Need pointers: Seeing a T4R this Friday and possible purchase..

DK327

DK327

Member
Hello all,

I've already posted on the Classifieds section about what I'm looking for: 99-00 LTD 4x4 Auto e-locker <200K <$6000 close to Omaha, NE.

Well, I found a vehicle a couple of hours away and seller seems to be really responsive. There were pictures included online of the exterior and interior and when I asked to see the belly of the car to check for rust he sent the following pics same day:

<blockquote class="imgur-embed-pub" lang="en" data-id="a/HcWdo"><a href="//imgur.com/a/HcWdo">View post on imgur.com</a></blockquote><script async src="//s.imgur.com/min/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

My 1st question is, does everything look kosher as far as rust goes, from what can be seen in the pictures above?

The 2nd question is, the price for the vehicle is set around $5500 which seems OK for a 00 BUT it's got 228K miles which seems a bit high to me... I was contemplating offering $4500 and maybe meet in the middle at $5K, what are your thoughts on the issue?

The last question is he mentioned ABS light is active on dash but no codes which seems like it might be the wheel sensor, but could it point to something more serious?

Also, seller mentioned the timing belt was last replaced at 170K and is up for another replacement soon which is why he says the price is at $5500 and not $6000 which he says the real value of the car is... I personally don't think so, with close to 230K miles....

Thanks for taking the time to read this and I'd appreciate any feedback!
 
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I think the rust is a concern. I've seen worse but you need to get under there yourself & check the frame for rot. If it's just surface rust you can POR 15 it.
 
In those pics, I mostly see some mud spray - which is good. But the usual really bad rust spots are further back - behind rear wheel. So either go see it or ask for more pics. Price for the year/miles/features is about right - these machines are Only getting harder to find (with the features you're asking for). Mileage isn't too much of a concern if the engine/tranny have been maintained. History? Any receipts on maintenance? Unless you do the TB/WP yourself it will set you back more than $500, I'd shoot for 5000. Above all, unless you're familiar with the 'feel' of these machines, go drive it. It should be smooth shifting, noisy fan at start up (sign of a good fan clutch) and pretty smooth driveline overall. Oh and check the fluids, especially the radiator (looking for the pink milkshake). Luck! :cowboy:
 
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Here are a couple of more pictures he sent after I asked for them last night. I can see some surface rust but it's not alarming. Of course the best way to tell will be to physically go check out the vehicle, preferable with someone who knows what to look for, etc... More input/pointers is appreciated.

I've included 3 links, a couple with different embed codes and a direct link.

<blockquote class="imgur-embed-pub" lang="en" data-id="a/uLDOF"><a href="//imgur.com/a/uLDOF">View post on imgur.com</a></blockquote><script async src="//s.imgur.com/min/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<iframe class="imgur-album" width="100%" height="550" frameborder="0" src="//imgur.com/a/uLDOF/embed"></iframe>

Imgur: The most awesome images on the Internet
 
The axle and diff look pretty gnarly but when I see the frame rails I assume most of the stuff on he axle must be just petty surface rust/mud. Doesn't look too horrible to me, as in, I'm not deterred by those photos.
 
Those ABS sensors are something like $170 each and a MFer to remove if it's rusty (especially front ones). Looks about normal surface rust for around here.
 
Are you sure you need the e-locker? I dont think there's anywhere within 8 hours of Omaha that would require one except perhaps the couple of ORV parks in Kansas.
 
Thanks for checking it out and the comments all, MUCH appreciated!

repo said:
Are you sure you need the e-locker? I dont think there's anywhere within 8 hours of Omaha that would require one except perhaps the couple of ORV parks in Kansas.
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You're right repo, I probably won't need it 99% of the time, but would like to have it and not need it rather than need it and not have it... This will be my BOV "bug out vehicle" so I might encounter terrain that's much different in the near future when I'm trying to get the hell out of dodge! :ak472:

In all seriousness, what concerns me the most about this is the miles on the engine. I know 228K miles is a piece of cake, if the vehicle was well cared for, but it's still unsettling... I was doing some calculations in my head and after spending $5K-$5500 on this vehicle, I'll have to get the timing belt and water pump done since it's almost time. I would also replace the radiator and get auto trans cooler. And then there is the ABS sensors... Then a tune up.... Would you spend more money on a vehicle that had lower miles and you knew it was well taken care of or spend less on this one initially but then an extra $1500-$2000 just to get it up to par? Even then, it's still a high mileage truck.... :frusty:
 
jgue467 said:
Price for the year/miles/features is about right - these machines are Only getting harder to find (with the features you're asking for). Mileage isn't too much of a concern if the engine/tranny have been maintained. History? Any receipts on maintenance?
Click to expand...

This. If the rust is surface you'll be fine and it looks alright given the age of the truck. Run the VIN on Toyota Owners and Toyota VIN recall to pull all of the records since 2007-8. Carfax is worth the $, too. If the engine and tranny are maintained, like you said, they'll run 400K+.
 
trovergraywilson said:
Run the VIN on Toyota Owners and Toyota VIN recall to pull all of the records since 2007-8.
Click to expand...

Awesome advice!!! I just ran the VIN on Toyota Owners and was able to pull some records:

3/29/06 - 95,920 MILES
- CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS STAYING ON, 2 OXYGEN SENSORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED, REPLACED AIR FLOW METER

8/12/08 - 164,104 MILES
- FOUND #6 SPARK PLUG CRACKED CAUSING MIS-FIRE, REPLACED PLUGS
- REPLACED TIMING BELT FOR 6 CYLINDER
- COOLING SYS LEAK, WATER PUMP LEAKING, REPLACED WATER PUMP
- TOYOTA COOLANT FLUSH, RADIATOR FLUSH, PERFORMED TOYOTA COOLANT FLUSH

7/31/10 - 208,266 MILES
- 40J REPLACE DVD (SSC)
- DECLINED REPAIR ~|~INSPECTED VEHICLE AND FOUND A NEEDED REPAIR DECLINED ROTATE ~|~REPAIR DECLINED ~|~REPAIR DECLINED

8/21/10 - 1 MILES
- ENGINE MINOR ~|~OIL LEAK SINCE LAST LOF

Thanks again for that info, MUCH appreciated!!! What I don't understand is... On the last two service records in 2010, the vehicle had 208,266 miles on July 31st, then August 21st, 1 mile??? OK so that could be an entry error, fine, but since vehicle now has 228K miles, there were only 20K miles put on in...5 years? I guess it has been sitting around a lot or maybe was not driven a whole lot...?

Later on I'll do a Carfax and see if that turns up anything...
 
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DK327 said:
Awesome advice!!! I just ran the VIN on Toyota Owners and was able to pull some records:

3/29/06 - 95,920 MILES
- CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS STAYING ON, 2 OXYGEN SENSORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED, REPLACED AIR FLOW METER

8/12/08 - 164,104 MILES
- FOUND #6 SPARK PLUG CRACKED CAUSING MIS-FIRE, REPLACED PLUGS
- REPLACED TIMING BELT FOR 6 CYLINDER
- COOLING SYS LEAK, WATER PUMP LEAKING, REPLACED WATER PUMP
- TOYOTA COOLANT FLUSH, RADIATOR FLUSH, PERFORMED TOYOTA COOLANT FLUSH

7/31/10 - 208,266 MILES
- 40J REPLACE DVD (SSC)
- DECLINED REPAIR ~|~INSPECTED VEHICLE AND FOUND A NEEDED REPAIR DECLINED ROTATE ~|~REPAIR DECLINED ~|~REPAIR DECLINED

8/21/10 - 1 MILES
- ENGINE MINOR ~|~OIL LEAK SINCE LAST LOF

Thanks again for that info, MUCH appreciated!!! What I don't understand is... On the last two service records in 2010, the vehicle had 208,266 miles on July 31st, then August 21st, 1 mile??? OK so that could be an entry error, fine, but since vehicle now has 228K miles, there were only 20K miles put on in...5 years? I guess it has been sitting around a lot or maybe was not driven a whole lot...?

Later on I'll do a Carfax and see if that turns up anything...
Click to expand...

I only put 3000 miles on my truck last year. It's not my DD.
 
Scramble said:
I only put 3000 miles on my truck last year. It's not my DD.
Click to expand...

Right on, I was just comparing it to the previous years, like from 06 to 08 they put on ~70K miles and from 08 to 10 another 45K then...nothing. Anyway I asked about it and seller said he knew both previous owners, one was his cousin (who apparently loved to travel the world) and when he traded the truck in, a husband and wife bought it and it was just their to go vehicle when it snowed, before they got rid of it after buying a brand new 4runner so that does make sense...
 
DK327 said:
Awesome advice!!! I just ran the VIN on Toyota Owners and was able to pull some records:

3/29/06 - 95,920 MILES
- CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS STAYING ON, 2 OXYGEN SENSORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED, REPLACED AIR FLOW METER

8/12/08 - 164,104 MILES
- FOUND #6 SPARK PLUG CRACKED CAUSING MIS-FIRE, REPLACED PLUGS
- REPLACED TIMING BELT FOR 6 CYLINDER
- COOLING SYS LEAK, WATER PUMP LEAKING, REPLACED WATER PUMP
- TOYOTA COOLANT FLUSH, RADIATOR FLUSH, PERFORMED TOYOTA COOLANT FLUSH

7/31/10 - 208,266 MILES
- 40J REPLACE DVD (SSC)
- DECLINED REPAIR ~|~INSPECTED VEHICLE AND FOUND A NEEDED REPAIR DECLINED ROTATE ~|~REPAIR DECLINED ~|~REPAIR DECLINED

8/21/10 - 1 MILES
- ENGINE MINOR ~|~OIL LEAK SINCE LAST LOF

Thanks again for that info, MUCH appreciated!!! What I don't understand is... On the last two service records in 2010, the vehicle had 208,266 miles on July 31st, then August 21st, 1 mile??? OK so that could be an entry error, fine, but since vehicle now has 228K miles, there were only 20K miles put on in...5 years? I guess it has been sitting around a lot or maybe was not driven a whole lot...?

Later on I'll do a Carfax and see if that turns up anything...
Click to expand...

If you click on the date for the item it usually gives more info. I wonder what repairs they declined.
 
my android has carfax on it, I can add any vin or plate and I see the maintenence on the vehicle from any place that reports it... not always dealers but smaller shops... oh and it's free
 
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repo said:
If you click on the date for the item it usually gives more info. I wonder what repairs they declined.
Click to expand...

5ixoHPC.jpg


That's all she wrote...
 
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