Hi all you 3rg Genners, about to start my T4R journey

frm88

New member
Currently I am looking for a new to me 3rd gen 4runner. I have a little bit of a Toyota problem, as I am sure many of you can relate to. I have an 88 Toyota Pickup and a 2006 Tacoma. I keep them both in really great shape but having two trucks and nothing more practical for an all around rig has been slowly frustrating me. It is finally time for me to sell off the Tacoma once I find that perfect 4Runner. It wont be an easy switch, I have put a lot of time and energy into the Tacoma, but it just doesn't fit anymore unfortunately. If I could, I would keep the Tacoma but it is going to pay for the 4Runner, kind of hard to justify 3 4x4 in the driveway at the same time :)

Been doing a lot of research the last few months, reading up on the forum here and some great links you guys have provided. Still trying to decide what that perfect 4Runner should be, part of the problem is that the good ones are so hard to find! Since I am not in a huge rush, I am going to be a little picky about my options, trying not to just settle on something. Its a little hard though, as my search has not been going very well.

Ideally I would like to get a 1999-2002, I am a little sad to leave a lot of the the Tacoma behind. The 4.0, newer interior and 5 speed auto will be missed, but if I can hit most of these check boxes I think I will be in business:

- 99-02
- Gray cloth or leather interior
- Black/Green/Blue/White Paint (no silver!!! why are they all silver!)
- Under 200k Miles
- Sport
- 4x4

Now I know I wont probably get all of that, and that not all of that is even available on the same 4Runner, but I just want to get something close that I can build on. I was not thrilled about the idea of the auto trans but I think after doing some more reading on it I have a little more confidence going that route.

I am in the Bay Area and so far, its been pretty sparse searching for much of that within 500 miles. I notice a few used dealers who specialize in 4x4 toyotas that have some but they are really expensive. What do you guys think I should be looking to pay for something like this? Most of the good ones are 9-12k which I really dont want to spend unless its pretty much perfect. Ideally I think my price range is more in the 7k area if that is possible.


Well thanks for taking a read, looking forward to my search ending and the build beginning. Take care all.
 
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I think 7K should be the top end, even for a perfect one. You're talking about a 14+ year old vehicle.
 
I think 7K should be the top end, even for a perfect one. You're talking about a 14+ year old vehicle.



Really depends but $7k should get you a good one. One sold near me stock for $10k. Had like 140k, clearly waxed every few years and meticulous maintenance records. Sold in like 4 days.

OP keep in mind it's ultra likely you'll need to replace suspension because 14-20 year old coils and shocks just won't be good anymore. I wouldn't worry about miles so much as maintenance. I will take 200k maintained miles over 80k neglected miles.


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Thanks for the warm welcome and advice!

Great website fblainen, That silver one seems like it might actually be Thundercloud which.. isnt too bad. I sent them an email, I wont pay 10k for that, but maybe 7k if the carfax shows up with good records and its got minimal rust. What do you guys think? That interior seems super clean, couple scuffs on the exterior but nothing big. Good excuse to swap out the bumpers one day!

As long as its mechanically sound I dont mind catching up on any maintenance, upgrading the suspension and getting it setup for some camping and weekend trail adventures up in the sierras.

I might be able to go see it this weekend since I will be up in the area, should only be a 45min drive.

Hope they are willing to haggle on the price!
 
https://stlouis.craigslist.org/ctd/5759248470.html

Here is a clean one for you to consider.
For what you are seeking, be prepared to hop on a plane and fly to wherever it may be.
Several members on here who would probably give you an eyes on inspection to help.
I search CL constantly looking for a second 3rd Gen. Looking for a decent rescue project.
Keep your eyes on the Austin and Dallas area. Seems several nice ones come up in those markets. Be patient, but ready to act when you find one close to your expectations.

Good luck and keep us posted.
 
re: hop on a plane

if you decide to buy out of your local area, see if you can arrange a vehicle inspection before you buy the ticket. I bought my Maxima from out of state. I wished I had saved a few more bucks and bought local.

Once you get there - you've invested in the trip, the time, and you just want to convince yourself its still what you want even though you have misgivings....
 
$7k should be a really really well kept clean 4Runner. Post whatever you're seriously considering in this thread and we can all take a look and get back to you.
 
Hello fellow Californian!

I know it has a bad rap, but watch Craigslist. Focus on the SF Bay Area and Sacramento lists, those have about 90% of 4Runners for sale in Northern California.

That list is actually pretty easy. I thought you were going to list things like "e-locker" or "multi-mode" which are much more uncommon. Most 4Runners are closing in on 200k miles but shouldn't be hard. Just give it time ok? Just because there isn't one you like posted today, doesn't mean there never will be. You should easily be able to get what you are looking for in the $5,000 to $6,000 range. Don't pay any more than that unless it has much lower mileage.

Case in point, two years ago I got my 98 SR5 sport with cloth seats, supercharged, 190k miles, body in great shape for $7k. I bought it in San Ramon.
 
Hello fellow Californian!

I know it has a bad rap, but watch Craigslist. Focus on the SF Bay Area and Sacramento lists, those have about 90% of 4Runners for sale in Northern California.

That list is actually pretty easy. I thought you were going to list things like "e-locker" or "multi-mode" which are much more uncommon. Most 4Runners are closing in on 200k miles but shouldn't be hard. Just give it time ok? Just because there isn't one you like posted today, doesn't mean there never will be. You should easily be able to get what you are looking for in the $5,000 to $6,000 range. Don't pay any more than that unless it has much lower mileage.

Case in point, two years ago I got my 98 SR5 sport with cloth seats, supercharged, 190k miles, body in great shape for $7k. I bought it in San Ramon.


Actually all 4wd from 99-2002 had multi-mode. Now, multi-mode AND elocker is the kicker.
 
A trac and multi mode will get you pretty far, if your just doing regular trails,
If your planing to do the crazy rock crawls or just expedition style camping.

Most of the trails can be had with a trac and multi mode, the lockers and winch are the last 10% of the hard rated trails and usually only for some of the sticking spots

The purpose of the build will help decide what are the keys sticking points on the purchase.

I went with an 02, settled on the thundercloud color even though I wanted black.
And added the lockers as I reached the limits of trails where I felt comfortable without any traction aides. But mines is also a remote camping rig that's daily driven and probably way over built as I do a lot of solo trips
 
My plan is to add an E-locker down the road. If i get one with multimode and atrac I will be curious to see how far that will get me and do the elocker if i feel like i really need it for what I do.

I just saw this one pop up, what do you guys think? Price seems curiously low, and it says it has had a rebuild to the transmission which I have read is not a good sign..

2002 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SR5 4wd* Sport Edition* All power* Reliable SUV***

Looks like it was a good deal since it's gone!

Mine also has a rebuilt transmission and it's rock solid. But I also knew the guy fried it because of the supercharger, not because of a mechanical failure. I'm not sure he ever did an oil change either...
 
I guess I don't get the atrac thing. I thought that was later in life meaning not 3rd gen


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I think they started ATrac or just Trac in 2001, but you guys know more than me that is for sure.

Super bummed that last craigslist is gone already, was too good of a deal. He sold it the first day.

Just found this one, and it brings up a few questions..

What color do you guys think this is? I am almost wondering if this could be earlier than 99, the color looks more like evergreen, not imperial jade.

If it is a 99 limited, he says it has the rear locker, does that mean it will also have the center diff lock? That seems like a great combo.

Toyota 4Runner *Limited* 4x4 *Clean title*
 
I guess I don't get the atrac thing. I thought that was later in life meaning not 3rd gen


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I've never heard of a 3rd gen having atrac or trac. They have VSC which is vehicle stability control in the 2001-2002 models but that's not atrac. At least, not as far as I know. I have a 96 so I don't have to think about any of this.
 

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