With the 2006 4 runner what should I look for? It has a 143,000 miles. How may miles should I expect out of the transmission and engine? This doesn't look like it spent much time off road. Initially, I will be using it as a commuting vehicle for 80 miles of interstate and highway, then it I will be used as a back up winter vehicle for my commute, a day trip vehicle to the mountains, and pulling a light weight atv trailer for other trips to the mountains. It has the v6. For being 14 years old it's in good shape. So far visually i saw a torn cv boot on the front. Also any recommendations on making the frame last longer? I have pictures of the frame the dealer was so kind to display it on their lifted rack. Just trying how to reduce the file size and yet make them viewable.
Looking at buying a 2006 4Runner Sport
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Does not look bad. What state are you in? Do they salt the roads? I bought my 2006 SE in February, it had 119,000 miles on it. No rust because I'm in California but the transmission had been changed at some point in its past. The vin on the trans did not match the vin on the body. So who knows? Torn boot yep. Worn out Xreas shocks yep. Clear coat on the paint coming off yep. I'm just going to fix things as they come up and have some fun with it. How much are they asking? I paid 8k for mine.
AuSeeker
Elite Member
Since it's a V6 and a 2006, the one thing I would check is the "build date", it would be on the driver's door jamb VIN sticker, the early V6s are prone to head gasket failure, Toyota redesigned the head gaskets because of this issue, any build date with and after 12/05 will have the new designed head gaskets.
The frame looks good just minor surface rust, should be easily cleaned up and a rust preventive applied to prevent further rust.
You should easily get up too and possibly beyond 300,000 miles with these T4Rs if you take care of it!
The frame looks good just minor surface rust, should be easily cleaned up and a rust preventive applied to prevent further rust.
You should easily get up too and possibly beyond 300,000 miles with these T4Rs if you take care of it!
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Here's a picture of the vin plate off of the door. If it has the older head gaskets how long will they last, if a person spends the money and gets them replaced will they get the new style? You would think with something like that they would have done a recall.
I live in wyoming, the don't salt the roads, but they do put chemicals sometimes and also sand and gravel it. Our neighbor utah salts the roads. So it depends on how many trips to utah they have driven in the winter. they are asking 10,900 way high. If I decide to go for it I was looking closer to 7-8k..
I live in wyoming, the don't salt the roads, but they do put chemicals sometimes and also sand and gravel it. Our neighbor utah salts the roads. So it depends on how many trips to utah they have driven in the winter. they are asking 10,900 way high. If I decide to go for it I was looking closer to 7-8k..
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y=mx+b
New member
Top right it says 9/05, so its before the redesign. FWIW I have 210k on the original head gasket of my 05 build date 6/05. If you get it replaced at Toyota, I believe the old design was superseded, meaning you will get the redesigned gasket.
For rust, looks pretty good underneath. If you want to treat it, wire wheel or needle scale all of the crusty spots down to bare metal. Then prep for POR15 and paint it over the frame. Use paint on top of POR15 because it doesn't like uv. There are also rust converter paints available from rustoleum or eastwood. Eastwood internal frame coating is good for the inside. I'm currently working on POR15 the outside and going to eastwood internal on the inside.
edit: also check if 4lo works. Put it 4hi while rolling like 25ish, then stop, put into neutral, and push in dial and turn for 4lo. It should go it without issue. If it doesn't, you can try some of the solutions that have been posted hear. Most involve giving it a few actuation and rolling a bit.
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MikeinNH67
Senior Member
That frame looks great, you shouldn't have to worry about it rusting out from what I can see. The ones up here look nothing like that. As mentioned it looks like you have the shock setup that will eventually need to be replaced with something more conventional. As for head gaskets, I'd like to see some numbers on how many fail. I'm over 200k on my originals, hopefully this doesn't jinx me. 
AuSeeker
Elite Member
The build date was almost out of the photo but as mentioned it's says 09/05 which means it has the older designed gaskets...but not all of the older designed head gaskets fail, not sure of what the percentage is....but if you get it drive it and if they do fail then replace them, no use replacing them unless they fail, that being said...yes all replacement head gaskets now sold by Toyota for the V6 ARE the newer design.
montijo505
Senior Member
I see no reason you shouldn't buy unless the 4wd didn't work or it smokes on startup. Should be easy to check both those things with a test drive. Definitely get them down to your ballpark, over 10k seems a bit high, though I'm unfamiliar with the market in your area.
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1. Going to need new CV axels.
2. Going to need to remove Xreas suspension and replace shocks either now or in the near future.
Want to check on 4WD engaging, especially 4LO. Listen for any gurgling or bubbling from coolant (bad head gasket).
Depending on condition of everything else it may be a good buy. I say that because underneath looks fine. I personally would only buy it if I could confirm that some maintenance items have been done such as coolant and transmission fluid.
2. Going to need to remove Xreas suspension and replace shocks either now or in the near future.
Want to check on 4WD engaging, especially 4LO. Listen for any gurgling or bubbling from coolant (bad head gasket).
Depending on condition of everything else it may be a good buy. I say that because underneath looks fine. I personally would only buy it if I could confirm that some maintenance items have been done such as coolant and transmission fluid.
03v84Running
New member
Seems to me that 10k is in the range of where it would sale...course that doesn't mean you cant try to talk them down! If the deal doesn't work out you could always end up getting a better one/deal down the road, maybe even a v8 instead
No matter what truck you end up with I would start by completing the maintenance items such as coolant, transmission fluid, plugs, etc. regardless of the last time they were done. Great way to learn about your new ride!
No matter what truck you end up with I would start by completing the maintenance items such as coolant, transmission fluid, plugs, etc. regardless of the last time they were done. Great way to learn about your new ride!
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Thanks for your information. I enjoy forums like this, because people have different experiences and let you know what to look for and what needs done. I realize that vehicles are money pits, whether they are new or old or even what brand. New vehicles are because of the monthly payment. Old one are because things are wore out from struts to suspension parts to other drive train etc. Toyota, with my experience has been the least expensive. I had a 2003 Toyota corolla that I sold with 197000 miles on it. The only major job was rear wheel bearing assemblies. Rest was maintenance related, tires, batteries and fluids. Even with that, I have had people have some that they have replaced a lot more. One person is selling a 2010 Toyota corolla that they already had to replace the transmission and cv shafts, it has 138,000 miles on it.
I am contemplating on whether or not to try to deal on the 4runner today. I feel the dealer has it priced towards two types of buyers, a family with poor credit or finances needed a family car and a kid wanting to have a 4x4. People like me and 4runner fans are wanting to the lowest price because we either want to do certain things to it, or know what it is going to need in the near future.
My problem dilemma;
1. How long am I going to keep it? 2 -10 years...
2. Is having three vehicles going to be a hassle or too expensive? I was originally thinking about getting a rav4, but between the new ones ranging from 32,000 to 40,000 it's hard to justify. Plus a rav4 is more of a highway commuting, city vehicle, which has limited off road usage. My next thought was getting an used 4runner or Tacoma or similar. But I found out that the newer ones are way to pricey, and people seem to think that their tacomas are like gold. I am hesitant about nissan and american vehicles, but they seem to be priced close to the tacomas though. My third vehicle was initially going to be a new corolla, but after some consideration, I am thinking of going used, and avoiding a car payment for a year or two.
3. Since I am still pondering, the other issue is since I don't know how long I am going to keep it, it's hard to know what to invest into it. I know eventually I will have to replace the struts. the seat has a tear in it so I will either replace or get repaired. the longer you keep it the more you can justify paying in repairs/upgrades..
4. The last thing that makes me more cautious and makes it more difficult is I have a limited selection of vehicles around here. If I go to Utah, it increases, but the chances of more rust increase dramatically since Utah salts their roads. Dealers will want to use that as a way to increase their profit. Also not many people do private party sales around here, or at least when I am looking.
The reason I am looking at 4wd vehicles, is when I had my corolla, i put an average of 20,000 plus miles a year on my truck. To replace my truck with a newer one can cost me between 40,000 to 80,000. Between snow in the winter and outdoor activities I can end up driving a lot...
I am in the best position I am not needing or desperate for a vehicle. I am throwing some of my thought's out there because people have different experiences and can add to my pros and cons....
I am contemplating on whether or not to try to deal on the 4runner today. I feel the dealer has it priced towards two types of buyers, a family with poor credit or finances needed a family car and a kid wanting to have a 4x4. People like me and 4runner fans are wanting to the lowest price because we either want to do certain things to it, or know what it is going to need in the near future.
My problem dilemma;
1. How long am I going to keep it? 2 -10 years...
2. Is having three vehicles going to be a hassle or too expensive? I was originally thinking about getting a rav4, but between the new ones ranging from 32,000 to 40,000 it's hard to justify. Plus a rav4 is more of a highway commuting, city vehicle, which has limited off road usage. My next thought was getting an used 4runner or Tacoma or similar. But I found out that the newer ones are way to pricey, and people seem to think that their tacomas are like gold. I am hesitant about nissan and american vehicles, but they seem to be priced close to the tacomas though. My third vehicle was initially going to be a new corolla, but after some consideration, I am thinking of going used, and avoiding a car payment for a year or two.
3. Since I am still pondering, the other issue is since I don't know how long I am going to keep it, it's hard to know what to invest into it. I know eventually I will have to replace the struts. the seat has a tear in it so I will either replace or get repaired. the longer you keep it the more you can justify paying in repairs/upgrades..
4. The last thing that makes me more cautious and makes it more difficult is I have a limited selection of vehicles around here. If I go to Utah, it increases, but the chances of more rust increase dramatically since Utah salts their roads. Dealers will want to use that as a way to increase their profit. Also not many people do private party sales around here, or at least when I am looking.
The reason I am looking at 4wd vehicles, is when I had my corolla, i put an average of 20,000 plus miles a year on my truck. To replace my truck with a newer one can cost me between 40,000 to 80,000. Between snow in the winter and outdoor activities I can end up driving a lot...
I am in the best position I am not needing or desperate for a vehicle. I am throwing some of my thought's out there because people have different experiences and can add to my pros and cons....
