What to look for when buying a 3rd Gen?
- Thread starter Spish
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98_4runnerSR5
New member
It took me quite some time to find my runner as well. The biggest things that I looked for were: no rust, clean title, clean carfax, majority of the maintenance records, clean body/interior, etc. The biggest thing is maintenance records! If there are no records to prove stuff has been done then how do you know it's been taken care of.
bigtimeweb
New member
Hi Spish! Such a personal preference question!
In order I wanted:
4x4
moonroof
neutral exterior color
preferable:
metallic interior bezels and accompanying sport hood
cloth - wouldn't mind leather if it was great condition but I live in the south like you and the whole sweaty butt factor of leather doesn't turn me on.
These alone narrowed me down to just a few years....
Then it was the standard carfax/autocheck, mileage, interior condition, maintenance records, and locational history that wasn't in a known road salting state.
A note on all the carfax / maintenance records issue - seriously, buying used is almost ALWAYS a crapshoot - you are going to be one lucky SOB to find something that doesn't need some work - the trick is not getting upside down in value. I owned my 2nd gen for 18 years before this one, and I took GOOD care of that - pull my Carfax you wont find much...not even my dealer services...they aren't the end all be all. Just accept that its going to need work and do as much due diligence as you can to know what you are investing in. Best thing about them is that you can identify a WRECK...but guess what? My new one definitely had a paint job - who knows what they covered up.
I budgeted 1k off the bat for repairs, then found something that would fit my budget. Bought it sight unseen and had it shipped.
If I was doing it NOW I would have added manual transmission, nixed the 01-02 for the stupid electronic throttle control & VSC, and looked a little harder for the rear locker.
Every time I floor it I get pissed at my throttle control. :wtf:
If I had been in person looking at it these are the things I would have looked at:
At delivery I immediately had to do rear axle seals - this is a good thing to look for - look at the back side of rear tires for evidence of grease....for that matter...look at all the suspension components around interior of wheels for what looks like loss of grease or major looking rust / rot
If it has a history of being in a snowing area, while you are under there pull the bellcranks on rear interior of wheels to see if they are seized
If you can get it lifted during inspection, wiggle wheels 9-3 o'clock and 6-12 o'clock
Have someone drive behind you when you test drive to see if its dog tracking looking like slighty sideways gate.
When you are test driving stomp the brakes - is there a shimmy?
Crank the wheel all the way each direction and do a circle preferably hitting a bump along the way and listen for unusual noises or pops
open the hood and put your finger in the middle expanse of the belts - do they have more than 1"-1.5" - of play?
Is there evidence of grime accumulation anywhere indicating a fluid leak?
Does the engine look like it was just steam cleaned to hide something?
What color is the coolant?
look at and smell tranny fluid
look at oil
look at battery - wiggle terminals
identify all breaches of wiring in firewall and inspect seals
look for a sticker showing timing belt change with date and mileage (under hood)
test all electronics including electronic door locks and power antenna
Check all door handles including the key functioning in all exterior cylinders easily
look at trim package. Does it match up with what was available?
look to match vin on all door jams
That's all I can think of...Thank you for serving!
In order I wanted:
4x4
moonroof
neutral exterior color
preferable:
metallic interior bezels and accompanying sport hood
cloth - wouldn't mind leather if it was great condition but I live in the south like you and the whole sweaty butt factor of leather doesn't turn me on.
These alone narrowed me down to just a few years....
Then it was the standard carfax/autocheck, mileage, interior condition, maintenance records, and locational history that wasn't in a known road salting state.
A note on all the carfax / maintenance records issue - seriously, buying used is almost ALWAYS a crapshoot - you are going to be one lucky SOB to find something that doesn't need some work - the trick is not getting upside down in value. I owned my 2nd gen for 18 years before this one, and I took GOOD care of that - pull my Carfax you wont find much...not even my dealer services...they aren't the end all be all. Just accept that its going to need work and do as much due diligence as you can to know what you are investing in. Best thing about them is that you can identify a WRECK...but guess what? My new one definitely had a paint job - who knows what they covered up.
I budgeted 1k off the bat for repairs, then found something that would fit my budget. Bought it sight unseen and had it shipped.
If I was doing it NOW I would have added manual transmission, nixed the 01-02 for the stupid electronic throttle control & VSC, and looked a little harder for the rear locker.
Every time I floor it I get pissed at my throttle control. :wtf:
If I had been in person looking at it these are the things I would have looked at:
At delivery I immediately had to do rear axle seals - this is a good thing to look for - look at the back side of rear tires for evidence of grease....for that matter...look at all the suspension components around interior of wheels for what looks like loss of grease or major looking rust / rot
If it has a history of being in a snowing area, while you are under there pull the bellcranks on rear interior of wheels to see if they are seized
If you can get it lifted during inspection, wiggle wheels 9-3 o'clock and 6-12 o'clock
Have someone drive behind you when you test drive to see if its dog tracking looking like slighty sideways gate.
When you are test driving stomp the brakes - is there a shimmy?
Crank the wheel all the way each direction and do a circle preferably hitting a bump along the way and listen for unusual noises or pops
open the hood and put your finger in the middle expanse of the belts - do they have more than 1"-1.5" - of play?
Is there evidence of grime accumulation anywhere indicating a fluid leak?
Does the engine look like it was just steam cleaned to hide something?
What color is the coolant?
look at and smell tranny fluid
look at oil
look at battery - wiggle terminals
identify all breaches of wiring in firewall and inspect seals
look for a sticker showing timing belt change with date and mileage (under hood)
test all electronics including electronic door locks and power antenna
Check all door handles including the key functioning in all exterior cylinders easily
look at trim package. Does it match up with what was available?
look to match vin on all door jams
That's all I can think of...Thank you for serving!
Thanks for the info, bigtimeweb especially. Yeah, I've been looking for a rear locker, and running autocheck on all of them. The one I had my heart set on had only one report on carfax and none on autocheck, my guess it was a restored salvaged title. Here are 2 I've been looking at, the second one is the one with the iffy carfax, and the other is supercharged
1999 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4X4 * Locking Diff * Black * Clean Carfax!
'99 Toyota 4Runner SR5, TRD, 4X4, Supercharged V6! 144k miles, CARFAX!
1999 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4X4 * Locking Diff * Black * Clean Carfax!
'99 Toyota 4Runner SR5, TRD, 4X4, Supercharged V6! 144k miles, CARFAX!
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marmotan
New member
call or email your dealership with the VIN and see if the rear suspension campaign has been performed. i've found that only about half of 3rd gen 4runner owners know that there was a recall for rear suspension parts. if it hasn't, ask the dealership when/if they can do it. it should be no charge.
I found this one in my area 1997 Toyota 4Runner
However, I'm worried cause it's only a 4 cylinder and it has 280,000km. If it was V6, I might consider it more but 280,000kms on a 4 cylinder seems iffy. Also, gives you some idea of the crazy 3rd gen prices up here in Vancouver.
marmotan, how do you like how your 4 cylinder drives? Do you find it lacking in power? I know the V6 needs timing belt and water pump changed at regular intervals. Is there anything for the 4cylinder to do?
However, I'm worried cause it's only a 4 cylinder and it has 280,000km. If it was V6, I might consider it more but 280,000kms on a 4 cylinder seems iffy. Also, gives you some idea of the crazy 3rd gen prices up here in Vancouver.
marmotan, how do you like how your 4 cylinder drives? Do you find it lacking in power? I know the V6 needs timing belt and water pump changed at regular intervals. Is there anything for the 4cylinder to do?
ChildrenOfBodom
Moderator
Hell, if it's anything like the 22RE vs the 3VZ V6, the 3RZ will outlast the 5VZ V6.
It's definitely a reliable engine and with a little tweaking can be just as powerful as the V6. Better mileage is had, too.
But, like any 4cyl engine, you must understand it's limitations. Towing should be limited to light loads. There are plenty of 3RZ's out there with over 300k on them. My 4Runner has 171,000 miles on it and it runs like a new one.
There are people out there who have cranked tons of power off these blocks.
Thanks for the info. I don't intend to tow, so I should be fine. Just gotta see if I can test drive it as I've only ever tried V6 4Runners and have never tried a 3rd gen 4-cyl. What is a good price to offer? I just realized it has no power options or A/C either. Everything is manual on it.
RonMAIDEN
Super Moderator
Honestly I think the V6 is a bit underpowered pulling around a 4000lb 4wd and when I drove a '99 with a 4 cylinder it felt like the V6 in the 2nd gen which shows it's lack of power pulling up hills on the highway and there's no way I'd own the 4 banger here in Colorado especially. MPG diff isn't enough to sway me either.
Resale value is higher on the V6 trucks too.
Resale value is higher on the V6 trucks too.
I bought a 3rd gen 4x4 4runner with all receipts since new from original owner for $4700 130k
only thing they didnt do right was wash it enough- chrome bumper has some rust and underneath has surface rust everywhere
timing belt done,tires are almost new,tune up with timing belt,replaced calipers and e-brake cables-but hatch latch is rusted,works but spring is lazy-$73 part and pita of swapping it out
I think it has plenty of pep for a big SUV and it stops nicely too :zoom:
only thing they didnt do right was wash it enough- chrome bumper has some rust and underneath has surface rust everywhere
timing belt done,tires are almost new,tune up with timing belt,replaced calipers and e-brake cables-but hatch latch is rusted,works but spring is lazy-$73 part and pita of swapping it out
I think it has plenty of pep for a big SUV and it stops nicely too :zoom:
I was told my 00' didn't have a recall by local servuce? they lie?
marmotan
New member
i don't think 2000s were part of the recall. check this sticky thread:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/48552-about-rear-sag.html
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/48552-about-rear-sag.html
