Should I buy a 99 4Runner Supercharged with 370K?

[Coast2Coast]

Hi all, first post here, I've been looking at 4runners in my area and I am going to hopefully get one this week. The most interesting one is the cause for this post.

I found a high mileage 99 with 370,000KM on the odo, and TRD supercharged. The price is about half what a low mileage (<200k) non SC 4runner goes for these days in my area. I'm going to take a look at it on Tuesday. There are 5 or 6 similar 4runners like this advertised in the area around the same price but this is the only one that is supercharged and it looks to be in great shape in the pictures.

Does it have potential, or should I steer clear of this warn out machine?

 

[bikerjosh]

sounds like a lot in my mind, just my 2 cents:lookout:

 

[farmerjon]

For us American folks or those used to miles - 370,000 kilometers = 229,907 miles.

I say go for it, if it is in really good shape and the price is right.

 

[Coast2Coast]

Here is the vehicle in question:

 

[Coast2Coast]

The guy said it needs a new mass air flow sensor, and that he got a new vehicle a few months ago so he didn't put any maintenance into it because he knew he was selling it. What extra maintenance would be involved with the supercharger? I'm wondering if I would soon need to do major maintenance on the SC or even the motor itself.

What do you supercharged guys think of this?

 

[Rockdawg84]

So it doesn't run right now? how did he determine that is was the MAF? It really depends on what he wants for it. is there any rust? Looks good in the pic. What about the Interior? Does it have any fuel mods? All of that will determine if it is worth the asking price. if it is an auto trans has it had any trans work done?

Need More Info :lookout:

 

[4-Ripcord]

I would plan on spending about $2k to get everything running in good order again. Thats with a supercharger rebuild, LBJs/TREs, Timing belt/WP, full tune up, new MAF, maybe some brakes. That many miles is too much for a supercharger without a full rebuild.

 

[Coast2Coast]

It really depends on what he wants for it. is there any rust? Looks good in the pic. What about the Interior? Does it have any fuel mods? All of that will determine if it is worth the asking price. Have you driven it? how did it drive. if it is an auto trans has it had any trans work done?

Need More Info :lookout:

He says no rust. Good shape body wise. Said he kept it well maintained and then stopped putting money into it when he decided to buy a new vehicle.

When I go to look at this truck it will be a 5 hour drive to get there , and then a 5 hour drive back. So I'm coming home with one of 3 4runners I've narrowed it down to in that area. This doesn't give me a lot of time to decide...

I will be asking these questions that you've mentioned. By fuel mods do you mean fuel tuning, or adding an extra injector? What transmission issues should I be concerned about?

I've only ever owned a 09 Trd Tacoma, so I'm not familiar with 3rd gen 4runners except what I've read on forums for the past week.

Thanks for replies.

 

[Rockdawg84]

you just helped me really make a decision to help you. 10 hours of driving and you are gonna buy something. Pass on the truck you can't drive. It could have a bad motor or a blown transmission or massive electrical problems that you cannot determine without driving it. Unless he is letting it go for 2500US then I say look at the others and pick one of them. A supercharger can be had and installed for under 1500 so don't let the whine of straight cut gears mesmerize you into buying something you cant know what you are buying.

just my 2c's

 

[Coast2Coast]

I will be test driving it, and two or three other 4runners in that same city tomorrow. If anything feels off with it ill be happy to just pick up a stocker and mod it myself later. I just moved to a new province and my beater car will cost more than its worth to get legal in the new province. I've got till Oct 10th to replace it.

So I'm assuming the guy had the SC put on at some point not too long ago. How many km before it should be rebuilt? Can I do that myself? I've rebuilt a couple of engines before so as long as I can borrow a garage and no special tools are needed I'm good to go.

 

[Coast2Coast]

I decided to go with a different one. I thought the SC truck was a limited with a rear locker but its not. Thanks for the input!

 

[Rockdawg84]

I decided to go with a different one. I thought the SC truck was a limited with a rear locker but its not. Thanks for the input!

So We need pics of your new ride:driving:

 

[Coast2Coast]

So We need pics of your new ride:driving:

99 4Runner Limited. It needs some light body work and has 290k km (180k miles). Got it for a good price. Only problem is the electronic climate control doesn't work and I have to go buy a cheep plug in heater to defrost the windshield till I can see if I can fix it or not. Fan works but buttons don't work most of the time , and when they do, they don't change anything.

Anyway I've already had a ball exploring my new area in this truck. Nice little truck!

 

[janefennell147]

sounds like a lot in my mind

 

[Coast2Coast]

sounds like a lot in my mind

It sure is a lot. But that's part of the reason it was $5000 less than a low mileage 99

 

[240m3srt]

It sure is a lot. But that's part of the reason it was $5000 less than a low mileage 99

Nice truck man!! Dont sweat the mileage its Toyota. Just look at my sig, original motor still pulling strong.

BTW i been trying to figure out where your located?

 

[shadow247]

Nice truck man!! Dont sweat the mileage its Toyota. Just look at my sig, original motor still pulling strong.

BTW i been trying to figure out where your located?

I'll 2nd that. I just turned 345k last weekend and it felt great! Just keep up on the maintenance and these trucks will last forever. One thing I would suggest is doing some kind of rustproofing to the underside of your new ride! A few hours under there with some rust converter will make sure you don't have any issues with rust down the road.

 

[Coast2Coast]

I'll 2nd that. I just turned 345k last weekend and it felt great! Just keep up on the maintenance and these trucks will last forever. One thing I would suggest is doing some kind of rustproofing to the underside of your new ride! A few hours under there with some rust converter will make sure you don't have any issues with rust down the road.

Thanks, actually I was planning on getting under the door and hatch panels with a few cans of rust cure soon. Then crawl underneath and get whatever I can reach there. I see a few of these trucks around with the rear bumper corners gone and some rust on the wheel wells.

Nice truck man!! Dont sweat the mileage its Toyota. Just look at my sig, original motor still pulling strong.

BTW i been trying to figure out where your located?

Thanks, I'm in Northern Alberta!

 

[djskorch]

If the truck would have been what you wanted, I would have said go for it. Dont let the higher mileage scare you. If the truck was well maintained, I would not have hesitated about the higher mileage and supercharged.

I bought my truck with 190,xxx, put about 8-10000 on it, then supercharged it. I am now at 225,xxx with 0 issues. I didnt hesitate to supercharge it as it was only a 2 owner vehicle (both old couples) had never been offroaded, and had a stack of service records with it.