Input on a 93.

[Vantage]

Hey guys,

I know these come up way to much, and there is even one below me but I need a second opinion.

I am looking for a winter beater/summer camping rig, which has made me look for an older 4Runner.

My "toy" 2012 VW GLI is way to pretty to even think about seeing a gravel road and road salt.


I have looked at a few trucks online, all have been a large disappointment. Either insanely rusty frames/body's, worn interior, or drive like crap.

But today was different.


Today I tested a:

1993 T4R Sr5 V6 5speed.

It has nearly no rust on the body (just small surface bubbles) and a frame that is in better condition than my 02 Tacoma and my 04 4Runner combined!

The interior is a 7/10 condition. non working rear window, speedo is dead.

The truck looks like it has a small lift, but on close inspection I couldn't see anything out of place. If it infact has no lift, it is the only 2nd gen without any sag.

The truck also has stunning 16" FJ trail teams silver rims.

The owner recently had the timing belt/water pump/ alternator belt done and a service.

The truck ran fine on test drive, but seemed to shutter at low RPM when cold.

The owner has no knowledge of HG's being done, and has never had a problem.

Now the one thing thats making me unsure.

The owner posted the truck with 275,000 KM's. (170,000 miles).

Upon doing a carfax, I found out the truck had 275,000 km's January 2011.

It seems the owner's speedo broke, he didnt fix it and is trying to slide fake mileage past a potential new owner.

the price... $2800 obo.

Your Thoughts?

 

[KidVermicious]

Bubbles mean extensive rust underneath, but that's small change compared to the odometer fraud. If he's willing to lie about that, what else is he not telling you?

If you're willing to take a flyer on it, tell him to come down to $2000 and you won't report him for fraud.

 

[Vantage]

compared to the odometer fraud. If he's willing to lie about that, what else is he not telling you?

That is exactly my issue. The truck seems nearly perfect (for a 20 year old truck). But the saying as the old saying goes, if it sounds to good to be true...


Thanks for insight.

Any things to look for that relate to a HG on its way out? Compression Test?

I did notice a bit of wetness as i looked under the truck, specifically on the transfer case.

 

[KidVermicious]

Any things to look for that relate to a HG on its way out? Compression Test?

I'm no mechanic, but off the top of my head - check under the radiator cap and on the dipstick for white goo, that's a sign that coolant and oil could be mixing. Start the truck with the radiator cap off, look for bubbles. A failed compression test could be caused by a lot of things, but definitely do it anyway.

 

[fourwd1]

A broken speedo won't pass inspection, someone will have to pay to fix it.
Have him do it or come down in price.