Looking at my first possible 4runner, does this look right?

[jpeaslee]

Looking at this 2000 Limited 4wd w/ Locker. The dash looks like a pre 99/2000/limited dash to me. Also the front bumper is of the older era, along with the older climate control. Aside from that, it's really exactly what I'm looking for with the locking diff, miles, and price. I'm about 2+ hours from Jax, otherwise i'd just go take a look. Also noticed it doesn't have the limited's wheels, but that is an easy explanation. Are there caveats to that redesign that I missed in the buyers guide?

For those that don't want to click the links, here is the dash in one I'm looking at:

But shouldn't it look like this:

 

[the great him]

thats a 98 4runner, not a 2000. the dash is wrong(you also posted a dash from a 2001 or 2002 sport edition -silver, not black), and the front bumper tells me its a 96-98, but the steering wheel tells me its a 98. id look some place else. if they are lying about something that obvious there will be other lies. -the registration would give that away to the new owners, if there has not been any title/vin swaps ect. looks like a mess to me that i would walk the other way from.

 

[technodrive]

maybe im just wrong here, but the round knob a/c controls are 99+ right? what about that wheel makes it 98? my 99 has the same steering wheel but black

 

[02SE]

The round HVAC knobs first appeared on the '98 models. Based on what I'm seeing, it's a '98.

 

[Trailblazer]

Doesn't look like the interior of my 2000 Limited. I'd go with earlier model.
Also notice new chrome rear bumper. My Limited came with paint matched front and rear bumpers. Jacksonville is a salty area, so a rear bumper replacement may have been needed-BUT make sure to crawl up underneath it to check chassis/frame rust and for unseen accident damage.

 

[ScubaS]

The dash clock is what confuses me. Mine is centered between the vents. It also looks like some of the trim was painted black, it should all be wood in the limited. I agree that the rear bumper is suspicious. It does look like it has the multimode button on the 4wd shifter which was only there on 99-00 limiteds.

My guess is that it's 00 limited that someone messed with. (I have an 00 limited)

 

[wc11]

Upper pic is a '98 LTD. (leather seats, left set clock, cup holder under center vents)
Lower pic looks like a 99 SR5 (cloth seats, center clock, cup holder in middle console)

 

[the great him]

The multi-mode tcase came on earlier limited models. That is a 98 that is patched together

 

[cbr900boy]

Looking at this 2000 Limited 4wd w/ Locker. The dash looks like a pre 99/2000/limited dash to me. Also the front bumper is of the older era, along with the older climate control. Aside from that, it's really exactly what I'm looking for with the locking diff, miles, and price. I'm about 2+ hours from Jax, otherwise i'd just go take a look. Also noticed it doesn't have the limited's wheels, but that is an easy explanation. Are there caveats to that redesign that I missed in the buyers guide?

For those that don't want to click the links, here is the dash in one I'm looking at:

But shouldn't it look like this:

Definitely a 98 limited. I have a 98 limited with rear elocker and everything is correct according to the top pictures. Push button 4wd - no multi mode, round hvac knobs except for the fan speed and fresh air. Steering wheel is correct, same style from 98 to 02. Bumpers and wheels are correct. 98 for sure. I get a sense that the person selling it doesn't know much about the rig because people who do know usually advertise that it is a 4x4 with elocker, etc. I would definitely get a carfax and do a thorough inspection of the vehicle. Otherwise it looks pretty clean, getting one without torn leather seats are hard to come by...hahaha.

 

[jpeaslee]

So I'm thinking I'm going to go ahead and pass on this one. Theres another on in Jax that I'm looking at, but it's pretty straight forward.

Here's one in Atlanta. Only maintenance he's done personally was the timing belt. I know changing the water pump is good preventative maintenance. If it hasn't been done, but hasn't exploded yet either, is it something I could do after purchasing the car and still be in the clear? The thing I'd be most concerned with is the Transmission, as that seems to really be the only weak point in the 3rd gens.

 

[hearno]

The one in Atlanta is an awesome deal... OME lift, front and rear bumpers, a winch, new 33s... there has to be a catch though. Is it 2WD?

 

[jpeaslee]

The one in Atlanta is an awesome deal... OME lift, front and rear bumpers, a winch, new 33s... there has to be a catch though. Is it 2WD?

Sure enough, 2wd. I could have sworn that it was 4wd (probably because I was seeing what I wanted to see...)

This is one of the others i'm looking at. Looks pretty stock and unmolested/abused. Working on getting the service info now.

 

[hearno]

[MENTION=118797]jpeaslee[/MENTION] I sent a text to the owner of the green one in Atl. It is indeed 2WD. Unfortunate because the price was awesome considering what it came with. My only advice is not to rush the purchase because you got excited and end up with something you're not happy with. Eventually, you'll find the right truck.

 

[jpeaslee]

[MENTION=118797]jpeaslee[/MENTION] I sent a text to the owner of the green one in Atl. It is indeed 2WD. Unfortunate because the price was awesome considering what it came with. My only advice is not to rush the purchase because you got excited and end up with something you're not happy with. Eventually, you'll find the right truck.

Looks like he got bombarded with 4wd questions cause I hit him up at the same time. I'm not in a big hurry, but sooner is better than later. I've got a couple issues with my current DD that might force something sooner than I'd like. I know when I was shopping for my bike just about anything that was very desirable and a decent deal went quickly.

I've been looking passively for about 2 years, but really only started seriously about a week ago. I'm sure a in time something will come up, and I definitely don't need to make a decision with stars in my eyes. Thanks for the advise!

 

[the great him]

Actually yeah I was thinking of push button 4wd on the earlier 4runners