2ndhandyotaman
Member
Now verify by parts invoice that they actually used OEM parts and aren't just charging you for the good parts while they used aftermarket parts.
Back to the 4Runner - looking at 3rd Gens with multi-mode
- Thread starter Seattle_SR5
- Start date
Now verify by parts invoice that they actually used OEM parts and aren't just charging you for the good parts while they used aftermarket parts.
Seattle_SR5
New member
Oh that will be done. One of the things I do for a living is review financial statements and contracts.
“Trust but verify” -Reagan
Seattle_SR5
New member
Got the 4Runner:
The good!
- The 3.4 liter V6 is extremely smooth and has decent power. After driving 200 miles through Oregon’s high desert and the Columbia Gorge I have to say I expected it to be worse.
- Auto tranny shifts well. Seems like it’s been serviced and is in good shape.
- The truck has the hood from the Highlander/Sport and looks sharp.
- Putting in new LBJs, an alignment, and new tires have the 4Runner tracking straight and well. It doesn’t pull like it did on the test drive.
- There is absolutely no rust. The frame and underbody are in insanely good shape. My former (Seattle area for its whole life) 4Runner looked notably worse underneath.
The bad:
-Cruise control doesn’t engage - light flashes. I’ll have to go through the forums.
- No backlights on the auto climate control unit at night (same for the buttons above it - the Power/ECT button and rear window. Will have to look into bulb replacements or ??
- There is a 2 inch wide by 1/2 inch deep dent on the rear hatch and a few scratches that didn’t show up in photos and weren’t noted on the PPI. Not totally happy - but I’ll see what can be done about the dent. Time for touch up paint on the scratches..
- Leather interior is a little more worn than it looked from the photos online (passenger seat is notably cracking - driver’s seat had a couple of panels replaced) Something to look at for fixing/replacing in the future.
Overall I’m pleased with how good the truck is mechanically. The cosmetic stuff can be addressed over time and I got it for thousands less than 4Runners of similar age with multiple owners and accidents. Now for an upgrade/maintenance/adventure/build thread
The good!
- The 3.4 liter V6 is extremely smooth and has decent power. After driving 200 miles through Oregon’s high desert and the Columbia Gorge I have to say I expected it to be worse.
- Auto tranny shifts well. Seems like it’s been serviced and is in good shape.
- The truck has the hood from the Highlander/Sport and looks sharp.
- Putting in new LBJs, an alignment, and new tires have the 4Runner tracking straight and well. It doesn’t pull like it did on the test drive.
- There is absolutely no rust. The frame and underbody are in insanely good shape. My former (Seattle area for its whole life) 4Runner looked notably worse underneath.
The bad:
-Cruise control doesn’t engage - light flashes. I’ll have to go through the forums.
- No backlights on the auto climate control unit at night (same for the buttons above it - the Power/ECT button and rear window. Will have to look into bulb replacements or ??
- There is a 2 inch wide by 1/2 inch deep dent on the rear hatch and a few scratches that didn’t show up in photos and weren’t noted on the PPI. Not totally happy - but I’ll see what can be done about the dent. Time for touch up paint on the scratches..
- Leather interior is a little more worn than it looked from the photos online (passenger seat is notably cracking - driver’s seat had a couple of panels replaced) Something to look at for fixing/replacing in the future.
Overall I’m pleased with how good the truck is mechanically. The cosmetic stuff can be addressed over time and I got it for thousands less than 4Runners of similar age with multiple owners and accidents. Now for an upgrade/maintenance/adventure/build thread
Congrats! Sounds like a solid running 4runner. My experience with previous ppi's is similar to yours. They usually miss a few minor things that irk me, but it's not all that bad. It's always best to check it out yourself if possible. Looking forward to your build.
catsponchovia
New member
Congrats on finding a solid truck and exactly what you were looking for! Can't wait for pics!
2ndhandyotaman
Member
congrats! It's hard to get exactly what you want when the vehicles get this old. It's pretty damn hard to find exactly what you want when you buy a brand new one !
Not that it matters, but another vote for multi-mode (again). Baltimore got some wet snow/sleet/icy -ish falling from the sky late yesterday afternoon. The first 5 minutes driving around was fun, I was 'Hoonin' around corners but then realized that the other people sliding around were doing so because they had no control over their vehicles so I just pushed the button on the t-case lever, watching the dash lights blink for a few seconds, heard the light 'clunk' noise and off I went like I was on asphalt, although I slowed wayyyy down because of all of the other people out there.
Not that it matters, but another vote for multi-mode (again). Baltimore got some wet snow/sleet/icy -ish falling from the sky late yesterday afternoon. The first 5 minutes driving around was fun, I was 'Hoonin' around corners but then realized that the other people sliding around were doing so because they had no control over their vehicles so I just pushed the button on the t-case lever, watching the dash lights blink for a few seconds, heard the light 'clunk' noise and off I went like I was on asphalt, although I slowed wayyyy down because of all of the other people out there.
Seattle_SR5
New member
I'm finally getting around to uploading my photos. Ran them through Adobe Lightroom to make them look their best.
The truck. I have other shots but these two turned out the best. There will be
plenty more.
Wild Central Oregon. All on US 197 between The Dalles and Madras.
The truck. I have other shots but these two turned out the best. There will be
plenty more.
Wild Central Oregon. All on US 197 between The Dalles and Madras.
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Seattle_SR5
New member
Isn't multi-mode great? IIRC, Toyota had that system in 1996 in the Land Cruiser Prado 90, which is closely related to our 3rd generation T4Rs. I have no idea why they held out on bringing it to the US market until 1999.
I drove 170 miles on Interstate 5 today. All between 55-75 mph depending on conditions. It was snowing really badly between Longview and Chehalis and a few idiots skidded off the road. I was in full time 4WD thanks to multi-mode and got 19.7 miles per gallon. Better than I expected since 4WD was engaged for that whole time.
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2ndhandyotaman
Member
I lived in Kent/Federal Way between 1991 -1999, I remember those areas very well. I used to love taking the scenic "interior" routes to Phoenix to visit friends for winter breaks.
How do you like those tires? Apparently you drove home on them, right? NTB has them on sale and I'm considering them for replacement for the horrible chinesium rubber tires that came on my Runner.
How do you like those tires? Apparently you drove home on them, right? NTB has them on sale and I'm considering them for replacement for the horrible chinesium rubber tires that came on my Runner.
Seattle_SR5
New member
Drove from Bend to Hillsboro, OR and then to Seattle on them.
They are slightly noisier than the Michelin LTX A/T tires that I had Costco put on my '00 SR5 but still pretty darn quiet for an A/T tire. Those Michelins were stupid quiet. Think "passenger car touring tire" quiet.
Wet weather traction is GOOD. I drove through a biblical-level rainstorm in the Columbia Gorge on Saturday night and hit lots of standing water. The truck was locked down to the road and never felt like it was hydroplaning. Haven't tested off-road or in snow yet.
I got mine for $664 installed in sales tax free Oregon at a Goodyear store, FWIW.
Review here: Testing the Cooper Discoverer A/T3 Tire
CircuitCircus
New member
Are your brake lights working? I had this problem when I bought mine, turned out the brake light fuse was burned out, which also prevented the cruise control from engaging
Seattle_SR5
New member
Checked this evening. They are working.
Will check the fuse but I presume it's OK given that the brake lights are lighting up.
