Seeking Advice: Buying a 2000 T4R

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ddach

New member
Hello All! I'm looking @ buying my first 4Runner, and seeking your expert opinions! I'd really appreciate your input...

So I found a 2000 SR5, seems to be in really good shape. Here are the details and my questions, please be patient if I'm asking dumb questions:

-There doesn't seem to be a rear differential lock switch in this...should there be? Is the differential lock an option? If so, how important is it?

-I've looked at a couple others, all of them had a push button on the 4wd lever, this one doesn't, but the lever has more positions then the ones with a button. Is this a big deal?

-186k miles on the clock, The Toyota dealer 90k maint pkg was done @ 90k and 175k.

-Body in good shape, really only damage is a small dent on front & rear bumper

-running boards, bug sheild, visor vents, moon roof visor, weathertec mats.

-Interior in really good shape, cloth seats, manual a/c controls, no back seat a/c controls.

-on starting, it seems like it has to turn over a little too much before starting? Any ideas?

-All maint/service always done by dealer.

-new battery 01/2011, new brakes summer 2011.

-needs new tires very soon.

Any questions I should ask the seller? From what I've been seeing, price wise, and condition wise, this is the best one I've found thus far...he wants 7k.

After looking at it today, how I left it with the seller is that I'll take it, pending a clean carfax report and maint. records. I do want it, but I wanted to get your opinions, before going through with it. Being that this is my first 4Runner (1st 4wd also), I don't really know what to watch out for.


Below are a couple pics:
frtside.jpg


side.jpg


THANKS EVERYONE!!!
 
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Hopefully this should answer your questions: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/82033-3rd-gen-4runner-buyers-guide.html

Also go to toyota.com create an account, (Hopefully you grabbed the VIN from that 4runner) and go to the bottom tabs, highlight "For Owners" then go to "Toyota Owners," from that it will ask you to log in, do so... after that you click on edit vehicle, enter your VIN, and if this 4runner has been services at any dealership, it will display where and what was done to it.. Good Luck.
 
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rear locker -- wasn't in every truck, it was an option, and if you don't have the button you shouldn't have the locker. Is it needed? Well that depends what you do. I know I am personally glad I held out for a model with it, but its not something you will use everyday, its something you use in harder off road situations.

push button on the 4wd is from the difference in 4wd systems. 2000 model limited would have the button and is more of an AWD vs the 4wd type in SR5 that you are looking at. This is personal preference and terrain type thing again.

186k, I would worry about the wear on the suspension. Read some of the lower ball joint threads. I would plan to do some maintenance in that area pretty soon if everything is still original.

Crank time, mine personally has always taken longer than I would like. There are a couple threads on here right now about this with different ideas. Personally I would say mine is fuel pump and it loosing pressure while its off.

Price is going to vary depending on your location.


I would do some searching and reading FAQ's and stickies up top are a good start too. Good luck with your purchase.
 
There doesn't seem to be a rear differential lock switch in this...should there be? Is the differential lock an option? If so, how important is it?

It is an option. It's not "important" really... But it is VERY useful during REAL off-road situations.

-I've looked at a couple others, all of them had a push button on the 4wd lever, this one doesn't, but the lever has more positions then the ones with a button. Is this a big deal?

I don't know enough about the different transfer cases to answer this. It's not a big deal. I would want the one it has, more than the one "with the button"

-186k miles on the clock, The Toyota dealer 90k maint pkg was done @ 90k and 175k.

Maintenance has been done? I would not even look at the miles.

-Body in good shape, really only damage is a small dent on front & rear bumper

Every single body panel should have a VIN on it. Make sure they match. (Or that they're there)
Also- Ensure all the body lines line up PERFECTLY

-running boards, bug sheild, visor vents, moon roof visor, weathertec mats.
Nice, I want weathertecs!

-Interior in really good shape, cloth seats, manual a/c controls, no back seat a/c controls.
As far as I know, no 4Runners had rear AC. Does it have rear HEAT controls?

-on starting, it seems like it has to turn over a little too much before starting? Any ideas?

This could be a large number of things. Myself personally, I would not buy a vehicle that had ANY mechanical issues on the day I purchased it.

-All maint/service always done by dealer.

Prove it. If it's true, it will be listed on Toyota Owners - Official Toyota Owners Website Make an account, and register the VIN number.

-new battery 01/2011, new brakes summer 2011.
Good.

-needs new tires very soon.
Good tires are expensive. Work new tires into the sale price.
 
More info & questions

Thanks for the links, and info, keep 'em comin', very helpful!

To give more background: I live in NW Arkansas, and I'm drawn more and more to the ozarks east of Fayetteville, hiking and exploring. I sold my Accord, to buy a 4Runner, the Accord just couldn't cut it :-) Many of the roads, I wouldn't even attempt in a 2wd, those forest & county roads can get pretty hairy; rocky, very rutted, steep inclines.

I don't necessarily want a full-time trail rig, but I envision putting some moderately capable tires on it, and maybe 2.5" lift kit. I don't really know how much I'll get into it at this point, being that I've never owned a 4wd. So, I'm really conflicted right now, not sure if a 4Runner without the rear locker might leave me disappointed.

If you were to choose between a 2000 WITHOUT the rear locker, and a 2001 Limited, which would be better for trail use?

When in 4wd, is the front differential always locked, so both front wheels always turn at the same speed?

What's a ballpark price to have the ball joints replaced @ a dealer, anyone have that done lately?
 
The rear diff lock is something coveted on the forums, in real life if you don't do any offroading, you won't likely ever use it. It's better to have it and never need it than vice versa.

The different 4wd systems I can comment on. The one with the button allows you to use 2wd, AWD (the button), 4hi, 4low. AWD leaves the center diff unlocked, so you can use it on surfaces with lots of grip and won't get driveline binding. Without the button you have 2wd, 4hi, 4low, not recommended for use in high traction surfaces in 4wd modes.

There was no factory front locker on these trucks, so the front diff is always open, regardless of what mode the transfer case is in.

Do read the buyers guide, there is important info you would never think to ask questions about in there. It can make you an expert in an hour or so.
 
So, would a 2000 WITHOUT rear locker be just as good on the trail as a 2001 limited, since the '01s don't have it either?
 
If you are thinking of exploring on your own (with out another vehicle) I would say the locker would be a must have. Most of my adventures hiking, offroading or otherwise happen with only one vehicle and the locker has saved my ass from being stuck and having to find someone to come rescue me. I can't comment on the 01s style of 4wd system because I have never personally driven one on the trail.
 
My wife and i purchased a 2000 SR5 with 69K back in Feb. and we both love the 4R. Like someone else was saying try and work the price down because of the tires I was lucky and it has near new Goodyear SilentArmors on it. You will be surprised at how capable the 4runner is off road, even in its stock form. Good luck and enjoy!

Also good to see another fellow Arkansan!
 
ddach said:
So, would a 2000 WITHOUT rear locker be just as good on the trail as a 2001 limited, since the '01s don't have it either?
Click to expand...

I have a friend with an 01 Limited and when we do snow runs she has a MUCH harder time than the rest of us... It could be her driving style, but it leads me to believe that it's a sub-par system.
 
A.Wilson013 said:
I have a friend with an 01 Limited and when we do snow runs she has a MUCH harder time than the rest of us... It could be her driving style, but it leads me to believe that it's a sub-par system.
Click to expand...



Thats the TRAC system. It sucks in snow, but it kicks ass on rocks and trail runs.
 
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Got the Carfax, according to it, looks like all maint/repairs were done by the dealer.
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Hey buddy, CARFAX is CRAP. The soon you figure that out the better off you will be. I used to think they worked as advertised, now I know better.

Simply do a google search for "carfax fail" or "carfax fraud" and you will find blog posts where users gripe about being taken advantage of by sellers sold them a POS with a clean Carfax report. It is not entirely Carfax's fault, they sell a product that operates based on DMV data, it is a combination of the DMV and used car auctioning system that really allows this to happen. A huge percentage of auto-body shops and insurance company do not report accident data to the DMV. Also not all the states are connected which is why vehicles are routinely transferred across state lines and auctioned to be repaired and sold as clean. This probably even completely legal but F--'s over the consumer.

If I was buying a car, yes I would use carfax but it would more of a [x] checklist item then a statement of quality. I would put more emphasis on getting the vehicle inspected by a trust worthy mechanic or auto-body shop. If the history doesn't line up with what you are being told then walk away.

:bluejump:
 
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A.Wilson013 said:
I have a friend with an 01 Limited and when we do snow runs she has a MUCH harder time than the rest of us... It could be her driving style, but it leads me to believe that it's a sub-par system.
Click to expand...

4-Ripcord said:
Thats the TRAC system. It sucks in snow, but it kicks ass on rocks and trail runs.
Click to expand...

X2, you can't blame the TRAC interference on the multimode TC. TRAC cuts power when there's slippage, not what you want when pushing through snow.
 
Nunyabiz said:
Hmm so the "TRAC" is still on even with Center Diff locked?
But the TRAC preforms poorly in the snow even with Center Diff locked?

I thought the multimode was supposed to work very well in the snow, I have not had mine long enough to know.

If I seem dense I apologize but I have the Flu right now and I am sick as hell and not thinking clearly at all.
Click to expand...

That's how I read it too, VSC is disabled with center diff locked, but ATRAC continues to operate. There's got to be a mod to disable it somehow, right? I'm glad mine doesn't have it.
 
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