Looking at a '03 SE V8 AWD

[DieselYJ]

I am looking for opinions on a '03 SE V8 I found, I appreciate any input you may have.

Yesterday I found at a local Toyota dealer a just traded in 2003 Sport V8 with get this 37,500 miles! I called and no one knew what they had, I ended up driving down to the dealer and found that it was over in their service location. A rep takes me over and I get to see it on the lift with the wheels off and how it came in, pine needles and all. It was owned locally in a rural area, no body damage or rust. There was surface rust on the frame at some joints, ect. but nothing to cause alarm. The interior is clean, I don't believe the hitch has ever been used and the engine bay is very clean. I have some pictures I will post up that will help. I have not driven or sat in it yet since it was going through its initial inspection and state inspection. I did notice a new caliper was installed on the driver front but that is all at this point.

So this will be be a spare vehicle for me or a primary kid hauler for my wife until we find the right Sequoia for her. I have a diesel Super duty for towing / hauling at that level but I don't like to drive it if I just need to grab some things from lowes, go camping, ect, ect. These were the duties my Grand Cherokee did so well. Also I commute 150 miles a day, 4 days a week, I am emergency personnel so if the weather is bad I still need to come in and although a SD will do great, its a beast to stop.

So how good is this 4.7 V8? Is the timing belt an issue? I am normally opposed to AWD systems with limited experience to my wife's Audi 2.0T which was a great car, My Jeep had the select trac and capable of full time all wheel. I know its not a gas sipper but at least I can expect V8 power vs a tired 4.0 I6 and still get better then the maybe 10mpg I am currently getting. Anything you can tell me about the drive line, experiences, anything would be appreciated.

Sorry for being long winded and thanks for you help in advance.

 

[DieselYJ]

Here are some pics from my initial look. It wont be available for me to test drive until Thursday.

 

[jonesmw10]

They didn't replace the passenger caliper? I'd imagine the pistons were frozen on the drivers side, hence why it was replaced. I'd ask them to do the passenger too if you buy it.

Timing belt should also be replaced. It may only have 37k miles but it is 11 years old. What are they asking for price wise?

 

[ben550]

a lot hinges on how much they are asking for it. It is 11 years old. Regardless of mileage that should play a significant role in price. As far as having no rust... looks like it has a good amount of rust on it. The coil spring on the front drivers side is rusting away at the bottom. The xreas shocks are probably leaking too. The timing belt should be changed. If the shocks and timing belt are done a conservative estimate would be $2500-$3000. Consider that in your price. From the looks of the leaves it must have been sitting for quite some time. Sitting idle for a few years can be worse than high mileage.

Don't be fooled by the odometer and pretty body panels. It might be a good deal but it could also be a money pit.

But again a lot depends on the price. If they are asking around 15-20k for it which they might due to the "LOW MILES!" i'd pass on it.

 

[DieselYJ]

They are asking 13,890 for it.

 

[Threev8s]

As mentioned above, timing belt definitely needs to be done along with water pump, so definitely negotiate that into the deal. Since it’s at a Toyota dlr, I would negotiate for 30K service including/along with change of all fluids including trans, transfer case/diffs, coolant, power steering fluid, brake fluid, etc. unless they can show you something proving it was done in the recent past. If not, factor this into the price you are willing to pay. You can run the VIN on toyota.com to see if any of these things were done by a dealer. Take a long look at the tires as well to make sure there is not dry rot, etc. If X-REAS is shot from time, which it may not be (mine is original with 145K), you could replace all 4 corners with billsteins for way less than the cost of replacing X-REAS. I would replace the coils as well based on the pics. Low mileage, like boats with low hours, is not necessarily a great thing. But, if there was a non-classic vehicle that I’d take a chance on with abnormally low miles, it’s be a 4th gen v8 4Runner.

As far as your question about the v8, it’s the best motor in any vehicle I have owned and a big part of the reason people hang onto their 4th gens as long as they do, me included. That doesn’t mean they’re bullet-proof, but they’re pretty close.

Also, in the future, you might not want to post any specifics about a find like this if you are seriously considering it because you’re inviting other 4Runner enthusiasts to check it out. I found the listing in about 30 seconds and would be looking at it today if it were closer to me.

Keep us posted and good luck!

Edit: make sure 4LO works and center diff locks.

 

[DieselYJ]

Thanks I appreciate the information. Yes I thought of that and I figured anyone looking was already aware of it or would be shortly. I find things online all the time so I am sure there are others searching far and wide.

 

[JpAdct]

I am sure that's the same one I just called about tonight! Should be a solid rig, just make sure they've gone over it thoroughly. Read up on V8 timing belts. Not due until 100k miles, but age might be a concern. Not sure. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[Jagerzel]

V8

Good choice for the weather, that all time 4wd is a beast in the rain. Cycle the 4lo and make sure it works. The rubber hoses in the engine compartment look pretty good. That coil rusting looks like the paint chipped off. Door seals look good too. Timing belt r/r is not really that hard at all on this engine in my opinion so don't let that be a show stopper. I think that the lower to $10k you get the more of a steal, the thing looks new and almost is for a 1/3 of original price. I bought mine with 195k with no maintenance history and it runs like new - all i did was add led taillights and changed all fluids and timing belts. ANd plastidipped the grey trim. Kinda jealous - i would of already purchased that thing. Especially from a Toyota dealer that could certify it. Good luck !

 

[m85476585]

Check the date code on the tires. If they are original (or older than about 8 years), you will need new tires and you can use that fact to gain negotiating power.

You should replace the timing belt.

You should change the engine oil and the brake fluid. Other fluids probably don't deteriorate with age as much, but it would be good to change them eventually.

You should lube the drivetrain (there are 8 grease fittings).

Anything rubber is suspect. That's normal for an old vehicle, but if it hasn't been driven regularly, parts might not have been replaced regularly, so you could get a bunch of stuff that fails all at once if you start driving it more. Anything that normally moves could have surface rust or corrosion from not moving for a while, but hopefully that will wear off.

Check that the parking brake works and doesn't drag. Have the battery tested, but if it's the Panasonic one it could still be good. It might need a charge or some maintenance.

If you can test drive it by yourself, drive it hard. Do an Italian Tuneup. Brake hard and activate the ABS. Try out 4 low and lock and unlock the center differential. Hit some potholes to try out the suspension. Try to shake out any defects that might not have shown up if it's been only lightly used. Cycle all the windows and the sunroof (if equipped).

 

[ben550]

They are asking 13,890 for it.

Did you buy it?

 

[DieselYJ]

Yes I picked it up yesterday afternoon. Took it for a good long test drive, local, highway and off road tested everything. So far love it!!:thumb:

 

[Beastmobile]

Congrats!! Looks super clean

 

[ARunner]

Congrats. I'm sure you'll be happy with the new ride! They're terrific vehicles.

 

[Jagerzel]

Looks awesome I'm jealous man! If you change trim to black don't plastidip it get some real paint that thing I'd too clean for ghetto mods lol

 

[Threev8s]

Either they did a phenomenal job detailing it or it spent its whole life in the garage. The cladding and headlights look great from the pics. Great purchase and best of luck! Please keep the 4th gen forum updated.

 

[DieselYJ]

Well we are now over the 40K mile mark and she is running great. I used it to pull my smaller 5x8 utility and it performed great just had to grab a 7-4 wire adapter for the lights and I am 99.9% sure that the hitch has never been used. Hauling kids, bikes, ect... now if only I can get the keys away from my wife, she is holding it hostage until I find a Sequoia for her. I am looking at some mods, such as: continuosly powered USB and 12v ports. I like the stereo but I have been looking to pickup the same unit for my '06 Super Duty, '07 Crown Vic sport and now the 4 Runner. Looking for a decent stereo with media capability, back up camera and navigation. I have been poking around the research phase for a couple months off and on. I am also looking at a brake controller for the 4 Runner for use with my 18' car/utility trailer & camping trailer.

 

[Sungod]

How much did you end up getting it for?

 

[DieselYJ]

13k, a couple oil changes, car wash for life and a 2nd key and fob since the truck only had one with it. Not a fan of the dealership but I have the truck and we are happy with it. If I didn't buy it a couple people that work there were trying to buy it.