First time looking for a gen3. Should I...

[theshiyal]

First time looking for a gen3. Should I buy this...

Hey guys, been lurking on the forum for a couple weeks now, just registered. So hello and thanks for all the info I've already been privy to.

Have a 1993 Suburban that needs either a new motor or rebuild. Been looking at the gen 3s for a bit now. Needs to be 4wd. Prefer manual.

I found this one about 4 hours away.

Cars for Sale: 1998 Toyota 4Runner SR5 in Spring Grove, IL 60081: Sport Utility Details - 390111852 - AutoTrader.com

Looks like what I'm looking for, don't mind the dings. Toyota service says WP /Timing belt changed at 117k.

Anything I should be afraid of or does this look as sweet as I want it to be? Thanks for any help.

 

[SlickmisterN]

Looks good. Missing the rear cargo cover though. I paid $8g more than that for one with 50k less mi. If that tells u anything...

 

[white_n_slow]

Price seems pretty good.

 

[theshiyal]

Looks good. Missing the rear cargo cover though. I paid $8g more than that for one with 50k less mi. If that tells u anything...

Not to concerned about the cover. Hoping to get some underbody and engine bay pics tho before I drive 4hrs.

 

[98OzarksRunner]

Look for rust on the frame rails, rear diff, and the rocker panels under the back doors. The later (01-02) models seem to have had better rust protection. My 02 is rust-free; my 98 was a rust bucket. That truck, being from Illinois, is likely to have a rusty frame.

 

[runandcycle]

Is that a rear diff lock button I see?

 

[SlickmisterN]

Unless you're looking at some sort of enhanced image of the black area by the dash...nope, that's the clutch cancel start button. White script and its location give it away.

RR Diff lock text is orange.

 

[AZTOY]

Read this if you haven't yet....http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/82033-3rd-gen-4runner-buyers-guide.html

 

[Chuckles89]

Unless the frame is rusty, that is a steal. That's how much mine was with 249,000 miles, no rust, and some minor body damage. I thought I got a steal.

 

[theshiyal]

Read this if you haven't yet....http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/82033-3rd-gen-4runner-buyers-guide.html

Yeah, that was a big part of what got me to seriously looking at these.

Unless the frame is rusty, that is a steal. That's how much mine was with 249,000 miles, no rust, and some minor body damage. I thought I got a steal.

How rusty is too rusty? It seems like even new-ish vehicles are rusty around here.

 

[Chuckles89]

How rusty is too rusty? It seems like even new-ish vehicles are rusty around here.

Well, I live in the south just the small bits of surface rust on my trailer hitch and rust on the inside of my bumpers freaks me out. I might not be a good person to ask haha. I would say that if the frame sounds solid it should be okay.

 

[T4R2014]

Give the frame a good look. Rocker panels and rear wheel wells are another spot that can go bad on these; the fender flares can hide this, so ask if you can pull off the driver side rear flare and have a good look since it's only 7 bolts. Also look at the bottom of the rear hatch. Oh, and the windshield frame.

 

[HammerHead]

I think that is ad very good deal for a one owner 4runner. Looks well taken care of.

 

[theshiyal]

Ok, got pics from engine and underneath...

I think engine pic is good.

Front to back

The rest of the story...

Definitely has some rust...

 

[theshiyal]

I guess the problem is my limited budget has me considering this thing primarily for the price. At 16-17 years old will the frame, suspension etc last another 5-10 years?

My current vehicle is in need of a rebuild at the very least and I'll need a 4wd at least a couple more weeks. Or will I be :roadkill: either way.

 

[AZ4Running]

Looks fairly bad from the pics but i see no holes so that is a plus. Hard to say for sure from the pics but it scares me a little. If its just surface rust it can be cleaned up and under coated.

 

[theshiyal]

Looks fairly bad from the pics but i see no holes so that is a plus. Hard to say for sure from the pics but it scares me a little. If its just surface rust it can be cleaned up and under coated.

I appears fairly solid but that spare and axle are pretty crusty looking. Not that I haven't had crusty before. just with the Tacoma frames and all...

It may be a decent :crutch: for awhile I guess.

 

[Blitzkrieg]

Well, when it comes to 4Runners you aren't going to get much for $3K.

That being said, if it runs good $3K is a pretty good price however that is some of the worst rust on the underside I have seen in a while.

I do feel sorry for people in the rust belt as it seems to be inevitable. Here in the arid west it's very uncommon to see rust like that thankfully.

I would just buy the truck, not worry about the damage or getting door dings and drive it till the wheels fall off. One thing is for sure, the 4Runner with a little care will run for pretty much ever.

 

[Riceye]

Here is one in Omro, WI. A little west of Oshkosh.Toyota 4runner

Higher miles, but interior looks cleaner. The ad has been up for a month.

 

[BlazeRunner]

Not sure how popular Toyotas are where you live, but around here if you want a deal you have to literally live on Craigslist and classifieds. I've seen some insane deals, but usually gone within an hour or two. I had to drive 400+ miles for mine and was worth it, I couldn't snatch up any of the local deals quick enough but in the end I got exactly what I wanted. Good luck.