advice on high mileage purchase

[mschlee]

i currently have a 96 with about 140k miles on it, slightly built and runs like a top. but the frame is toast. i could probably weld up some plates to repair the rust damage, but given i sometimes have my kids with me, dont want to take chances.

so my thought was look for a high mileage 3rd gen and swap the motor/tranny. would probably be cheaper than buying another low mileage truck. but would like to get opinions from the experts. would i just be asking for trouble as other things would start to go out? should i just sell my current truck for cheap (disclosing the rust of course) and use the money to go lower miles on the new purchase?

thanks for any advice in advance.

 

[Bijan]

i currently have a 96 with about 140k miles on it, slightly built and runs like a top. but the frame is toast. i could probably weld up some plates to repair the rust damage, but given i sometimes have my kids with me, dont want to take chances.

so my thought was look for a high mileage 3rd gen and swap the motor/tranny. would probably be cheaper than buying another low mileage truck. but would like to get opinions from the experts. would i just be asking for trouble as other things would start to go out? should i just sell my current truck for cheap (disclosing the rust of course) and use the money to go lower miles on the new purchase?

thanks for any advice in advance.

I'm no expert. Just an enthusiast...but I'll recommend that you get a quote from a body shop to see about your frame 1st. Ponder that.

Are you doing the motor/tranny swap yourself? That seems like it could be just as much time/$ as fixing the frame.

Let's see some photos of the frame.

What's your budget on a 2nd 4Runner?

 

[mschlee]

getting some estimates, but its gonna get pricey because everything is in pretty bad shape. another reason i'm thinking to do the change now is that i want to build it some more (including paint) and dont want to put more money in it and have it fail shortly afterward.

i can get the mechanical work done pretty cheap - but not the frame repair.

btw, your ride looks great!

 

[St Runner]

Its a lot of work but it is doable. A high milage vehicle is also going to have high milage running gear(axles driveshaft etc) so you still have to choose wisely. Lots of clean( No salt!) runners in florida but most of them are 2wd. Make sure you choose an early runner 96-98 so there are less swap problems

 

[mschlee]

thanks runner. thats what i'm thinking about, the running gear. may not be worth the effort and be better off just biting the bullet and spending the extra cash - but kind of tight right now so looking for options.

 

[Bijan]

Thanks!

Try to find something like this - > 1999 Toyota 4runner 4x4

 

[Gadgetguy]

Were it me, I'd sell mine and buy one from outside the rustbelt.... so much easier and can be equally cost and more in your case time efficient in the end unless you are really proficient at wrenching and have the time to do it.

 

[potomacduck]

A few thoughts. You're smart to stay away from a rusty vehicle. Rust repair if done correctly is very expensive and the rust frequently comes back.

High mileage 3rd gen? I bought mine at 150,000 and it's running great at 400+ so mileage is relative.

Find the best one you can buy. Spend a little more on the front end. Take your time and try to find one from a private owner who has lots of maintenance records. There are plenty of well maintained 200,000 mile cars out there.

Set aside another $1,500 to replace the MAF and oxygen sensors and a radiator and fix a few small things.

 

[AntleredRuin]

It also seems to me that southern trucks (outside the rust belt) cost a whole lot less than their northern rusty counterparts. Like several thousand less. (explain the logic here)

If you're looking for a truly rust free donor (which you should be, to make this swap worthwhile), honestly consider searching more than just locally. Even with shipping, you will probably spend less. Hell, you might find a good deal on a whole new (used) lower-mileage truck and can just go with that.

 

[Alikazam]

I picked my runner up for $5k with 215K miles on it. I'd check compression and leak down if it were me. I did on mine and across the cylinders (180, 180, 181, 180 compression) and have run it trouble free from there besides a few minor things (clutch master cyl., tune up parts, new front end bushings). at 246k now and still running great! Turbo'd at 220K-ish... lol Super clean, and single owner before a dealership ended up with it. I've been very happy with my purchase! Good luck finding one for your needs!

 

[jeremyc74]

I may have a lynch mob after me for saying this, but I'd consider a 4th Gen for the daily driver duties, and keep the 3rd gen as a toy (and repair it of course).

It's getting very hard to find a nice 3rd gen with under 150k, and the ones that are out there are bringing such a high price you could be into a 4th gen for about the same money. Then you could do whatever you want to your current truck.

You're not going to get a lot of money for it if you're honest about the frame. You could part it out, but that's a PITA and may not be worth it depending on how much free time you have on your hands.

 

[white_n_slow]

In toyota years, "high mileage" begins at about 260k, in my estimation. 180-220 is pretty much average. There will be more little things that go out here and there, but generally nothing mission critical if the the truck has been well maintained. Definitely not a concern in my book. In my mind, I see no reason to swap your motor/tranny. Just buy a good truck and drive it. If you've got the space and time, part out your old truck to help pay for the new one.

I agree, open your mind to shopping out-of-region to get a rust free rig. I have flown to Arizona to buy a rust free FJ62. $69 for a one-way southwest flight and a couple days off work is a small price to pay for ZERO rust.

 

[LookAtThatDog]

I don't know what your money to free time ratio is, but If I were to start over, I'd fly down south and drive one back. I'd spare myself the engine swap and get just get a good truck. There's too many 4runners out there to be swapping motors IMO

 

[mschlee]

thanks all- lots of good advice. think i'm going to just sell what i have for cheap ($1,000) and buy one in california (my brothers live there so they can check things out for me). will cost about $950 to ship it back but with no rust vs a rust bucket in new york i think it is well worth the price.

it is a weekend driver so maybe 5K miles a year at most. so figure if i want another 15 years out of it i can probably buy a used one with around 200K miles and if it was taken care of, should be me to 275K miles (5K/year for 15 years)

thanks again for the advice - much appreciated