My 'new' 01, bought to drive 19 hours, suggestions?

[01YO]

**made a typo in the subject line, meant to say 'bout to drive....'**

As mentioned in new owners thread, I was able to snag this 01 with 44k original miles on it (I've since put about 300 on it) for $9.5k.

Previous original owner was an old man down in Miami, he passed 3 years ago, his son's family didn't need it, but held on to it due to sentimental reasons. The son was almost in tears when he signed the title. :sobbing:

The Toyota owner's site says it was taken in 3/09 for an oil change and it had 38k on it then, so they've only put 6k on it since he passed in 09.

I'm going to get an oil change tomorrow before my 19 hour drive back to Dallas (currently hanging out at my parents' house in Stuart, FL).

All the hoses and fluids look great, but that's the extent of my mechanical knowledge. Anything else I should worry about?

I have a couple of questions, it says Limited on the back, but it has cloth interior. It does have the 16in 5 star rims. Is it a Limited?

Also, the original Michelin tires are still on it, no dry rot in the sidewalls, but some in the traction. The tire guy at Costco says they should be fine for the drive, but I don't know...thoughts? (see photo of tire)

 

[kegelinanger]

Dude, 44k original miles? Awesome find! Not even broken in yet...

It's an SR5, someone just slapped a Limited badge on it.

 

[Nashvegas34]

Looks like someone just stuck a Limited badge on it. It's actually in the wrong place, and the SR5 badge is still there in the right place. Limited would also have color-keyed bumpers and side moulding. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, as I have an '00.

EDIT: You beat me to it, kegelinanger.

 

[Hepar]

Agreed that it's an SR5 with a Limited badge put on. Either way it looks super clean! I picked mine up in San Jose and immediately drove it back to Seattle. I just made sure the fluids were topped off and the trip went smoothly. I did check the oil every fill up and the other fluids every other fill up just to make sure.

 

[badattitude]

I'd balance the tires. If my tires are not balanced using a Haweka Adadepter (Toyota Service Bulliten #SU002-96) the steering wheel shakes at 65mph. It would make crazy if I had to drive 19 hours with a shaky steering wheel. Some tire shops call the Haweka Adadaper a Finger Plate Adapter.

 

[Drcoffee]

I'd flush the coolant and change the spark plugs. Then consider replacing the transmission fluid and start now with synthetic motor oil if you plan to use it. And then grease the drive shaft, replace the differential fluids front and rear and transfer case. Even tho you have low miles, it's all still 11 year old and who knows what condition the fluids are in.

What a steal. Nice score and welcome.
arty:

 

[01YO]

thanks guys

 

[Maritimer]

It also has Limited style running boards and flares. But, it's an SR5.

 

[01YO]

hold on, what are the odds it has the badges, rims, running board and flares and NOT be a limited? it's a proven 1 owner vehicle....he either special ordered it or did this himself....

 

[GladeRunner]

It also has fog lights and 16 5 stars which isnt a feature on my regular sr5 01. Was leather seats only in the 4 wd models? Seems like the seats and sr5 badge are the only thing keeping it from being a limited.

Great find. I had tires with similar tread and they were fine. But stay on here long enough and you ll be upgrading to beefier tires!

 

[Hepar]

It also has Limited style running boards and flares. But, it's an SR5.

Those are actually not limited flares. They were an option on the SR5 package in '01 and standard on the Sport models. As were the fogs. The limited flares have a slightly wider base. It is also missing the limited cladding at the base of the doors and the front and rear bumpers would be painted to match. It's also missing leather and the wood grain interior. The only thing on it that is part of the limited package is the emblem.

 

[01YO]

thank you for clearing that up Hepar!

Is the dry rot on the tread too bad for a 19 hr drive...my dad saying just replace at Costco before the trip....

 

[Nashvegas34]

Should have said it earlier, but great find.

Don't stress about the Limited vs. SR5 thing (although do remove the Limited badge, it's silly to have both). If it's as clean as it looks and truly has 44k miles on it, that thing will last forever.

 

[absalom]

I'd be somewhat suspect of odo rollback with a rebadged car ... just a little suspect is all

 

[02SE]

It looks like a good find. As previously stated, that's an SR5 that someone stuck a Limited badge on. I would change all of the fluids: Engine oil, transmission, coolant, transfer case, rear axle, and front diff.

Those tires aren't the original tires. They came with either Goodyear Wrangler RT/S, or Bridgestone Duelers.

The dry rot on those tires is questionable. I would check the build date of the tires, and definitely replace them if they are over six years old. As dry rotted as they are, I'd likely replace them even if they're newer than six years old.

 

[01YO]

miles are carfax and toyota owner confirmed, the mintness of the ride confirms them too in my mind....

i really do think they are the original tires, the date is april 2000 on them, the vehicle was made in dec 2000

 

[GladeRunner]

The date on the tires are April 2000? Wow.

I had those tires on my T4R when I purchased my 01 used (in 2010) but wanted a bigger tire so replaced them. They are a good tire, but take it to a place to inspect them because you seem worried about it.

Shop prices around because tire places are super competitive and want to beat each others prices. I used Discount Tire and got a fair price.

 

[Maritimer]

Those are actually not limited flares. They were an option on the SR5 package in '01 and standard on the Sport models. As were the fogs. The limited flares have a slightly wider base. It is also missing the limited cladding at the base of the doors and the front and rear bumpers would be painted to match. It's also missing leather and the wood grain interior. The only thing on it that is part of the limited package is the emblem.

Thanks for the full correction. Knowing is half the battle. :hatsoff:

 

[Hepar]

Thanks for the full correction. Knowing is half the battle. :hatsoff:

Lol. No problem. The funny thing is that I grew up loving cars, but never understood how someone could know every difference in a car based on year. options etc etc. Now I get it...

 

[RonMAIDEN]

What,nobody is going to point out that those aren't the Limited Running boards? The Limiteds had a different endcap to match the Limited flares and nobody pointed out the chrome grill which isn't chrome on the Limiteds. Also noted that it has the Limited badges on the sides and look poorly installed like the rear one. Leather being absent is the biggest indicator of it not being a Limited since isn't that the point?
Did I geek it up a notch?:keyboard:

Nice find but it's time for new tires period,11 years is too old.

And lose the Limited badges and you have one pristine stock 4Runner again. Nice find.