What should I be concerned about looking at used lifted/leveled 4runners?

[cmpcmp123]

Looking to buy a used 06 to 09 4runner 4wd. I never really considered buying a lifted and/or leveled truck. I figure the stock suspension should do me just fine, it is better to keep it stock for resale, and that it was a sign the owner put more wear and tear on it than a highway cruiser. But, there are a lot of lifted 4runners for sale out here in Utah and I found one with a lot of the options i want:

Toyota 4Runner | ksl.com

Going to look at it tomorrow; it has a leveling kit and aftermarket rims and tires. Can anyone tell by looking at it if this would be good off-road? Or is this more of a "show" modification? I have read that the leveling spacers can actually accelerate suspension wear while off-roading? Also, from what I have read here, you can level it while keeping the XREAS?

Unfortunately the man who leveled it died and it is his daughter selling it. She does not know much about the vehicle. He serviced it at the dealer so hopefully I can pull their records and see if the timing belt was done. Hopefully she can find records of what shop did the level kit too. These lifted 4runners certainly look cool but it just seems like a lot of trouble buying one used; making sure it was installed properly, making sure it wasn't abused off-road, and so on.

Thanks again everyone! Hope to have a 4th gen soon!

 

[ebg18t]

99% of the leveled or lifted trucks are just mall crawlers anyways.very few are actually used Offroad.

 

[bergs]

Show mod, IMO.

If you plan on enjoying enthusiastic offroading then plan on ditching the spacers and XREAS for a conventional lift.

Truck looks good in the pics!

 

[cmpcmp123]

99% of the leveled or lifted trucks are just mall crawlers anyways.very few are actually used Offroad.

Yes, actually she said that she doesn't think her dad ever took it off-road. But I still know very little about these kits. Are there ones for off-roading and ones just to look good at the mall?

 

[NJshadow93]

Looks nice, but wow $17000 is a lot. I bought my '06 a year and a half ago with around the same mileage for $11,500 at a dealer ($13,000 OTD). If you're concerned, shop around for a nice clean stock one and wait for a good deal. They're out there.

 

[cmpcmp123]

Looks nice, but wow $17000 is a lot. I bought my '06 a year and a half ago with around the same mileage for $11,500 at a dealer ($13,000 OTD). If you're concerned, shop around for a nice clean stock one and wait for a good deal. They're out there.

I don't want to get off topic but I have never seen an 06+ 4wd in good condition for that low from a dealer. Around here it is $18k to $22k for a nice one from a dealer; and $14k to $18k from a private party depending on condition.

 

[oljedi11950]

Jump on it v8 low mi , offer her 15.5 & see where it goes , especially if a mall crawler not beat up . Looks good to me

 

[cmpcmp123]

Ok, so I went to see it today. On the test drive I stop, put it in neutral, and switch it into 4LO. Start to hear this horrible grinding/clunking noise. I can't remember if it started right when I switched it, or when I shifted to drive and took my foot off the brake. Let is coast w/o gas for maybe 3 feet and then just shut the engine off, still grinding the entire 3 foot drive. Turned it back on, grinding noise is gone, took it out of 4LO and it drove normally. He said he never used 4LO and would have a mechanic friend look at it. But then he decided to try it again himself. After he switched it to 4LO he shifted to 2L, whereas I was in D, and it drove in 4LO fine; no grinding. After that, I switched between 4H and 4L a couple times while stopped in neutral and could hear the actuator engaging every time.

So, first, was I an idiot for shifting into 4-D? The manual says nothing on this from what I read. We were both afraid to try 4LO and D again. Shouldn't it be in a low gear anyway when in D from a stop?

Second, what the hell was that noise?

Thanks as always.

 

[oljedi11950]

It should be fine the actuator just needs to be used especially in 4lo , probably 1st time since it was bought . Ok to drive n 4 or D , just keep engaging in 4hi & 4lo a cpl times if it becomes smoother its cool ! How's motor sound ? Exhaust leaks ? Have maint records ? If so try to drive a little more honestly if these are ok pull the trigger !!

 

[rcdeppen]

17k seems high to me. I just bought an 06 sport 2wd v8 from a dealer with brand new rubber and 39k miles for 17,500.00

100 plus miles without proof of the 1200$ + timing belt job? I wouldn't give a penny over 14k for it. I'd start with a 12,5k offer

 

[t-man]

I bought my 05 sport edition, V8 5 months ago for 13k. It had 150k miles, and had the timing belt changed by dealership already, Gibson exhaust, K&N filter and very clean. It has been perfect, no issue's other than the shocks, X-REAS junk, were dead. I think 17 is a little high, like someone else said. Offer 15.5 and see where it goes. It looks very clean, and you can do about anything you would like from here on out if you buy it.

 

[cmpcmp123]

17k seems high to me. I just bought an 06 sport 2wd v8 from a dealer with brand new rubber and 39k miles for 17,500.00

100 plus miles without proof of the 1200$ + timing belt job? I wouldn't give a penny over 14k for it. I'd start with a 12,5k offer

I'm pretty sure the timing belt has not been done. I doubt she would take $14k. I'm thinking of offering $15k and not budging from that. Probably just wait though, I'm in no rush.