Trading T100 for 4runner. Questions?

[Zuke]

Hello all,

I am looking for advice on a trade for a T4R.

I have a 96 T100 4x4. An old coworker of mine is looking for a weekend warrior truck. She just got a TDI Jetta for her 150+ mile commute and wants to sell her 03 4Runner V8. I need something with more passenger room for my 2 kids and wife. My father in law just got a new truck so I can borrow his for hauling crap around. I love the T100 but the xtra cab space sucks with two kids back there. I have a company car that I drive to/from work and only need something for weekend trips. I also want to keep a 4x4 vehicle in case of heavy snow/zombie infestation. So we are looking at trading T100 for 4runner.

Hers-
2003 4runner SR5 4.7 V8 150k miles.
She had the timing belt/wp and full tune up + brakes done last summer at the stealership. She bought it at 10k miles. She takes good care of it but it has its share of dings/paint scrapes since she is a kayak addict and drives it on trails every weekend. I don't really care about the cosmetic issues. It was involved in a accident/hit a deer last year coming back from a kayak trip. The grill and radiator where replaced by professional auto body shop. One of her rear tail lights is cracked from ramming a kayak into it. The roof rack is damaged from ... you guessed it, kayak storage.
KBB fair private party- $8900 she has it on craigslist for $7500 obo (she wants to sell it fast).

Mine
96 T100 4wd xtracab SR5 3.4 v6 150k miles, leer cap.
Timing belt/wp were done at 100k miles. I have replaced the sway bar bushings, brake pads, shocks and plugs+wires last summer. Needs muffle/tailpipe replaced but may pass inspection. Runs great but lots of rust issues....
KBB fair private party $4600


My family and I have owned lots of Toyota trucks and this would be the first SUV style. I know the old pick-ups and tacomas pretty well as far as mechanical issues and repair.

We are going to meet up this weekend and drive each others vehicles. I am hoping she likes the T100 and will accept the trade plus a few $$ her way.

Here are my questions--
-The V8 in the 4runner is rated pretty low on hp compared to the tundra... anyone know why?
-The v8 models had full time 4wd is the system any good? Flaws/perks?
-These 4runners are based on the Lexus gx470, correct? How is aftermarket support?
-What are the issues I should look for that are specific for this model year/ generation/mileage?
-If she likes the T and wants to trade what do you think an acceptable cash difference should be?

Thanks!
Z

 

[Ian]

-The V8 in the 4runner is rated pretty low on hp compared to the tundra... anyone know why?

Dunno about a Tundra, but I find the v8 in my 04 more than adequate for daily driving and occasional towing. No idea what's different about the Tundra engine, maybe it's just on paper.

-The v8 models had full time 4wd is the system any good? Flaws/perks?

My wife really likes that she doesn't have to shift in and out of 4wd like she did with our old 4x4 trucks/suvs. It actually turns in 4x4, versus a locked center diff that tends to push off line.

-These 4runners are based on the Lexus gx470, correct? How is aftermarket support?

I tend to think of it the other way around ...but there is plenty of aftermarket support for the t4r.

-What are the issues I should look for that are specific for this model year/ generation/mileage?

Seized brake calipers, leaking CV boots, and that's all I've had in 100k miles. I don't believe I've heard of any other consistent issues with the v8.

-If she likes the T and wants to trade what do you think an acceptable cash difference should be?

Well, my first thought is don't do a business transaction with a friend or coworker...stuff happens, but if you're so inclined somewhere between the KBB values would seem fair accounting for mileage, condition, and maintenance.

 

[12guns]

Here are my questions--
-The V8 in the 4runner is rated pretty low on hp compared to the tundra... anyone know why?
-The v8 models had full time 4wd is the system any good? Flaws/perks?
-These 4runners are based on the Lexus gx470, correct? How is aftermarket support?
-What are the issues I should look for that are specific for this model year/ generation/mileage?
-If she likes the T and wants to trade what do you think an acceptable cash difference should be?

Thanks!
Z

Check out NADA also, alot of people are using that vs KBB.
1. Not sure why the 4runner V8 is tuned down, but I would guess a tuned up V8 would be too much for most people in a fairly small SUV!

2. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but the 4runner is a part of the "Toyota 120 platform" which includes Tacoma, 4runner, and FJ cruiser. The V8 4runner uses the same 4.7 used in the older V8 Land cruisers and *I think* the same transmision and transfer case. Aftermarket parts and support is awesome. Plenty of parts, suspension upgrades, ect. No issues there.

3. Main thing I would look for, is to see if the timing belt and h2o pump have been replaced. They should be at ever 90k miles or so. I can be costly, so if it has been done for you, that's less money out of your pocket! Make sure regular oil changes have been done.

4. Condition if everything with used cars, but if the 4runner is in good shape sounds like a pretty good deal. "Rough trade in" from NADA is 8300, and that's for a POS. Of course NADA is just a guide. If you could give $3,000 and your truck, and if the 4runner has been well kept, I would say that's my max. Maybe offer less just to see.

For what it's worth, the V8's are silky smooth, and yes, full time 4x4 whick I love. I'm sure it hurts MPG's a little, but it helps with control and stability w/ all that power. 150k miles on the 4runner's 4.7 is nothing as long as it's been maintained.

Hope all my rambling helps!

 

[Zuke]

Thanks all. I like hearing advice from current 4r owners.

I was thinking 3$ was my max out of pocket. I may volunteer to fix the exhaust. A complete cat back system for the T goes for $120 from rockauto, so its not that expensive. i will probably have to fix the taillight to pass inspection in Maryland. I checked on ebay and saw a few going for about 60-70$. Is this a hard fix, pulling old taillight off?

As for doing business with friends, I feel the same way but, I do not work with this woman anymore and only see her/talk to her about 3-4 times a year. We are basically facebook friends now. There is always that guilt feeling if I trade her the T and it breaks in half 2 days later. But I am doing my research into 4runners to learn what to look for. She should be doing the same.

I am going to be trading in my T this spring/summer anyway. I am guessing a dealership will only give me $3k max for it. A vehicle of like her's at a dealership would be $10-12K. I am hoping to upgrade at a large discount.

 

[Presta24]

Also check for drive line clunk (on the 4th gen t4r's). Pretty easy fix but annoying if not fixed. Just use the search on here for "4th gen drive line clunk". It'll give description of problem and step by step instructions to DIY with pics. This forum is a huge advantage for T4R owners. I am fairly new here and have learned more than ever thought

 

[gptoy96]

I dunno, not sure what the market is like in your area, but $7500 would be a steal around here. Especially since she's basically owned it since new, and other than some cosmetic issues that it would be mechanically sound, I'd be all over it. It's only halfway done it's life at most.

-Not sure what the ratings on the Tundra were, but I beleive around the years of this truck is when they changed how HP was calculated, so they may look different on paper but should be the same (not 100% on this). Double check that the Tundra number you got is the same year as the T4R's.
-Full time 4wd is great, good piece of mind knowing you don't have to think about it. No mechanical disadvantages really, double check the actuator though, especially at that year/mileage. There'll be a button on the left side of the dash for the central diff lock, make sure that works (on snow or gravel). It should be exercised routinely as per the owners manual, if not it could seize and expensive to fix.
-Tonnes of aftermarket for T4R's, the world's your oyster with these.
-Potential issues would be the actuator above or, like Ian mentioned, seized brake calipers which are fairly common. The calipers wouldn't be a deal breaker for me, make sure the price is fair if this issue exists. The actuator though is pretty significant, the price of the T4R would have to be pretty cheap compared to others or be adjustable enough to help cover this if I were to buy it if it was not working.
-I really can't speak on the money aspect as I'm sure it's a whole different world then what I'm used to.

(BTW, Presta-sweet AV! Love the way she's representing us canucks, makes me proud!!)

 

[StevieT4R]

Here are my questions--
-The V8 in the 4runner is rated pretty low on hp compared to the tundra... anyone know why? You should not look only at HP - its really low end torque where it excels
-The v8 models had full time 4wd is the system any good? Flaws/perks? I have no experience there
-These 4runners are based on the Lexus gx470, correct? Not correct. It's the GX that is based on the T4R How is aftermarket support? Just do a search, you'll find too many options there
-What are the issues I should look for that are specific for this model year/ generation/mileage? You should know whith your long term ownership of a Yota...
-If she likes the T and wants to trade what do you think an acceptable cash difference should be? Personally, I would sell your truck and buy her T4R in a heartbeat

 

[Zuke]

Ok just got back from a test drive. We took each others rigs off road down some river shore roads. Everything worked good, center diff lock and 4hi clicked over with no strange noises. Brakes were really good engine smooth and clean. Lots of cosmetic issues though, tons of scratches from the kayaks and the interior looks like someone has lived in it for the last year. It reminded me of buying a "work" truck. I don't really care about the cosmetic stuff and I will pay a detail shop 50$ to clean the inside. One issue I did notice was it was hard to shift out of park. There was a lot of funk built up in the shift gate so maybe that was the issue. Any thoughts? I did hear the drive line clunk when I came to stop.