Buying 3rd Gen help

[PBR1]

Hey guys I need your help...

I'm buying a 3rd Gen and most of the ones I have come across are beat! I found a pretty clean 2001 SR5 but I don't see any of the VIN stickers in the doors or fenders. The Carfax is clean and the owner hasn't said anything about it being repainted. He's a LAFD and seems like a good guy. Front tires are slightly cupped and pulls very slightly to the right but it could just be an alignment issue.

What would be the reason for no VIN stickers?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Bad Luck]

The adhesive failed and the stickers are gone. Does it still have the VIN on the dash plate?

 

[JohnMc]

It's not a guarantee that it's had a lot of new front sheetmetal - but it's a clue to look *CAREFULLY*. The stickers are all still in place on both our 96 and 99 4Runners. And on the one body panel that doesn't have it, there's some evidence that there was a replacement (driver's side fender - it has a non-OEM headlight on that corner, replaced lower control arm, and had a bent upper arm until I replaced it). IIRC nothing was on the Carfax for that.

Although on second thought, it would be hard to imagine a crash where they'd replace all of that stuff - and it not being totalled, even when fairly new.

 

[Sarki]

Missing VIN stickers on all doors and both front fenders would be very unusual as these stickers are meant to stay in place.
The likelihood of the adhesive failing on all would be near impossible.
The tailgate should also have a VIN sticker as well.
Don’t rely on CarFax. It’s helpful but definitely does not pick up all events.
I would look for evidence of a respray and check mounting hardware at door hinges and fender bolts for any sign the parts were removed and swapped.

 

[JohnMc]

I would look for evidence of a respray and check mounting hardware at door hinges and fender bolts for any sign the parts were removed and swapped.

/\ /\ /\ From the factory, all those bolts are sprayed after assembly, so there are no tool marks on them at all. If there are tool marks, it's because someone has removed and replaced them at some point.

 

[eddielasvegas]

I know supply is somewhat limited, but I'd keep looking. Multiple missing VIN stickers is not adhesive failure.

Just because he seems like a good guy and is LAFD does not mean he's honest. Right now, he's a salesman.

Good luck,

Eddie

 

[Sarki]

I know supply is somewhat limited, but I'd keep looking. Multiple missing VIN stickers is not adhesive failure.

Just because he seems like a good guy and is LAFD does not mean he's honest. Right now, he's a salesman.

Good luck,

Eddie

+1
Perfect response!

 

[gamefreakgc]

I've owned six 3rd Gens now, 3 of which I've stripped down to the bone. Never once have I seen a sticker missing. I have seen them faded off though where you can't read the numbers.

 

[Dodtbdm]

Extend your search out to Vegas if you can. They had some when I was looking. I ended up picking mine up from an Audi dealer in Henderson.