Opinions please....

[JT3HN86R]

I am looking at a 99 sr5 4WD with 170K on it. The owner says the truck suffered the strawberry milkshake a year ago. He said they caught it immediately and flushed the tranny at the dealer and replaced the radiator. He says no problems since. I am a little skeptical. It shifts absolutely perfectly when accelerating, including dropping down under hard acceleration. Very smooth. The problem is when it downshifts into first at stop signs, for example, there is a not so smooth clunking and grabbing feeling. It gets better as the truck warms up. Is this truck even worth a look at a good price?

I can get it for under 5K. The interior is pristine and the exterior is average with a few minor dings and ring scratches around the drivers door handle.

Please let me have some opinions here. You guys know a lot more than I do about these things.



Thanks very much .

 

[econhonda]

I am looking at a 99 sr5 4WD with 170K on it. The owner says the truck suffered the strawberry milkshake a year ago. He said they caught it immediately and flushed the tranny at the dealer and replaced the radiator. He says no problems since. I am a little skeptical. It shifts absolutely perfectly when accelerating, including dropping down under hard acceleration. Very smooth. The problem is when it downshifts into first at stop signs, for example, there is a not so smooth clunking and grabbing feeling. It gets better as the truck warms up. Is this truck even worth a look at a good price?

I can get it for under 5K. The interior is pristine and the exterior is average with a few minor dings and ring scratches around the drivers door handle.

Please let me have some opinions here. You guys know a lot more than I do about these things.



Thanks very much .

Props to the owner for the honesty, but I would really be worried about any tranny issues at all given its history. I would treat the situation as if a major tranny repair was imminent. If he agrees and works that into the price, go for it. If not, I'd wait for another one.

 

[4-Ripcord]

My 4runner and my old Tacoma both did that clunk too, but it was really subtle, never had any "problems" with it.
But use your gut, if it just doesn't feel right, move on.

 

[JT3HN86R]

My 4runner and my old Tacoma both did that clunk too, but it was really subtle, never had any "problems" with it.
But use your gut, if it just doesn't feel right, move on.

It is not very loud or deep. It is noticeable. I have owned several 4Runners and none ever did this. Anyone know why it shifts perfectly through the gears and the last downshift makes the noise?
TIA

 

[BrianSD_42]

make an offer $1500 less than the normal value of the truck. That is how the tranny work will cost you down the road.

 

[Shawn5800]

Could this clunk be related to the famous driveshaft clunk? Does it do it especially hard and loud when coming to a hard braking stop? And is it constant with every single time the last downshift happens?

My truck will do this every once in a while also, but i have never had any further issues. I would bring it to a shop and have them see if the joints underneath are dry/ and or need replacing. Then make your decision.

 

[Gerdo]

How long ago did the S-berry shake happen? (miles)

I would also figure in the deduction for some tranny repair down the road. If its in good condition it could be worth it.

What kind of maintenance records does the owner have?
Has it been well maintained?

 

[JT3HN86R]

Could this clunk be related to the famous driveshaft clunk? Does it do it especially hard and loud when coming to a hard braking stop? And is it constant with every single time the last downshift happens?

My truck will do this every once in a while also, but i have never had any further issues. I would bring it to a shop and have them see if the joints underneath are dry/ and or need replacing. Then make your decision.

These are good questions. I also wondered about the driveshaft clunk. It seemed worse when coming to a sudden stop. And it did happen everytime it downshifted to first. I went and drove the truck again tonight and I could only get it to clunk once. This was AFTER it warmed up.

Thanks for the replies.

 

[JT3HN86R]

Bump

 

[kball]

I agree with the previous posts. I don't think I'd offer him anything over $4K and that would be only if the rest of the truck was in great shape and I pulled the radiator cap and found no signs of oily film left and pulled the trans dipstick and found no signs of evaporating pink sludgy residue near the top.

There's just way to many 4runners still out there to settle for one you know is jacked up.