Urgent advice required. About to purchase a 4Runner.

V

vision-quest

New member
Hey guys! It looks like I FINALLY may have found my 4Runner. Clear car fax, 2008 sport, 120k miles.

He sent me these images of the undercarriage:

https://youtu.be/YcHUWl0EQ7I

http://imgur.com/ALBLj9f
http://imgur.com/wSGT1g9

How does that look to you? Pretty good rust wise? He also said the only thing to note was one of the brakes are screeching slightly. He just had the pads checked and they are fine. Is this something be be worried about? I'm obviously taking it to a mechanic before handing over any money but I need to sort out my finances before flying interstate to look at it and need to know if it's worth the flight.

Really appreciate any advise!
 
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that part of the frame doesn't look bad, and as far as the brakes making noise he could have gotten some thing on the pads when they was replaced.
 
LOBO79 said:
that part of the frame doesn't look bad, and as far as the brakes making noise he could have gotten some thing on the pads when they was replaced.
Click to expand...

Kind of has me worried haha. By doesn't look bad does that mean "meh OK" or "good"? I don't want to be buying a rusty car. It's not an east coast car so I thought it should be pretty decent. Should I have him send me more of the undercarriage?
 
I think it looks fine, maybe some more people can chime in. It looks about like mine from what I can tell. I will eventually try to coat my frame like some of these other guys. I have seen ALOT ALOT ALOT worse on here. I would buy it, if that is your biggest concern, but get as many pics as possible
 
vision-quest said:
I have not, what will that tell me? Sorry, I have never bought a Toyota before and it's only my second car.

EDIT: He sent me the VIN. 3 service records. Last was at 105k and was a transmission flush. The one before that was a "90 Pedal Mod" at 55k.
Click to expand...

It depends on how detailed the service records were inputted into the database. I personally checked the VIN with the toyota site and then cross referenced it to the carfax. I went as far as being able to figure out who the previous owner was based on the notes in the Toyota site and then I called the shop that all the maintenance was done. I asked the shop owner about the car and if he knew anything about it.

The biggest thing I found was that I was able to verify the timing belt was done as were the brakes, rear air suspension, and any other previous work.

IMO if you can get your hands on previous service records and call the mechanic that did the work, that will be your best way of verifying the condition of the truck. I personally just wanted to get as much information as possible on the car, I bought mine directly from someone off Craigslist and found a gem.
 
vision-quest said:
one of the brakes are screeching slightly. He just had the pads checked and they are fine. Is this something be be worried about?
Click to expand...

Does it happen when the brakes are not applied? Possibly a frozen caliper, a common problem with these trucks.
 
Rust looks fine. I live in MA and see much much worse.

Screeching brakes doesn't exactly match up with "just had the pads checked and they're fine". They shouldn't be squealing if they're fine. Maybe they're just worn from normal wear and tear, maybe it's a frozen caliper. Either way not a deal breaker. I just replaced a caliper on mine at 128k and it was easy.
 
Just added a video of the undercarriage to the original post. Would some people mind checking it out for me to make sure all is good before I buy these flights?

Thanks!
 
Doesn't look like anything to worry about, you could easily fix that bit of rust on the frame with a wire wheel and some kind of coating, plenty of people on here who have done it. The only place it looks kinda rusted is the gas tank skid and you can always buy an aftermarket one if it bothers you that much.
 
montijo505 said:
Doesn't look like anything to worry about, you could easily fix that bit of rust on the frame with a wire wheel and some kind of coating, plenty of people on here who have done it. The only place it looks kinda rusted is the gas tank skid and you can always buy an aftermarket one if it bothers you that much.
Click to expand...

Thanks a lot. Could this rust on the gas tank skid spread to other more important parts of the vehicle if I don't replace it?
 
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