Buying a 2000 Base 2.7 4runner. Need help. Have Questions

sceptre

New member
Hi Guys,

Here is the story. I'm looking for a ride for one of best friends who just came back from 2 tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. We live in Texas and he needs to get to Ohio for his next assignment. He told me he would like a camry or accord or basically something reliable that can get him to Ohio and back.

I use to own a 99 SR5 V6 4runner and loved it so I'd figure why not and searched for one.

Anyways, I found one today, and test drove it. The specs on it: 160K miles, 2.7 liter engine, base model but has power door locks etc . . . The back window does not come down, has it's fair share of dings, right fender has a baseball side dent, and rear tail gate has a good dent and rear bumper pushed down a little. Carfax showed it was hit in the front fender and pillar, and finally, when I popped the hood, there was dried oil residue around the valve cover. Has new battery and new starter. Asking price is $3600.

Here are my questions:

1) Is the 2.7 engine reliable? He can not prove to me the timing belt / water pump has been changed. He says he thinks it is done because his "mechanic is real good about keeping up with the maintenance schedule"

2) Oil around the valve cover. Is this something that I should be worried about or is it something as simple as taking off the valve cover and replacing the gasket? Is this fairly common?

I drove the car, feels good, less pick-up than my old 3.4, shifts are smooth.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
 
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The 2.7 Liter is way more reliable than the V6, but thats not to say they can go bad. As for the timing belt, the 2.7 has a timing chain, so it does not need to be replaced. The water pump should still be though. The back window could be an easy fix, or a hard fix, lots of threads around here about the back window. Thats about all I can help you with though!
 
The 2.7 Liter is way more reliable than the V6, but thats not to say they can go bad. As for the timing belt, the 2.7 has a timing chain, so it does not need to be replaced. The water pump should still be though. The back window could be an easy fix, or a hard fix, lots of threads around here about the back window. Thats about all I can help you with though!

Thanks Dous. That helps a lot.
 
Yea no problem, I have the same set-up and have 125k on the odometer, and the most expensive thing I have had to replace so far has been all the belts in the front.
 
almost 180k on my 2.7, previously owned by a person who never maintained and abused it.

I'm on my cellphone so I will keep this short, check out the links in my signature. Cardomain page has 12 pages worth of info on my base 2.7.
 
almost 180k on my 2.7, previously owned by a person who never maintained and abused it.

I'm on my cellphone so I will keep this short, check out the links in my signature. Cardomain page has 12 pages worth of info on my base 2.7.

Thanks. I saw your thread a few days ago while researching the 2.7 engine. Nicely done. I like the tundra wheels.

If interested pics of my old rig. Even though on that thread says I'm looking to get a 4runner, this one is for my friend.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/58514-trying-get-back-into-4runner.html
 
I am 6 hrs from Cleveland - I have family there. Not sure if your buddy needs a ride to drive to Ohio or once he gets there..

If your buddy wants a v-6 4x4 with service records from day 1 until now & meaty tires I have a 2000 f/s for ~$1000 more than that one fwiw :hatsoff:
 
I am 6 hrs from Cleveland - I have family there. Not sure if your buddy needs a ride to drive to Ohio or once he gets there..

If your buddy wants a v-6 4x4 with service records from day 1 until now & meaty tires I have a 2000 f/s for ~$1000 more than that one fwiw :hatsoff:

He is headed to some big army base in Columbus. PM me the specs on your rig and I'll let him know.
 
Having owned 3rd gens with both the 2.7 and 3.4 I would urge your buddy to hold out on a V6, the power and smoothness are well worth it. As for reliability the 2.7 is in no way more reliable than the 3.4, if they are not equal then IMO the 3.4 has the edge over time. And lets not mistake routine maintenance with reliability, the tbelt does not make a 2.7 more reliable, it simply means one less maintenance item, I have never heard of an issue with a 3.4 t-belt, except when people let idiots do the work and they don't torque the crank bolt correctly, when you drop the truck off ask to see their 220lb torque wrench, if they don't have one go elsewhere.
 
i did trade my 2.7 for the 3.4. to be honest, i am very glad i did. Especially with all the armor and bigger tires that i have added.
 
If it was my DD I wouldn't mind having a 3rz 5 spd boosted. I read some where that the stock block can handle up to 11lbs of boost. That would be a fun DD
 
I love my 2.7 although it is a little underpowered it does what I need it to do! The only common problem that I know of is the damn factory exhaust manifolds crack which really is an easy fix!
 
Maybe it's just me, but passing on the highway with a 4runner packed full of either camping gear or snowboards/snowboarders is already a pain as is with my 99 ltd. I can't imagine doing it with the 2.7, let alone trying to tow my dirt bikes. If you don't do any of these things, or stuff like it, I could see it being ok.

I suppose if you live where there are nice long double lane highways it wouldn't be impossible, but I've rarely encountered mountain passes that do.
 
I have a 97 4runner 4wd 2.7l with 110,000 miles.I love my truck but the clutch sqeaks,dashboard has rattles,and 5th gear makes a noticable "whining noise".other then that its a good truck
 
I have a 97 4runner 4wd 2.7l with 110,000 miles.I love my truck but the clutch sqeaks,dashboard has rattles,and 5th gear makes a noticable "whining noise".other then that its a good truck

Not bad..
Everything in my truck is still nice and tight. No rattles or noises thank god. 118k

But I may take up an offer I cant refuse for the truck here soon :violin:
 
update

Well, the deal fell through with that 2.7 4runner we were looking at. Owner sold it from under us. So we kept looking. My buddy settled on a 02 Prius w/ 140K. He got a great deal ($4300). The Prius has been well maintained and the main battery has already been replaced to a tune of 2500 last year. So that little car is good to go for another 100K miles. Thanks for all the help.

After looking at 4runners for my buddy, I think I got bit by the 4runner bug and not have started looking for one myself. Ideally I'd like to get my old rig back, but I have no idea where it is now.

I recently found a 2000 Limited 2wd w/125K miles. Original owners asking 6K.
Good deal?
 

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