Advice for considering a purchase.

[profpeet]

Greetings,
I am considering buying a 2006 4Runner Limited with 200k. The asking price is 11k which seems a bit high to me. I have owned a 2002, and a 2016 (which was totaled but saved my life) but I have not ever owned a 4th gen.

What are the major pros and cons? Any advice is appreciated.

Thank you

 

[Keros]

Things I can think of to look for, off the top of my head:

V8 or V6 - V8's always have a looming issue with the manifolds cracking, giving a characteristic ticking sound. I think 2006 was the year they fixed the headgasket issue with the V6

XREAS with RAS - if it's still on original suspension, it definitely has XREAS, but may also have RAS. Have a look under the back, if there's no springs (and big rubber bags instead), it has RAS, and you'll need additional parts to convert to springs. Having XREAS or not doesn't really effect a lift, but it does mean you have to change all 4x corners together.

Probably not an issue in California, but all the calipers like to stick due to corrosion. Were the brakes recently done, or are they on their last legs?

If it's a V8, it should have had the timing belt done a couple of times by now. Look for a history that that's been kept up. V6's have a timing chain, which at 200k miles, it's barely through half the chain's life span.

That's all I can think of right now.

Best luck!

 

[MikeinNH67]

XREAS with RAS - if it's still on original suspension, it definitely has XREAS, but may also have RAS. Have a look under the back, if there's no springs (and big rubber bags instead), it has RAS, and you'll need additional parts to convert to springs. Having XREAS or not doesn't really effect a lift, but it does mean you have to change all 4x corners together.

My Limited has springs all around, never had XREAS or rear air. Seems all the Sports got them and some Limited. Easy enough to tell though.

OP, is this 4x4? Up here the main thing to look for is rust but unless yours came from up North that shouldn't be an issue. These are pretty solid vehicles otherwise.

 

[Bluesky 07]

If it’s a 4WD, be sure it works in all modes.

 

[TejasRunner01]

I’ve had a 3rd gen and now a non modded 08 V8 4WD limited with 172k.

Like others have said, check for rust.. it is the main thing that I hate about the 4Runner I love.. I really enjoy the v8, but I do have the exhaust manifold tick.

Oh the AC is absurdly expensive to fix, I’ll give you a tip.. don’t replace the expansion valve that is buried in the dash. Most times all you need is a new drier and compressor (I think a few other things). That will keep the cost down.

4WD actuators freeze up if you don’t use them, very costly.

If you need a timing belt (V8) just know you will get wildly different prices. Some shops quote you for the cam shaft seals, which really makes it expensive. Just a water pump and belt is only $900 or so.

I believe frozen brake calipers is a common failure.

Personally I love my truck, just not the 15 MPG avg..

I am not sure of the specifics, but I will say you probably are paying too much if it is a non v8 non 4WD rig at that price.

If it is a v6, 2WD model I would be closer to buying for 6k

 

[MikeinNH67]

Like others have said, check for rust.. it is the main thing that I hate about the 4Runner I love.. I really enjoy the v8, but I do have the exhaust manifold tick.

Exhaust is certainly something to check too, especially the flanges. They turn into rust balls here after 15 years. The front struts are probably also shot by now if they've never been changed.