Finally found a 4runner

[D-nasty]

Happy Sunday all! I've been lurking for a while even before I was a member getting ideas on 4runners and answer as many of my questions in advance as possible.

I've been prowling for months to find a combination of features, low miles, southern truck and price in a 3rd Gen and I finally found one last night. I'll be putting a deposit on it tomorrow to have it held til next weekend when I can pick it up.

This will be a secondary vehicle for me dedicated to hunting, fishing and camping with the occasional trail run. I don't intend to totally mod it out but will run the biggest tires possible without rubbing and maybe a leveling kit.

What I'm after here is long term reliability so I've put a list together where I'm open to suggestions on improvements, repairs, etc. I'm really open to suggestions on anything deemed necessary.

Vehicle: 2000 sr5 with locking rear diff and 140k miles.

#1.) Water pump/timing belt.
#2.) Replace radiator(koyo) and add in-line Trans cooler(B&M).
#3.) Lower ball joints?

Thanks for any help.

 

[98WhiteT4R]

Happy Sunday all! I've been lurking for a while even before I was a member getting ideas on 4runners and answer as many of my questions in advance as possible.

I've been prowling for months to find a combination of features, low miles, southern truck and price in a 3rd Gen and I finally found one last night. I'll be putting a deposit on it tomorrow to have it held til next weekend when I can pick it up.

This will be a secondary vehicle for me dedicated to hunting, fishing and camping with the occasional trail run. I don't intend to totally mod it out but will run the biggest tires possible without rubbing and maybe a leveling kit.

What I'm after here is long term reliability so I've put a list together where I'm open to suggestions on improvements, repairs, etc. I'm really open to suggestions on anything deemed necessary.

Vehicle: 2000 sr5 with locking rear diff and 140k miles.

#1.) Water pump/timing belt.
#2.) Replace radiator(koyo) and add in-line Trans cooler(B&M).
#3.) Lower ball joints?

Thanks for any help.

Welcome and nice job on on finding a low mileage Runner with a locker.

First off read this:http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...faq-tutorials-documentation-reference-v2.html

It is an AWESOME reference for just about every question you will have.

To answer your questions, if the water pump/timing belt was already done (by a dealer) it should have a sticker with the date/mileage on it. Or you can ask the previous owner etc.

If it hasn't then I would do that and baseline all the fluids for piece of mind, LBJ's might still be ok but I would replace them anyway. While you're at it you might was well change the plugs, wires, PCV, fuel filter etc.

 

[krenaud33]

Where in Iowa are you?

 

[D-nasty]

Where in Iowa are you?

I was living in Council Bluffs. I've relocated since I created my profile. I'm now in SW Kansas on the Colorado border.

 

[krenaud33]

Bummer, was hoping you lived closer to me. There are very few on here from Iowa, let alone in central Iowa.

 

[gamefreakgc]

I would take a look at the sticker like 98WhiteT4R mentioned. If it has been done less than 100k miles ago then don't worry about it. Most last longer than 100k miles, some members on here have gone over 200k miles on the original belt, not recommended though.

This engine is pretty easy on maintenance, just keep your fluids fresh both in the engine and in the driveline and clean out that MAF sensor. If you plan on lifting it at all, highly recommend putting new lower ball joints and new tie rods (i.e. rack ends) if they have any slop or play.