Need Advice..would you buy???

6

67mike

New member
Hi Newbie to 4 runners here:

Looking at buying a 2002 SR5 4 runner that has seen better days.

It has 245000km (146000miles) on it.

Been sitting in a garage for 2 years.

Needs at least: Windsheild, battery, tires, tailpipe, rear brakes, and repair to leaking pass side rear axel.

The interior is filthy from kids spilling stuff.

BUT, I put my battery on it...started right up and runs smooth.

I am trying to get it or $2500

All total I am looking at about 4000 to 4500 by the time I get it running.....

Should I pass it up, or is that a decent buy?
 
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Its up to you. I spent $1600 on a 99 ltd with a blown motor. It was worth it for me because I wanted to put the time and effort in to getting it back excellent condition. That being said it ended up costing me a bit more than my initial inspection suggested.

With your rear axle seal leak do you plan on replacing the bearings while your in there? that will run you about $500 for both sides if you pull the axles yourself. If not it will cost you about $100 for both sides (gear oil, etc.). If your OEM tailpipe (not muffler) is rusting through than I would hate to see what the frame looks like. If the frame is still solid I would go for it.
 
Simple answer to your question. Yes its a good buy. You know what you need to do, and even after its all said and done you've got a really good price for a reliable 4runner.

These trucks are pretty bulletproof. I've owned 2, my dad has had 1, and I don't plan on buying anything else but a 3rd gen for quite a while ;)
 
Check that the frame is solid!!

If so I think $2500 is pretty good if you don't mind fixing it up yourself.

Got any pics?
 
Thanks

No pictures.

Frame is good, only rust is the rear bumper side panel on passenger side.

The muffler rusted out...they have a new muffler...I need to put it on. The tailpipe might be usable.

I did not check ball joints or CV boots.....are these issues with highway driven 4 runners?
 
If your budget is at least 7 grand, why not find one that needs little to no work and then you may not have to worry about as many potential "surprises". Unless this is just something you want to take on as a project, for the fun and experience of it...
 
T4R_Finally said:
If your budget is at least 7 grand, why not find one that needs little to no work and then you may not have to worry about as many potential "surprises". Unless this is just something you want to take on as a project, for the fun and experience of it...
Click to expand...

My budget is much less than 7 grand...this is to replace my corolla as a WINTER vehicle. I have a few nice summer only vehicles.

So, I am trying to keep it cheap with a capital "C".

This vehicle was driven mostly on the highway...that is a big plus, BUT, the owner's are LAZY and I am sure it was not overly maintained.

That being said, the engine seems to run well...I did not see any check engine light.....I would be best to bring my OBD2 reader and throw it on and look for issues.

I realize it is a toyota, and is near bulletproof, but some people can break a bowling ball in a sandbox.

My corolla gets driven hard and I do not do much except swap out brake parts and change the synthetic oil.

Would this be too much of a crapshoot to you????

I figure if I can get it for $2500....I "should" be able to get it drivable for about $4000 to 4500 total.
 
If it's rust free and straight, I'd gamble on it for $2500. Hell, if you pass on it, I might even consider it if you pass on their info to me. You know, because everyone needs 3 4Runners...

The LBJ's and OTRE's take far less abuse on a non-lifted truck. But that said, it's cheap insurance to change them out. Search the forum for ball joint failure pics, it can be nasty. Also make sure you pull the dip stick for the tranny and check the radiator and overflow bottle for any pink milky residue. If it's been sitting for a while, the u-joints may have tightened up and it might develop a driveline vibration as you drive it more, not too big of a deal to change them out. Give it a good listen for any pinion bearing noises too.

If you do buy it, probably a good idea to invest in a grease gun and hit all the zerk fittings pretty good before you go anywhere with it.

Sounds like you're already budgeting for some maintenance and repairs, I don't think you can go too wrong with this one.
 
PitbullRescuer said:
If it's rust free and straight, I'd gamble on it for $2500. Hell, if you pass on it, I might even consider it if you pass on their info to me. You know, because everyone needs 3 4Runners...

The LBJ's and OTRE's take far less abuse on a non-lifted truck. But that said, it's cheap insurance to change them out. Search the forum for ball joint failure pics, it can be nasty. Also make sure you pull the dip stick for the tranny and check the radiator and overflow bottle for any pink milky residue. If it's been sitting for a while, the u-joints may have tightened up and it might develop a driveline vibration as you drive it more, not too big of a deal to change them out. Give it a good listen for any pinion bearing noises too.

If you do buy it, probably a good idea to invest in a grease gun and hit all the zerk fittings pretty good before you go anywhere with it.

Sounds like you're already budgeting for some maintenance and repairs, I don't think you can go too wrong with this one.
Click to expand...

Thanks.

Body is straight and only rust is the passenger side rear bumper panel.

I think I will go there with $2500 cash...my battery ODB2 reader...will look for pinion slop abd excessive backlash...will look at tranny and rad...if those are OK....I might just have a project;-)
 
I just found out yesterday that these 2002 3.4 V6 engines had timing BELTS. I thought they had CHAINS.

So, this 02 will need the timing belt and WP and seals done as well.....

Man, I want the thing, but the pile of repairs is getting right out of sight.

Too bad the current owner's didn't do proper care and maintence on this thing.


What should I do??????? I lowered my offer from $2500 to $2000 in light of the timing belt WP repairs.
 
All 5VZ-FE have timing belts. The timing belt/water pump isn't a terrible difficult DIY actually. Even if they don't budge, I still think it's a deal at $2500.
 
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