One Sick Puppy
New member
Issues on used 4runner... deal breakers? *updated*
Sold my single-cab Ford Ranger, aiming for a more family-friendly vehicle that I can repair and maintain myself. I'm getting pretty good with mechanical stuff, having built up 2 Samurai's for off-road use, and building a buggy for same. However, I'm mostly a solid-axle guy and not so great with the engine and electrical stuff.
The best one available is this one:
2000 manual, 3.4L, 196 000 Kilometers (121k miles),
Super Clean 4runner North Saanich & Sidney , Victoria
- engine has a little "whir" when accelerating (in or out of gear, doesn't matter). Not sure if this is normal or a big deal - this is the only manual trans that I've tried, all the others with autos and I don't think I remember any whirring sound. Sounds like maybe from the tcase? but that's a loose guess. I don't have any mechanic stethoscope and my ear is not tuned to such nuances.
Here's a video: http://instagib.com/stuff/4x4/4runner_whirring.m4v
Not sure if u can tell from the sound if it's normal or not.
- the front end wobbles over 100km/h. I can feel it in the wheel, the shifter and see the bush bar wobble. Tires are older and worn, nothing looks wet around the joints, but I read on the forums that the ball joints are known problems...
- Engine idle is inconsistent when cold; from what I've read on the forums, probably needs new idle air controller and/or mass airflow sensor? Doesn't seem to be a problem once warm, so worth fixing?
- rotors are warped, can feel it only when breaking at highway speeds. I read that the stock rotors are quite prone to warping so seems like best practice is to bolt on some '04 Tundra calipers/rotors... and get some wheels to fit them. Seems like a pretty easy task assuming I find some wheels that can accommodate the bigger parts.
Just curious for comments/advice about the issues listed above? Deal breakers? What I should anticipate? Apart from those issues, the truck is very clean, everything works, no body rust, good power, lots of maintenance records, including timing belt and water pump... I like it. Never owned a 4runner or Toy pickup before, though I have 3 sets of toyota axles in my samurais (hehe). I don't mind putting some work into it, but would like to know what to expect... especially from the steering issue and slight whirring noise.
Sold my single-cab Ford Ranger, aiming for a more family-friendly vehicle that I can repair and maintain myself. I'm getting pretty good with mechanical stuff, having built up 2 Samurai's for off-road use, and building a buggy for same. However, I'm mostly a solid-axle guy and not so great with the engine and electrical stuff.
The best one available is this one:
2000 manual, 3.4L, 196 000 Kilometers (121k miles),
Super Clean 4runner North Saanich & Sidney , Victoria
- engine has a little "whir" when accelerating (in or out of gear, doesn't matter). Not sure if this is normal or a big deal - this is the only manual trans that I've tried, all the others with autos and I don't think I remember any whirring sound. Sounds like maybe from the tcase? but that's a loose guess. I don't have any mechanic stethoscope and my ear is not tuned to such nuances.
Here's a video: http://instagib.com/stuff/4x4/4runner_whirring.m4vNot sure if u can tell from the sound if it's normal or not.
- the front end wobbles over 100km/h. I can feel it in the wheel, the shifter and see the bush bar wobble. Tires are older and worn, nothing looks wet around the joints, but I read on the forums that the ball joints are known problems...
- Engine idle is inconsistent when cold; from what I've read on the forums, probably needs new idle air controller and/or mass airflow sensor? Doesn't seem to be a problem once warm, so worth fixing?
- rotors are warped, can feel it only when breaking at highway speeds. I read that the stock rotors are quite prone to warping so seems like best practice is to bolt on some '04 Tundra calipers/rotors... and get some wheels to fit them. Seems like a pretty easy task assuming I find some wheels that can accommodate the bigger parts.
Just curious for comments/advice about the issues listed above? Deal breakers? What I should anticipate? Apart from those issues, the truck is very clean, everything works, no body rust, good power, lots of maintenance records, including timing belt and water pump... I like it. Never owned a 4runner or Toy pickup before, though I have 3 sets of toyota axles in my samurais (hehe). I don't mind putting some work into it, but would like to know what to expect... especially from the steering issue and slight whirring noise.
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