Purchase before cross country trip?

[TwistedDrum5]

I am currently in the process of buying a 3rd gen 4Runner. I have ~5000 to spend which means most of the models I am looking at are around the 150,000-200,000 mile range. I've read this is nothing for the 6 cyl engine, and they can last 300k+. My biggest concern is that I am going on a trip at the end of June from the midwest out to Colorado, and then Arizona. I know it will all depend on the vehicle, but is this a wise choice? Currently I have a car that I know can make the trip, but if I had the 4Runner we could do a little more "light" off-roading while I am there, and it would be much more comfortable.

While looking for vehicles I am trying to find ones that are extremely well kept inside and out. I assume if someone is going to be meticulous on the condition of the body, they will have most likely done the same under the hood. I am still trying to keep miles under 200,000 though.

Any advice?

BTW I am coming from the Jeep world . I had to sell my LJ due to gas cost (35's were giving me 10mpg) and now have a "fuel" efficient SRT-4. But I need something that can haul band equipment, so it was a 4Runner or a WJ Jeep, and I have been getting much better reviews for the 4Runner when it comes to my price range.

 

[A.Wilson013]

No need church it up, you're sick of driving your Dodge Neon. We understand. :whipping2

Under 5k I think you can get a pretty decent 4runner out in your parts... West Coast? Not so much.

A few tips from me would be to ensure that the timing belt has been changed, the fluids are the right colors, check the under carriage for rust (if it looks TOO clean underneath, start poking around), and most of all, post detailed photos on here, and let us check it out. Of course make sure the obvious things like CV's and rear axle seals are still good.

Welcome to the forum, and hope you enjoy your trip!

 

[TwistedDrum5]

No need church it up, you're sick of driving your Dodge Neon. We understand. :whipping2

Under 5k I think you can get a pretty decent 4runner out in your parts... West Coast? Not so much.

A few tips from me would be to ensure that the timing belt has been changed, the fluids are the right colors, check the under carriage for rust (if it looks TOO clean underneath, start poking around), and most of all, post detailed photos on here, and let us check it out. Of course make sure the obvious things like CV's and rear axle seals are still good.

Welcome to the forum, and hope you enjoy your trip!

Haha. I really do enjoy driving it, but it just doesn't make sense for my wife and I. I used to be into speed, but never had a fast car. Now that I did the fast car thing, I'm ready to go back to off-roading...much more practical. Plus we are moving next year, and it will be nice not having a car payment. Not to mention I need something to haul our equipment and such . Plus, I do miss my Jeep.

Thanks for the advice, I will definitely do that. I am in IL, so hopefully I'll find some good ones around my parts. I read through the buyers guide thread, so I know to check for certain things.

 

[I_bRAD]

You're probably fine, but if it were me I wouldn't want to take on a major road trip until I'd had the truck for a while and got a feel for its quirks. It sucks getting stranded and if you've already got access to a known reliable car I'd go that route

 

[5RUNNERZ]

i would not have a problem taking mine across country!!! b ut def would rather have it for a wile so i can work out all the quirks,too!

 

[Nunyabiz]

I have had mine for 2 years now, bought it with 157xxx and still only have 166xxx on it.
When I bought it the PO had a folder about 3" thick with receipts for everything he had done to the truck for the 8 years he owned it, so all maintenance was well documented.
My wife and I are about to start a 7500-8000 mile cross country trip this Tuesday, will be gone about a month.

I feel totally comfortable with it, but I KNOW everything that has been done to this truck for 10 years now, just last year I replaced the water pump, timing belt and all other belts, full radiator flush and replace with Toyota red.
Changed spark plugs and wires, and replaced ALL fluids with 100% synthetic.

Just took it in a few days ago the had it completely looked over top to bottom, fixed a small leak in power steering line (replaced the short piece of hose), greased every zerk fitting, checked brake pads and shoes, cleaned the rear brakes and readjusted them, noticed a small hole in muffler which gave me the excuse to replace it with a Magnaflow, rotated tires and checked for any nails etc and drained all air from them then replaced with Nitrogen to exactly 44psi. Replaced windshield wipers.
I also replaced the old stock intake and old beat up and thin K&N air filter with a new Airraid Intake Kit and no oil filter, plus opened up my deck plate mod now that tree pollen season is mostly over.

The truck is probably in better running condition today at 166xxx than it was 40-50,000 miles ago. She is running smooth as silk.

I too came from a Jeep which I actually liked, was a 95' Wrangler.
I got about the same mileage with the Jeep as I do the 4Runner, 12-13 city 18-19 highway, BUT the Jeep was just way too small and we wanted something to go camping in plus I wanted a truck to carry my Kayak and the 4Runner was the obvious solution, I never even considered another vehicle.
The 4Runner can offroad nearly the same as the Jeep, is more reliable (and the straight six in the Jeep is no slouch for reliability) the 4Runner has tons more room and is quiet, rides about as nicely as my wifes Lexus on the highway whereas the Jeep was like being strapped to the radiator of an 18 wheeler going down the road.

So really it isn't the mileage as long as you have a pretty good idea what has been done and when.
I would just as soon buy a very well maintained 4Runner with 150xxx than I would one not well maintained with 50xxx.
Also all mileage is not the same, a truck with 110xxx of mostly stop and go short trip city driving has probably more hard miles on it than a truck with 180xxx mostly highway miles.

 

[LittleCaesar]

AAA never hurts.

Other than what others have mentioned, look under the oil filler cap, check to see if the radiator may be new (search pink milkshake) and check the condition of the lower ball joints.

 

[4yotaguy]

I think everyone covered it, all you can do is inspect, maintenance, then maybe bring the same gear you would on any long trip...I drove x country many times in the early 90's in the biggest piles of garbage you could imagine, no credit cards, and little sanity...I wouldnt worry about it, hope for the best, plan for the worst, get AAA and the worst case is still not too bad...I will have more time to inspet mine, but I specifically bought mine to take a long, extended trip next year all over the country

 

[sggaz]

AZ in June will be nasty hot. Make sure the AC system is working well. As mentioned already also check the radiator and coolant.

 

[TwistedDrum5]

Thanks for all the help guys.

I am selling my bike to get the money. Once the bike is sold I will just keep looking for the right truck. If I don't find one before my trip I'm going to take the SRT4, if the right one pops up, then I'll take that most likely.

I have a tendency to rush into these things, so I'll be taking it slow this time in order to find the right truck.