Need some opinions/help on this 3rd Gen 4R....

[LouG]

I'm kinda in limbo in regards to looking for a 4R. I'm partial to the 4th gen, but price is a factor. I also don't plan on it being my everyday car (see my sig for my seasonal DD), so I don't want $20K+ sitting on my driveway doing nothing. With that being said, this example popped up on the radar, and while I may be cutting my own throat by posting it, I don't know enough about the 3rd gen yet to get on a plane and hand over a check.

With that being said, what should I be looking for in terms of problems? The trailer hitch and rear window spoiler (for lack of better term) look rusty and faded - is that normal at this age? The dealer kept calling me and offered it at $13.9K, but I never called back. I'm thinking it could be had for $12K, figuring they paid maybe $9K either in trade or at auction. It's had 3 owners and was put into the dealer's inventory in early October. Aside from a lien and emmissions testing, nothing came up on Autocheck.

 

[97-4xFunner]

Price looks about right, especially for the miles. Don't think it would be a good seasonal driver due to lack of 4x.

 

[LouG]

Huh? The 3rd gen 4R I'm looking at (see link) is 4WD.

 

[2000runr]

VeI've had my trailer hit h powder coated 2 yrs ago as it was rusted, very common

 

[kball]

Not used to seeing prices that high for 3rd gens but, also not used to seeing 3rd gens with less than 40K miles. 12 grand would probably be a decent deal. What seems fishy to me is 3 previous owners and only 38K miles?? What is going on there?

 

[panzer]

40K 3rd Gen

That rust looks to be on the inside of the hitch only. That is really normal, it is just where some of the powder coat got worn away during use and now the bare steel rusted. It would be pretty simple to hit that with a wire brush and some high temp black paint (~$10)... or to have the whole thing powder coated it would be around $50. Also, hitches repeatedly show up on craigslist for between $50 and$75.

I just had my hitch cut and re-welded 1 1/2 inches higher due to remove the gap after my body lift. I had it re-powder coated after the process and it looks like new now. A word of advice... when removing the hitch... hit the bolts with some anti-seize spay first, use air tools if you have them because trying to do it with just a wrench almost gave me a hernia. Also, there are 2 nuts on a metal “stick” inside the frame rails, make sure you remove them when you get your hitch off or they’ll fall out the back of the frame rails when you drive and you won’t be able to put 2 of the bolts on each side back in. Sounds weird… but look for the “nuts on a stick” inside the frame rails .

38k miles on a 2002 is really really low. As long as that is on the up and up it looks like a nice truck. If that is the case then all 3 owners must have just sat it in their garages.

Good luck.

 

[JohnsD90]

offer 11k and be ready to walk away

 

[2000runr]

Drive a 3rd then go drive a 4th and you'll know where to go from there

 

[jujew]

offer 11k and be ready to walk away

I agree. I would not offer more than $11k for this.

It does have 4 wheel drive, in addition to that it appears to have a rear diff locker. That little black button to the left of the steering column. This is a very nice feature if you are ever to take it off road.

From what I can tell it appears to be in good shape but that is only looking at the pictures.

Best thing to do is take it for a test drive and run it to a local shop you trust and have them look over it.

 

[96Blacklimited]

Aight. Hope this Helps.. I also am new to 4runners, but knew i always wanted a 3rd gen without the long front bumper. I found one in Fed of this year Pic added. Its a 96 limited w/75k now bought it with 64k form a guy who had it sitting for 5years (outside). It has barley any rust if u can call it that and the clear coat was just fading on the roof and on the hood.. Since i bought it i replace battery, baraks w/rotor, radiator & thermostat, fan clutch and just some basic maintenance to include lubing the joints. i paid $4500 for it. depending on what year 3rd gen u getting 96-02 rust should not be a big issue unless its a vehicle from up north (i am in NC) but i think 3rd gens are better choice than 4th gen..

96 Black Limited
4x4 auto w/lockers
and comming soon
95 Red limited
4x4 auto

 

[steezemcqueen]

It does have 4 wheel drive, in addition to that it appears to have a rear diff locker. That little black button to the left of the steering column. This is a very nice feature if you are ever to take it off road.

pretty sure that is the ATRAC button. i believe that the rear locker was discontinued in 2000

 

[Fireball]

Ask for a picture of the underside of the vehicle. That will tell you more about the condition than the little bit of rust on the hitch and the rear spoiler. Even with only 38k on it, if it sat outside a lot or was driven in the PA winters it might not be in as good of shape as you're hoping.

I bought a '99 with 68k that had been garage kept all it's life. Not as low mileage as the one you're looking at, but it was in pristine condition.