Thinking of Buying 03 Limited V8 ... Not!

[Bossman]

I found this ad on Auto Trader (Canada) for a 2003 Toyota 4Runner Limited V8.

2003 Dark Grey Toyota 4Runner Limited **LEATHER/ROOF** for $5,999 in TORONTO | autoTRADER.ca

Having had problems with my 4Runner's Rear Air Suspension system (exact same make/model as in the ad), I can tell that the RAS has failed and that it is riding on the frame.

"Very well maintained" indeed! Would be some test drive!

 

[NJshadow93]

I found this ad on Auto Trader (Canada) for a 2003 Toyota 4Runner Limited V8.

2003 Dark Grey Toyota 4Runner Limited **LEATHER/ROOF** for $5,999 in TORONTO | autoTRADER.ca

Having had problems with my 4Runner's Rear Air Suspension system (exact same make/model as in the ad), I can tell that the RAS has failed and that it is riding on the frame.

"Very well maintained" indeed! Would be some test drive!

Wow, interesting find. How can they not realize that rear suspension is totally shot?

 

[V8Man]

Read the disclaimer at the end of the ad. May not be roadworthy!

 

[preacher35]

You know what they say about suckers.....

 

[KidVermicious]

6k seems like a steal, even for a truck with suspension trouble. What's the deal with the RAS, is it that hard to delete?

 

[Bossman]

6k seems like a steal, even for a truck with suspension trouble. What's the deal with the RAS, is it that hard to delete?

In my situation, one of the height control sensors failed first and eventually the on-board air compressor failed. My creative mechanic disconnected the RAS air bags from both the sensors and the compressor, and rigged a manual fill system. Now I can adjust my rear height as easy as I fill my tires with air.

Depending on what has failed on this for sale 4Runner, it could be an easy or expensive fix (depending on what the new owner wants to do). Swapping out the RAS for a standard suspension is a little tricky and would require some modification, as the mount the RAS air bags rest on is different than what the standard coil would rest on.

 

[CookieRoe]

Good looking Runner....... but

Yikes, sounds a lot more expensive than repairing just XREAS (doesn't XREAS come with RAS?)

 

[97BlackAckCL]

All my friends know the low-rider... :banana:

 

[LTDSC]

easy swap if you dont want RAS

 

[Red]

If all that is wrong with that 4Runner is the RAS, buying it for 6k and pulling the RAS and xreas out wouldn't be too bad. BUT since that 4Runner is in Ontario I'm willing to bet it's completely corroded underneath, just look at those wheels.

Here in Alberta, used car lots like to pick up cheap vehicles from the east and try to sell them here for a profit, all you have to do is look underneath them and you know where it came from.

 

[Bossman]

Yikes, sounds a lot more expensive than repairing just XREAS (doesn't XREAS come with RAS?)

Yes, it was the price of replacing the one height control sensor that failed that led me (and my mechanic) to come up with another way to keep the RAS. When the on-board compressor failed, it was a no-brainer to go the manual fill route he suggested to keep the RAS working.

My Limited V8 does pair the XREAS with the RAS. My XREAS has also failed and is now gone. So much for fancy systems on my Limited!

 

[Bossman]

If all that is wrong with that 4Runner is the RAS, buying it for 6k and pulling the RAS and xreas out wouldn't be too bad. BUT since that 4Runner is in Ontario I'm willing to bet it's completely corroded underneath, just look at those wheels.

Here in Alberta, used car lots like to pick up cheap vehicles from the east and try to sell them here for a profit, all you have to do is look underneath them and you know where it came from.

Red, I'm with you on the suspicion of rust being a leading factor in what appears to be a RAS failure. My height control sensor failed for that very reason (as did my XREAS when a fluid line corroded through and leaked).

Those wheels are a further indicator of the vehicle perhaps being not well maintained. My wheels look much better than that.