Found one

[Frankhenrylee]

I found me a 2000 4runner limited for $7300,:thanks: it doesn't have the tall springs but its got the rear locker. The only thing that worries me is that its got 143k on it. Its in great shape and still rides and drives like a new one except for the engine is not as smooth as I'd like, but its not bad, probably just needs a tune up. What would be considered regular maintanance that I need to do on this one right away? It looks like it had a pretty easy life so 143k might not be that bad on a toyota right? Let me know what you guys think!

 

[jreask]

I found me a 2000 4runner limited for $7300,:thanks: it doesn't have the tall springs but its got the rear locker. The only thing that worries me is that its got 143k on it. Its in great shape and still rides and drives like a new one except for the engine is not as smooth as I'd like, but its not bad, probably just needs a tune up. What would be considered regular maintanance that I need to do on this one right away? It looks like it had a pretty easy life so 143k might not be that bad on a toyota right? Let me know what you guys think!

Don't let the miles scare you. I bought a 2001 with 197K on it and after a few maintenance items, it runs like new. Of course, I only paid 5K.

 

[Pikeman]

I bought my 98 with 150k on it 2 years ago and it now has 217k on it and runs great even with the abuse I throw at it on the trails.

Regular maintenance items to consider are complete fluid change all the way around so you know when everything was done. Also plugs and wires would be good. Get the factory ones, Toyotas usually dont like aftermarket plugs for some reason. Check when the timing belt was done, should be a sticker on the black plastic cover with date on it. Although the decall/ sticker is provided with the TB kit some mechanics dont use them. I would plan on TB and waterpump t-stat replacement around 180k if it had been done at recommended 90k

 

[zcruiser]

Congrats! 143K is nothing. 2nd Pikeman's list...

Also, check out http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/69744-tutorial-documentation-reference.html

 

[jreask]

I would definitely look at:

Front and rear brakes
Steering rack and bushings
Tie rod ends
Throttle body (cleaning)
Spark plugs
Oil change immediately
Air filter
Change ALL fluids unless you know when they were done last
Also agree with Pikeman's list

 

[XJeepguy]

Can you elaborate more on this :

except for the engine is not as smooth as I'd like

They 'usually' run pretty smooth even with a ton of miles on the plugs and wires . Have it checked throughly if its running quite rough .

 

[Fireball]

Don't worry about the springs. Suspension bits are easy to replace and provide a nice upgrade. Adding the e-locker after the fact is a bit more $$$. And can be difficult to find.

I'd get that engine checked out though - if it runs strong and checks out good that's a fair price if the truck is in great shape as you say.

 

[Frankhenrylee]

Can you elaborate more on this :



They 'usually' run pretty smooth even with a ton of miles on the plugs and wires . Have it checked throughly if its running quite rough .

Its not really that bad, just feels like an older engine. It doesn't do anything funny, idles smooth, shifts good, I think an induction cleaning and tune up would probably straighten it out. I'm going back to drive it again this afternoon, gonna take it out for awhile this time.

 

[XJeepguy]

Ok good luck man , hope it works out . 143K is not that outrageous for a runner , I have around that on mine and many , many here have way over that on their 3rd gens . They are dependable , long lasting trucks .

Its not really that bad, just feels like an older engine. It doesn't do anything funny, idles smooth, shifts good, I think an induction cleaning and tune up would probably straighten it out. I'm going back to drive it again this afternoon, gonna take it out for awhile this time.

 

[PhdNPrerunners]

143k miles is nothing! When I worked at toyota I had a 99 4runner come in with 423k miles on it and it was all original. I was shocked so I looked into the maintenance records of it and the first time it had a timing belt done with at 220k miles! If you take care of these vehicles they will last you a long time. Good luck on your purchase man! :biggrin2:

 

[Frankhenrylee]

Mechanics thoughts

I decided to run it by my mechanic and see what he thought about it. I noticed that sometimes when starting out from a stop a bumping sensation was coming from the tranny or rear end. He put it on the rack and gave it a good look but we could not figure out what it was. All of the mounts looked to be in decent shape. He said the rear wheel cylinders or something like that were leaking, the rear shocks and breaks are shot and there was a little too much noise coming from the timing belt area so it'll probably need something done in there to get it all in tip top shape. I'm still trying to decide. Sounds like it might need about $500-$1000 in work. I'm really most concerned about the occasional bump when accellerating. What do ya'll think this is? How hard are the rear lockers to find?

 

[kball]

That bump is very common. It's the slip yoke building and losing vacuum/compression in the grease. There's nothing wrong it's just annoying. You can grease the drive shaft (specifically the yoke for this problem but do the whole thing) and it should go away for a few months.

 

[XJeepguy]

I bet its the rear axle seals not wheel cylinders . That thump is very common for 3rd gens , grease in the drive shaft helps/fixes that . The noise in the timing belt area could be the tensioner or water pump .

I decided to run it by my mechanic and see what he thought about it. I noticed that sometimes when starting out from a stop a bumping sensation was coming from the tranny or rear end. He put it on the rack and gave it a good look but we could not figure out what it was. All of the mounts looked to be in decent shape. He said the rear wheel cylinders or something like that were leaking, the rear shocks and breaks are shot and there was a little too much noise coming from the timing belt area so it'll probably need something done in there to get it all in tip top shape. I'm still trying to decide. Sounds like it might need about $500-$1000 in work. I'm really most concerned about the occasional bump when accellerating. What do ya'll think this is? How hard are the rear lockers to find?