run to the shocks. glad things worked out for you,

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

OK, I'll have to check to see if it has X-REAS then (I'm a 3rd gen guy, gonna take some getting use to on the 4th gen). Easiest way to tell is to look at the shocks and see if there are the hydraulic hoses right?

 

[chaz]

yep.

 

[Uneek]

OK, I'll have to check to see if it has X-REAS then (I'm a 3rd gen guy, gonna take some getting use to on the 4th gen). Easiest way to tell is to look at the shocks and see if there are the hydraulic hoses right?

Correct. The rear shock, at the very top of a X-REAS equipped 4R, it'll have the hydraulic line.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Thanks for the pic. I looked today and really wasn't sure what I was looking at. Will that just be on the rear, or on the front also? With the height adjust I wasn't able to see much, but I'll look again tomorrow. I know some have had issues when lifting the rig with X-REAS. However, overall for a daily driver that's gonna stay stock is it good or bad to have? Thanks a lot!

 

[YotaConvert]

If you're keeping it stock, its a good thing! There should be a sticky explaining how it works but basically when you go into a corner fluid is transferred from the inside shocks to the outside to firm up the suspension and provide more stability and control. If this is wrong please correct me guys...if you're planning to lift your runner it can be a real PITA! That is unless you plan to replace everything and scrap it. I've been looking for a budget lift (spacers) for a while, don't have the tools to install myself and I can't find anyone to install them! That is until recently but thats another story...3" lift has been approved and will be done in the near future! Sorry, just had to throw that in there...nice truck and a sweet deal, congrats!

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Haha, thanks for the info and congrats on the lift. So, with X-REAS can you do any lift at all? If I ever lift it'll just be a small 2-3 inches. For the next couple of years, it will remain stock (mostly). I'm about to head out and check for the X-REAS, I'll post my findings later.