T4R on Craigslist with big tree dent on door / roof

[Mark_BC]

I found this truck which is basically ideal (manual transmission) except for the big dent on the door and roof. I am not so worried about the door damage, that can be fairly easily replaced, it's the dent on the roof beside it that worries me. How difficult would it be to fix that? It looks like it's beyond just a panel dent, the frame of the cabin seems to be all bent out of shape now, I wonder if that's permanent. I think he's asking too much based on that damage. What do you think?

https://vancouver.craigslist.ca/bnc/cto/5786871874.html

 

[thegipper]

I would just fix the door and ignore the roof. If you wanted, you could probably take the headliner off and try to bang it back out the best you can, not sure any way to totally fix it.

Otherwise, it looks like a pretty nice rig.

 

[bentos1]

Mark, I think you would probably just have to live with the roof damage. I couldnt see it being worth the time or money to fix but thats just my take on it.

The truck looks alright from the ad, good that the timing belt was replaced recently. There is no mention of ball joints, you would be spending $500 to get OEM from toyotapartsdirect.ca (I just bought a set last May)
I would suggest replacing the inner/outer tie rods at the same time and getting an alignment afterwards.

I think they are asking way too much. Trying to recoup some of the cost of the timing belt and lift. I wouldnt offer anymore than $4500
A locker would sure be nice to come with that as well.

Let me know if you want some help scouring CL to find a manual with a locker, Id be happy to help.

 

[gamefreakgc]

It's not like you can remove the roof and bend it back or something. It's rather permanent. I think that's in CAN $'s but still too much for what it is.

 

[smerhej]

$6500 is kinda steep. Just because it has high(ish) KMs doesn't necessarily mean you need to replace all these suspension components. But, here's my incredibly amateur checklist to ask:

-Last spark plug change
-Last spark plug WIRE change
-Last fuel filter change
-Did he change the water pump?
-Have any of the bushings anywhere been changed?
-Last fluid change?

That last one especially. That includes the tranny, diffs, transfer case, and steering and brake fluid. How's the clutch? Does it squeak? Is that stupid u-bushing thingy about to go? Have the yokes and u-joints been greased recently?

I'm not trying to deter - just give you bargaining points. If you can get that to 4-5K I'd take it, but otherwise something better will likely come along. Very nice color though...

 

[Rock_Rat]

I found this truck which is basically ideal (manual transmission) except for the big dent on the door and roof. I am not so worried about the door damage, that can be fairly easily replaced, it's the dent on the roof beside it that worries me. How difficult would it be to fix that? It looks like it's beyond just a panel dent, the frame of the cabin seems to be all bent out of shape now, I wonder if that's permanent. I think he's asking too much based on that damage. What do you think?

https://vancouver.craigslist.ca/bnc/cto/5786871874.html

In Washington/Portland area $4900 USD is too much for this 4runner with that damage. There's also a dent in the right rear quarter panel and the top right of the lift gate, unless they're shadows. There's nothing special about it at all. Interior is MEH. Pretty sure the seats are aftermarket OEM. (The side panels on the door are cloth.) The rough country suspension lift is not the suspension lift of choice for most T4R owners. The only pro's are the mileage (161,556) isn't bad and it is a manual. The frame looked pretty good but you would really need to do a thorough inspection.

Personally I would pass. If it didn't have the damage I would perhaps consider it for $4500 USD.

 

[Rock_Rat]

Hey OP, here's an almost exact replica with gold badging but it's an auto and no exterior damage with 200K miles. It's in Seattle and they're only asking 3950.

The guy needs the cash so I bet you could pick it up for $3000 if you had cash in hand. I'm sorry but I don't know what the cost is to purchase one from the US and bring into Canada. There may be more expenses I'm not aware of.

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/5740895119.html

EDIT: It's been posted since Sep 10th so you would have to be very cautious. It should have been sold by now. Interior needs work, let rear qtr panel dent above tail light and a cheap aftermarket woodgrain makeover. (Yuck)

 

[TravisM]

It has SR5 rims but has leather interior? Does it also have a diff locker? That's the big seller for me. I bet you could even haggle the price down because of the damage

 

[Scramble]

It has SR5 rims but has leather interior? Does it also have a diff locker? That's the big seller for me. I bet you could even haggle the price down because of the damage

Leather seats were an option on the SR5.

It's too much money IMO. But it's fixable yourself if you know how to do bodywork.

 

[bentos1]

Hey OP, here's an almost exact replica with gold badging but it's an auto and no exterior damage with 200K miles. It's in Seattle and they're only asking 3950.

The guy needs the cash so I bet you could pick it up for $3000 if you had cash in hand. I'm sorry but I don't know what the cost is to purchase one from the US and bring into Canada. There may be more expenses I'm not aware of.

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/5740895119.html

EDIT: It's been posted since Sep 10th so you would have to be very cautious. It should have been sold by now. Interior needs work, let rear qtr panel dent above tail light and a cheap aftermarket woodgrain makeover. (Yuck)

I think Mark is specifically looking for a 5speed and the import over to BC would probably not be worth the hassle. Import fee's and inspection, can be a big pain to go through.

 

[Rock_Rat]

Leather seats were an option on the SR5.

It's too much money IMO. But it's fixable yourself if you know how to do bodywork.

I wish leather was an option on my SR5 sport package in 01 with the grey interior. That was the only thing I was disappointed about.

 

[Mark_BC]

I think Mark is specifically looking for a 5speed and the import over to BC would probably not be worth the hassle. Import fee's and inspection, can be a big pain to go through.

Yeah the old family 4runner is an automatic Limited, I am restoring that to make it good again but I don't think I want to sink in additional $$ to make it an off road beast like a new suspension with lift, front bumper with winch, house battery etc etc. I would only put that kind of investment into a rig that I want (manual transmission, locker).

Since they're pretty cheap to begin with I might as well get the base I want. Then we'll have two 4runners... one lives on the island for my mom and one for me... at least I could sell one of them if I wanted and get the money back, it's not like buying a new car.

Yeah I brought a Cherokee into Canada years ago, kind of a hassle. You have to upgrade it to Canadian standards like adding daytime running lights.

 

[bentos1]

$6500 is kinda steep. Just because it has high(ish) KMs doesn't necessarily mean you need to replace all these suspension components. But, here's my incredibly amateur checklist to ask:

-Last spark plug change
-Last spark plug WIRE change
-Last fuel filter change
-Did he change the water pump?
-Have any of the bushings anywhere been changed?
-Last fluid change?

That last one especially. That includes the tranny, diffs, transfer case, and steering and brake fluid. How's the clutch? Does it squeak? Is that stupid u-bushing thingy about to go? Have the yokes and u-joints been greased recently?

I'm not trying to deter - just give you bargaining points. If you can get that to 4-5K I'd take it, but otherwise something better will likely come along. Very nice color though...

The ball joints is a big one and not something to even bother risking on in my opinion. Why not replace the other parts while you are in there as well.

-Last spark plug change
-Last spark plug WIRE change
-Last fuel filter change
These can be done anytime and I wouldn't use that as a haggling point

-Did he change the water pump?
Hopefully it was a full timing belt kit which included the water pump, otherwise I would just run it until the WP had issues

-Have any of the bushings anywhere been changed?
Most people aren't big on 4runners and wouldn't bother with this.

-Last fluid change?
You would want to go through and replace all fluids yourself once purchased to know it has been done.

You make valid points and I am not trying to de-value your input.

For myself, I go in to a sale with the mindset that I will need to change all these things. Once the sale is completed, these are maintenance items.

 

[BrandonF]

I also say too expensive. That type of damage reduces the value by a lot in my opinion. Most manuals sell in a matter of days or even hours so the fact that this runner is still for sale goes to show that people are really turned off by the damage. It seems to be an ongoing trend that people throw a shitty lift and 33" mall terrains on a 4runner and think it adds $2000 to the value of the truck...

 

[bentos1]

Yeah the old family 4runner is an automatic Limited, I am restoring that to make it good again but I don't think I want to sink in additional $$ to make it an off road beast like a new suspension with lift, front bumper with winch, house battery etc etc. I would only put that kind of investment into a rig that I want (manual transmission, locker).

Since they're pretty cheap to begin with I might as well get the base I want. Then we'll have two 4runners... one lives on the island for my mom and one for me... at least I could sell one of them if I wanted and get the money back, it's not like buying a new car.

Yeah I brought a Cherokee into Canada years ago, kind of a hassle. You have to upgrade it to Canadian standards like adding daytime running lights.

Ill keep a lookout for you a truck of your specs.
You might already know, but Canadian tire will do lend a tool. You pay full price for the tool and they will refund you the money once returned.
Came in handy when I needed to do my ball joints. The north shore one stopped the lend a tool program but the one on Cambie still has it.

 

[smerhej]

The ball joints is a big one and not something to even bother risking on in my opinion. Why not replace the other parts while you are in there as well.

-Last spark plug change
-Last spark plug WIRE change
-Last fuel filter change
These can be done anytime and I wouldn't use that as a haggling point

-Did he change the water pump?
Hopefully it was a full timing belt kit which included the water pump, otherwise I would just run it until the WP had issues

-Have any of the bushings anywhere been changed?
Most people aren't big on 4runners and wouldn't bother with this.

-Last fluid change?
You would want to go through and replace all fluids yourself once purchased to know it has been done.

You make valid points and I am not trying to de-value your input.

For myself, I go in to a sale with the mindset that I will need to change all these things. Once the sale is completed, these are maintenance items.

Yeah true - doesn't hurt to ask though! I mean if the person is totally clueless on a few of those items then from my experience it's pretty easy to knock down a couple more hundred bucks from the asking price.

 

[Okie81]

Make sure you take it for a spin, at highway speed. Any wind or road noise originating from the damage may drive you bonkers.

 

[bentos1]

Yeah true - doesn't hurt to ask though! I mean if the person is totally clueless on a few of those items then from my experience it's pretty easy to knock down a couple more hundred bucks from the asking price.

I agree, good point.

I do think this seller is just looking to recoup some money on his tires and lift.
Some people dump tons of money in vehicles and don't understand you realistically never get that back at sale, especially mods.

I would pass on this particular truck.

 

[bentos1]

I would look at this one, 1996 Toyota 4Runner 5spd with locker

I would be offering around 3000-3500 with the given issues but the seller seems unreasonable from the posting as they claim they are firm. No thanks

http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/pml/cto/5745514383.html Offer $1000 and fix the issues.

http://victoria.craigslist.ca/cto/5765618197.html
Asking too much for sure and its half a million KM's

5speed E-lockers are difficult to come by in BC but can be found.
I saw a posting in the morning for mine, went in the afternoon. On the way to get insurance and complete the deal, my seller got another 5 calls and multiple emails

 

[Mark_BC]

I'm also thinking of this fixer upper. I wonder if it's 4WD, I'll find out I guess. I might lean towards 4 cylinder for the fuel savings since I'd like to take the thing to Mexico which is a long drive. I don't need huge power.

https://vancouver.craigslist.ca/van/cto/5761517736.html

Regarding lockers, doesn't ARB make some aftermarket ones? That is probably pretty expensive though. What I might be able to do is swap the rear assembly with my mom's '97 Limited and get the locker from it that way. It's not like she will need a locker.