New to me '99 Limited!

[RoyBell]

Hey all, I am BACK! Used to have an '01 limited and traded it on a Tacoma, which then got traded for my Tundra. Wanted another smaller vehicle so I have been on the hunt on and off the last couple of years. I sold my '98 Cherokee last fall and have been missing the small suv vehicle.

Decided to start getting serious the last couple of weeks. Every time I would find one that looked decent online, it would be sold by the time I got to look at it. I would say 95% of the ones online (craigslist) looked like garbage. Either the interiors looked in poor condition, or the body looked beat up with pieces missing (fenders, moulding, etc.).

Looked at at one Sat that looked clean online and had good service history (toyotaowners.com). Once I got there, the entire underside was rusted, plus the brakes. Looked like it was sitting in a lake for a year. Interior looked so dirty that I passed on even test driving it and continued my search.

Called on the '99 the same day but he had someone coming to look at it. Called him back Sunday and he said they lowballed him and it's still available.

I ran do there and the truck was clean. 159K miles. Black and the paint looked in great condition. Said he did timing belt/water pump @ 100K miles and other basic maintenance like trans flush and plugs/wires. Underside was incredibly clean with very minimal rust. Interior was acceptable for the age (no rips). Couple scuffs on interior body panels that didn't bother me much. Couple bruises on the outside which were acceptable for a 16 year old vehicle. Tires are ok. Just a Michelin highway tread. Decent tread left.

Drove nice, all features worked and he was the original owner. I offered him close to his asking price of $5K ($4,800). He accepted and we made the deal. Truck looks solid and I am excited to be back in a 4Runner.

Only thing that I could tell wrong was the valve covers looked like they would need new gaskets soon (or bolts tightened). Not dripping but starting to get a little wet around edges. Easy fix. I know LBJ are recommended @ 150K. I will check that out this weekend. Suspension is quiet though so maybe they are OK. I check rear axles for signs of seals going out (my '01 had that) and both sides looked dry and clean.

Cosmetically, it could probably use a new front and rear bumper cover. Other than that, it's pretty well kept on the outside.

These 3rd gens are getting harder and harder to find and this looks like a well maintained example.

20150914_072455 by RoyBelluomini, on Flickr

20150914_072508 by RoyBelluomini, on Flickr

20150914_072502 by RoyBelluomini, on Flickr


20150913_203715 by RoyBelluomini, on Flickr


My other Toyota. 2010 Tundra. 60K miles. Trying to keep the miles off.

2015-06-09 22.41.20 by RoyBelluomini, on Flickr


And, my other AWD fun car

2015-09-10_03-40-49 by RoyBelluomini, on Flickr

 

[volkinator]

Awesome find! Did you find it in the midwest!? Incredible w/o rust! and I really like that color combo!

Also, is that the 2015 Golf R? I didn't know VW made an golf, so looked it up! Dang that thing looks awesome!

Congrats on the find, and welcome back!

 

[rbgerrish]

Awesome! I was in the same boat until recently- every good truck I'd find in my price range would sell within a few hours! I ended up flying to Canada to pick a decent 99 limited up for $6100.

Congrats!

 

[RoyBell]

Awesome find! Did you find it in the midwest!? Incredible w/o rust! and I really like that color combo!

Also, is that the 2015 Golf R? I didn't know VW made an golf, so looked it up! Dang that thing looks awesome!

Congrats on the find, and welcome back!

Thanks!. Yes, 2015 Golf R. Had a '13 GTI with a little work done to it. Manual. FWD was not for me. Once that turbo kicked in, the front wheels would just spin. Info on the '15 R started coming out and I was hooked on it. With just a tune, it's putting down 330awhp and will go 12.0 in the quarter mile. Come fall time I will head to the track and confirm it.

Truck is from midwest and lived here the whole time (chicago). I will take pictures of underside. Totally amazed how clean it is. Guy told me he always washed the underside when taking it out in the salt. Figured it was just typical BS. I think he was telling the truth.

Awesome! I was in the same boat until recently- every good truck I'd find in my price range would sell within a few hours! I ended up flying to Canada to pick a decent 99 limited up for $6100.

Congrats!

The struggle is real! Is it in KM since it came from Canada?

My only complaint about this truck is no heated seats. I thought all Limiteds had them. It does have the rear locker though. Previous owner never used it so I am not sure if it even works.

 

[rbgerrish]

The struggle is real! Is it in KM since it came from Canada?

My only complaint about this truck is no heated seats. I thought all Limiteds had them. It does have the rear locker though. Previous owner never used it so I am not sure if it even works.

Yup, it's in KM, KPH primary, and Celcius temp! I dont have heated seats, and I thought they were pretty rare, but I'm not sure. I havent tested my locker yet either.

 

[wirth.m]

Looks awesome! Welcome back!

 

[volkinator]

That's awesome! My buddy's got the '15 gti with the DSG. And the front wheels slip in 2nd gear! I can only imagine what that would do with AWD! The golf's are really cool that with a simple tune, instant 50+ HP!

And I hear ya on the heated seats! I think they were on the 01/02 limiteds only... but this was my solution on my old truck, and what I'll do on my Runner. My seats aren't in the best condition, so I'm getting some Wet Okoles and these from Amazon. Seat Heater Pads They work really well and I was really happy with them. They were definitely a selling point when I sold my truck, and I would really like them on my Runner. I know you can put them under the leather, but if I remember correctly, the runner seats use the hog rings? I didn't want to deal with that. So I was just going to put them on top of the leather, between the seat covers. And then you can put the switches really anywhere. I really wanted to find some OEM seat heater buttons, but I think they are only "off/on" and not 3 way for low and hi.

 

[rtarv32101]

Great looking find! The black truck parked on the other side must be yours, I notice that you park close to give the next car plenty of room so not to touch the 4Runner! I understand, I do the same

 

[RoyBell]

Yup, it's in KM, KPH primary, and Celcius temp! I dont have heated seats, and I thought they were pretty rare, but I'm not sure. I havent tested my locker yet either.

Kind of cool. Def. different.

Looks awesome! Welcome back!

:thumb3:

That's awesome! My buddy's got the '15 gti with the DSG. And the front wheels slip in 2nd gear! I can only imagine what that would do with AWD! The golf's are really cool that with a simple tune, instant 50+ HP!

And I hear ya on the heated seats! I think they were on the 01/02 limiteds only... but this was my solution on my old truck, and what I'll do on my Runner. My seats aren't in the best condition, so I'm getting some Wet Okoles and these from Amazon. Seat Heater Pads They work really well and I was really happy with them. They were definitely a selling point when I sold my truck, and I would really like them on my Runner. I know you can put them under the leather, but if I remember correctly, the runner seats use the hog rings? I didn't want to deal with that. So I was just going to put them on top of the leather, between the seat covers. And then you can put the switches really anywhere. I really wanted to find some OEM seat heater buttons, but I think they are only "off/on" and not 3 way for low and hi.

I know my Tundra has those clips. Every winter I debate putting heated seats in it (cloth). Then I get lazy and decide not to do it.

The Golf R has about 70 hp over the gti from the factory in addition to the AWD It's currently making almost twice the HP/TQ of the 3.4 V6 and it's only a 2.0 :laugh: Technology is amazing.

Great looking find! The black truck parked on the other side must be yours, I notice that you park close to give the next car plenty of room so not to touch the 4Runner! I understand, I do the same

Yes, it's our work truck that never gets used. I park damn near on top of it so people don't open into my car, which they still manage to do :doh:

 

[RoyBell]

Rear a little rusty, but 16 years in the midwest, I think it looks fantastic.

20150914_124702 by RoyBelluomini, on Flickr

20150914_124510 by RoyBelluomini, on Flickr

20150914_124602 by RoyBelluomini, on Flickr

Next to Papa bear

2015-09-14_12-51-30 by RoyBelluomini, on Flickr

 

[RoyBell]

So I read up on the rear axle lock and how it has to be on 4L (unless you do some grey wire mod).

Previous owner didn't even know it had that option so I was a bit concerned that it would engage from reading the forums here. It appears to have engaged correctly. The light stayed steady. I only tested it on the driveway, but I assume once it engages it won't come ungaged until you hit the button again. If it never engages will it keep flashing? I also assume the ABS off light is standard procedure in 4L.

Is there a way to turn traction off? I don't see a button. Does it even have traction is the better question I guess.

2015-09-15_06-59-50 by RoyBelluomini, on Flickr

 

[seabun]

Nice find! Really like that color combo as well, and the paint seems to be in really good condition. I'm not sure, but I think vsc and trac were added to 01-02 4runners and could be disabled either by a button or a simple mod, but not yet on 99s. I have a 99 as well, although no locker (lucky! Lol)

An aftermarket seat heater can probably be found online. Wish there was a way to get "cooled" seats, like on newer sedans. Not sure if it's me or just Oklahoma weather but I get really hot along my back when I drive more than 10 minutes.

Nice Golf, and boat!, and welcome back!

 

[volkinator]

VSC or whatever and Traction control came into play on the 01/02 models. Ours get the honor of carrying the E-locker! And it seems like your is working! Congrats! You won't need to worry about traction control or turning it off. The mod for disabling the VSC and TCS is the Andymod 2.0. but again, doesn't apply to us.

E-locker you need to be in 4lo but you're correct, the grey wire mod makes it so you can use it in any transfer case position. Pretty convenient. and the ABS light will come on. Isn't it nice when people don't realize what they have! I always found that entertaining

 

[Scramble]

Nice find, that rust is nothing for Chitown salt. I'd pay 4800 for that in a heartbeat.

 

[Fit4Action]

Looks familiar!

Exact same one that I have!!! Small world and what are the chances!

Mine has a 3 inch suspension lift and black plasti dipped 5 stars! Don't forget the TRD Decals :dancin:

Nice to see a good looking replica out there! :thumb:

Good luck and have fun!

She's a little dirty, but thats part of it!

 

[gamefreakgc]

The good ones are hard to find because their owners realized their value for what you get! Those that I know that own them never plan on selling and those I've met that did sell one regret their decision.

Last time I was at the Nissan dealership for some service on the CVT (only thing on that car I won't work on) and one of the salesmen came over to me just to look at my 4Runner, lol! Said he had one but sold it and now wished he hadn't.

 

[Fit4Action]

The good ones are hard to find because their owners realized their value for what you get! Those that I know that own them never plan on selling and those I've met that did sell one regret their decision.

Last time I was at the Nissan dealership for some service on the CVT (only thing on that car I won't work on) and one of the salesmen came over to me just to look at my 4Runner, lol! Said he had one but sold it and now wished he hadn't.

I actually traded my old 4runner for my current 4runner. Funny story...I run my dad's auto repair shop and I had a pretty clean 2wd 2000 SR5 that I picked up for 400$ off of a customer that had the sludge lock up due to lack of oil changes. Bought a toyota serviced motor for with 100k miles that was PRISTINE!
Long story short, I had a customer come in with the current one I own now and boy did it need some work, timing belt, water pump, valve covers, struts, all the maintenence, you name it. (his wife drove it and was a pig and the interior was disgusting - lots of cleaning involved)

I asked him if I could trade 4runners so long as I kept my motor. (The Silver 2wd SR5 was in CLEAN condition) The owner AGREED, I totally did not realize that the 4wd 4runner was a one of a kind with the e-locker. I just wanted something with 4wd and was very lucky. I think the owner regrets the decision because he still comes in for oil changes and is watching his 4runner get lifted and modded.

Sorry for the long post.