Looking to get a 3rd gen

J

jeeper1

New member
Hey Folks,

I've been lurking around on the forum for some time now and I'm going to pull the trigger here soon to get a 3rd gen. I like the 96-98 look as the bumper is not as big as the later model 3rd gens. I was wondering what should I look for in specific to make sure that the truck is still running top shape and wont be a headache in the near future. I want to ask the pros here since Im a rookie with yotas in 4wd.

I'm looking to get a 4wd in auto or manual. Any recommendations/suggestions on what to look for to make sure that the motor is good? how many miles is too much for this kind of truck and if I find one in the 150k > is that still a good buy? I will probably use the truck for 5-6 years as a commuter and some minimal off road trips maybe 4-6 times a year for some back country camping.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Cheers!
Paul
 
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as long as its under 200k its a good buy, glance through that thread mentioned above. your price range is gonna be around $5-6k for what you are looking for, you will probably end with an automatic because of how common they are.
 
Thanks!

Thanks Guys!

I just got done reading that thread that was mentioned and youre right! It was really helpful and informative. Thanks again

John, I found one on a dealer lot that is a 97 with 134k on it 5 speed trans in 4wd with great exterior and decent interior for $7450 should I even bother to look?

Truck looks good, but I havent seen the motor or drove it yet. I want to soo bad just to see how it feels. I think I should but what do you guys think?
 
jeeper1 said:
Thanks Guys!

I just got done reading that thread that was mentioned and youre right! It was really helpful and informative. Thanks again

John, I found one on a dealer lot that is a 97 with 134k on it 5 speed trans in 4wd with great exterior and decent interior for $7450 should I even bother to look?

Truck looks good, but I havent seen the motor or drove it yet. I want to soo bad just to see how it feels. I think I should but what do you guys think?
Click to expand...

He needs to drop about 1k from that, in my opinion. Can't hurt to check it out though. Give a low offer. What's the worst that could happen?
 
jeeper1 said:
Thanks Guys!

I just got done reading that thread that was mentioned and youre right! It was really helpful and informative. Thanks again

John, I found one on a dealer lot that is a 97 with 134k on it 5 speed trans in 4wd with great exterior and decent interior for $7450 should I even bother to look?

Truck looks good, but I havent seen the motor or drove it yet. I want to soo bad just to see how it feels. I think I should but what do you guys think?
Click to expand...

Drive it to get the feel, then low ball and see where you get with it. I wouldn't pay 7500. I'd probably put it at top of around 6000 if you really like it
 
Yeah definitely go check it out. The 99+ upgrades are really nice to have, but can be swapped over. Definitely around 1k over priced, but check to see if it has a locker.
 
I live in Los Angeles. I will work him down. never bought from a used dealer before... SO I guess working the price down is possible? Also, I want to put like 4k down and finance the rest cuz I'm short the 2k. Should I wait to get the 2k and put it in his face like BAM! ?

I think it does have the locker in the picture, but the words are smeared off from age. If with locker, good deal?
 
I remember reading somewhere about the head gasket problems for the v6's... would that be an issue for the 3rd gens too?
 
head gaskets were common the 2nd gens.. but the 3rd gens id say pretty bullet proof as long as its maintained properly..


and if you do buy a 3rd gen there are 2 things i need to say..

1) welcome to the t4r family!
2) reregister your name and leave "jeep" out of it :D HAHAHA
 
awpsome said:
head gaskets were common the 2nd gens.. but the 3rd gens id say pretty bullet proof as long as its maintained properly..


and if you do buy a 3rd gen there are 2 things i need to say..

1) welcome to the t4r family!
2) reregister your name and leave "jeep" out of it :D HAHAHA
Click to expand...

Hey Thanks Awpsome! I will try to reregister, but when I started looking at this site I still had my Jeep TJ with me. :cowboy:

But I will see about getting that changed to something in the yota realm!

Bullet proof 3rd gens huh!

Thanks again! So far the members on this site are pretty cool and really helpful!

Thanks all! :uzi:
 
Plenty of people have Jeep names, its fine now you wont get caught in the blur of 4r, t4r, and 4runner names on this site. Around me that 97 5 speed 4x4 would be a bit cheaper, but we have lots of rust on trucks, and used car prices are cheaper here. I say if you can get it for $7k its not a bad deal, especially if its what you want. You will be hard pressed to find other 4x4 5 speeds out there. If it is what you want then you may have to pay a little more now, but if you factor it into the lifetime of the vehicle it really isnt that much, SCrunner12 just paid $8500 for his truck and it was a little more than he wanted to go, but he got what he wanted. 134k is low milage too.
 
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JohnsD90 said:
Plenty of people have Jeep names, its fine now you wont get caught in the blur of 4r, t4r, and 4runner names on this site. Around me that 97 5 speed 4x4 would be a bit cheaper, but we have lots of rust on trucks, and used car prices are cheaper here. I say if you can get it for $7k its not a bad deal, especially if its what you want. You will be hard pressed to find other 4x4 5 speeds out there. If it is what you want then you may have to pay a little more now, but if you factor it into the lifetime of the vehicle it really isnt that much, SCrunner12 just paid $8500 for his truck and it was a little more than he wanted to go, but he got what he wanted. 134k is low milage too.
Click to expand...

For the love of all that is holy, DO NOT put a stupid 4 in your name. I get pissed off every time I log in now.
 
$7400 for a '97 is way overpriced, I've seen '99's with the E-locker for less than that around here. Try to get him to around the 5k mark or wait another month or two when gas will be $5.50 a gallon.
 
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For California 7500 is a bit high, but for a 5 speed someone will pay that. Try for 6500, but 7k is not horrible especially if it has a locker. I paid a good amount for mine, but it is in great condition and everything I wanted, so in 5 years I really won't care.

Make sure you get a carfax on it. Some dealers will roll back the odometers, especially on the 96-98's. Just go drive it and if you love it buy it.
 
expect to fix it

@jeeper1

get ready to spend money on maintenance .....

something not mentioned as much around here.

I love my truck and at 198k it runs great (w/ near mint body, paint and interior) but during the last 5 years I have fixed the following (not preventative)

rear diff seals_________$1200 1st time, $600 2nd time (Toyota did it wrong first time)
radiator______________$380 (this was preventative, just last month)
brakes: front, rear_____$600 (with rotors)
starter
front steering bushings__$400
front steering rack______$600
lower ball joints________$300 (this is your life at risk)
valve cover gaskets_____$600
two water pumps _____$varies (always go toyota on parts!)
.
full suspension will be needed eventually, even if you stick with stock it will be $500 minimum
.
transmission pan gasket
.
.
there is more but I can't remember.
.
also add to this list all of the standard things such as plugs and wires
.


Summary: this is the best vehicle I have ever owned and better than what any of my friends have but .... by the time you reach 200K you can expect a good amount of things need fixed - which is probably why the vehicle is for sale.

I haven't had an engine light in 7 years :) how many truck owners (non toyota) at 200k can say that!
.
.
 
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Ouch. So thats what happens to your wallet when you have the dealer do your work for you..

Nothing against that. Some people just dont have the resouhrces to work on a vehicle at their place.
 
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yeah ....

back then I was in the Navy and didn't have the know how (or time!) to work on my truck.

I have done somethings myself since then but now I take my truck to non-dealer mechanic for most stuff. Still $$ though but only $75/hr not $140.

My point is that any truck for sale likely has a lot of these problems pending.

Also, some of the things I listed you just can't fix yourself such as the diff seals and the steering rack.
 
Thanks guys for the advise! I've been on the move from one location to another so havent had a chance to get on-line or see the 4r yet. Its still up for sale at the used car dealer so I'm not worried. If it goes it goes, I just like the fact that it has 134k on it only. I will keep you guys posted on the purchase I will make and post picks of what ever I get. You folks seem to be a good batch of t4r folk! Thanks for the replies!

Stay safe and stay tuned....
 
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