Other bullet proof 3rd Gens out there?

[Irhmsd]

I bought my third gen 02 4WD ltd with 142k about 3 months ago. Since then, I have driven about 2k miles. I did some basic maintenance like timing belt, water pump, brakes, tire balance and valve cover gaskets. I also did some nuisance stuff like a new AC control panel and new leather seat covers up front. Finally, I did a trans cooler and painted some POR15 on the rear diff and parts of the frame that had surface rust (NE car) All in all, I have about 10,500 into this truck but she looks, runs and drives like a new truck. When I read this site, it kind of frightens me about the reliability and longevity of these trucks. Every post seems like another horror story, lol. CEL Codes, suspension issues, bad trannies, wiring dilemmas, etc. Does anyone else on here have a 4Runner that is an (apparent) angel? I hope I am not jinxing myself, haha.

 

[thebrandon]

Overall I have been pretty happy with mine. it hasn't been perfect by any means though. Most people wont take the time to post "help, I don't have any problems" threads. That being said, I am pretty sure I have another steering rack issue and will be installing another one soon :-/.

 

[Joelev]

It's the nature of the internet, man. People don't post something when everything's going okay.

I'm just two weeks into owning my 4Runner, but I've owned a Land Cruiser and lots of other vehicles. In a general sense, these 3rd gens are more solid than most vehicles. (Do yourself a favor and look at how many 3rd gens you still see driving around on the street every day, when the youngest one would still have to be 13-some-odd-years-old.)

But cars are machines. Every machine gets problems eventually, especially if they aren't properly maintained. Don't worry about what could go wrong randomly with your truck, and start looking forward to what will go wrong when you go take it out and beat it up a little.

 

[98OzarksRunner]

I've had my 02 for 2 1/2 years and put 44K on it, with a lot of bad road and forest road travel, and haven't had any issues at all. I just did the timing belt, and did ball joints and a little maintenance when I bought it. If maintained these last a long time with no issues (even when mildly abused hwell: ).

My last 4Runner was a 98 that had 220K on it when I bought it, and had not been well taken care of. I did the usual maintenance things - TB/water pump, ball joints, tie-rod ends, trans cooler when I bought it. I also fixed some body rust. The only failure I had was an alternator. I drove it to 230K (and decided I wanted something newer). I sold it to a guy a couple of blocks away. He has put another 45K on it (at 275K now), and said he hasn't spent a dime on it in 2 1/2 years.

In all, I've had 3 3rd gens (an 01 when it was new) and haven't had any maintenance issues (except that alternator in the 98). Now, the 3 2nd gens I've had, well that's a different story (and even they were not much trouble - starter contacts, and that nasty head gasket thing, but those are once in a lifetime things).

I think reliability on these boils down to 3 things: how you maintain it, how much you modify it, and how you drive it.

 

[IBallEngineer]

I bought my third gen 02 4WD ltd with 142k about 3 months ago. Since then, I have driven about 2k miles. I did some basic maintenance like timing belt, water pump, brakes, tire balance and valve cover gaskets. I also did some nuisance stuff like a new AC control panel and new leather seat covers up front. Finally, I did a trans cooler and painted some POR15 on the rear diff and parts of the frame that had surface rust (NE car) All in all, I have about 10,500 into this truck but she looks, runs and drives like a new truck. When I read this site, it kind of frightens me about the reliability and longevity of these trucks. Every post seems like another horror story, lol. CEL Codes, suspension issues, bad trannies, wiring dilemmas, etc. Does anyone else on here have a 4Runner that is an (apparent) angel? I hope I am not jinxing myself, haha.

I bought my 2000 in early '13 with 153K on it, I now have 179K. I paid 5K for it. I did the front brakes, and I replaced the starter contacts at the first sign of a "click". I do need to replace the Body ECU, the rear window defogger circuit is on permanently. Not that I ever need one in BEAUTIFUL southern California, but in case I go up to the local mountains it would be nice to have.

Bottom line is my truck is 15 yrs old, but I'd jump in and drive it to Panama if I had to without any reservation.

 

[Thorgan112]

I bought my third gen 02 4WD ltd with 142k about 3 months ago. Since then, I have driven about 2k miles. I did some basic maintenance like timing belt, water pump, brakes, tire balance and valve cover gaskets. I also did some nuisance stuff like a new AC control panel and new leather seat covers up front. Finally, I did a trans cooler and painted some POR15 on the rear diff and parts of the frame that had surface rust (NE car) All in all, I have about 10,500 into this truck but she looks, runs and drives like a new truck. When I read this site, it kind of frightens me about the reliability and longevity of these trucks. Every post seems like another horror story, lol. CEL Codes, suspension issues, bad trannies, wiring dilemmas, etc. Does anyone else on here have a 4Runner that is an (apparent) angel? I hope I am not jinxing myself, haha.

These trucks are absolute beasts, especially the older models: 2nd and 3rd gen. Not to mention the fact that as long as you take care of your engine (oil changes) and do basic maintenance on them, they will last you forever. There are plenty of people on this forum with mileage in the high 100,000s, some in 200,000s, and I have even seen a few in the 300,000 mile range, I think that speaks for itself right there.

 

[Irhmsd]

It's the nature of the internet, man. People don't post something when everything's going okay.

I'm just two weeks into owning my 4Runner, but I've owned a Land Cruiser and lots of other vehicles. In a general sense, these 3rd gens are more solid than most vehicles. (Do yourself a favor and look at how many 3rd gens you still see driving around on the street every day, when the youngest one would still have to be 13-some-odd-years-old.)

But cars are machines. Every machine gets problems eventually, especially if they aren't properly maintained. Don't worry about what could go wrong randomly with your truck, and start looking forward to what will go wrong when you go take it out and beat it up a little.

Great point. I am down on Fort Lauderdale for the week and have seen no fewer than a dozen 3rd gens!

 

[AZ4Running]

Everything wears out, fails or breaks at some point. I have a 97 sr5 with 258,8xx miles and it is running strong. PO took really good care of it, all maintenance done as needed i bought it with 257,500 miles. I had to replace the radiator, hoses, battery and alternator as well as the front brake pads, had to fix the rear hatch electronics and did all the fluids. Mine runs like new and i love my rig and i plan to keep it for a long time to come and even plan to do a supercharger in the future.

 

[mxer]

It's the nature of the internet, man. People don't post something when everything's going okay.

I'm just two weeks into owning my 4Runner, but I've owned a Land Cruiser and lots of other vehicles. In a general sense, these 3rd gens are more solid than most vehicles. (Do yourself a favor and look at how many 3rd gens you still see driving around on the street every day, when the youngest one would still have to be 13-some-odd-years-old.)

But cars are machines. Every machine gets problems eventually, especially if they aren't properly maintained. Don't worry about what could go wrong randomly with your truck, and start looking forward to what will go wrong when you go take it out and beat it up a little.

What he said. People are going to make posts about how great their trucks are running. Go to any vehicle forum and it will make worried about any car.

 

[twitchee2]

There is a reason people put that much money into a 13+yr old vehicle. I bought mine with 132k 6 years ago, just rolled over 220k. Just keep up on standard maintenance and drive it. Mine has become a toy rather than a DD but I just put 1000 miles on it this weekend. Its one of those cars and I trust to put the key in it for the first time in 2 weeks and expect it to start and drive as far as I can without much worry.

 

[Mulky]

This is the first I've seen someone saying they think a 3rd gen is an "unreliable" vehicle. I bought my 2000 4runner in September with 178,xxx miles. I just ticked over 183,xxx last week. In October I drove it on my honeymoon for 1350 miles without a single hiccup. I would get in mine tomorrow and drive it anywhere in the US without any worries. Preventative maintenance and these things will outlive us.

If something was to happen to mine, I would go out tomorrow and purchase another one and not think twice about it.

I love my 4runner.

:tea:

 

[99ToyoRunner]

This is my first Toyota I've ever owned....Granted it's a 15 year old truck and I had to put a little bit of love into her to fix some things...I've put almost 20k on my truck since I bought her in April and she's been holding up just fine for my style and amount of driving that I do. I still can't get over how rock solid the engine and drivetrain are. I use to own a 6 year old Outback that was totaled before I bought this 4Runner. Buying a 15 year old 4Runner was a bit of a risk for me but I have no regrets now. This truck is pretty awesome and it's a 5speed too which makes even more fun to drive

 

[terrond]

I've had my 2002 4runner for 10 years - got a great deal on the rig with 75k - since then I now have 243k and this baby has only been touched by a "professional" mechanic one time.....and only then to press in some new u-joints. I have done all of the basics as needed....timing belt, water pump, hoses, rad flush, belts, oil changes, tranny filter/flush, fluids, countless brake jobs, fuel filter, you name it.....all with the help of this forum and the trusy Haynes manual.

Best $ i ever spent!

 

[Unner]

Bought mine with 141k and it's got 162k miles on it now. The only issue that ever came up was a leaky rear axle seal, and I got that fixed in one day and then drove the truck 500 miles to the beach the next day without a hiccup. The only other things that have been replaced on it are regular maintenance items like spark plugs and wires, fluids, air filter, shocks, coils, some bushings, and the valve cover gaskets that had started to develop a small leak. These 3rd gen 4Runners are known for their reliability, and I wouldn't question it as long as it has been maintained.

Think about it too that a lot of the threads on here about people with broken stuff are either people that are lifted and abuse their trucks more than the average person, or they came here specifically because they had a problem. If every 3rd gen owner was on here there would be like a million members haha.

With a vehicle that has such a reliable power train too some people don't realize or think about the other things that wear out with mileage like shocks, and bushings. Some cars never reach a mileage where they need to be replaced...

 

[Cree]

Mine needed some attention in the suspension dept, as it had 153k on the stock parts. New stuff all four corners, did the front end while I was in there and she's solid. Could use front brakes sometime in the next year I suppose, and it's probably due for a timing set, but I wouldn't hesitate to driver her cross country today. Well, I take that back. I'm close to oil change time, so I'd want do to that first, lol. It's all in upkeep.

 

[Kryptoroxx]

My 4runner sits and operates out in the desert which includes sand storms, extreme heat and cold, and....blazing sun. Have a 98 3rz 4x4 5 spd and it just won't die. I have done the brake pads and re shimmed the valves....and that's it. It's been our here for 4 years and I've spent way more in mods than maintenance.

3rd gens are rock solid. Period

Bought it with 230k in 2010 for 6k. Now sitting at around 260k and purrs.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Every post seems like another horror story, lol. CEL Codes, suspension issues, bad trannies, wiring dilemmas, etc. Does anyone else on here have a 4Runner that is an (apparent) angel? I hope I am not jinxing myself, haha.

Ok so I think one of the big misconceptions are people who think a 3rd Gen 4Runner will never have problems.

The difference between a well taken care of 3rd Gen 4Runner with 200k miles vs a non-4Runner (FORD, CHEVY, JEEP etc.) is that those are dead or on their way to the grave at 200k miles whereas a 4Runner if properly cared for probably has a lot of life left in it.

Sure there are some long term things to be concerned about and nearly everything listed in the buyers guide can happen BUT that is stuff that can be maintained by the owner and mitigated without issue.

I had a cracked head at 200K miles. It is not surprising because heads and head gaskets don't last forever on any vehicle type, even Acura, Suburu or BMW.

The 3rd Gen 4Runner has ROCK SOLID electronics and the auto-trans is very strong.

Just maintain it and keep in mind that at 200K don't expect it to be a flawless daily driver but rather a great camping vehicle that needs maintenance from time to time but is overall great and far cheaper to keep and maintain than buying a new 4Runner.

 

[zcruiser]

Bought my '00 SR5 in March 2010 with 126,760 on the odo and has just a tick under 174K now.

Immediately after purchasing, I replaced plugs then installed a B&M tranny cooler to avoid the pink milkshake, cleaned the MAF sensor a couple times, Tundra brake upgrade at 140K, broken sway link at 155K, TB change at 170K, rear axle seal leak (bearings ok) at 171K. Now looks like I need to change the starter contacts.

I don't know if that's bullet-proof, but for me it is a reliable vehicle with no major issues, just what I would consider normal maintenance or upgrades.

 

[rossgoldie]

everything wears out, fails or breaks at some point. I have a 97 sr5 with 258,8xx miles and it is running strong. Po took really good care of it, all maintenance done as needed i bought it with 257,500 miles. I had to replace the radiator, hoses, battery and alternator as well as the front brake pads, had to fix the rear hatch electronics and did all the fluids. Mine runs like new and i love my rig and i plan to keep it for a long time to come and even plan to do a supercharger in the future.

3.4l?