New (to me) '07 - What to look for?

[singleshot]

My son will be 16 in a couple of months and he's been saving his money for a 4Runner. I am surprising him with a Silver 2007 Sport Edition V6 4x4 tomorrow. Got a racehorse deal on one after looking for months. 91k miles and very clean.

I have been lurking for a couple of weeks on this site.

I need some guidance from you guys. Are there any issues that I need to look for right away? Any 'must-do' mods that I should consider right away?

I thought I read something about a water pump issue on certain models. It looks like many do a front end level on them. Any recommendations on a good DIY kit?

I'm sure I'll have more questions. Looking forward to being a part of this board.

 

[oljedi11950]

Well I'm sure other's will chime n , 1st dreaded head gasket no 6 plug will show oil if bad but not all the time some will claim big prob ,mine does not oil changed every 5 so got lucky ,need all maint. records! C/v axles & boots look for a milk shake type crap on them clamps broken , check coolant for discoloration dark not pink . If you have your own Mech. have him check it out . Have some good threads n the Maint. sect. check there too . Nice gift !! Lock up your wallet mods run

 

[Dawg4Runner]

Welcome!

My son will be 16 in a couple of months and he's been saving his money for a 4Runner. I am surprising him with a Silver 2007 Sport Edition V6 4x4 tomorrow. Got a racehorse deal on one after looking for months. 91k miles and very clean.

I have been lurking for a couple of weeks on this site.

I need some guidance from you guys. Are there any issues that I need to look for right away? Any 'must-do' mods that I should consider right away?

"must do" right away? Change all the fluids so you have a base line for all your future maintenance. Have the brakes checked.

I thought I read something about a water pump issue on certain models. It looks like many do a front end level on them. Any recommendations on a good DIY kit?

I don't have any experience with spacer lifts but Daystar seems to be pretty popular. Make sure you read this thread. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/102272-4th-gen-suspension-options-faq.html

I'm sure I'll have more questions. Looking forward to being a part of this board.

Keep him away from this site unless you have a fat wallet.

 

[oljedi11950]

Thx Dave made me remember we have timing chain ! So that's good & misquoted pink not dark is what I meant to say . And he means all your fluids , diff , tranny , radiator all that stuff . And don't let him see Dawg's build yikes

 

[20034RunnerV84x2]

1st if all, please take a video :biggrin2: an second check the #6 cylinder for oil/ busted head gasket. Other than that check for the usual, accidents, trans, engine, etc.

 

[20034RunnerV84x2]

Also check for frozen break calipers.

 

[singleshot]

Thanks for the input.

Went and met the guy today to do the deal and did a test drive. Everything we great until I tried to put it in 4 wheel drive. When i switched to H4, 2 lights came on in the dash and started to blink. They never stopped blinking.

Then switched to L4 and it said Lo on the dash and the lights kept blinking and there was a beeping sound.

I tried shifting into 4H and 4L from Park, Neutral and Drive. It acted the same every time. I couldn't get the lights to stop blinking unless I turned the truck off.

Any ideas???? I'm totally pissed off now!!!
He said he would take it and have it fixed and claimed it was just 'an actuator motor'. I'm hoping he's right.

 

[HokieRunner]

Thanks for the input.

Went and met the guy today to do the deal and did a test drive. Everything we great until I tried to put it in 4 wheel drive. When i switched to H4, 2 lights came on in the dash and started to blink. They never stopped blinking.

Then switched to L4 and it said Lo on the dash and the lights kept blinking and there was a beeping sound.

I tried shifting into 4H and 4L from Park, Neutral and Drive. It acted the same every time. I couldn't get the lights to stop blinking unless I turned the truck off.

Any ideas???? I'm totally pissed off now!!!
He said he would take it and have it fixed and claimed it was just 'an actuator motor'. I'm hoping he's right.

This is a common problem when the actuator isn't cycled somewhat frequently. Kind of takes the 'use it or lose it' approach. No first hand experience with it but some folks have found easier fixes than replacing it outright - which I believe can be upwards of $2k. Here's a thread w/ the GM school of fixing:

Hammer Time

If it gets repaired and you go through with the purchase, make sure to cycle it regularly!

 

[singleshot]

Hokierunner - Thanks for the heads up on the tapping fix for the actuator. I called the seller and he tried it and said it worked!

So the deal is back on. He's bringing it over now.

Crisis averted!! :cheers:

 

[oljedi11950]

As Hokie says make sure you run it in both hi & lo ! Real good posts about staying in 4hi all the time , its a must to run n 4lo though, guys cpl times a month ?

 

[20034RunnerV84x2]

It most likely was just a actuator, it happens a lot if it isn't cycled at least 1th month for about 10 miles. But watching the video my mom took when she surprised me with my old 98 that was totaled, makes me miss it that much more.