buying used 4runner, is a tow hitch a bad sign?

[h2gofast]

Awesome forum, I've been lurking for a couple of weeks just soaking up the info.
I'm searching for a used 4runner. My budget puts me in the 96-98 range and I've seen a few with tow hitches, especially at dealer lots.
I don't see someone having a tow hitch without using it. So how much should I be worried about transmission wear and tear, and are there any telltale signs that the tranny has been overworked.
Thanks.

 

[toto]

Welcome!

I'm not sure if it was still true back in the late 90's, but I can tell you that today a lot of 4Runners come with the towing package. It's standard on the V8, and a common option on the V6. I'll probably never tow anything, but I've got it.

 

[<<<<]

Every 4th gen has hitch receiver, but only handfull of us are towing anything. As long as maintenance is done right and on time, 3rd gen 4Runner will run just fine towing or not.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Awesome forum, I've been lurking for a couple of weeks just soaking up the info.
I'm searching for a used 4runner. My budget puts me in the 96-98 range and I've seen a few with tow hitches, especially at dealer lots.
I don't see someone having a tow hitch without using it. So how much should I be worried about transmission wear and tear, and are there any telltale signs that the tranny has been overworked.
Thanks.

Many have hitches that were never used... I wouldn't worry about it too much unless the hitch looks well used and the rear bumper is scratched up; both telltale signs of frequent trailer use.

I would also inspect the trans fluid for color and smell. It should be pinkish rather than brown/orange. It shouldn't smell like burnt oil either. If the fluid color is good, it doesn't look like it's leaking and it drives properly it's probably just fine.

Good luck on the hunt

:cheers:

 

[Clemsonfan15]

I have a hitch and don't use it. It's very common like others have said for a 4runner to have one, but not be used.

 

[J.A.]

Every 4th gen has hitch receiver, but only handfull of us are towing anything. As long as maintenance is done right and on time, 3rd gen 4Runner will run just fine towing or not.

To clarify, every 4th gen V8 has the hitch, it is optional on the V6.

 

[h2gofast]

wow, that was quick, thanks for the fast replies.
Everyone I've seen has at least 130K miles on clock. It's nice to know that the tranny wasn't necessarily abused.

 

[magnumfan]

No, mine has only pulled other cars and trucks

mostly Nissans, Fords, Chevys, Jeeps

and to be truthful, i have been towed a couple of times too..

 

[boston_kevin]

You can usually tell how much (if any) this was towed by looking at wear and tear on the hitch itself. Since this is a 2nd/3rd generation, the tow rating would have been fairly low anyway (probably 3500 lbs) so it's doubtful it has had much towing. The other thing people use that hitch for is a pulling point if they get stuck or go off road. Check the bolts/frame underneath, check the transmission fluid... You're probably good.

as far as 4th gen's, the V6 towing became optional in either '05 or '06. All '03 and '04 had the tow hitch standard.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Mine had one and now it's sits in the garage.

Tow rating on a 3rd gen is 5000lbs but I wouldn't pull that on a regular basis.

 

[Thai]

I always buy SUVs with tow package...not because i tow, but because i use it as a towing point when off-roading.

 

[SubSonic]

As stated, a tow hitch is not necessarily a sign of abuse. Even if it has been used an average amount.

I am just now getting my T4R broken in good, about 3k miles on it, so I haven't hitched her up to the boat yet. But I also have a 2000 Tundra. And I've towed boats, PWCs, utility trailers and even a 19' RV with it off and on its entire life (134k miles) and the engine, tranny and drivetrain are still in great shape (shifts like new, no noticable effects). So long as what was towed, if anything, didn't exceed the vehicle's rating, and they weren't towing 200 miles uphill every day, there shouldn't be a thing wrong with it.

Besides, trucks and SUVs with "tow packages" are genuinely set up to tow. A lot. With little effect on the drive train. What I would worry about would be a sedan or station wagon with a tow hitch. I've even seen Corvettes with tow hitches (egad!). Those I would not even consider purchasing, ever. Their trannies and rear ends were never intended to tow much if anything. Trucks on the other hand, were.

As mentioned, check the tranny fluid, and certainly DRIVE IT before you decide. You can tell just by driving it, and feeling how the tranny shifts (if automatic) if there's anything going on with it out of the ordinary.

 

[jspagna1]

When I bought my T4R in 97 it came with the tow hitch. I took it off as soon as I got the truck home and it sits in my cellar. If & when I sell my truck they will get a brand new hitch.

 

[01t4rnr]

If the rearend isnt squatting and the tranny fluid is red, i wouldnt worry about it one bit

 

[Matt Starr]

Ok, this is something I learned last weekend that I need to share with you. But first, I have a hitch on my runner and I am the drummer of a band and I guess that since i have the most equipment and the only towing capable vehicle, I got stuck with towing the band equip. trailer. I tour the country on a regular basis while towing a good 1200lbs trailer and I have never, i repeat, NEVER had a single problem.

So anyways back to what I learned last weekend, I take my hitch off whenever I'm not using it cause it adds weight to my runner and if you read earlier threads from me you'll find out why. Me and some other guys that go by the screen names CSL and ric, went 4wheeling up around CO last week end and while we were up there CSL said that he wanted to take his off cause he never uses it, and ric told him to leave it on because its the easiest and cheapest piece of wheelin armor you can get and it protects your bumper and tail gate from getting damaged. Well later in the day we came across this huge hill that we all decided to try to climb and while CSL went up it and bottomed out the back of his runner but having his hitch protect his bumper, I did the same thing w/o a hitch and scratched and dented my bumper. SO, a trailer hitch can actually serve 2 purposes. I dont know if you're planning on wheelin your new runner but I thought I'd share this with everyone who reads it.

 

[createbmx]

Alot of this is speculation. beware.

You could do a tranny flush, drop the tranny pan and inspect the magnets, but a seller wouldn't let you do this. You might want to do it after you buy one though.

 

[h2gofast]

Thanks for the replies.
@Matt Starr, I'm curious, how many miles do you have on it now.

@createbmx, I've got a really good mechanic that I'll take it to, before I buy, if I can.

It looks like I'm going to have to drive a bit to pick one up, so I'm going to have to figure out what's going on in the test drive.

Thanks Guys.

 

[Matt Starr]

Thanks for the replies.
@Matt Starr, I'm curious, how many miles do you have on it now.

I bought in July with 91,675 miles and it now has 115,386 miles, so thats roughly 24,000 miles in 7 months. Holy crap, I just realized how much time I spend behind the wheel of my 4runner:jaw drop:

 

[steezemcqueen]

I bought in July with 91,675 miles and it now has 115,386 miles, so thats roughly 24,000 miles in 7 months. Holy crap, I just realized how much time I spend behind the wheel of my 4runner:jaw drop:

just broken in

 

[Matt Starr]

just broken in

oh ya. Fun story when we pulled the engine apart to rebuild it, it looked like everything was brand new. The piston rings were almost perfect, almost every internal component was in perfect shape. Toyota really does know how to build an awesome engine. Its to bad the U.S. car manufactures dont even try to do the same.