My "too good to be true" first 3rd gen

[Nology]

For just under a year now my wife and I would walk by this 4Runner and every time I would say "I wonder if they'd ever sell it?" Long story short, they did want to sell and I was able to buy it. After months of waiting, I get to pick it up in 2 days.

It's a one owner 2002 SR5 with 158k on the clock and 30 service records. From warranty work to power steering flushes, it's had it all. I live on the east coast in the absolute worst part of the rust belt but this beauty moved here from California around a year ago so the little rust it has can be tamed. It's going to sit for the rest of the winter but will get the full treatment this spring. Looking forward to driving this beauty and learning from this forum. :thumb:

 

[thennen]

Very nice, and congratulations! By all means tame the rust monster before it starts. Sounds like you're on it. I sadly lost my 2001 to rust before I knew enough to prevent it. At 265k, that was the only thing wrong with it. The engine and transmission are so solid on these things. My only suggestion is a radiator replacement right away. Don't want the strawberry milkshake. Enjoy!

 

[Nology]

Very nice, and congratulations! By all means tame the rust monster before it starts. Sounds like you're on it. I sadly lost my 2001 to rust before I knew enough to prevent it. At 265k, that was the only thing wrong with it. The engine and transmission are so solid on these things. My only suggestion is a radiator replacement right away. Don't want the strawberry milkshake. Enjoy!

I lost too many vehicles to rust up here. Definitely need to save this one. They've flushed the coolant and trans fluid more than once and both were super clean upon inspection. I was going to go with a trans cooler but should I look into swapping out the radiator as well?

 

[eddielasvegas]

Congrats and you sir, are a lucky man. I'd buy a lottery ticket today if I were you.

My only comment other than the above is black is a hobby, not a color.

How much?


Eddie

 

[Nology]

Congrats and you sir, are a lucky man. I'd buy a lottery ticket today if I were you.

My only comment other than the above is black is a hobby, not a color.

How much?


Eddie

I couldn't agree more about the color. The price (going by current Bring a Trailer prices) was too good to be true as well... $4900.

 

[thennen]

I lost too many vehicles to rust up here. Definitely need to save this one. They've flushed the coolant and trans fluid more than once and both were super clean upon inspection. I was going to go with a trans cooler but should I look into swapping out the radiator as well?

If you physically separate the trans fluid from the radiator via a separate cooler you should be ok. But with your miles, you’re living on borrowed time if that’s the original radiator. If you’re not doing the trans cooler really soon, spend the money on a new radiator. Too late is too late if it fails. Could mean a trashed transmission.

 

[eddielasvegas]

$4,900? Yes, definitely need to buy that lottery ticket.

Nice score and you now have a super nice T4R to drive for years and years and years. :thumb:


Eddie

I couldn't agree more about the color. The price (going by current Bring a Trailer prices) was too good to be true as well... $4900.

 

[mccmr89]

Congrats. Let the adventures begin!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[AMarin]

Very nice ride... you should be proud! I just sold our 2002 Sport with 278k miles for $6k, so you have landed a gem with its low miles. Congrats!

 

[Nology]

Had a slight delay thanks to a mandatory quarantine but I finally picked it up today and couldn't be happier. Upon further inspection, it definitely needs the valve cover gaskets done but after that and a few other preventative maintenance repairs, I'll be good to go.

 

[280kT4R]

Nice rig! Welcome

 

[silver2021]

Very nice!

 

[ej86923]

Looks great.

 

[DrewHealy]

WOW, nice find

 

[hanks4runner]

Great looking 4Runner!

 

[2thfairy]

Nice!!

 

[AoG_SR5]

Welcome!

 

[SHOCKERT4R]

Great pick up!

 

[sneaky]

Beauty! Not sure it's just the photo, but that interior doesn't look like either of the usual tan or grey?

 

[turnstylz]

If you're going to get all the way to the valve cover gaskets, have the valve clearances checked and adjusted while you're at it.