new 4th gen pick up in two weeks

[tv4184]

hey everyone,

I've been a long time 4runner owner since 2002 and am on my second 3rd gen rig. I've always wanted a v8 4th gen and had considered the 5th gen as well but decided I'd rather have the v8 after driving my friends 5th gen a few times.

A few weeks ago I pulled the trigger on a low priced 2007 that's located up in Philly. Looks like from the Carfax and Toyota maintenance online history, shows only mostly oil changes. Not sure if the major 90k service has been done yet. I'll be flying up in about two weeks to pick the car up and drive it back to Houston. So I just wanted to see if there's anything anyone would suggest doing to the 4runner prior to a 1600 mile road trip back home.

Looking forward to building up this rig in the near future once my tax return comes in :biggrin2:

 

[EZDog]

I like having AAA myself!
I drive all over the country a lot and also tow a small trailer and I am pretty sure that there is no feeling like knowing there is a tow waiting if I need one.
I also think the reason I have not needed a tow is that I have AAA?
Not sure how exactly but I would rather have it and not need it especially if driving a vehicle I a not familiar with.

Also Congrats,I also just got a 4th Gen V8!

 

[BMeister]

Check with them to see if the timing belt has been changed recently. I think its supposed to be changed every 90k on V8's. Or maybe you can negotiate that in the price?

 

[Derek]

Always be sure to inspect the frame for any rust issues considering the region where this 4th gen has spent most of its life. Congrats on the find!

 

[AuSeeker]

hey everyone,

I've been a long time 4runner owner since 2002 and am on my second 3rd gen rig. I've always wanted a v8 4th gen and had considered the 5th gen as well but decided I'd rather have the v8 after driving my friends 5th gen a few times.

A few weeks ago I pulled the trigger on a low priced 2007 that's located up in Philly. Looks like from the Carfax and Toyota maintenance online history, shows only mostly oil changes. Not sure if the major 90k service has been done yet. I'll be flying up in about two weeks to pick the car up and drive it back to Houston. So I just wanted to see if there's anything anyone would suggest doing to the 4runner prior to a 1600 mile road trip back home.

Looking forward to building up this rig in the near future once my tax return comes in :biggrin2:

Congratulations, I know you'll love it, if it is in decent shape!

How many miles does it have?

2WD or 4WD?

Have you seen the frame so you know how good or bad it is for rust?

If not I hope you're not totaly commited to buying it, it being from PA where it snows and they salt the roads the frame if not cleaned yearly and recoated to protect from rust could be badly rusted.

If the frame is OK, I also agree that you should find out if the timing belt has been done, if not and you haven't totally commited to the purchase, use that to hopely get the price down if need be to be able to do the belt unless the price will allow you to get it done.

Drive it around and listen for any unusual noises, if you hear any pin point the cause and access the issue, repair or wait until later at your discretion, check all rubber boots for cracks on ball joints, tie rods ends, etc., if 4WD also check the CV joint rubber boots as well, CV joint will also be a source of bad noises, usually a clicking noise, access and repair, etc., etc., if possible jack it up and check for play in the wheel bearings.

Also if 4WD make sure to check all the modes for proper operation, also the other options, I would suggest downloading the owner's manual to learn how everything operates and to familiarise yourself other functions.


That all being said and you don't find or you fix any other major issues, make sure all the fluids or good and check them periodically on your drive back you should be fine.

Keep us undated on what you do!

 

[joeybk85]

Congrats! I can't wait to get my first T4R in the next few months myself.

 

[00Spork]

It will be rusty, Just make sure it's not so rusty it's gonna fall apart on you.

AAA is not a bad idea just in case.

 

[gshadow325]

i would look at this for you before you fly up and get it.

my email is in my signature. i am leaving philly tomorrow night. so its 5pm est in philly. if you can get me the info by tonight and its near me. i'll go look at it in the morning for you.

rust and rust and more rust.

carfax doesnt mean anything. PA is a very interesting state with carfax.

my MIL rav4 had 13500 in damage and it was worth 12k and it didnt show up on the carfax, neither did my wifes accident on her clubman, t-boned and rear ended. all the accidents were in philly

 

[ben322]

I bought my '03 V8 with 200K in Philly just over a year ago from the original owner. The PO did have some rust repairs done like the lower radiator support and a couple of patches on the frame. I went underneath with a screwdriver and a hammer and found it solid. Did the TB/WP/Hoses/Fluids/Tires and I'm really happy with it. Originally used as a backup, I now drive this one as my daily.

 

[tv4184]

Thanks for all the advice. I'm not quite sure if there's rust under the car. The sales guy says there wasn't but who knows what truth there could be there. It was from an auction dealer so the price is pretty down there compared to all the other 4th gen v8 with 4wd. Did go through 3 owners though. I was going to have the 90k maintenance done by my mechanic as soon as I got her back to Houston. Not quite sure if I can back out since I already paid for it couple weeks ago. Here's an exterior shot.

My RX7 is from the northern area too, so I sorta know what I'm expecting for the region it's been in and for the price I paid. I just hope shes not too much of a pile.

 

[ben322]

If it's not as described, then they should make it right. That said, PA does have a annual safety inspection so generally the truck should not be a rust bucket underneath.

 

[gshadow325]

If it's not as described, then they should make it right. That said, PA does have a annual safety inspection so generally the truck should not be a rust bucket underneath.

Lol with this statement. You'll be lucky if some of these guys open the door to check the VIN let alone go under the truck so look at the rust.

How are you going to make rust right?

 

[ben322]

Lol with this statement. You'll be lucky if some of these guys open the door to check the VIN let alone go under the truck so look at the rust.

How are you going to make rust right?

Getting his money back

 

[gshadow325]

Getting his money back

Good luck with that.

 

[simple]

When I was shopping for my current 4th gen, I was pretty cautious about east coast runners because of the age and rust. The market is really sparse on the west coast, and you’d be surprised how many cars end up all over because of auctions. That sweet new 4Runner you found in Phoenix actually spent 9yrs in jersey.


Here’s 2 different 4runners I was looking at from a dealer in Colorado. I asked the dealer to send me pics, and graciously he was very forthcoming with information and the pics. Although he told me the black paint looks like a undercoating, but I think it looked like somebody who spray painted over terrible rust. First pic you can see the rust on the frame to the left of the engine.

 

[tv4184]

When I was shopping for my current 4th gen, I was pretty cautious about east coast runners because of the age and rust. The market is really sparse on the west coast, and you’d be surprised how many cars end up all over because of auctions. That sweet new 4Runner you found in Phoenix actually spent 9yrs in jersey.

Here’s 2 different 4runners I was looking at from a dealer in Colorado. I asked the dealer to send me pics, and graciously he was very forthcoming with information and the pics. Although he told me the black paint looks like a undercoating, but I think it looked like somebody who spray painted over terrible rust. First pic you can see the rust on the frame to the left of the engine.

Yeah that sort of looks like how my FD looks like being from Minnesota. My 3rd gen from Colorado doesn't look like that. Has some rear frame rust though but nothing where it's eating the whole frame up.

Getting his money back

Good luck with that.

Funny thing is the dealer does have a 48 hour guarantee though. I might have to stomach returning it and taking a rental back if I have to. But hopefully its nothing that harsh. Crossing my fingers at least.

 

[AZ07Runner]

Don't get sucked in with what you want to have and its sitting right in front of you. If it has serious issues, walk away and have a nice drive home. There will be others out there...it may just take some time.
I flew to Vegas to get mine and was fully prepared to say "No thanks!" and go home.

 

[tv4184]

Don't get sucked in with what you want to have and its sitting right in front of you. If it has serious issues, walk away and have a nice drive home. There will be others out there...it may just take some time.
I flew to Vegas to get mine and was fully prepared to say "No thanks!" and go home.

Not quite sure if it'll be a nice drive home but I would walk away if its bad. Both the financial and sales guy went out there to check out the rig for me and mentioned the flaws they saw but you know how that goes.

I did pull up the history via both Toyota online and Carfax the dealer sent me. Looks like the first six years the car was registered in Virginia. First owner was a dealer employee. Then 3 years ago was moved to NJ. Most of the maintenance is there. No indication of major service though like the 90k service. Only the oil changes and there are some gaps in between recorded events. Unfortunately the gas pedal "recall" was done back in 12/2016. It would seem that this car has lived most of its life around salted roads for sure.

 

[tv4184]

Good news! She turned out not to be a pile so I’ll have six days to drive her back to Texas from Philly.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Legender]

Nice find and great color. Hope it works out well for you. Strange picking up a vehicle up north to bring to Texas. Be safe on the road! And officially, welcome to the 4th gen forum!