Need advice on New Purchase

[J.Tomasello]

Hello everyone and thank you for always helping me out on simple questions I have from time to time. I’m new to the truck scene as this 4Runner is my first SUV. I will try to make this fast and easy and my apologies if it’s not.

I’m looking to buy this 2011 4Runner SR5 from my boss. He was the original owner and has put 90k on the odometer. I’m looking to tell you guys about some issues I feel I should address and trying to make sure I’m not over paying due to issues that might need to be addressed. I will start out with vehicle conditions and then work in to issues. The truck had wheel spacers put on when it was around 20-30k on the odometer and the truck has had a wheel shake at 60mph since according to my boss. It needs tires very very bad and a alignment. The exterior does have a dent in the front right fender, nothing that bothers me as well some small scuffs and scratches that I feel can be fixed once I get it a good detail. That’s about it as far as cosmetics.

What I’m trying to do is fix the wheel shake which happens at 60mph and then goes away as you go faster which I will start off with getting new tires, balance and alignment as well remove these wheel spacers. The truck currently has from what he told me 2inch wheel spacers with 275’s and it rubs. I love the look and stance but don’t want any rubbing and don’t want any issues with spacers if this is what actually is causing this shake. I’ve been told that these shocks on the truck are not from the factory? Please correct me if I’m wrong. The shop today told me that the shocks will probably need replacing because after they inspected the tires they said it was due to bad shocks. After feeling the guy out at the shop i don’t think he’s accurate. This truck doesn’t make any sounds from bad shocks and I know this truck has only seen pavement and never a dirt road as my boss doesn’t take it in trails. I couldn’t imagine them being bad but my concern is if I get new tires I don’t want them to get bad wear due to a bad shock. I’m looking to get KO2’s in a 275 but looking to see everyone’s opinion on performance between 265 and 275. The truck will be 99% on the highway everyday but would like to hit some trails on the weekends. So my concerns are should I fear wheel bearing wear since these spacers have been on so long as well other steering components that could’ve take a toll from this. Should I change and flush all fluids like Front and rear diff as well transfer case? I’m trying to price out things I should consider fixing or checking so I can negotiate price. Pictures below show some exterior photos and I will load more today but if you guys could help me out that would be great. Mabel a price you feel is fair because in my situation I can’t do the work at home as you can see where I live my neighbors will complain. I’ve had the dealer give me some pricing and it all seems very fair except the diff and transfer case flush but if I have to have them do it I’ll suck it up. Thank you for the help everyone as I’m super excited to get in this board and join the club.

 

[massoverland]

Good thing about your coming here is that many people here have replaced their suspension parts, and many probably can give them to you at a great price.

If issues are just body and suspension, I'd go for it.

 

[philsey]

So, your boss put 2" wheel spacers on and a wheel shake started, then he drove it 60k miles like that? Seriously? TWO INCH SPACERS?

That would trouble me. Wheel shake for 60K has to have been bad for something. Shocks, bearings, rack..... experts here will chime in. This would concern me more than maintenance.

What maintenance records does he have?

At 90K many on here would be recommending every fluid on the car. Brakes, trans, diff(s), coolant, engine oil.

No, those are not oem shocks. Stock suspensions are in these classifieds for a song.

Point of reference: I just received $19K for my SR5/P on trade. It was however, pristine. Bilsteins, Michelin, 87k miles, top condition. I also got 9.8% off MSRP so the $19k wasn't inflated. I don't know what it sold for, but it only lasted a week.

 

[J.Tomasello]

So after printing all records of the service history it has had regular maintenance as oil changes and alignments. I just received word that the suspension was changed roughly 3 years ago, the dealer just looked at it and said with new tires and a balance as well alignment it would be perfect. They put it on the lift and said everything is still in great shape because I wanted to check the rack and all steering components. They gave me a trade in number of 16k so I’ll use this to work with for now till I hear of some word of what actual owners would price this at roughly. Thanks for the response everyone.

 

[nglayton]

They gave me a trade in number of 16k so I’ll use this to work with for now till I hear of some word of what actual owners would price this at roughly.

If the dealer gave a trade in value of $16k, I would say it's easily worth $20k on the open market. Remember those show rooms are not cheap to build.

I think the wheel shake could easily be tires/wheels/balance issue. The 2" spacers probably don't help, but that is so easy to check I wouldn't worry about that. If that's the cause you can remove them in a hour and be done with them.

Badly worn tires are probably not from bad shocks, they are probably from poor alignment and inconsistent rotations. I'd say 3 years is way too soon to be replacing shocks that most people would say are top notch quality.

I run KO2 - 275/70/17's with no rubbing.
I did have to pull the fender liner forward on one side to keep it from a slight rubbing. Then I put a small lift on it and had to pull it forward a bit more. It's an easy mod and takes less than an hour.

 

[J.Tomasello]

If the dealer gave a trade in value of $16k, I would say it's easily worth $20k on the open market. Remember those show rooms are not cheap to build.

I think the wheel shake could easily be tires/wheels/balance issue. The 2" spacers probably don't help, but that is so easy to check I wouldn't worry about that. If that's the cause you can remove them in a hour and be done with them.

Badly worn tires are probably not from bad shocks, they are probably from poor alignment and inconsistent rotations. I'd say 3 years is way too soon to be replacing shocks that most people would say are top notch quality.

I run KO2 - 275/70/17's with no rubbing.
I did have to pull the fender liner forward on one side to keep it from a slight rubbing. Then I put a small lift on it and had to pull it forward a bit more. It's an easy mod and takes less than an hour.

Thank you very much! This was very good to read and see. Quick question, I would love to lift it a little and was wondering to lift it would I just change my springs out? Stupid question I’m just curious

 

[3wbdriver]

And the vehicle in those pictures does NOT have 2" spacers on it. Maybe 1.25" which is most common, but not 2". Some have reported wheel shimmy on these things since they were new in 2010. With and without spacers. My 2014 has a slight shimmy some days at certain speeds, and some days it doesn't period (I do have spacers). I can't explain it and I have given up on trying. My tire wear has never been abnormal, and I just keep an eye on them.

 

[Engineer]

Hello everyone and thank you for always helping me out on simple questions I have from time to time. I’m new to the truck scene as this 4Runner is my first SUV. I will try to make this fast and easy and my apologies if it’s not. Welcome to the forum, there is a wealth of information here, anything you can't find searching feel free to ask or PM

I’m looking to buy this 2011 4Runner SR5 from my boss. He was the original owner and has put 90k on the odometer. I’m looking to tell you guys about some issues I feel I should address and trying to make sure I’m not over paying due to issues that might need to be addressed. I will start out with vehicle conditions and then work in to issues. The truck had wheel spacers put on when it was around 20-30k on the odometer and the truck has had a wheel shake at 60mph since according to my boss. It needs tires very very bad and a alignment. The exterior does have a dent in the front right fender, nothing that bothers me as well some small scuffs and scratches that I feel can be fixed once I get it a good detail. That’s about it as far as cosmetics.Unless the dent/scratches are huge, I wouldn't worry about them at all - doesn't sound like you are. If you plan to enjoy it off road already having the first dent and few scratches will makes it less painful

What I’m trying to do is fix the wheel shake which happens at 60mph and then goes away as you go faster which I will start off with getting new tires, balance and alignment as well remove these wheel spacers.Those are perfect starts The truck currently has from what he told me 2inch wheel spacers with 275’s and it rubs. You should try to get a photo of the wheel spacers, I am not aware of any off the shelf 2" spacer, almost all of them are 1.25". Also based on your photos I don't think it has 2" spacers but I will be honest its hard to confirm with those photos - my guess is they meant 2" lift. I love the look and stance but don’t want any rubbing and don’t want any issues with spacers if this is what actually is causing this shake.You should be able to eliminate any rubbing by doing the "fender liner mod" I’ve been told that these shocks on the truck are not from the factory? Please correct me if I’m wrong. The shop today told me that the shocks will probably need replacing because after they inspected the tires they said it was due to bad shocks.They are not OEM shocks, they look like bilstein 5100's After feeling the guy out at the shop i don’t think he’s accurate. This truck doesn’t make any sounds from bad shocks and I know this truck has only seen pavement and never a dirt road as my boss doesn’t take it in trails. I couldn’t imagine them being bad but my concern is if I get new tires I don’t want them to get bad wear due to a bad shock. I’m looking to get KO2’s in a 275 but looking to see everyone’s opinion on performance between 265 and 275. The truck will be 99% on the highway everyday but would like to hit some trails on the weekends. So my concerns are should I fear wheel bearing wear since these spacers have been on so long as well other steering components that could’ve take a toll from this.I would not worry about the extra bearing wear, yes it occurred but front wheel bearings are replaceable, there is a DIY on the forum someplace Should I change and flush all fluids like Front and rear diff as well transfer case?I would follow what the Toyota maintenance manual reccomends I’m trying to price out things I should consider fixing or checking so I can negotiate price. Pictures below show some exterior photos and I will load more today but if you guys could help me out that would be great. Mabel a price you feel is fair because in my situation I can’t do the work at home as you can see where I live my neighbors will complain. I’ve had the dealer give me some pricing and it all seems very fair except the diff and transfer case flushDealers in general are the most expensive option - if you are wanting to attempt DIY I am sure there are several CO members who would help you out but if I have to have them do it I’ll suck it up. Thank you for the help everyone as I’m super excited to get in this board and join the club.

See Red Above

 

[J.Tomasello]

Wow thank you everyone for the very informative information. Mabel they are not 2inch I’m just going by what I was told but I did just dig up some photos I took the other day of the side angle of the truck to see how far they stick out with 275’s. I do love how it looks with spacers but not sure if I’m ok with the extra wear and tear with driving 30,000 miles a year. Sorry for the weird picture angle. In my album they are right side up not sideways

 

[nglayton]

Thank you very much! This was very good to read and see. Quick question, I would love to lift it a little and was wondering to lift it would I just change my springs out? Stupid question I’m just curious

Best place to read up on lifts is here

 

[J.Tomasello]

Best place to read up on lifts is here

Thank you

 

[wcjeep]

Not a fan of wheel spacers. They are a poor excuse for not doing the job right. Go with a smaller tire or install a quality lift. If you are mostly driving around town go back to stock. Something to keep in mind is bigger tires decrease braking ability.

 

[J.Tomasello]

Not a fan of wheel spacers. They are a poor excuse for not doing the job right. Go with a smaller tire or install a quality lift. If you are mostly driving around town go back to stock. Something to keep in mind is bigger tires decrease braking ability.

Thank you, After talking to a local shop here by me who works on 4runners and Toyota’s I feel I’m going to eliminate the wheel spacers and as well go with a 265 and not a 275 like what’s on there now. The truck will be used on the road 90% of the time and light off road on the weekends here and there. I’m considering a small lift but I would have to see some pictures to make a decision. You guys have been great thank you!

 

[wcjeep]

I failed to mention using the proper offset rims to eliminate the wheel spacers. Offset rims could still cause bearing problems.

Not sure what rims you have now. When looking for factory size tires don't forget to check out Take Off's. Some guys put near zero mileage on new rims/tires. They pop up for sale here on the forum. I've also seen them locally on Craigslist. Trail(Offroad) rims tend to get more money than SR5 rims. Your region may differ. If your current tires have some value sell them to offset return to stock.