Back in the 4runner hunt

[cek77]

Latest Pic 9/21/14:

So I had a great '97 4runner a few years ago. I keep a second car around to haul kids, random things, take the family out and about on the weekends but mainly to save miles on my commuter ('01 TDI Golf with 256k on it). I also have what some would think as eccentric car tastes. I sold my 4runner, then picked up a Volvo 240 wagon, then picked up a YJ Wrangler, then just picked up and sold an '85 MB 300TD wagon. My wife says I have an automotive bucket list and I have to complete it. I'm starting to feel like I should settle down. Really the Wrangler was awesome but with two little kids I didn't feel like #1 dad hauling them around in a pretty busy area. Safety first. Besides that Wrangler the only car that I'm looking to go back to would be a 4runner. So here I am looking to move into a 4th Gen 4runner (unless some other weird little car pry's the dollars out of my hand).

Anyway. From my research the past week and taking into consideration my budget (less then $13k) Id like to find an '05 or '06 4runner. My wife and I are also considering getting into a light weight camping trailer. The R-pod has caught my eye as a possible travel trailer to hold our family. They are about 2500lb dry. I have considered going V8 but that could be overkill and most likely kill my budget. The reading I've done on V8 exhaust manifolds doesn't make me feel good either. So here I am beginning the hunt.

I have seen an '05 V6 Limited with 174k I thinK I could get for less then 9k. I know that high miles isn't to big of a concern but I have to think resale in 3-5 years. A 200k truck is harder to sell then a 150k truck.

I'll continue to read as many buying guide posts and the pretty comprehensive thread found here. Also seems to be lots of towing threads to keep me busy.

Thanks for reading. Any comments or thoughts on which year/model to focus on would be appreciated. Any comments on what to look for would be helpful too.

Now some pictures:

Old Runner:

Volvo:

Wrangler:

300TD

Rpod

 

[Juniormon]

I just picked up an 06 SR5 4WD V6 with 93k miles and all maintenance records for 13k plus tax and title. I found it at a Subaru dealer and when they tried to counter my offer I just said look I know you didn't give over 10k for that thing on the trade in and walked out satisfied. They were asking 15k. Hope this helps.

 

[cek77]

Thanks. That's what I was thinking. I may go take a closer look at the high mileage one. Looking at the high mileage thread I feel a little better.

There are two possibilities. This could be a true extra car for us that will occasionally do some towing (9-10) trips a year but mostly cruise around town and possibly drive up to Rausch Creek Offroad park. In which case a 150k or above doesnt threaten me to much (my 3rd gen was 170k and just ran awesome). If that plays out a high mileage and cheaper (under $10k) 4runner will do.

The other possibility is this becomes my wifes DD, which means we can trade her CRV in and spend a little more. Which would probably have us looking at a 100k mile 4runner. I like her in the CRV for now since its very car-like.

 

[Juniormon]

Sounds like u got a plan brother. The main thing is finding one that's been well maintained. You have to remember that the guys on this forum are religious with care and can't go into it thinking you'll get the same results they have without knowing the full history of the car. I know what you mean about wanting something that drives like a car. Our solid rear axels make themselves known but if you stumble across a 100k car that's been babied I don't think you'd regret the trade off in the long run. Another tip I have is to head to carmax and get an appraisal before you trade in. I sold my Altima to them and my father just got $1500 more from them than a dealer offered for a trade in. Nothing to sneeze at and only takes half an hour or so. Offer is good for 7 days.

 

[smeagol]

Push your wife to get rid of the CRV, get a nice 4Runner. That's my vote. At least go test drive one and let her get her impression of it. Happy wife, happy life. You might have a convert on your hands, you never know. While the 4Rrunner's have a full frame, they drive nice, and I'm told the 4th gen is nicer than the 3rd gen in that respect. As well as having an updated/more plush interior.

Also, simplicity of fewer cars (if you are considering the 4R as an extra car). Maintenance, headaches, insurance, and so forth.

Put the money saved towards a lower mile 4Runner, or a nice trailer (I'm a fan of fiberglass trailers - look at Casita, Scamp, Escape).

I bought a V8 4Runner with towing in mind, but I have a heavy trailer (5k lbs). For something smaller, the V6 would do fine.

 

[jstanwood]

Push your wife to get rid of the CRV, get a nice 4Runner. <snip>
<snip>
Put the money saved towards a lower mile 4Runner, or a nice trailer (I'm a fan of fiberglass trailers - look at Casita, Scamp, Escape).
<snip>

[MENTION=58271]cek77[/MENTION], it's funny that you have the same car we had, and are looking into a small camper, and that [MENTION=96988]smeagol[/MENTION] mentioned a fiberglass camper.

We recently completed both searches like yours.

Camper: We bought a 16' Scamp in June. They last a lot longer and hold resale a lot better than the stick-built trailers. They are also light and a little more aerodynamic than even the R-Pod. We fit fine with of our boys (4 and 1.5). Even though it's listed at 1600 lbs dry, neither of our cars could tow it comfortably w/o adding a tranny cooler, and I don't like being anywhere near the limit.

Car: Early in July, We replaced our 2000 CR-V AWD that had 130,000 mi with a 2008 4R Limited 4X4 V8 that had 98,000 mi. (I had been obsessing over getting a 4Runner for months.)
It's total overkill for the camper, but I love the 4R. It feels like driving a piece of billet vs. the CR-V. The CR-V always felt like a tin can to me in the 10 years we had it.
I miss getting 24 mpg, but we drive less than 15,000 miles/year across both cars, so it's no biggie.

Result: I'm REALLY happy. My wife takes the 4R when she's not hauling the kids (she likes it). We've towed the camper, and the factory wiring, brake controller prep, engine, etc. all make it really easy.

I'm looking forward to playing in the snow, too...

 

[cek77]

[MENTION=58271]cek77[/MENTION], it's funny that you have the same car we had, and are looking into a small camper, and that [MENTION=96988]smeagol[/MENTION] mentioned a fiberglass camper.

We recently completed both searches like yours.

Camper: We bought a 16' Scamp in June. .

Can you post a picture of your 4runner hitched up to your Scamp? Pics of your Scamp while your at it! Those look awesome.

So I've been back and forth for a while. Started thinking 3rd Gen. Mainly because I could buy one straight cash. I had one before and it was great. As of right now there is a '97 120k mile 4runner local that is described as super clean and has a bunch of recent maint. I'd go look at it but he is on vacation.

That may be a good thing because I think I'm best off getting a 4th Gen. Gives me many more towing options. While I'll have to finance part of it, my payments will be low. And the one I'm going to look at tomorrow AM is an '06 V8. Looks like it has most of its maint. done at Toyota. Test drove the V6 already, can't wait to test drive the V8. If its nice, I'm working out a deal tomorrow and will pick it up next week.

 

[jstanwood]

I'm not by my PC, so this is the best I can do for now. I'll send more pics when I get a chance.

Can you post a picture of your 4runner hitched up to your Scamp? Pics of your Scamp while your at it! Those look awesome.

So I've been back and forth for a while. Started thinking 3rd Gen. Mainly because I could buy one straight cash. I had one before and it was great. As of right now there is a '97 120k mile 4runner local that is described as super clean and has a bunch of recent maint. I'd go look at it but he is on vacation.

That may be a good thing because I think I'm best off getting a 4th Gen. Gives me many more towing options. While I'll have to finance part of it, my payments will be low. And the one I'm going to look at tomorrow AM is an '06 V8. Looks like it has most of its maint. done at Toyota. Test drove the V6 already, can't wait to test drive the V8. If its nice, I'm working out a deal tomorrow and will pick it up next week.

 

[cek77]

The hunt is over! Quite a hunt though. 3 dealers, multiple 4runners being sold right before I got to the dealers. Was a wild day. Here is the catch. More pics to come later.

2006 Sport V6

Wasn't even detailed yet. So I have some work to do. Truck has had its maintenance at the dealer. Thanks to that Toyota site for letting us put the VIN in. Runs great. Feels tight and solid. New brakes all around, new front calipers. Only 92k on it. Wow, these trucks drive great. I'll add some pics once I get cleaned up.

 

[SpeedoJosh]

Can you hint at a ballpark you paid for it? Looking for something similar to replace a 98 4runner with 450k.

 

[cek77]

Can you hint at a ballpark you paid for it? Looking for something similar to replace a 98 4runner with 450k.

Somewhere exactly between 13k and 15k. I wanted to pay 13k but this one had good records and under 100k miles. Plus the damn things are selling like hotcakes and I like the sport hood and interior. I also liked the 2006 with both power seats, rounder wheel openings, round step and roof rails.

 

[robaroni]

Looks like a good deal! Welcome back into the fold.

 

[jstanwood]

Congratulations! It looks like a good find.

 

[cek77]

So far I've been enjoying it. Runs great. I've cleaned up the interior as best I can but the carpet stains run deep. Bissel Little Green machine is no match. Better but not great. No cool overlanding trips or offroading. Lots of little kid soccer games where I get to drive on grass! That's it. I would like to look into Rausch Creek and do some light trail rides this fall.

I did order a new key from Amazon. Had it cut but it wont turn. I wonder if I take it back to the locksmith, can they clean up the cuts or something? It fits in but feels rough and wont turn. I also picked up and programmed a new key fob following directions on this site. Plenty of good info.

Got new 4runner rubber floor mats instead of the carpet stock ones.

Ordered Spidertrax 1.25" wheel spacers and the Daystar 2.5/1.5 lift. I figure I like the stock ride and the XREAS works great right now. Plus my fun budget money is not ready to drop major dollars. After reading a bunch and realizing I'm mainly looking for appearance right now, it seemed like the way to go. I can always do it right down the road (looks like a lot go about a year with the spacers then upgrade). I'm going to see how it looks then decide if I need to go up a size in tires (265/70/17) that many have moved up to. I have Bridgestone Dueler H/T's. The fronts (brand new by the dealer) are different then the rears though they are both Dueler H/T's. Seem to have more A/T tread then the rears.

Anyway, the camping trailer is on hold till next year so I'm spending a little on the 4runner. Maybe a catback exhaust or is that just the teenager in me? I wouldn't mind a little more sound.

 

[Dylan]

I wondered if [MENTION=93434]gshadow325[/MENTION] had seen this yet. I know he has experience with Volvos.

Volvo:

 

[gshadow325]

I wondered if [MENTION=93434]gshadow325[/MENTION] had seen this yet. I know he has experience with Volvos.

i never got into the RWD stuff.

i was inspired by the fwd 850 wagons then moved on to awd

at one point i almost went rwd, but drove one and didnt like how it felt.

now i love my reliable toyota! although i still have love for volvo's thus why i still have my convertible

OP nice runner! congrats

 

[Paisano]

Volvo:

Nice wheels on the Volvo, and congrats on the 4Runner btw, that is very nice. I think that's a solid deal too.

I drove an '89 DL for a couple years.

 

[cek77]

Not to get to off topic but I have a bucket list ticking in my head for cars. I like to get an interesting car, learn about it, fix it up a little, drive for a while, then sell. Examples of other interests:

The 4runner is my answer to getting tired of fixing and just wanting to drive something nice and haul the kids around. Nice to drive it and just enjoy. This should stay around for a long while. Probably will only put 4-5k a year on it.

Below is my one car that has been with me 10+ years and 256k and counting (25k a year). 2001 VW Golf TDI with some 20th Anniversary GTI goodies. Averaged 50mpg over the last 4 years Ive been tracking with fuel app. 52 without the 18's.

 

[cek77]

And to get back on track. Amazon delivers:

 

[cek77]

Daystar 2.5/1.5 installed! Heck of a job for a rookie. My comments are if you don't remove the LCA like some do, make sure you remove the Sway bar. Not just unhook it. My problem is I went to remove it and the one captive (inner frame nut) broke off its weld so I can't undo the bolt. I'll have to cut it off and maybe use a rivnut? to fix it. Not sure how people usually repair that. Good thing is I didn't loosen it, just broke the weld so it still holds tight. I did undo the upper ball joint from the UCA. Still needed to place the jack between the inner fender and the upper part of the steering knuckle to get that last half inch of play to pull the strut down and over. Id probably just remove the tie rod ends to next time for a little more play. The rear as noted in the DIY's is really easy. Not a single problem.

I'm left with a repetitive sound from the front end. Like a slight wum wum wum, increases/decreases with speed. I dont really feel it just can hear it. Not loud, you have to listen for it. I'll have to take notice if its on turns or braking. Only had time for quick test drive.

Need to get an alignment now and put the spidertrax spacers on. I want bigger tires but that'll come in a little. Need to save a few more pennies if I want to get something decent.