Just bought a 1999 4runner - What to watch for?

R

remerbt

New member
Hey guys,

I owned a 1997 Tacoma in the past and just bought a 1999 4runner for the wife. It has 107k miles on it. The timing belt and water pump were just replaced.

The frame looks good - a few minor rust spots, but nothing major. Didn't appear to have any leaking, suspension components seemed good.

What should I specifically look for and what should I watch out for?

Any and all advice is appreciated. Im pretty happy to own a toyota again, and seeing that these 4runners are very similar to my Tacoma I am glad to have a vehicle I know will be solid!

Thanks
 
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Perhaps attack that rust with some rust neutralizer/converter?

Read the AWESOMELY written Buyer's Guide by our very own 4-Ripcord... It's a sticky, look for it...

and...

:worthless:

Congrats on the new purchase and welcome! :)
 
AH! I know this is somewhat counter productive, but having been around forums for many years I automatically still just skip right over the stickys even on new boards. Apologies for that.

I skimmed through that thread real quick, and will definately read it more indepth, but I definately want to check on that strawberry shake radiator thing. I have a sneaking suspicion that the radiator has likely not been replaced!

I havent taken any pictures yet, but I can certainly get some tomorrow.

Its just a boring 2wd SR5 Sport. 3.4l, auto trans, moon roof, silver, blue interior. I have no plans on doing any mods, maybe a roof rack. Its going to be a reliable daily driver for my wife, a great camping rig and a safe vehicle for when we have a kid(s).

However, I do have a few pictures of my old Tacoma that should entertain a few around here. It was fully caged, long travel, 2.7l 5spd manual that pretty much lived at red line.

I miss her :(

DSC00520.jpg~original


272161128_l.jpg~original


truckpismosandyjump.jpg~original
 
remerbt said:
AH! I know this is somewhat counter productive, but having been around forums for many years I automatically still just skip right over the stickys even on new boards. Apologies for that.

I skimmed through that thread real quick, and will definately read it more indepth, but I definately want to check on that strawberry shake radiator thing. I have a sneaking suspicion that the radiator has likely not been replaced!

I havent taken any pictures yet, but I can certainly get some tomorrow.

Its just a boring 2wd SR5 Sport. 3.4l, auto trans, moon roof, silver, blue interior. I have no plans on doing any mods, maybe a roof rack. Its going to be a reliable daily driver for my wife, a great camping rig and a safe vehicle for when we have a kid(s).

However, I do have a few pictures of my old Tacoma that should entertain a few around here. It was fully caged, long travel, 2.7l 5spd manual that pretty much lived at red line.

I miss her :(

DSC00520.jpg~original


272161128_l.jpg~original


truckpismosandyjump.jpg~original
Click to expand...

I remember that Tacoma! I used to see it in Grover Beach all the time! I used to dream my Tacoma looked like that in high school
 
remerbt said:
Its just a boring 2wd SR5 Sport. 3.4l, auto trans, moon roof, silver, blue interior. I have no plans on doing any mods, maybe a roof rack. Its going to be a reliable daily driver for my wife, a great camping rig and a safe vehicle for when we have a kid(s).
Click to expand...

Hello there and welcome aboard. Quite a few of us have 2wd. That's no reason to go easy on your rig. Take a look through some of the photo galleries and you might be pleasantly suprised as to what a 2wd 4runner can do. We might be 2wd, but damn it, we're still 4runners! :lookout:

I'd advise you to take a look at those stickies. I've learned quite a bit and it's saved me from having to ask a ton of questions. I hope you have fun in your new rig my friend. I'll be using mine for the same reasons you are. but I already have the kids. :zoom:
 
Haha. Yeah that was me. I lived on N. 13th st in Grover for about a year or so... Cant remember the cross street... I used to drive it from my house to the dunes with no windshield all the time. My favorite story is when I popped a bead by comp hill, had two spare tires but left my jack in the garage. A ranger ended up giving me a ride back to my house to grab my jack and then drove me back to my truck... My buddy called me "two spares no jack" for about a year after that lol.

Now Im married, own a house in San Miguel and talkin about having kids. Oh how life has changed in the past 6 or 7 years.
 
Ironback said:
Hello there and welcome aboard. Quite a few of us have 2wd. That's no reason to go easy on your rig. Take a look through some of the photo galleries and you might be pleasantly suprised as to what a 2wd 4runner can do. We might be 2wd, but damn it, we're still 4runners! :lookout:

I'd advise you to take a look at those stickies. I've learned quite a bit and it's saved me from having to ask a ton of questions. I hope you have fun in your new rig my friend. I'll be using mine for the same reasons you are. but I already have the kids. :zoom:
Click to expand...

Definately am going to check the stickies out, and Im glad everyone so far seems really helpful.

I definately know what 2wd Toyotas are capable of (my Tacoma was 2wd with a 4cyl and did great in the sand). However, this one is my wifes, and she has seen everything I put my truck through - so Im not very hopeful that she'll let me have much fun with it lol.

One day I'll have another play truck, but this one for now is for reliability and whatever my wife wants to do with it.
 
Keep up with maintenance, and think about doing the lower ball joints as precautionary measures after you put some more K on it.

Use only OEM ball joints.
 
Check the rear diff oil level and make sure the rear seals are not leaking, also make sure the rear diff breather is not rusted shut.
 
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