Wanting to Buy a 2nd Gen

[InTheMrkt]

Hi All,

I just started looking for my "new" 4Runner and had a couple of questions to help me with my search.

Any advice as for what to look out for? I've heard about the head gasket. What else?

What about drivetrain, 4x4 stuff? I was told to look to see if the wheel bearings had been repacked recently.

I test drove a '94 today w/ 105K on it. It drove great I thought. It sounded like it had a lifter tick. Does this sound normal? Or maybe it was just the injectors?

Basically, I'm just wanting to keep an eye out for typical failures and problems. From what I've heard, these things run forever as long as they're well maintained. I don't even mind spending a little extra cash to get things up to snuff, just as long as the powertrain is in good shape.

Thanks

p.s. I found a '95 listed with 104K and they're asking $7600. I did the Car Fax on it and everything is legit and its only had one owner. The Blue Book says this should be around $9400. What do you guys think?

 

[yamaherb]

:awais: sounds like good price on the 95, I paid 6500 for mine it had 115000 mi. these are very well built trucks! will run very long time, good luck hope you find what your looking for.

 

[r1burden]

I just bought a 95 with 78k for $7100

I looked for a several months before I found what I wanted
it is very important that the oil has been changed regularly, the best way to tell is to look at the dip stick, if it has brown crud
on it , it has been run with low oil, and that is not good, also check the inside the oil cap and see if the inside of the valve covers are cruddy. they should look brand new. also make sure the timing belt has been changed. and the HG recall has been done. that is why I bought a 4 runner because if they are taken care of they last.

 

[yamaherb]

Sounds like you found one thats just getting broke in. when was timeing belt done on yours, mine now has 118000, I don't know if mine was ever changed there is no sticker that say's it was, only other way to tell is to change. it. No crud. in my Eng.and mine was not on hg recall. dealer ran it ,he says it was built after hg recall.Hope he right! it is strong runnig truck very sloid built. I think it will last . :awais:

 

[r1burden]

timing belt change at 65k

I have big silver sticker on the fan shroud
from toyota that states the mileage and date of the timming belt change, one thing m4 4runner does have is a slight leak around the rear main seal, I used this as a bargaining chip, he was asking 8500 and I got it down to 7100 because of some repairs
that needed to be done, just look over the truck real good