Looking at a 222k 3rd Gen with a replaced tranny. Bad idea?

jpeaslee

jpeaslee

New member
So I found this runner. Looks pretty sweet. The tranny was replaced at 132k by AAA Car center and the Timing belt at 172k. He says he knows the water pump was replaced by the PO, but not sure when exactly. I know to be weary of the Pink Milkshake stuff, but if it was a problem and they completely replaced the tranny, is it still something to be worried about?
 
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Yeah real sweet upgrades. Not sure on price but i suppose with all those add ons it gets subjective. Well normally water pump is replaced together with TB, so most likely they're the same age. Sounds like it has the andy mod (PO most likely gave it good maintenance) so i would suspect when the trans was rebuilt they also either put a new radiator or bypassed existing with a cooler, you can ask. If its what you're after, I'd go for it! Luck.
 
The transmission was replaced nearly 100k ago. Would it really be an issue after that much driving? I would be more worried about the body lift and those seat covers. It may have been beat to hell in the southeast mud.
 
Depends what your going to do with it, and whats your comfort range on working on the runners. If this will be for mainly city driving I wouldn't go for it. Price is kinda high for my taste.
 
My intent is initially as a daily driver, but eventually it will be replaced and used more as an SUV/toy. I drive about 90 miles round trip every day with work, 80 of that is highway. The price is a bit high. I figured I could get it down a little bit, but it's a dealer and not just some guy on CL.
 
It's definitely trail ready if you like all the bells & whistles. Just an FYI, a stock 4x4 Runner can do most trails with no issues.

A few concerns:

1. These transmissions last longer than 132k miles. If it's got 90k on the current one, if there's some underlying issue that was never resolved then you might need another transmission in a year or two.

2. This is not a daily-driver kind of 4Runner. Chances are the alignment is going to be a bit off (hard to align lifted 4Runners, just watch the forums!) and going to have bad MPG's.

3. Seats. Others said it, they are probably trashed.

4. What the heck is that hanging from the rear mirror? Some sort of wanna-be tractor radio? I've never understood why people try to make pickups/SUV's into tractor-trailers...

5. No pics of the engine bay. Not necessarily a bad thing, but unusual.
 
gamefreakgc said:
It's definitely trail ready if you like all the bells & whistles. Just an FYI, a stock 4x4 Runner can do most trails with no issues.

A few concerns:

1. These transmissions last longer than 132k miles. If it's got 90k on the current one, if there's some underlying issue that was never resolved then you might need another transmission in a year or two.

2. This is not a daily-driver kind of 4Runner. Chances are the alignment is going to be a bit off (hard to align lifted 4Runners, just watch the forums!) and going to have bad MPG's.

3. Seats. Others said it, they are probably trashed.

4. What the heck is that hanging from the rear mirror? Some sort of wanna-be tractor radio? I've never understood why people try to make pickups/SUV's into tractor-trailers...

5. No pics of the engine bay. Not necessarily a bad thing, but unusual.
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Zero issues on alignment here.
 
That thing has been floating around on Autotrader for quite a while now. I considered picking it up myself (and I'm not even in the market for another). I've been wondering why nobody has picked it up yet. I figured that there must be some story behind it. But damn, it sure looks good!
 
i had 265K on a transmission and drove like a teenager... like a bat outa hell.. like a straight criminal ...

why would it need replacing in that short amount of time?...

like others said....well.. they said a lot of things..

my VOTE is to get a 4runner with a factory locker from a little old lady that never took it over the speed limit and didn't know what 4 wheel drive was.... assuming it still functions...lol..

just because it looks cool doesn't mean you should buy it....

make something "yours"
 
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mxer said:
Any 4runner over 200k isn't worth over 5k IMO.
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I'm continuing to look. My goal is to find one with <200k (ideally <150k) for somewhere in the neighborhood of 5-7k. The more I think about it i think I'd rather put money towards one in great shape with known maintenance than one that's been beefed up and beat down. It initially will replace my DD. I can slowly build it up and probably be happier in the end.
 
jpeaslee said:
I'm continuing to look. My goal is to find one with <200k (ideally <150k) for somewhere in the neighborhood of 5-7k. The more I think about it i think I'd rather put money towards one in great shape with known maintenance than one that's been beefed up and beat down. It initially will replace my DD. I can slowly build it up and probably be happier in the end.
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I see plenty of 4Runners with 100,000-150,000 miles for 5-7grand. NY Tri-State area. I'm currently looking for one for my GF.
Like this baby!

CarGurus - Used Cars For Sale. Find used and pre-owned cars in your area - CarGurus
 
JayRolla said:
Zero issues on alignment here.
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Do you know what your caster is? It's almost impossible to get caster in spec on one of these when lifted. It won't necessarily cause a problem, but that's a fact from the geometry of the front suspension.

I know that my caster is as close as it can be to spec, but still not within spec and it tracks perfectly, returns to center, and I have even tire wear.
 
csp said:
Do you know what your caster is? It's almost impossible to get caster in spec on one of these when lifted. It won't necessarily cause a problem, but that's a fact from the geometry of the front suspension.

I know that my caster is as close as it can be to spec, but still not within spec and it tracks perfectly, returns to center, and I have even tire wear.
Click to expand...

Yes your dead on.
 
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