Thinking about a '96 SR5 4WD with 137K miles ($6K)

M

Mojoski

New member
Hello all!

I'm just about to purchase my first 4Runner and I can't even tell you how excited I am. I should be signing all the paperwork on Monday for a 1996 4Runner SR5 with 4WD, unless someone here explains why I shouldn't. It seems to have been pretty well maintained and it has about 136K miles on it. My impression is that I will likely get quite a few more years of work out of it with a little love and care, and regular maintenance.

So I'm interested in whether you guys think this is true or not. I've always heard good things about how long you can run these trucks. I'm only having to pay $6K for this one, so I figure I should be in good shape even if I have to sink a couple grand into it over the next 3-5 years. Do you agree?

Is there any reason why I should be concerned about getting one so old? I was glad to see this is a third generation. I am not the type of guys to be doing baja riding, but I do like to get out in the woods and mud on a regular basis and will be looking for some fun places to take this one in the North Georgia mountains. I'm a geocacher as well and there are some nice caches in North Ga. that you really need 4 wheel drive to get to. I haven't had a 4WD vehicle in almost a decade, so I'm really looking forward to that.

My buddy who is a 15 year professional mechanic checked this one out for me and said the only issues he saw were very minor things he could fix for cheap. Are there any major issues with this generation, model or year that I should be wary of? Consumer reports seems to give 4Runners pretty awesome marks for reliability, but I have never bought a vehicle with this many miles on it and I'm a bit nervous about that.

Any suggestions on things I should look at before signing on the dotted line? Any relatively simple mods I should consider when I get it? Any stats or features I should make sure it has before I buy it? It is very nice inside and has power everything, including the sunroof and back window. I'm buying a Husky cargo liner and a "Bound to ride" dog leash first thing. What should be my next purchases?

All suggestions/warnings are welcome. And thanks so much for contributing to this awesome board. I have learned so much already by just reading through the many informative posts. This really is a great resource!

Mojoski

PS - I need to add a towing setup for pulling small trailers. Which one would you guys recommend? The truck has never towed before..
 
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If it is the 3.4 V6, then it should have had the timing belt replaced at 90k. If not, it needs to be replaced asap.
 
It is the 3.4 V6 and the timing belt looks brand new. The folks selling it said that the previous owner had replaced it right before he sold it to them. My mechanic buddy pointed that out to me when he looked it over.

Thanks for the tip!

How many miles should I be able to get out of this vehicle, if I take care of it. Any guesses? How many miles do some of you guys have on yours?


RickC said:
If it is the 3.4 V6, then it should have had the timing belt replaced at 90k. If not, it needs to be replaced asap.
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i bought my 96 with 162xx miles on it and besides basic maintenance ( and whatever i break or screw up), its been reliable for the most part. there have been issues here and there with my truck but then again, every vehicle is gonna give you a little trouble here and there.
 
I had a 98 Limited that was bought with 102000 on the OD and sold it when it hit 180 to 185000. I still see it around town and expect it will run for another 80,000 miles. I never had a problem with it. The only real work that had to be done on it was the timing belt which is normal and the rear-end seals had to be replaced. The seals had to be replaced because I was constantly hard on it though. Rest assured that it will make you a great vehicle, with a little TLC it should give you years of enjoyment. For the first "mod" I would look into new tires, and a brushguard, the 3rd gen looks great with them IMO. Good luck with your purchase.
 
I just bought my '99 with 177k on it. My first 4Runner was a '91 with 130k on it when I got it.

High mileage Toyotas dont scare me.

Like already said, if well maintained, that truck has another 100k on it easy. My friend had 315k on his before he sold it.
 
are they offering any warranty? 30 days? My 97 had 142K when I gave it to my daughter and it ran for about 10K more until they traded it in on a new Jetta. I have heard of 200 to 300K on the V6. Take care of baby and baby will take care of you.:)
 
I went for it..

Thanks for the input, everyone. I decided to go for it today. Just drove it home!

Now I have to start saving up for:

1. The Husky Floor and Cargo Liners
2. The Tow Kit. Do you guys have a recommendation?
3. The BoundToRide.com dog leash for the cargo area.

And then I have to add a few outlets up front and make them work when the keys aren't on, for all my gadgets..

Bottom line, I'm hooked already and I just pulled the dang thing into the garage for the first time! Can't wait to actually get out in the woods with it!


My4Runner_2.jpg


My4Runner.jpg
 
Very nice find! I got the Husky Floor mats for all the floor surfaces and they're awesome plus the one for the rear seat foot wells covers the tranny hump in two pieces. i love em. Enjoy your new runner!
 
Check out DRAW-TITE for a hitch. I have one on my 2002 and it has worked flawlessly. I got it installed maybe a year after I got the 02, so around 2003, and it hasn't rusted out yet

aav49.jpg


Congrats on the purchase
 
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Nice truck! I had a 98 and loved it. Sold it this year and got an 07. You should get many years out of this truck! Good luck with it!
 
DenderWes said:
Looks good! Better Hidden then the factory toyota.
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Yeah, I don't have many pics showing it too well, but from the angles I do have, it's hard to see it really, except for the receiver part

30keuyw.jpg
 
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