Question about potential purchase of 2001 4runner

atalarico

atalarico

Senior Member
Hey all,

So, this is my first post here, but I've been a longtime reader/drooler of other people's 4runners.

I'm in the market for a used 4runner, and I have a great lead on one from a friend's brother.

My friend's brother works for Bosch, and he bought a 2001 4runner that was used as an indoor testing vehicle for Bosch research. It basically earned it's first 100k miles on rollers. Since it's lived outside, it's been meticulously maintained, with a paper trail to indicate that.

Anyway, it's a 2001 SR5 with 160k miles on it.

My friend described it as this

"160k miles
Off Road Package
A/T tires
4x4
Custom Grill
Sun Roof
Towing Package
Driven very lightly (no offroading)
garage kept"

Anyway, I'm having a hard time determining if an "off-road package" exists, but otherwise it sounds like a steal for $6,600.

The caveat is that it has lived its outside life as a Michigan car. I grew up in Michigan, and I know exactly what that means, rust. Apparently it has some rust on the drivetrain components on the undercarriage.

My question is, is it worth it still? What can be done about rust? I live in Colorado now, and I don't think mag chloride has quite the same affect as road salt does, so I'd assume that it would just be a matter of powerwashing/sanding the rust and sealing it.

Otherwise, is this a great deal? Is it worth driving it back from Michigan?

I'm looking for a 4runner to replace my VW Golf. My golf is not a mountain car, and I enjoy all things mountainous, and I need something to get me to trail-heads and through snow. I've had a vicarious love affair with 4runners since my father owned one in the early 90's.

Cheers, and I appreciate any advice anyone can give me!
 
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There's no "Off Road" package for the 3rd gens. The only thing that could mean is that it has a factory rear locker, but that isn't possible on an '01 unless they retro-fitted one in (lockers were discontinued after '00). If anything someone threw TRD Off Road decals on it like I did on mine.

$6,600 sounds like a good deal, but the rust could kill that quick. We need good pics to tell you, but if it's surface rust, no big deal. If it's cancerous rust move on.
 
Thanks for the quick reply!

I'm awaiting hi-res/detailed pictures, so I'll pass them along.

What can be done about superficial rust? How much does it generally cost?

My friend comes from an honest stock, so it's possible that things were poorly translated from his brother, to him, to me. Perhaps off-road package was a misspeak on my friends part (hopefully).

Thanks again! I hope I can join the 4runner club soon enough!
 
Well, I've seen that in other classifieds, so I'm just assuming they mean to say that it has a receiver hitch. It's a guess really.
 
So, I'm still waiting to hear more details about this runner that my friends brother is supposedly selling. He was best man in a wedding this weekend, so I know that eats up a lot of time.

Anyway, I've been looking at other options, but I'm beginning to feel like it's impossible to get a 90's runner with less than 150k miles, auto, 4x4, in good running condition for less than $6,500. I've been looking for just short of two weeks.

Am I being too unreasonable? I have read that the 4runner of your dreams comes out of nowhere just when you're about to give up. True?

Meanwhile, I have almost too many interested parties in my VW that I'm selling.

Any advice?
 
Juicy update!

He got back to me. The plot thickens.

If you could give me opinions, that would be great! Obviously the pictures will tell all, but until then, check out the text description. I like it, and I'm willing to drive back to MI to get it.

Anything in {} is me opining.

I purchased this off of a guy {long story short, it was the first owner}When I purchased it, there was 120k miles on it and mostly from driving back and forth to Texas (supposedly). There's now 166k (approx., I haven't looked at the odometer in a while). So I've put a good 46k miles on it in the last few years.

Here are the details...

2001 4-Runner SR5 (not limited)

Exterior:
In general, the exterior is in good condition. There are a few rock chips on the hood from road debris, but that's pretty normal for this age of car. The car has not been in an accident, however, a few months ago, I was sitting at a light, and a deer ran across the intersection and into the side of my driver door. Scared the hell out of me. Once he gained his composure, he ran off. Didn't do any real damage, however there is a dent. It's not creased and I was told it can be popped out by my mechanic, just havent done it yet. By the way, we have a family mechanic here in michigan, and he's the one that does all the work on all my vehicles, so we can always get all the receipts and stuff for service from him.

Exterior Extras:
Off-Road Tires - I purchased new tires for it around the time I got it. I will take pictures of the tread for you, but it gets an alignment every year, so that the wear is even.

Aftermarket Side Rails - I don't know the specific manufacture as these were on the car before hand. But they are painted black steel tube attached to the chassis. They are pretty nice.

Aftermarket Front Grill - This is one of those heavy duty grills which protect the plastic grill from trees and so on, on the trail. It's black steel tube which is also attached directly to the chassis.

PIAA Fog Lamps - Two center mounted big yellow PIAA fog lamps. Work great. Saved me a few times. By the way, they used to have black plastic grills on them which said "PIAA" but someone stole one, so I took both of them off.

Interior Features:
Sunroof - Full sliding back one, not a moon roof.
Power Windows and Locks - By the way, I'm not sure if you know this or not, but the rear glass slides down. It's fantastic to load things into the back or just drive with the windows open.
Cruise Control
AC - It's not charged right now. I normally have to recharge it every year. When I asked our mechanic about it he said that the seals shrink up in the winter and let the AC stuff out. I had it serviced last summer and replaced and recharged the AC but once again, this summer it doesn't have AC. {how much does recharging usually cost?}
Heat - Works great
Bluish Gray Cloth Seats - I didn't want leather.
Rear Windows are tinted (30%) - It's basically a normal tint... nothing like a limo or anthing, just to keep the gauwkers out.
Rear Climate Controls
Basically all the major car options come with it. {which would be?}
The interior is in pretty good shape... it's just getting old.
There is a horrible looking wood grain on the dash and console. It says it's toyota installed, and I was a little afraid to take it off, not sure what's underneith it, if anything. {i'm actually a big fan of the woodgrain}

Extra Interior Features
Kenwood Exelcon CD Player
I can't remember which amp I have in there right now, but it's a kenwood or rockford fosgate 800W amp. {holy balls this audio set-up is hot}
2x 12"Subs from Rockford Fosgate... it's a nive little setup
Interior speakers are all running off the rear amp and are Eclipse (sp?).
All the wiring for the speakers was redone in high performance wiring... I can't remember what gauge and brand but it wasn't the cheap stuff.
IPOD adpater connects to the stereo. This is a nice little feature I put in. The IPOD connection is in the middle console and its nice to just put the IPOD in there and all the controls are on the radio.
I do have a computer also in the back next to the amps. Unfornuately, I will have to take that out, because it has Bosch information on it. I used to use it to run Diagnostics on the vehicle systems (sniffing vehicle messages) to see everything that was going on. Vehicle has been running good so I don't have it actively running right now.

Maintance:
Car has always been maintained by Motorworks in Oak Park, MI. It's our family friend and he's always done the work on all of my cars.
Oil changes are done every 3k miles. Just a few weeks ago, I had the radiator flushed, transmission flushed and everything, just because it hadn't been done since last year.
The only issue I have had with this car, was that the radiator went bad... which made the transmission burn up. What happened was the engine and transmission share the same radiator (which is normal in most cars these days). Well it just so happened in the 4runner that my transmission line in the radiator broke, which then started filling with coolant from the engine. Well, the transmission fuild is much more dense, like hydrolic fuild, to handle the high pressure of switching the gears and keeping a vacuum. When the coolant mixed with the trans fuild, the transmission started to slip. Of course this happens while I'm heading to a first date. Since the gears were slipping the transmission was over heating. So then I had to get a new transmission. Motorworks put it in and 3800 dollars later, I had my 4runner back. So, it does have a new transmission. I'm not sure if this is a good or bad thing... just information. {this doesn't sound like a bad thing at all, no?}
I can't think of anything else that has gone wrong with this car.

In the next year...
I could see the brakes having to be redone (just pads) and the muffler will have to be replaced. {why would muffler have to be replaced?}
Click to expand...

So, again, obviously this will all change if the pictures reveal a ton of rust. However, I think if it spent most of it's time in Texas, and perhaps was only back in Michigan for college kid's summer break, then salt exposure wasn't bad in the first 120k of it's life. Three years of salt exposure is noticeable, but usually not horrible.

So, what kind of costs would be associated with fixing this car up? Popping the dent out, recharging the AC, and anything else you notice.

Thanks in advance!

Also, I think he's asking $6,600 for it.
 
Towing package was an option. It included the hitch and wiring harness. Off road package probably means sport package with the hood scoop. AC recharge is about 150. Your seals are leaking and needs to be checked. My AC never leaks in the winter. I had to replace my muffler a year ago due to rust. The muffler rusted open at the seam. That would not be a good sign for rust issues with the 4runner. Tranny was replaced due to pink milkshake and I wouldnt be to worried since he replaced the transmission.

Heres a link to the 01 brochure to show you the options:

http://redirectingat.com/?id=3174X6...oyota-trucks/341631-3rd-gen-4runner-faqs.html
 
Thanks for the brochure. That's kind of nifty.

If the seals are bad, how much do you think that would be?

AC was something I was really looking forward to having again after living through my first full summer here in Denver. 95 without AC is kind of torturous to the soul.

I'll post pics as soon as I get them, but I really appreciate the opinions for sure. I've been wanting to join the T4R club for a long time, and I'm excited that I'm getting the option.
 
This one sounds like one that I would have to see in person. There seem to be quite a few little things that need to be replaced or repaired.

I think you might need to walk away from this one.

After looking at KBB, I would definitely walk away.
 
A/C seals don't shrink in the winter, they dry up and crack and leak from non useage. Always use your A/C at least once a week or so. You are going to need new seals and a fresh recharge. Overall it sounds like a pretty good deal. You may want to try and talk him down a bit in price.
 
Sounds to me if you have to ask this many questions and have this much hesitation I would move on.

You live in Colorado now... 4runners are everywhere! I usued to live in Iowa where you couldn't find one to save your life. Ended up finding a Tacoma in Illinois that worked out great. Needless to say, I was patient and kept my eyes open and was able to snag a White 01 with silver flares, tow package, SR5, super clean, 79K on the clock (I am a big fan of low miles), sunroof, 5 Spoke, blah blah blah.... I would just look around town. Granted I don't have to elocker or tall coils but a good set of 75 will make it more aggressive and I don't plan on going to Moab anytime soon to go 4 wheeling.

There are a lot of shady dealers in Denver so be careful of them but there are also a lot of other great runners to be had.

If you want to get together sometime and take a peek at mine you are more than welcome. Like I said nothing special but you can ask questions and poke/prod as much as you like and we can talk 4runners. Hit me up.
 
I'm a little confused about walking away on this one. I definitely appreciate the opinions.

First, the Colorado 4runner market is not that hot right now. They're either inflated in price, or just few and far between. I figured going to a state where they're becoming more impractical would not be a bad call.

Second, it is a good friends brother, and he's said in more than a few places that he's really upfront with me. I cut off the personal lines in the e-mail, but yeah. I'm not positive he's set on $6,600, so with all of the issues in mind, what would be a fairer price?

Third, aside from AC seals, there doesn't sound like there is much mechanically wrong with the vehicle. Wouldn't the only major concern be the muffler rusting away, and that being a sign of a lot of rust? I am selling my 2000 VW Golf that mechanically runs well, but isn't too easy on the eyes. I really don't care about dented doors and chipped hoods.

Fourth, wouldn't a brand new transmission be a good thing? I mean, automatic transmissions haven't always lasted me well after 120k miles.

Ideas?

You live in Colorado now... 4runners are everywhere! I usued to live in Iowa where you couldn't find one to save your life. Ended up finding a Tacoma in Illinois that worked out great. Needless to say, I was patient and kept my eyes open and was able to snag a White 01 with silver flares, tow package, SR5, super clean, 79K on the clock (I am a big fan of low miles), sunroof, 5 Spoke, blah blah blah.... I would just look around town. Granted I don't have to elocker or tall coils but a good set of 75 will make it more aggressive and I don't plan on going to Moab anytime soon to go 4 wheeling.

There are a lot of shady dealers in Denver so be careful of them but there are also a lot of other great runners to be had.

If you want to get together sometime and take a peek at mine you are more than welcome. Like I said nothing special but you can ask questions and poke/prod as much as you like and we can talk 4runners. Hit me up.
Click to expand...

I totally understand this, but it's hard out there right now. My price has had to increase to almost $7k for a half-way decent runner. I mean the only thing I've found lately is this guy Cars for Sale: 1995 Toyota 4Runner 4x4 SR5 in Colorado Springs, CO 80909: Sport Utility Details - 279867841 - AutoTrader.com However, this is a 16 year old vehicle! I'm going from a 2000 to a 95?! It just doesn't jive well with me. Maybe it's unfounded concern. Is it?

Anyway, I expect some photos in the next day or so. That should answer a lot of questions.

Thanks for the help everyone! I'm mainly posting these questions because I don't know a lot about 4runners specifically. I've always done most of the work on my own cars, but Toyota's are new to me.
 
We are talking about 4runners here. 4runners hold their value pretty darn well compared to a lot of vehicles.

If the muffler needs to be replaced due to rust (which is about the only reason) then you really need to get under it and make sure rust isn't eating away at anything else. A new muffler will cost you about $100-150 installed.

He said he put new tires on it when he got it over 40,000 miles ago so those will probably need to be replaced in about 10-15k miles.

The front grill he is talking about sounds like a brush guard. From the way he talks about the body I think there are probably quite a few dings and such on it. The AC leak doesn't sound normal.

The woodgrain is probably the stick on kit and not the actual woodgrain pieces. Toyota offered the stick on kit to the lower models I believe.

Pictures are going to tell us a lot too.
 
huh- I git a 00' 4 runner with 139k on it I may be selling

newer tires-12k on them, firestones
new wheel bearing
new a/f sensor today being installed for cel my codes

all receipts since new from P.O. up to 135k

full tune up was done w/in 20k

I am thinkin of listing it for $5500 or best due to needing a pick up not just a tow hitch :redbrick:

paint has lots of scuff marks but looks good-the thing grew up in the Adirondacks- but it runs solid and has very little rust on painted surfaces,just chrome on rear bumper is going,front in small place and small strip on side of windshield

I got a folder full of service receipts for stuff like new calipers @ 110k,trans fluid changed at 120k,timing belt at 120k,full tune up

what could it use? if ya get picky maybe replace original suspension and it has a crack in the windshield that is on the edge of legal for nys - I had a garage pass it for inspecting though

I love it,it is the nicest vehicle I have had yet,but I am going to ruin it if I use it like a truck,that and putting a kayak on top of it is a pita compared to throwing one in the back of a truck bed and hooking a ratchet strap to it and going =)
 
I would say the price seems ok for what it needs. The most important question is are you mechanically inclined? Some of the issues I see wont be to bad to deal with as long as you can repair them yourself. The ac will need to be recharged with dye and then the can try to find the leak with the dye. Figure 400 for that if it is just a seal. The transmission doesnt bother me as long as the radiator was also replaced. My muffler was 600 for just the parts from the dealer. My dad owned it at the time and wanted OEM exhaust. That is for everything from the cat back. The actual muffler was 400 I believe. Yes, you could definitely get it cheaper at a local muffler shop.

Now, the problem isnt the muffler, but rather that will be the beginning. My tow hitch is in the landfill because it looked aweful. I needed new rear heater lines, muffler, rear bumper and my front bumper is starting to go. The rust will attack everything. So it is probably not isolated to just the muffler.

I would definitely be interested if I was you, but have the friend take some pictures of the chassis and have us evaluate. I have seen everything from surface rust to frames starting to rot.
 
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Look at it this way, it sounds like it has a few issues but its a family friend and he know he's going to be honest. At least you know what you would be getting into vs buying a different one from some unknown selling and finding a bunch of hidden issues. For example, at least you know the radiator leaked and crapped out the tranny vs buying one that someone may have just replaced the radiator and flushed the tranny creating a time bomb.

Price seems a little on the higher side, but its not bad. Stealing 3rd gen 4runners does not seem to be a high occurance. KBB is crap too when checking Toyota values. My old 85' 4x4 truck came back around $2k, but I sold it for $4k.

You could try and ****er on the price a little bit factoring in the repair to the AC system and the dent in the door. Maybe have him fix those two issues and you pay asking price.

And of course look at the rust too. I am a bad judge on undrcarriage rust as we dont have any here. My 99's is covered with dust, not rust. When I put my lift on all the bolts and nuts came right off with little effort.

I've seen some rust pics on here and it makes me :jaw drop: While others say its not bad.

Good luck
 
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