quicksilvr
New member
Ok. So the internet is an amazing tool....and yet sometimes you learn more than you want to know. For some reason tonight I got myself into a pretty detailed search of the user who I bought my 4runner from last year. I knew the truck had been wheeled, and that it wasn't "pristine", but it had lots of extras, and had been well cared for. But I learned something tonight that makes my stomach turn over....
My truck had the milkshake!!!!! :crybaby: I suppose I should just put it out of my head and forget about it. Nothing I can do now. It has 30K miles on it since the milkshake and runs like a top. Maybe that means it wasn't too bad. Oh the stress....
I have a 99 with the e-locker (find this if you can) and it has been a terrific truck across the board. Frame rot was an issue with the Tacoma since they were made in the USA. 4Runners of that vintage are made in Japan did not have the same frame issues. That said, in the Northeast, you will get a bunch of surface rust on the frame that should be touched up over time. Some other thoughts:
- 1999 was the most "lifted" from the factory. Almost 2" total over that later 3rd gens. I am biased, but a 99 w/ e-locker is THE 4Runner to get.
- I have 110K miles on mine. I have replaced: brakes, exhaust, shocks, timing belt, radiator and fan clutch. Only the fan clutch (easy repair and a $100 part) and the radiator fall outside what I would consider to be normal maintenance.
- The radiator sprung a leak into the part of the radiator that cools the tranny and mixed coolant with with tranny fluid. Unusual, but not unheard of. I shut it right down, flushed the tranny and all was good. replaced radiator and installed a $50 remote tranny cooler. Problem solved.
- The rear seat heater pipes are known to corrode after 6-7 years. Easy fix, but you should do it before it fails since it can strand you. I just bypassed the rear heater. 15 minute free repair.
- I also had a blower on the truck for 50,000 miles with no ill effects. It is no longer on it, but it was awesome.
- The truck gets 17-22mpg, runs regular gas and does not burn oil. I regulalry see folks in the forum with 200K+ miles on the 3.4. It is truly bulletproof.
- The car is tight, rattle free and still rides nicely.
- Replace shocks with Bilsteins and you will never replace them again. Stockers are only good for about 50k miles.
BTW, I beat the living crap out of my truck at the Fall gathering a couple weeks ago. It did beautifully while keeping up with much more built, lifted and locked vehicles.
Hope this helps.
My truck had the milkshake!!!!! :crybaby: I suppose I should just put it out of my head and forget about it. Nothing I can do now. It has 30K miles on it since the milkshake and runs like a top. Maybe that means it wasn't too bad. Oh the stress....
