Is it a smart move to buy a 2010 TE w/ 128K miles in another state?

[DanoInDenver]

I've been researching 4Runners like crazy for the past month and have decided that the Trail Edition w/ KDSS is what I want, but my budget is $20,000. I found a 2010 outside San Antonio, TX (I'm in Denver, CO) with 128K miles for $21,000. The one owner took great care of it and had a Toytec Ultimate 3" lift upgrade. I'm planning to fly down next weekend and drive it back to Denver.

I want to drive this as my weekend adventure car for the next 10+ years and keep driving my current beater as my city car. I want to mod it enough to get to really obscure campsites in the middle of the Colorado wilderness, and not break down and strand me there

Is this a good idea? It was about the cheapest Trail Edition in America (not including states that salt their roads like WI and PA). I love the color. The salesman says the owner took great care of it. Should I go? If I do, what should I look for when I get there?

Thank you!

 

[oljedi11950]

Without sounding like a chump , there is a sticky on this ! New perspective or used owner LOTS of useful info ! Other than that ?

 

[DanoInDenver]

Thanks! I thought I had looked all over the site and read everything, but I must have missed that one. I'll go look for it now.

 

[flyrv9]

Did you research book value of like vehicles and check if there is an accident record? That's where I'd start. Then when you get down there give it a good look over. Test drive using all modes and when you get back; put it up on a lift and check for leaks, wear and old damage. Also (since you are in Texas - look to see if it may have been water (storm) damaged. You could also check Entune, but I wouldn't expect that to work - few do!

 

[e60ral]

128k miles with a 3" lift and KDSS

i'd pass, that's really pushing it for what the KDSS likes

 

[DanoInDenver]

128k miles with a 3" lift and KDSS

i'd pass, that's really pushing it for what the KDSS likes

I've tried looking up the lifespan of the KDSS and haven't found anything. What kind of lifespan does it have? How much does the 3" lift eat into that lifespan? Thanks!

 

[Ryan1975]

I've tried looking up the lifespan of the KDSS and haven't found anything. What kind of lifespan does it have? How much does the 3" lift eat into that lifespan? Thanks!

Hello friend. I have Toyota friends from Central Texas that can give you an assessment on this vehicle if you would like.

 

[DanoInDenver]

You're not the Member of the Year for nothing

I would love an outside opinion. I'll PM you. Thanks!

 

[alphabeast]

I've tried looking up the lifespan of the KDSS and haven't found anything. What kind of lifespan does it have? How much does the 3" lift eat into that lifespan? Thanks!

A lift of up to 3" prematurely "wearing out" a KDSS equipped truck is purely speculation. I have yet to see some one definitively link these two variables together. I would be more concerned with:

#1 - corrosion around the KDSS accumulators (wiring and KDSS ECU) caused by salt or equivilent. Since this truck appears to be from TX, you should be fine there.

#2 - the mileage. KDSS like most suspension parts is an item that will eventually break/wear out. When it does, its an expensive repair. If the actuators begin to leak to the point where the KDSS light comes on (due to loss of hydraulic pressure), they will have to be replace at roughly $1200-$1500 a piece. You will also need to have the KDSS system "recharged" with hydraulic fluid - another costly aspect. Finding a dealer to do this work is also another challenge..

 

[DanoInDenver]

A lift of up to 3" prematurely "wearing out" a KDSS equipped truck is purely speculation. I have yet to see some one definitively link these two variables together. I would be more concerned with:

#1 - corrosion around the KDSS accumulators (wiring and KDSS ECU) caused by salt or equivilent. Since this truck appears to be from TX, you should be fine there.

#2 - the mileage. KDSS like most suspension parts is an item that will eventually break/wear out. When it does, its an expensive repair. If the actuators begin to leak to the point where the KDSS light comes on (due to loss of hydraulic pressure), they will have to be replace at roughly $1200-$1500 a piece. You will also need to have the KDSS system "recharged" with hydraulic fluid - another costly aspect. Finding a dealer to do this work is also another challenge..

Thanks. I made sure to ignore a few cheaper TEs in WI and PA because of salt.

I looked through many posts on here about KDSS lifespan and I haven't found anything yet to suggest it needs work at 100K, 150K, or 200K. It would certainly be expensive, though.

There is another 2010 TE in Utah with about 50K miles for a few thousand more. I already placed a deposit on the one in TX, but it might be worth losing the $500 deposit and $100 plane ticket to TX to save 70K miles.

 

[Ridin4Runner]

Thanks. I made sure to ignore a few cheaper TEs in WI and PA because of salt.

I looked through many posts on here about KDSS lifespan and I haven't found anything yet to suggest it needs work at 100K, 150K, or 200K. It would certainly be expensive, though.

There is another 2010 TE in Utah with about 50K miles for a few thousand more. I already placed a deposit on the one in TX, but it might be worth losing the $500 deposit and $100 plane ticket to TX to save 70K miles.

70K miles huge difference. Don't forget no matter how good taken care of natural wear and tear happens (belts, breaks, exhaust, suspension, etc.). I would def save an additional 70K in miles all being equal with small up charge.

 

[nglayton]

I would definitely go for the one with fewer miles. Not that 120k+ is outrageous, less miles is just usually better. Personally I wouldn't buy anything used with over 100k on it, but thats just me and my budget.

 

[wfo9]

These trucks can last 300k mi easy.... but there will be some maintenance along the way and things like alternator, brakes, CV axles, suspension, LCA bushings, AC compressor, steering rack,u-joints... will all probably need replacing in that time depending on use.

The fact that you said KDSS + 120k + keep for 10 years, is a big red flag for me.

KDSS can probably go for 200k if your lucky, but if you are planning on 10years of ownership and starting with 120k... the chance that the system will go belly up during that time is very high IMHO. If it did not have KDSS I would say it was a good deal.. but with it.... not something I would do unless you have plans to rip it out and go LT, SAS or something.

It's a one off system, so there is no aftermarket support for it. You are looking at 3-6k to have it fixed when something goes wrong and are limited to Toyota dealers and parts. This is not your typical old Toyota truck suspension system that uses very simple and basic components.

 

[flea1983]

Sorry to go a little off topic, but couldn't you swap the suspension with new shocks for a lot cheaper (ala x-reas), or is kdss more than that?

 

[mybabydaddy]

Sorry to go a little off topic, but couldn't you swap the suspension with new shocks for a lot cheaper (ala x-reas), or is kdss more than that?

Others here can correct me if I'm mistaken, but yes, you can just rip it out and go normal (sans-KDSS) suspension. But I believe you will still drive around with a KDSS light (on) on your dash. Don't recall reading a way around that.... I could be wrong tho.



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[wfo9]

Sorry to go a little off topic, but couldn't you swap the suspension with new shocks for a lot cheaper (ala x-reas), or is kdss more than that?

A couple of things. The overall suspension is the same, but the swaybar is totally different. It mounts in different locations and uses hydraulics to dynamically loosen and tighten up a very stiff swaybar by allowing the frame to swaybar connection to move.

The problem in converting is that the frame and axle are missing the mounts for the standard sway-bars.

So if you planned to run no-swaybars.. you can just rip it out, but if you wanted standard swaybars you would have to do custom fabrication.

Another thing to note about that 2010 in Texas. It is technically recalled and you are not suppose to have a passenger ride in the front seat because of the faulty Takata airbag. Toyota is suppose to fix it and there is supposedly a remedy available as of a few days ago. The 2010s in gulf coast states hIt ave been recalled for over a year, so not having passengers is total BS. The hope is the remedy is available (for 2010) and we can finally get our trucks fixed soon, but with Takata out of business, there are many questions about parts availability. 2010s from Gulf coast are first in line, then 2011 in September, but this is all speculation at this point since nobody has had theirs replaced.

I would want to know this if I was buying a trucks. It sucks not being able to use the passenger seat with peace of mind...

 

[flea1983]

A couple of things. The overall suspension is the same, but the swaybar is totally different. It mounts in different locations and uses hydraulics to dynamically loosen and tighten up a very stiff swaybar by allowing the frame to swaybar connection to move.

The problem in converting is that the frame and axle are missing the mounts for the standard sway-bars.

So if you planned to run no-swaybars.. you can just rip it out, but if you wanted standard swaybars you would have to do custom fabrication.

Another thing to note about that 2010 in Texas. It is technically recalled and you are not suppose to have a passenger ride in the front seat because of the faulty Takata airbag. Toyota is suppose to fix it and there is supposedly a remedy available as of a few days ago. The 2010s in gulf coast states hIt ave been recalled for over a year, so not having passengers is total BS. The hope is the remedy is available (for 2010) and we can finally get our trucks fixed soon, but with Takata out of business, there are many questions about parts availability. 2010s from Gulf coast are first in line, then 2011 in September, but this is all speculation at this point since nobody has had theirs replaced.

I would want to know this if I was buying a trucks. It sucks not being able to use the passenger seat with peace of mind...

Thanks for the explanation. Researched it when I was looking for a 4runner, but don't think I ever really found out how it worked, just kinda what it was supposed to do lol.

 

[wfo9]

Thanks for the explanation. Researched it when I was looking for a 4runner, but don't think I ever really found out how it worked, just kinda what it was supposed to do lol.

Not saying you should not get it.. just know what you are getting. A truck with 120k that you plan to keep for another 120k... is not the ideal scenario for it. If you want it.. I would invest a little more upfront to get one with lower miles.

 

[flea1983]

Not saying you should not get it.. just know what you are getting. A truck with 120k that you plan to keep for another 120k... is not the ideal scenario for it. If you want it.. I would invest a little more upfront to get one with lower miles.

I agree, although I prefer to spend a couple thousand more and get a new one, I wound up buying a '17 limited in March. Was just curious in case they update in a few years and I want to switch to a trail.

 

[alphabeast]

These trucks can last 300k mi easy.... but there will be some maintenance along the way and things like alternator, brakes, CV axles, suspension, LCA bushings, AC compressor, steering rack,u-joints... will all probably need replacing in that time depending on use.

The fact that you said KDSS + 120k + keep for 10 years, is a big red flag for me.

KDSS can probably go for 200k if your lucky, but if you are planning on 10years of ownership and starting with 120k... the chance that the system will go belly up during that time is very high IMHO. If it did not have KDSS I would say it was a good deal.. but with it.... not something I would do unless you have plans to rip it out and go LT, SAS or something.

It's a one off system, so there is no aftermarket support for it. You are looking at 3-6k to have it fixed when something goes wrong and are limited to Toyota dealers and parts. This is not your typical old Toyota truck suspension system that uses very simple and basic components.

Some Lexus dealerships will do KDSS-related work as well. A friend of mine is going through this right now.