Considering buying this 2002 Limited with Lockers

[raincoyote]

I've been looking for a rig for a little bit and have decided to move my purchase date up a couple of months. I found one in town at a dealer and drove it today.

Has a lot of good things going for it including:

• Locking diff
• Power everything all works
• Paint in good condition
• No leaks visible
• Good fluids
• Reasonable mileage
• Clean Carfax + 2 owners + west coast car
• Seats in OK shape
• New tires + modern wheels (although I'd swap)
• No sag
• Smooth shifts, brakes, 4WD transfer

The negatives that I could see are:

• Cruise control not working
• A/C needs recharge
• Transfer case light flashing after shift, couldn't get it to stop
• Slight pulse in steering wheel above 60mph, could be wheel balance, or something more serious
• Either needs an alignment or there's something relating to the wobble as it pulls slightly to the left
• Steering wheel needs refinished/cover
• Battery needs replacing, it was dead when I got in
• The switch that I believe controls the lumbar support is broken #84922-50010-E1

It's at the top of the price range that I think is reasonable, $11,900. I'm more concerned on the bones of the thing, little creature comforts aren't that big a deal (although cruise control and A/C have to be fixed ASAP).

Taking it to my mechanic tomorrow for a full runthrough. Photos make it look pretty nice though.

Thoughts?
:thanks:

 

[Devbot]

I'd offer him $5000 and that's pushing it greatly for an 02 Limited, especially one with an original rad at 200k which has turned brown god knows how long ago (good indication it will fail shortly.)
01-02 has the weakest trans, proprietary parts (master cylinder, throttle, IAC/TB, LBJs, driveline, etc.), finickiest transfer case, 02 had an LBJ recall, addition of VSC/Trac, seems like gremlins are common with the digital climate control, so forth. To me it seems like the whole shift to electronic parts caused much more problems than good for most people, as they very typically do.
On that note, I could've sworn the master cylinder and brake booster were on the passenger side starting in 01, and it almost looks like they've relocated it to the drivers side? Wonder what that's about.

 

[raincoyote]

I'd offer him $5000 and that's pushing it greatly for an 02 Limited, especially one with an original rad at 200k which has turned brown god knows how long ago (good indication it will fail shortly.)
01-02 has the weakest trans, proprietary parts (master cylinder, throttle, IAC/TB, LBJs, driveline, etc.), finickiest transfer case, 02 had an LBJ recall, addition of VSC/Trac, seems like gremlins are common with the digital climate control, so forth. To me it seems like the whole shift to electronic parts caused much more problems than good for most people, as they very typically do.
On that note, I could've sworn the master cylinder and brake booster were on the passenger side starting in 01, and it almost looks like they've relocated it to the drivers side? Wonder what that's about.

This is good info, although I’m not sure about the master cylinder / brake booster.

Should I be looking at 99-00 instead wrt all these things you’re listing? These are the years that aesthetically I enjoy the most.


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[Pj Benn]

Unless things are different between 98 and 02 that one does not have power steering unit and looks like throttle body won’t support it.

 

[Sarki]

Brake master is located where it’s supposed to be.
I daily drive an 02 SR5 Sport Edition with 190K miles and love it, no issues.
Price seems to be dependent on your individual area.
That radiator does look a bit scary to me as well but easy and cheap enough to replace.

 

[Jubsz]

I'd offer him $5000 and that's pushing it greatly for an 02 Limited, especially one with an original rad at 200k which has turned brown god knows how long ago (good indication it will fail shortly.)
01-02 has the weakest trans, proprietary parts (master cylinder, throttle, IAC/TB, LBJs, driveline, etc.), finickiest transfer case, 02 had an LBJ recall, addition of VSC/Trac, seems like gremlins are common with the digital climate control, so forth. To me it seems like the whole shift to electronic parts caused much more problems than good for most people, as they very typically do.
On that note, I could've sworn the master cylinder and brake booster were on the passenger side starting in 01, and it almost looks like they've relocated it to the drivers side? Wonder what that's about.

I think this is a little harsh but not really wrong. It looks super clean at least. Radiator is easy but you did say top of your price range. I've heard the weak transmission stuff/abs, etc. for 01-02s. I don't think there's evidence of a large portion of them failing but they do seem to fail more frequently than the earlier models. I had an 01 years back and hated the VSC/Trac system. It's useless and a total PITA that adds electronics where they are not helpful. It's integrated into the braking system and is expensive to replace should it go bad. The VSC/Trac is not worth having but I think ABS goes with it. Double check me here, but I'm pretty sure that's true and it's like $3k for the stupid special braking system.

99-00's are the sweet spot. All limited climate controls break unfortunately. mine currently is and I really need to either fix it or buy a fixed version on ebay. I like the look of it if it works right. My AC also doesn't work anyways. On that note, AC needing to be recharged is usually a short term fix. They do not "use up" the refrigerant as far as I know. If it's gone, it's because it leaked out.

Does it have aftermarket lockers? 01-02s did not come from the factory with any lockers. The button on the left of the steering column locks the center differential for 4WD. Front and rear diffs remain open diffs and spin the easiest wheel. 4WD button on the transfer case is for AWD, AKA all 4 wheels with an open center diff.

I'm in rust country so I look longingly at one with that clean of an engine bay/body/undercarriage. However, if it's at the top of your budget and you don't NEED to buy one now, 99-00 are preferred. I'd rather a clean, rust free 01-02 than a rusty 99-00. You'll also need to budget in maintenance items. These things are robust and durable but they're old.

 

[Devbot]

I think this is a little harsh but not really wrong. It looks super clean at least. Radiator is easy but you did say top of your price range. I've heard the weak transmission stuff/abs, etc. for 01-02s. I don't think there's evidence of a large portion of them failing but they do seem to fail more frequently than the earlier models. I had an 01 years back and hated the VSC/Trac system. It's useless and a total PITA that adds electronics where they are not helpful. It's integrated into the braking system and is expensive to replace should it go bad. The VSC/Trac is not worth having but I think ABS goes with it. Double check me here, but I'm pretty sure that's true and it's like $3k for the stupid special braking system...
I'm in rust country so I look longingly at one with that clean of an engine bay/body/undercarriage. However, if it's at the top of your budget and you don't NEED to buy one now, 99-00 are preferred. I'd rather a clean, rust free 01-02 than a rusty 99-00. You'll also need to budget in maintenance items. These things are robust and durable but they're old.

Yeah I realized that came off a little harsh, I'm just tired of seeing people trying to charge $10k and more for these things purely for the fact they're lacking rust and are on the cleaner side. It would mean a little more if it was somewhere in like PA or RI where they use ungodly amounts of salt, but it's outright asinine doing it in PNW where it rusts soooo so much less. Seeing them to that degree is not uncommon here at all, even with those living on the coast it's not nearly as bad. The paint has been well kept though, I'll give them that. But I also wouldn't be too shocked if they just threw on some new clear coat as some do.
I also greatly despise nearly every last electronic application in cars so I'm partial to hate on them and see them as unnecessary. If I could have my way we'd all have mechanical fuel injection :thumb3:

Unless things are different between 98 and 02 that one does not have power steering unit and looks like throttle body won’t support it.

:wacko::loco:

 

[Sparky 97Runner]

I'd try to talk them down as much as you can. I'm not seeing any rust in the pictures and that's huge because almost anything else, other than a bent frame, you can work with. Change the radiator and LBJs immediately. Also, I find it hard to believe that someone installed lockers on that rig so you might want to double check. If so are they selectable or automatic? That might be a deal breaker.

 

[whyzee125]

I think the $5,000 comment is quite a lowball, especially given it's on the west coast. They aren't cheap out there! That being said, I do think it's priced a little high being that it's not quite turn key.

Original radiator is not an issue for west coast cars, especially if the coolant has been flushed once or twice in its life. It only happens when the coolant/rad gets rusty so no worries there.

These tires are very hard to balance and almost always vibrate. Get a good road force balance at the dealer and I can almost guarantee you it's gone.

The AC could be cheap or it could need a compressor or condenser which is medium cost.

If it were me, I would probably start around $8,500 and if you could get it for $10k or less I think you did fine. They aren't easy to find out west in this sort of condition and when they are, they're PRICY.

Good luck!

 

[FD7683]

damn I wish the undercarriage on mine looked this clean! Looks like a great truck but the price is too high.

 

[Sparky 97Runner]

I'm just tired of seeing people trying to charge $10k and more for these things purely for the fact they're lacking rust and are on the cleaner side.

Yeah. These are completely insane prices. I'm so glad I'm not in the market for another 3rd gen. I think the reality is that 3rd gen 4runners are trending as super cool in the social media world and that's what's driving the price up.

 

[raincoyote]

Lots of good information here, thanks all. I think as most have pointed out, it's priced too high but that was my opinion all along. Particularly with some of the comforts that need to be sorted to make it driveable in the immediate future/through summer. However, it's not too far off for what the market here in Oregon is. Prices round here are just high, that is what it is. The good news is the car I'm selling has, for some reason, doubled in KBB value over the past 3 years so the comparative price for me is negligible. Also I realized that I didn't understand the megathread and I messed up my nomenclature a little bit, it indeed doesn't have lockers I was referring to the locking center differential.

We'll see what the mechanic says about it after he runs through it this afternoon. Guy already said he would replace the battery in it, so it seems like he's willing to negotiate either in price or in replacing items. I think $9K would be a reasonable starting place if there's nothing major. But if the flashing 4WD light is some big thing, or there's electrical beyond the battery, leaks I didn't see, etc then I might just walk away. Like anyone, I'm guess he'll only bargain down so much. I'm not dying for a rig right now, I just saw this one and thought it had a lot going right for it so I'm checking it out.

I'll keep you guys updated with what all ends up being good/bad about it and if I decide to pull the trigger.

 

[Reinout]

Dang, 11k.... If it's in the PNW it seems to double the price of a 4Runner! At 11k I'd walk away just based on the price. OR step up to a 4th Gen.

But just to throw it back to you [MENTION=661639]raincoyote[/MENTION]: What would be the reason for getting the 4Runner? Example: daily driver to/from work? Build it into an overland rig, crawler, etc?

Are you a DIY repair on everything sort of person?

I see you're in Portland area: there are so many 4Runners on Offerup and craigslist that have similar spec. OKAY Fine they might not be as pretty and cleaned up as the one from the dealer, but that's superficial.

Good luck either way!

 

[onspithr]

Not bad for a 19-year-old car.

 

[T4topher]

99-00 IMO is the most sought after years. Doesn’t have the super expensive brake booster. Also the limiteds can have center diff lock and rear diff lock, the rear diff lock was discontinued after 00. Yes the price is high but you need to think about supply/demand. There is a Toyota craze/overland craze right now and Toyota’s at that price are going pretty fast especially on the west coast. Mix that with the microchip shortage and here we are.. I bought my 00 limited with rear diff lock 4-5 years ago w/ 170k miles for a little over $7k. If you shop around for a long time I’m sure you could find a better price although that one is definitely pretty nice.

 

[3bears]

coming from a 2000 and now in a 2001...I will say IM looking for a 99 or 2000 limited with locker in back.
Ive only had this 7 months ( due to totaling my 2000) and it has not let me down and I might keep....might. It was what was available at the time... ( yes there was jeeps and subies avail....I only wanted a 3rd gen t4r)
It has 270k and is on its 2nd transmission according to previous owner. they just put in a used one...so who knows
I dont like the mastercylinder....but all the yotas after 2000 have them....tacos etc....but they are spendy. The trac system is a pain , but you can put in a switch that turns it off...some other toyota models that had the trac had that switch, so why they did not put that in the 4runner who knows. ( my switch is out of a camry of all things) Ive added the switch to turn off.....if not familiar...basically if you get stuck the trac system cuts the throttle down....and that is when you need the power most....when your stuck. Timmy and sean did a video on that mod. The throttle body is not as user friendly as the early ones.
As far as price.....3rd gens are getting expensive...and up here getting harder to find. Ive missed out on a 99 and a 2000 recently....and they both went for 10k.
Someone said if your doing that money , get a 4th gen....well they are not as user DIY friendly and 2003 to 2006 had head gasket issues. the head gasket was redesigned in late 2006. I looked at a 2005 and for fun looked into having the head gaskets replaced ( just to give me an idea if needed) and was quoted from 4800-6500

all that said.....and even though I knew the issues of the 2001-2002 and I trash talk my 2001.....3rd gen 4runners are great rigs and I would have a 2001 b4 many other cars out there.

 

[raincoyote]

Dang, 11k.... If it's in the PNW it seems to double the price of a 4Runner! At 11k I'd walk away just based on the price. OR step up to a 4th Gen.

But just to throw it back to you [MENTION=661639]raincoyote[/MENTION]: What would be the reason for getting the 4Runner? Example: daily driver to/from work? Build it into an overland rig, crawler, etc?

Are you a DIY repair on everything sort of person?

I see you're in Portland area: there are so many 4Runners on Offerup and craigslist that have similar spec. OKAY Fine they might not be as pretty and cleaned up as the one from the dealer, but that's superficial.

Good luck either way!

Hey you know how it is out here, the prices are crazy. But I'm not really concerned with that. In the last 10 years or so, so many cars that are slightly desirable have become stupidly priced that the only purchases of those cars are because you really, really want one. I've wanted a 4Runner since I was six years old, it's going to be my forever car. 3rd Gen is my favorite look, and this is about that as well.

So many of the ones currently around here do not feel taken care of. I'll push back against the idea that superficial stuff doesn't matter -- to me that can be an indicator of how the rest of the rig has been treated over the course of it's life. And it's easy to see through the dealer's Armor All and tell if a car has been treated right or just cleaned up. This one has been taken care of.

I'm turning the one I buy into a daily queen. Probably some camping mods, but not a crawler. That's the other thing I'm trying to duck -- so many listed out here have big lifts and 33" mudders on them, I just assume they've been driven hard by dumb 24 year olds and wear and been more difficult on them. Plus, who knows who did the mods. I'm looking for stock stock stock.

Anyway, thanks for the good wishes! I dunno if this one is the right one for me, that will come down to my mechanic and the price. Let y'all know how it goes.

 

[3bears]

btw....my 2000 I bought in Portland, and I sure do miss the lack of rust in cars there. Brought mine up to alaska 3 years ago, it was great till last fall
I live pretty inland and they dont use salt here.....too expensive to truck here,,,,so they use gravel...but a lot of cars esp older ones...come from anchorage or along that area and they use salt...my current one came from anchorage....and im paying for it now in repairs that get slowed down alot due to rust.
I think the price your looking at is pretty normal for Portland area. M&W used to be high priced, still are i hear, but they only used to sell clean, rust free , low mile 3rd gens.

 

[Bad Luck]

The rear diff lock was not exclusive to Limited trims only, but the last year for that factory option was 2000.

 

[3bears]

also, dont take a dealers word for anything....get the vin and run a car fax on it...but even that can be misleading.....Ive seen cars that were selling as "limiteds" that were not. I seen one that still had the locker switch on dash...being sold that way....yet locker rear end had been replaced with a non locker at some point.. and ive seen car fax that said minor damage, listing only a bumper, tail light and tailgate...when looking at it hard.....it had been hit a whole lot harder and a lot more than that replaced. like spliced in a rear quarter panel , new rear window ( what caught me was the missing antenna in that window) and the fender well inside had wrinkles you could feel through the carpet.
If your new to 4runners,,,get a good independent guy to look at it.