Should I Keep and Fix it or Sell it?

[daka320]

Currently have 202,000 miles on my wife's 2004 V6 4x4 Sport 4runner. It has been a very reliable and relatively maintenance free vehicle. It is my wife's daily driver. Problem is that both the front and rear control arms need replacing. Upper and Lower. Researched and the price on the parts alone is $2300. Labor will be another $1000 to $1500. So, around $3500 total on the suspension.
Also, the 4wd transfer case actuator is developing a leak. Just a drip or two every day for now. To reseal the transfer case is around $1000.
So, I am up to $4500 to $5000 within the next year or so.
I have not had any problems with the head gaskets but that would be another $3000 or so if I do.
The dilemma I have is that should I sell it and buy a newer one or keep it?
Newer used ones that I would be looking at are up around $30,000. BTW, the wife would rather keep it and fix it but I am not so sure.

 

[shawnjohnson]

I have a 2004 V8 4x4 with only 148,500 miles and my transfer case actuator seal is leaking too, I also have a minor value cover leak.. Been thinking about getting rid of it as well.. Paying on something that needs repairs is never fun. Just get a new trail and be done! Haha

 

[av8ter]

Currently have 202,000 miles on my wife's 2004 V6 4x4 Sport 4runner. It has been a very reliable and relatively maintenance free vehicle. It is my wife's daily driver. Problem is that both the front and rear control arms need replacing. Upper and Lower. Researched and the price on the parts alone is $2300. Labor will be another $1000 to $1500. So, around $3500 total on the suspension.
Also, the 4wd transfer case actuator is developing a leak. Just a drip or two every day for now. To reseal the transfer case is around $1000.
So, I am up to $4500 to $5000 within the next year or so.
I have not had any problems with the head gaskets but that would be another $3000 or so if I do.
The dilemma I have is that should I sell it and buy a newer one or keep it?
Newer used ones that I would be looking at are up around $30,000. BTW, the wife would rather keep it and fix it but I am not so sure.

I'd love to see pictures or rear upper and lower control arms that need to be replace. Sounds like you're getting taken for a ride on that one.

 

[90RunnerRed]

Is there something wrong with the control arms themselves or are the bushings just worn out?

 

[daka320]

I'd love to see pictures or rear upper and lower control arms that need to be replace. Sounds like you're getting taken for a ride on that one.

Yea, I have an appointment set up with another shop to take a look at it next week. You hear about the front lca bushings going out but hardly anything about the rears. Might just stop by the dealership also to see what their diagnosis is.

 

[daka320]

Is there something wrong with the control arms themselves or are the bushings just worn out?

Bushings are worn out. Labor to replace the bushings is about the same price of a new control arm.

 

[zimdba]

I'd love to see pictures or rear upper and lower control arms that need to be replace. Sounds like you're getting taken for a ride on that one.

Don't discount the fact that 200K miles in AZ (assuming it was all in AZ) is brutal on a vehicle. Dry air + extreme heat is harsh on rubber & plastic.

 

[wnelax04sr5]

you can probably source new control arms with bushings and ball joints pre installed from rock auto for under $700, private shop could easily do the job in half a day as well. someones trying to take you for a ride

 

[Drunner97]

Bushings are worn out. Labor to replace the bushings is about the same price of a new control arm.

LCAs w/ bushings and ball joints can be had for 200 on ebay including tie rod ends. Rear arms upper and lower can be had from rock auto for about 400 or so. Upper arms, I'm not too sure, but I have my stock ones sitting in the garage if you want them. They had about 90k on them when I replaced them with Camburgs. So that's 600 for parts, and whatever it's going to cost to have them swapped out if you don't want to do it yourself.

Here's the LCA Set

GX470 4Runner FJ Cruiser Control Arms Sway Bar Links Tie Rods $5 Years Warranty$ | eBay

 

[RonJR]

So, my general philosophy is that, if you're going to run a Toyota past 200,000 miles (less for other makes of vehicles), you need to be prepared to do a lot of your own repair work. Otherwise it just isn't cost effective anymore. Too many things start to wear out, which are relatively inexpensive to buy the parts, but the labor kills you. Especially when the fair market value of the vehicle is down below $7-8K.
My general rule of thumb:
- 0-100K miles; owner never gets fingernails dirty.
- 100-200K miles; owner starts accumulating basic tools, does shocks and brakes, rotors, wheel bearings, etc.
> 200K miles; owner needs fully equipped shop

So, if you don't enjoy wrenching on your 4runner, I'd sell it to someone who will, and get something newer that will give you another 100K of relatively trouble-free miles.

All that being said I agree that $3500 for what is effectively worn control arm bushings is way too much. As is $1000 for resealing the transfer case actuator. That can't be more than a couple hours work, either, for a shop with a lift.

 

[av8ter]

Transfer case actuator is a *****, a huge job. The case comes out of the truck and gets split in half on a bench. Not a easy R&R job, requiring special tools and knowledge.


The rear control arms(if you really need them) is a job that you shouldn't be afraid to tackle yourself. The front lowers are also decently easy as long as the canned alignment hardware isn't seized. Simply paint mark all the alignment cams before removing, that will get you close enough to drive to get a proper alignment.

Stay away from aftermarket suspension parts if it is your intention to keep them vehicle going and not just to fix it so you can sell it. These parts lasted you 200k+ miles for a reason, ebay/rockauto parts might leave you in a similar position in a year or two out.

 

[RonJR]

I stand corrected on the actuator. I looked at the FSM more carefully, and it does appear that the actuator gets installed about half-way through the transfer case assembly process, before the front drive chain is installed and the case assembled, which as you say makes it a big job.

Apparently in their infinite wisdom, Toyota permanently attached the shift rods to the actuator so you can't just disconnect them and pull the actuator off the back. You have to disassemble the case to release them from the forks inside. Sigh...

 

[Bluesky 07]

[MENTION=68966]daka320[/MENTION], have you considered a more recent 4th gen? You can get a very nice one for far less than $30K. Guess we were lucky because it was 4th gen or none for us. Don't care for the 5th gen's styling. At all. ;-)

 

[AKmoney]

FWIW, it's almost always "cheaper to keep her", even if this means sinking several thousand dollars into the vehicle. A new vehicle may be (relatively) trouble free but you'll be burning thousands of dollars per year in depreciation. At this point in your truck's life cycle, depreciation is nearly non-existant.

If you're not up to the task of turning wrenches yourself, try to find a good mobile mechanic. I had one rip out the XREAS shocks and stock springs in mine and install the new stuff for a fraction of what local shops quoted me.

 

[radlynx]

listen to your wife, have it fixed. for all that time you used it maintenance free, it's about time to give some love to it. also, check other repair shops on how much they will charge you to replace the shocks and other stuff. the cheapest way you can do is buy the parts that you need for it, and have them install it. buy the upper control arm and lower, it will save the mechanic some hours of repair. the rear wheels don't have the upper / lower control arm from what I know, only the front. get the parts at rockauto.com.

Currently have 202,000 miles on my wife's 2004 V6 4x4 Sport 4runner. It has been a very reliable and relatively maintenance free vehicle. It is my wife's daily driver. Problem is that both the front and rear control arms need replacing. Upper and Lower. Researched and the price on the parts alone is $2300. Labor will be another $1000 to $1500. So, around $3500 total on the suspension.
Also, the 4wd transfer case actuator is developing a leak. Just a drip or two every day for now. To reseal the transfer case is around $1000.
So, I am up to $4500 to $5000 within the next year or so.
I have not had any problems with the head gaskets but that would be another $3000 or so if I do.
The dilemma I have is that should I sell it and buy a newer one or keep it?
Newer used ones that I would be looking at are up around $30,000. BTW, the wife would rather keep it and fix it but I am not so sure.

 

[daka320]

Thanks everyone for all of the advice! Will be keeping her! I just can't see paying $25-$30k for a newer used 4runner. Found a shop that has better rates and I can supply my own parts. Will use the oem parts. They are twice as expensive but will last longer than a year or two.

 

[av8ter]

Thanks everyone for all of the advice! Will be keeping her! I just can't see paying $25-$30k for a newer used 4runner. Found a shop that has better rates and I can supply my own parts. Will use the oem parts. They are twice as expensive but will last longer than a year or two.

Attaboy.

 

[Bluesky 07]

Thanks everyone for all of the advice! Will be keeping her! I just can't see paying $25-$30k for a newer used 4runner. Found a shop that has better rates and I can supply my own parts. Will use the oem parts. They are twice as expensive but will last longer than a year or two.

Good call! Check out this thread about a Toyota dealer that offers a big discount on parts. Might also ask your local dealer if they will price match.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-g...t-price-toyota-parts-online-wanted-share.html

Let us know how it turns out.

 

[daka320]

Good call! Check out this thread about a Toyota dealer that offers a big discount on parts. Might also ask your local dealer if they will price match.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-g...t-price-toyota-parts-online-wanted-share.html

Let us know how it turns out.

Thanks for the link. Will have to check it out further. My initial pricing is through Camelback Toyota here in Phoenix. They usually have some of the cheaper online prices for oem parts. Since they are local for me I can just swing by and pick up the parts. Have to price the parts at Rockauto and amazon yet. Sometimes a Google search on a part helps also.

 

[dertrommler]

To fix, or not to fix

I’m currently in the “fix it or sell it” dilemma. I’ve paid for a new radiator, spark plugs and brakes within the last 2 years. Apparently there are “valve covers” that are leaking; something near the radiator is leaking; and the water pump needs replaced. (In Toyota’s opinion) So, $3,300 to fix those items on an ‘03 4Runner Sport, V6, 4WD, with 218,000 miles and a trade in value of $3,000 max. (It needs some minor body work too). Decision’s decision’s.