Noob looking to buy

[hewinutah]

Hi All,

I am a Toyota 4Runner noob and I am looking at a 03 4gen V8 Sport model with 77,000 miles.

Are there any areas of the truck I should be concerned with? aka Any know problems?

I have been searching the web and have not found much information on 4runner problems. Every car/truck has them, the 4Runner just seems to have far less. Hence my looking to buy one.

Thanks!

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Hi All,

I am a Toyota 4Runner noob and I am looking at a 03 4gen V8 Sport model with 77,000 miles.

Are there any areas of the truck I should be concerned with? aka Any know problems?

I have been searching the web and have not found much information on 4runner problems. Every car/truck has them, the 4Runner just seems to have far less. Hence my looking to buy one.

Thanks!

Welcome! Overall they are as your research indicated. I love mine. As for 'known issues' not many. Look at the stickys in problems and warranty section. Skim the maint section too. Read this too: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=44498


The V8 has a timing belt due at 90k so include that as you budget.


:cheers:

 

[hewinutah]

CJ3Flyr, Thanks for the info!

As far as the timing belt goes, is that a DIY project or is it better left to a real mechanic?

Speaking of mechanics, does anyone know of a good independent toyota shop here in Salt Lake?

 

[zimm]

CJ3Flyr, Thanks for the info!

As far as the timing belt goes, is that a DIY project or is it better left to a real mechanic?

Speaking of mechanics, does anyone know of a good independent toyota shop here in Salt Lake?

Welcome to the forums. No real issues with 4runners. Best thing you can do if the truck is from a used car lot or private buyer is to have the dealer to a pre-purchase inspection. Could save you a lot of hassle in the long run.

Also, please refrain from swapping topics, mid thread. If you want to ask about mechanics- start a new thread for that answer. Every post here gets saved pretty much forever and people search through them. Easier to keep all the topics in order.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

CJ3Flyr, Thanks for the info!

As far as the timing belt goes, is that a DIY project or is it better left to a real mechanic?

It can be done DIY but only if you've done others and are familiar with valve timing etc. The actual work is semi-complicated but "do-able". The stakes are very high though. The timing/setup of the belt needs to be perfect.

If you have a pro supervise the install of the belt then ok otherwise I'd let someone else handle it.

:cheers:

 

[thetaxguy]

5K miles and not a mechanical problem to speak of (that was not of my own doing)... :bash:

Welcome to the forum

 

[chaz]

smart

it was a smart idea to join the forum & get info before you buy. welcome

 

[NCSCOTT]

Welcome!!

Like others have said there are no big mechanical issue to speak of.

The only thing I thought of was the 03 had the grey lower body and bumper clading. 04s and up are all painted the color of the rest of the body. Granted that is just cosmetic.

 

[hewinutah]

Thanks everyone for the replies. We found a bought an 03 4x4 v8 Sport.

It was located 4 hours from our home, the drive home was great! For a truck with 77k on the odometer, it sure didn't drive like one with that many miles. We were able to get it for $10,500. It has some paint scratches, and the interior has some marks on the ceiling from a mountain bike. But all in all the wife and I think we got a good deal.

I will have to put new tires on it in the spring. and maybe an exhaust, lift etc etc
:rocker: