My '00 T4R Highlander.

[MCObray]

Hello all. I am currently crossing over from a Jeep. I recently sold my '99 Jeep Cherokee XJ, and decided the next vehicle I purchase would be a Toyota.
Said Jeep:

'99 Jeep XJ by Bucky Images, on Flickr
I was undecided upon which model, as I liked both Tacoma and 4Runner. The big seller for me though, well not my choice, was that a 4Runner in good condition was obtainable within my budget, as opposed to having to get a Tacoma that more than likely needed work. 4Runner it is! I scoured through several threads, which lead me to narrowing down my selection to a '99-'00 4Runner. As said in several other threads, this model had some of the best features for the 3rd Generation 4Runner. All I really desired though was the RR Diff Lock. I scoured Craigslist here and there looking for a replacement vehicle, but was in no hurry. I had a nice, comfortable car to drive in my girlfriends '05 Honda Accord and this was a process I did not want to rush. Well, one Sunday morning a gem popped up and I was sold, virtually. I made plans to see this vehicle, and it appeared just as good, if not better, then the ad. All maintenance was up to date and had a brand new set of tires with only 1,xxx miles logged. This is it, this is the one I had been hopping for.
Without further ado, this is my new-to-me 2000 Toyota 4Runner "Highlander", RR Diff Lock equipped!

'00 Toyota 4Runner Highlander. by Bucky Images, on Flickr

'00 Toyota 4Runner Highlander. by Bucky Images, on Flickr

'00 Toyota 4Runner Highlander. by Bucky Images, on Flickr

'00 Toyota 4Runner Highlander. by Bucky Images, on Flickr
Description:
*177,xxx miles
*RR Diff Lock
*LT265/75/16 Toyo Open Country A/T 2.
*Cloth Interior
*Maintenance up to date. $2k in receipts for work done within the last month. SCORE!
*Tinted Windows
My plans:
B&M 70268 Transmission Cooler. Ordered.
WeatherTech Front Floor Mats. Ordered.
Sleeping Platform/Storage in the rear interior of the vehicle.
2" Old Man Emu suspension (Coils & Shocks).
Bump up a tire size (Duratracs/KM2s).
Sliders.
ARB Bull Bar Front Bumper.
Warn Winch.
LightForce auxiliary lights.
Rear bumper.
The owner took good care of this vehicle, and really exceeded my expectation of what I wanted... I am pretty happy to say the least!
I ran through a tank of gas today. 90% highway and 10% city. Gas light came on and drove about 15 miles afterwards. I ended up getting 16.7 MPG, and filling the tank with 13.226 gallons at 220.8 miles. I know these tanks are 18.5 gallons, and supposedly most can get 15 gallons out these tanks. I have heard that a well maintained T4R can achieve 20 MPGs highway. I'm more curious about range, as I want to know how long I can go. I'm not to worried about these numbers, as I knew what I was getting into before purchasing the 4Runner. Anybody chime in with their experience? Thanks.

 

[GentryGoon]

That is insanely clean my friend. Congrats!

 

[downpour11]

Nice truck! I grew up in Salem too. Lived there for 14 years. Graduated from Sprague, used to live on top of Keubler hill.

I'd say you should be getting around 275mi to the tank. My last 4runner was a 2000 highlander edition and I got a good 30+ miles after the gas light came on too.

 

[LittleCaesar]

As much of a Jeep fan I am not, even that Jeep looks good. I would imagine you got top dollar for it.

That 4runner looks as if it has been parked out of the elements for most of its life. Nice CL score.

I average about 19mpgs with city/highway driving. With summer gas on the highway last year I got 308 miles out of 15.8 gallons of gas.

 

[MCObray]

That is insanely clean my friend. Congrats!

Thank you. I am pretty particular with my vehicles and this one met all of my requirements!

Nice truck! I grew up in Salem too. Lived there for 14 years. Graduated from Sprague, used to live on top of Keubler hill.

I'd say you should be getting around 275mi to the tank. My last 4runner was a 2000 highlander edition and I got a good 30+ miles after the gas light came on too.

Thanks! Wow, weird. I graduated from Sprague ('10) and had a bunch of friends live in that area (Illahee). We call that hill "Booyah" and was painted by each departing class.

Interesting. I wonder what the culprit may be? I'm think I might replace the O2 sensors if it continues. I've heard Denso for the O2 sensors? Thanks for sharing!

As much of a Jeep fan I am not, even that Jeep looks good. I would imagine you got top dollar for it.

That 4runner looks as if it has been parked out of the elements for most of its life. Nice CL score.

I average about 19mpgs with city/highway driving. With summer gas on the highway last year I got 308 miles out of 15.8 gallons of gas.

Thanks. It was my first vehicle that I really grew to love. As much as I did love it though, the build quality lacked and I started to desire a T4R.

PO took good care of it and had some receipts to share for recent work done as of late November '12 (Timing Belt, Water Pump, misc. seals, misc. belts, and brand new tires).

19! Nice. 18-20MPGs are what I am aiming for. Maybe a Tune-Up will help encourage the MPG...

 

[madbomber08]

That's a cherry looking runner you got there. Them open country at 2s look nice. I wish you were keeping them I have heard nothing but good things about them, even though they are quite new.

 

[downpour11]

Thanks! Wow, weird. I graduated from Sprague ('10) and had a bunch of friends live in that area (Illahee). We call that hill "Booyah" and was painted by each departing class.

Ah yes... booyah hill, I forgot that name. I graduated in '04. Many memories in that town... Welcome to the forum!

 

[MCObray]

That's a cherry looking runner you got there. Them open country at 2s look nice. I wish you were keeping them I have heard nothing but good things about them, even though they are quite new.

Thank you. I will be keeping them for sometime, at least into summer. They are brand new, and my plans to lift the 4Runner will more than likely happen this summer. Hell, I might even liking them so much that I just might keep them and bump up a tire size. My first impressions, are that they are quiet on the highway, and have an aggressive tread pattern for an All Terrain. Two categories I desire when looking for a tire. I'll report back on tread wear.

 

[GentryGoon]

What does the interior look like? And also I would love to see some bronze SCS F-5 wheels on there. Just a suggestion :becky:

 

[MCObray]

What does the interior look like? And also I would love to see some bronze SCS F-5 wheels on there. Just a suggestion :becky:

Interior is in good condition. The only downfall is that the PO 8 months German Shepherd had it's way with the rear passenger side interior in the back. It's ripped in a few spots, but I don't mind it as I plan on building a sleeping platform/cargo storage area in the back half of the 4Runner. The interior is cloth, which I favored, and is up to my standards!

Those SCS F-5 are some sharp looking wheels. Maybe if they give me a sponsorship .

 

[2002tii]

Very nice! Good score. Nice photos, too. What do you shoot with?

The mpgs do seem low, but, of course, your mileage may vary. I netted nearly 20 mpg on a recent drive from El Paso to Dallas. Probably averaged 80 mph. But that trip was mostly flat (and downhill, to be honest). How new are your spark plugs/wires? Properly gapped?

 

[4-Ripcord]

Welcome!

Wow that is a very clean 4runner you found! Not a bad looking jeep either, Xjs are the only jeeps I do like.

On the MPGs, it looks like you found the buyers guide already. Now go ahead and move down to the new owners section in that thread for tune up pointers :thumb3:

 

[mattgold]

She's a beauty!

 

[rickashay]

Hello......

AGAIN!

hahahah Glad to see you over here on T4R. This is where I would say I "frequent" the most. Tons of good info here to take in.

Such an awesome ride!!!

 

[MCObray]

That is insanely clean my friend. Congrats!

Thanks for the kind comment!

Very nice! Good score. Nice photos, too. What do you shoot with?

The mpgs do seem low, but, of course, your mileage may vary. I netted nearly 20 mpg on a recent drive from El Paso to Dallas. Probably averaged 80 mph. But that trip was mostly flat (and downhill, to be honest). How new are your spark plugs/wires? Properly gapped?

Thanks! I just recently picked up my first DSLR (4 months ago), and have been learning how utilize it's full potential, here and there, mixed in with school. I currently shot with a Canon 7D, 50mm f/1.8, and 28-135 f/3.5-5.6 IS USM. I have misc. gear like Manfrotto tripod, Black Rapid sling, lens hood, filter, etc. I've also got the GoPro HD Hero 2 handy, when needed. I like photography, if you couldn't tell.

Nice! Like i've said, I really want to aim for the 18-20MPG range right now being stock. I think it's possible, just may need a few parts to get there...

Welcome!

Wow that is a very clean 4runner you found! Not a bad looking jeep either, Xjs are the only jeeps I do like.

On the MPGs, it looks like you found the buyers guide already. Now go ahead and move down to the new owners section in that thread for tune up pointers :thumb3:

Thank you. Thanks for writing up an absolute killer thread with the 3rd Gen Buyers Guide. I combed through that thing and really helped me nail down what I needed to look for, as well as what I wanted. I can already tell, there is a significant difference from a T4R and XJ... so glad I made the switdh!

I'll go ahead a scan through that and see what it turns up. I was thinking of changing out the 2 o2 sensors too... PO has no record of them being changed and I figured that may be a culprit for robbing me of some MPG. Tune Up would also help too, as no records of a recent one.

She's a beauty!

Thanks! I'm really enjoying it so far. Everything I wanted, and more.

Hello......

AGAIN!

hahahah Glad to see you over here on T4R. This is where I would say I "frequent" the most. Tons of good info here to take in.

Such an awesome ride!!!

Do I know you?

I'm kidding. What's up Addison... you just can't seem to shake me. So I have heard about this forum, and i'm glad to be joining and hopefully making some knowledgeable contributions.

Thanks again!

 

[ICD]

Mother of god.


That's a beauty you came across my friend.

 

[MCObray]

Mother of god.


That's a beauty you came across my friend.

Lol. Thank you. Surprise? I like that area. I just spent a few days down in Waddell when my girlfriend and I attended the '13 BCS Fiesta Bowl... GO DUCKS!

I was really not looking to buy, but this just happen to come across within my budget, as well as having all the options that I was seeking.

 

[MCObray]

Ordered the following:
Denso 234-9002 Air Fuel Ratio Sensor (O2 sensor).
Denso 234-4153 Oxygen Sensor (O2 sensor).
Denso (3194) K16TR11 Traditional Spark Plug, Pack of 1. Quantity: 6.
NGK (4412) TE66 Wire Set.
Replaced windshield wipers with 17" Trico RED wiper blades.

Maintenance before mods!

 

[ICD]

Ordered the following:
Denso 234-9002 Air Fuel Ratio Sensor (O2 sensor).
Denso 234-4153 Oxygen Sensor (O2 sensor).
Denso (3194) K16TR11 Traditional Spark Plug, Pack of 1. Quantity: 6.
NGK (4412) TE66 Wire Set.
Replaced windshield wipers with 17" Trico RED wiper blades.

Maintenance before mods!

And the money pit begins. I am just getting started on mine too.



I live and work here in surprise. Just opened my office a couple weeks ago.

 

[badattitude]

you'll want the dual electrode spark plugs for sure, is that what you got? Also you can expect 300 miles tops from a tank of gas. You found a real nice one. Good call on the denso products. Toyotas love OEM parts.