i'm lookin' to buy a 2000

[nomoreFord]

this forum is sweet!
I'm new to Toyota, used to be a Ford Girl... no more!
if i make the purchase this weekend, is the 2000 a 3rd gen? anybody have a 2000 SR5 V6 they wanna talk to me about, how sweet it is? whats great about it? I would like to know if it's somewhat easier to work on under the hood. I couldn't even get to my damn oil filter on my '03 explorer without removing this or that, or breaking my wrist! Looking forward to something that maybe is a bit more user-friendly. Seriously, there isn't even a transmission dipstick on the explorer, you can't even change the fluid without having to go through someone else!
I'm real excited to make this purchase. everyone's pic's are great! :hungry:

 

[Hepar]

Welcome. here are two good sources of information. Take a look at them and if you have anymore questions, just ask!

Toyota 4Runner History 2000

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/82033-3rd-gen-4runner-buyers-guide.html

 

[4-Ripcord]

In response to the PM you sent me:

Pictures of Used 2000 Toyota 4Runner, Canton, MA - Yahoo! Autos

This seems like a nice vehicle, the miles are nice and low and it looks like it has just about every option you could get. And who doesn't like a 2000 highlander with a locker? You asked about the engine bay picture and possible rust, to be honest it is really hard to tell from that area.

Ive heard that by looking at the throttle cable mount, you can get an idea for the rest of the undercarriage, but IDK about that. There appears to be surface rust on almost all of the metal surfaces in the engine. But JUST surface rust is actually pretty good for a car in that area.

To get a real idea of the possible issue, I would ask the dealer for an undercarriage shot. Specifically the rear axle and suspension components.

Hope that helps a bit.

 

[nomoreFord]

i know i'm new to this but "2000 highlander with a locker?" . do explain....

 

[4-Ripcord]

Its all in the buyers guide. That is a 2000 SR5 highlander package in millennium silver with optional rear diff lock. Also saw it has the toyota security system, wish I had that.

 

[Ghostrider]

Well Toyota decided to use multiple names. There were three models , base, SR5 and Limited in 2000/2001. They added an optional package to the SR5 for three colors - silver, green and I think black. It's confusing because in 2000 they called it the Highlander but the brochure called it the Sport package. For 2001 they decided to introduce an entirely new SUV based on the Camry and gave it the name Highlander and again offered the Sport package on a few colors of the SR5 but this time they called it the Sport. For either year the major visible feature of the Highlander/Sport package was the hood scoop. In 2001 the Sport also had a different trim color on the inside (silver vs black). I don't know if they offered that silver trim in 2000.

Locker refers to the fact that the 4WD system in 2000 and earlier has a switch that locks the differential. This was not offered after that year.

As was already mentioned - pictures look nice but that is what you would expect from an ad. You need to see what the underside looks like and try to find out what maintenance was done since you are coming up on timings belts and stuff

 

[nomoreFord]

oh wow. ok, well that was helpful.
There's about 60 pic's of her on their website, i've studied them all, and of course, not a single picture of undercarriage...
On the carfax it says one owner... and this dealership purchased her at an auction. ? dude stopped paying? I'm definetly looking forward to test driving it and checking underneath.

 

[Ghostrider]

oh wow. ok, well that was helpful.
There's about 60 pic's of her on their website, i've studied them all, and of course, not a single picture of undercarriage...
On the carfax it says one owner... and this dealership purchased her at an auction. ? dude stopped paying? I'm definetly looking forward to test driving it and checking underneath.

That doesn't make sense. One owner would have paid it off way before now

 

[Martinjmpr]

I couldn't even get to my damn oil filter on my '03 explorer without removing this or that, or breaking my wrist! Looking forward to something that maybe is a bit more user-friendly. Seriously, there isn't even a transmission dipstick on the explorer, you can't even change the fluid without having to go through someone else!
I'm real excited to make this purchase. everyone's pic's are great! :hungry:

Just FYI the oil filter on the V6 is a bit of a PITA to remove. I dropped my skid plates last time to get to it, next time I'll go through the fender, but it's still not easy.

And while auto tranny 4runners do have a dipstick, it's a total PITA to get back in. Because of this I don't check mine nearly as often as I should (particularly since the auto tranny is about the only known weak spot in the 3rd gen 4runner.)

 

[wardriver]

Just FYI the oil filter on the V6 is a bit of a PITA to remove. I dropped my skid plates last time to get to it, next time I'll go through the fender, but it's still not easy.

Its not bad - did mine last weekend. Remove skid plate swap filter. Had to do the same in my 2nd gen. No biggie. Can do the whole oil change in about 20 min.

 

[Nelsonmd]

Yeah, I don' think it is so bad. From the wheel well, it is a straight shot to the filter, as long as it isn't screwed on too tight.

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

Again with the confusion...

The 1999 model 4Runner is the only year the "Highlander" package was available.

From 2000 to 2002, it was renamed the "Sport Edition"

Key differences: Silver available in 2000 unlike 1999, Highlander has skinny black flares instead of Sport's large color keyed flares, 1999 highlander has partially painted front bumper instead of the 2000's completely painted front bumper, 1999 is taller.