Test drove a used 3rd gen and have a few questions for the team!

[rob_dixon]

I actually think it was in pretty good condition.

1) The center radio console is very squeaky. I can hold it down with my hand and the squeaking stops. Is there a permanent fix to this issue?

2) The belts squeak as well at idle and throttle. Annoying really. Easily fixed?

3) I can't tell if it had the water pump and belts replaced. My understanding is this should be done, and is very expensive. Is there a sure fire way to tell? (obvi maintenance records are not available).

4) I played around with the 4x4, multi button), lockers and such and heard the engagement and dis engagement of said items. However, does Toyota build in safety checks on these? Can some dolt who test drove it screw up the differentials and transmission outside of the rules required for these?

Thanks!

 

[Soren96]

1) Just take it off and find the squeak. Usually some felt or some kind of rubber wedged in there can help.

2) Belts either need to be replaced, tensioned better, or both....or some accessory is going bad and taking too much force to spin.

3) No way to tell without taking it out. If it’s not leaking or overheating, it should be fine until you decide to replace it. The belts aren’t that bad, but the water pump I’m sure is a pita. Maybe do it with timing belt for peace of mind.

4) if it works and wasn’t engaged at 60mph it should be fine. Don’t be afraid to test drive it aggressively to uncover any gremlins!


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[brillo_76]

I actually think it was in pretty good condition.



1) The center radio console is very squeaky. I can hold it down with my hand and the squeaking stops. Is there a permanent fix to this issue?



2) The belts squeak as well at idle and throttle. Annoying really. Easily fixed?



3) I can't tell if it had the water pump and belts replaced. My understanding is this should be done, and is very expensive. Is there a sure fire way to tell? (obvi maintenance records are not available).



4) I played around with the 4x4, multi button), lockers and such and heard the engagement and dis engagement of said items. However, does Toyota build in safety checks on these? Can some dolt who test drove it screw up the differentials and transmission outside of the rules required for these?



Thanks!

1]. Make sure everything is snug. If snug file the exact area of the squeak and use foam tape, silicon etc to stop the sqeak.

2] belts need tightened. If really old need replaced.

3] observation is the best way if they look 20 years old they might be. Cracks in the belt are a sure sign they are warn out.

Mostly the water pumps are done with the timing belts and we have many threads along with videos on how to repair those if need be.

4] Very unlikely. The 3rd gen drivetrain is fairly solid and if its a limited has push button. Binding of the axles cant occur. Binding can occur if the 3rd gen has a J configuration transfer case and not driven in a straight line on dry roads. Snow, wet icy roads the 4wd will not bind up.





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[rob_dixon]

THANKS guys!! These are pictures of the underbelly. Is this too much rust? Or does it look good for the age?

I do not know how to post right into the forum. It never works for me.
3rd Gen Rust - Album on Imgur

 

[RandyBobandy]

That undercarriage is what they looked like new here in the rust belt lol

 

[TheShowtime]

THANKS guys!! These are pictures of the underbelly. Is this too much rust? Or does it look good for the age?

I do not know how to post right into the forum. It never works for me.
3rd Gen Rust - Album on Imgur

What state are you from? That undercarriage looks great. I’m jealous

 

[rob_dixon]

What state are you from? That undercarriage looks great. I’m jealous

Its a west coast car its whole life. Its not mine yet. Just considering it.

 

[Iffykid]

What state are you from? That undercarriage looks great. I’m jealous

I am going to guess he is from Phoenix Arizona.:drum:

 

[phattyduck]

Its a west coast car its whole life. Its not mine yet. Just considering it.

Doesn't look like a true west coast car - it probably spent some time in Utah or Colorado during the winters. The big area of concern is the rear lower control arm frame mounts, which aren't pictured. The back of that rear diff is thin and will need to be taken care of.

Don't see any deal breakers though...

-Charlie

 

[2ndhandyotaman]

THANKS guys!! These are pictures of the underbelly. Is this too much rust? Or does it look good for the age?

I do not know how to post right into the forum. It never works for me.
3rd Gen Rust - Album on Imgur

You don't want that one- you'll deny yourself the pure pleasure of dealing with fused together hardware, seized suspension components and a chassis that rots away from the inside-out! You'll never know the joys of getting rust dust into your eyeballs or trying to remember when you had your last tetanus shot booster. You'll never watch a video of Eric at South Main Auto repair and be able to say " I feel your pain brother! Now go get the blue tipped ford wrench out and burn those shock mounting bolts off, it's just faster that way!"

Yeah, you don't want that rig, there's not enough challenge there...

 

[Endlessblockades]

4) I played around with the 4x4, multi button), lockers and such and heard the engagement and dis engagement of said items. However, does Toyota build in safety checks on these? Can some dolt who test drove it screw up the differentials and transmission outside of the rules required for these?

Thanks!

I bought a 2000 LTD a month ago. I went out on a solo test drive at night and thought I was pretty good with 4WD and got myself completely confused with the multi-mode 4WD - I had to watch a couple of youtube videos in the Best Buy parking lot to get it back into 2H! I didn't know you needed to be rolling to accomplish some of the drivetrain transfers. DOH! The next day in the sunlight I found that it had the original 'How To 4X4' card in the visor pouch and the rear diff locker button I hadn't see at night. It would have been a drag limping 10 blocks back through busy city traffic in 4L :llama: Another worry was that the older gentleman I bought it from said he had never used 4X4 (and I believe him) and I wasn't sure that things were even working how they should....