Finally, a 5spd...was it worth it?

[4'running'26]

Background:

I bought a 2000 SR5 in May of 2012 with 190,000 miles on it. It has almost 294,000 miles on it now and I have loved it, but it is an auto and I have always dreamed of having a 5spd. Well, I figured it was finally time to start searching for one and after a few weeks of looking I ended up buying a 1999 with 184,000 miles, two owner, a lot of service history indicating work was done at Toyota, especially with the first owner. Long story short, it was listed for $4,500 and I took a flier on it, offered 4 grand without ever having seen it in person and bought it. It looked fairly clean from the pictures but I was prepared for it not being as nice as it looked; isn't that always the case!?





Assessment of the Condition:

Now that I've actually been down there to pick it up (I live in the Cleveland area and it was in southern PA) and driven it home, I have a little better feel for what I bought. I wouldn't say I have buyers remorse, as there are some things I definitely like about it, but there are some concerns as well.

1. The rust on the lower body is worse than I thought. The running boards covered up a lot in the pictures. I expected some but not quite as much as is truly there. I haven't had time to get the running boards off but upon closer inspection there is definitely some work to be done on the rocker panels, mainly.





2. The rust on the frame doesn't seem terrible. It looks as if it has been painted at some point but hopefully in a preventative fashion. It sounds pretty good when I tap on various parts of the frame with a hammer.





The brake/dust shields are definitely in bad shape though!



3. The rear axle seals seem to be leaking so that will probably be my first priority. I'm hoping I don't need to bother with the bearings. Sounds like a real PITA. I have a local mechanic who I really like and trust so I'll probably have him do it.

4. The rear suspension seems great, surprisingly. Shocks are new and the springs aren't cracked. It returns well with minimal bounce over bumps.

5. I'm not sure if it's the original clutch or not but it doesn't seem bad. No slippage and while the pedal seems to have a lot of play in it to me (slave cylinder, maybe?) it's not terrible. I'll probably see if it gets any worse before I move on that.

All that to say, my main concern is the rust on the rockers. I've seen some creative ideas out there, but my welding skills are zilch and I don't want to pay insane amounts of money to get new ones cut, fitted and welded on. Patches might do but I'll have to wait until I get the running boards off before I know for sure.

So, for 4 grand, what do you think? Worth it? Not that it matters, I have it now and probably won't be parting with it so I guess I have to make the best of it either way. I could always sell it and keep ole' red but it definitely has issues that would need to be addressed as well and the frame is way rustier.

Cheers.

JT

 

[yella]

where I live, that truck would go for $6000 easy

 

[kolelt]

I think it's expensive considering the shape of he body. And the frame being covered up. Not to discourage you. When I got my truck, 97 with 174, "auto" in NJ I paid 2700. And it was clean. Much cleaner then this. Although I did find rust and fixed it. Wasn't near as this. In fact being in NJ. It was "clean". Personally just because it's a 5 speed it doesn't mean it's worth a million. Sounds like you are second guessing your self. I did a 5 seed swap for $400.

 

[Mark_BC]

Seems expensive when you consider the time and money you'll have to put in to fix the rust; what is your hourly rate? It looks fixable but since they just painted over the rust you might have a few surprises. As others suggest in the rotten frame threads, I'd get a big screw driver with hammer and bang really hard on the frame around the lower control arms. Get one of those step drill bits from Harbor Freight for $10 and drill a 3/4" hole or two in the bottom of the frame in this area. They also have a $70 probe camera I was considering getting but it seems a bit steep, you can put that in the holes and see what's going on inside the frame. I'd be sandblasting the sh!t out of that.

For the rockers, you will have to cut out the bad areas and replace. Everywhere else, remove the plastic side carpet trim pieces on the rockers and pressure wash in through the holes into the rockers, clean out, and spray Eastwood Internal Frame Coating in there.

 

[Link12]

If the rear axle is leaking it will need new axle bearings. Might as well go ahead and plan on that. By the time the leak is noticeable the gear dope will have already washed the sealed bearings grease out.

 

[thecole1098]

I agree with the bearings. On mine the rear inner seals constantly would leak even with OEM replacements until I sucked it up and replaced the bearings. Now it appears to be holding well. It really isn't that bad if you have someone with access to a press.

 

[4'running'26]

Thanks for advice on the bearings, guys. I don't particularly know anyone who has access to a press but I guess I'll check with the mechanic I most trust locally and see what he has to say. Doing a job like the seals would be right at the limit of my abilities, but the bearings go above and beyond for me.
[MENTION=99565]kolelt[/MENTION], yes, I would say I'm second guessing myself a bit at this point. I'm still not totally bummed because overall I think it is mechanically a pretty nice find. I expected to put some money into it so that was budgeted. I just think I'll have to put a bit more than I had hoped. I don't have the skill or time or do a 5spd swap or I would have a long time ago on my other one.

 

[kolelt]

Thanks for advice on the bearings, guys. I don't particularly know anyone who has access to a press but I guess I'll check with the mechanic I most trust locally and see what he has to say. Doing a job like the seals would be right at the limit of my abilities, but the bearings go above and beyond for me.

[MENTION=99565]kolelt[/MENTION], yes, I would say I'm second guessing myself a bit at this point. I'm still not totally bummed because overall I think it is mechanically a pretty nice find. I expected to put some money into it so that was budgeted. I just think I'll have to put a bit more than I had hoped. I don't have the skill or time or do a 5spd swap or I would have a long time ago on my other one.

Lots of info on here on how to do a manual swap. Just ask . But that's ok bud. What are your goals with this truck ? Daily or off road truck ? do you have access to a welder and garage with tools? If so, you could do a lot of with your self or with a budy and some beer . Very easy to make a tool to press out the bearing on the rear axle. Could get a press from harbour freight. Just a idea.

But not to discourage you, still a nice truck. Hope everything works out. Keep us posted. By the way, there are quite a few members on here who have fixed he same rust spots. There's a topic on here now, about a member fixing his rocker panels.

 

[Beaumont67]

Here is a similar thread, to visit:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/140062-rocker-panel-replacement.html

Sheet metal panels:
https://parts.camelbacktoyota.com/p...siteid=214329&vehicleid=68842&diagram=8414415
http://alfaparts.net/toyota4r9601.htm

wolf steel in canada ph#(450) 298-5078 they say $75 a side

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/151038-98-rotted-rocker-panels-replacement.html

 

[nobb]

I'm starting to get rust on my rockers too, but not as bad as yours. I'm just going to spray rust proofing on the truck every fall before winter hits. With some of the body rust, I'm not sure if spraying inside the panels might help?

 

[Kanoe]

With some of the body rust, I'm not sure if spraying inside the panels might help?

It is easy to spray inside the rocker panels. Just pull the plastic trim from under the door, the sill I guess. Under there you will find a bunch of holes giving access to the inside of the rocker. Just get a couple cans of spray in rust proofing and go to town on it. You can also stick a garden hose down in to flush out any dirt first, if you have the time.

If the PO had done this simple step, this 4runner might not look this way but its kind of late now. Sad.

 

[November Sun]

That rust is scary. If that truck is worth $4 grand, my rust free 98 manual SR5 4x4 must be worth more than I think.

 

[kolelt]

I'm starting to get rust on my rockers too, but not as bad as yours. I'm just going to spray rust proofing on the truck every fall before winter hits. With some of the body rust, I'm not sure if spraying inside the panels might help?

2 front sun roof drains, they drain directly into the rocker panel. So water sits inside the rocker panel and slowly drops out through the little holes/pinch welds. Extend those 2 sun roof drains directly to the outside.

 

[4'running'26]

That rust is scary. If that truck is worth $4 grand, my rust free 98 manual SR5 4x4 must be worth more than I think.

I agree with you on both counts: the rust being scary and your's being rust free and probably worth more than you think, at least to the correct potential buyer. I probably wouldn't pay 4 grand again for this one again knowing what I know now, but I don't really have a choice at this point, either!

As another forum member recently said to me, "A lot of non-midwesterners are allergic to the sight of rust and blow it out of proportion on the forum."

I'm beginning to think they might be right. At least, I choose to believe so otherwise I'm in a worse position than I thought!

98 Manual SR5, 5spd with no rust, you say? I'll give you $4,100 for it! :wink2:

 

[nobb]

2 front sun roof drains, they drain directly into the rocker panel. So water sits inside the rocker panel and slowly drops out through the little holes/pinch welds. Extend those 2 sun roof drains directly to the outside.

I don't have a sunroof, but that's a great tip. I'm going to check my other vehicles for where the sunroof drains are!

 

[T4R2014]

I hate to bring you down but don't be as impulsive next time. Body work is the worst type of work to be dealing with. Those rockers and wheel wells are going to be mad money to repair to a presentable standard. That's a $1500 truck max. I could care less about the 5-speed when the body is that bad.

 

[kolelt]

I don't have a sunroof, but that's a great tip. I'm going to check my other vehicles for where the sunroof drains are!

Gotch you. If you have another 4runner with sun roof. You can pour water into the 2 front ones. You'll see the water drop out from the rocker panel. If you remove the side kick panels, you'll see a sponge. Behind that sponge is he tube that the sun roof water runs out of.

 

[4'running'26]

I hate to bring you down but don't be as impulsive next time. Body work is the worst type of work to be dealing with. Those rockers and wheel wells are going to be mad money to repair to a presentable standard. That's a $1500 truck max. I could care less about the 5-speed when the body is that bad.

I guess that answers the question, in your mind, of "was it worth it?"
Live and learn, I guess. Thanks.

 

[whyzee125]

I guess that answers the question, in your mind, of "was it worth it?"
Live and learn, I guess. Thanks.

Sucks it's worse than you thought but that's way more than a $1500 truck. Where I live, you could resell for 4k pretty quickly. Good luck, I hope you end up enjoying the crap out of it!

 

[hang10]

You got more balls then me. Buying a vehicle sight unseen :fear: Having bought 50+ vehicles in my life, i have put eyeballs and driven everyone b4 buying.