When do I give up?

[anchoredsoul951]

ok so I bought a 2000 T4R SR5 for $5000. 167,000 miles on it. Everything worked good, electronics ie...power windows etc..., It had a 3" lift and looks pretty cool. When I drove it, it felt ok but needed new tires. So I bought new tires. $1100 for BF Goodrich KO 33's......about a month later, replaced both Tie-rods, Steering Rack, Timing belt, water pump, all 4 brakes done, turned rotors, etc.....trans service, rear end fluid service, all new belts.....The steering rack went out again after 3 days, It smelt bad & shop replaced it under warranty. Still, all the bushings on sway bars, upper trailering arm, body, etc...are bad, shop wants $500 more for that. I have dumped $3000 into this ride. Now. When I shift, there is a loud clunk in the transmission. It drives fine on the freeway, shifts between gears good its just when I shift, it makes noise. I was just wondering how far I should go. Keep dumping $$$ into it or what. I could try to sell it for $6500 and eat the $1500......or should I keep it? Please give me your opinions. thanks for reading.

 

[JohnsD90]

Or have the tranny rebuilt and then not have any worries for like 60k till you need new brakes and tires, and then not worry for another 40k miles when you need a timing belt. Seems like you have a brand new truck now.

 

[Brignola85]

I agree with John. Spend the $500, and know that you have a dependable SUV still at a decent price. Better yet, Learn how to do the work yourself. It'll save you $$$ in the long run.

OR, eat the $1500. Sell it. Go spend $30k on a new car, or $6500 on something else that you're going to have to dump even MORE money into.

It sounds like you will, in a very short period of time, have a very reliable vehicle in your hands. But, every person is different. If you dislike the vehicle, why keep it? Or maybe you've just had a bad day and you're fed up with spending cash on your ride? Do some research here on t4R.org or Yotatech.com when you feel you've got a problem. 90% of the time there is a very simple alternative to a problem that a stealership or shop is going to charge you $90+ an hour to fix. Just remember that they'll take advantage of you at EVERY opportunity.

 

[Stick Figure]

if it only makes noise on the shift, i would say start with checking the trans mount.

As far as how much to spend, my 00 cost me almost double what you originally paid, and i've put my share of money in to it, some as preventive maintenance, some as actually repair/worn out items. It doesn't bother me one bit, its never let me down, continues to impress me off road, and still holds its value pretty damn well.

Where are you located BTW?

 

[Rockdawg84]

I agree with John. keep it you have covered done all the basic maintenance and will have a totally solid truck. Before you rebuild the trans though check to make sure you don't have a bad ujoint or loose drive flange. They can both cause a clunk feel. Sweet looking runner you'll love it for years to come:trophy:

 

[anchoredsoul951]

ya

Thats kinda what I was thinking. I am in southern California. Its the 169K i have on it now that worries me. I have never had a car with that high mileage. The transmission shifts great through the gears, and the engine is strong. How many miles can these things last ? I love the size and functions of the truck so I really want to keep it. But if the trans goes out, I'll probably blow it up!!! LOL

 

[Brignola85]

169k... I Think that's about mid-range for most of the T4R's around here.

Take care of it and you'll see that number double. These things have a resale reliability factor for a reason.

 

[Wyotoy]

I bought a 97 limited 6 months ago it its the 3rd toyota I've owned. 4 months after I bought it blew a head gasket. When I got the heads off I found the cyliner walls were badly scored. Now almost 3k later I've got a good trouble rig that will last for a long time.

 

[anchoredsoul951]

different question

how do I find this thread a week from now after its buried under new posts. I can't seem to find a place that keeps all my threads? please help.

 

[fightman80]

I you type the title you posted "When do I give up" in the search bar at the top right side of the grey tool bar.....it will produce a search and find your thread.......

BTW, keep the truck....I've had mine for 7 years now, and this morning, after not being able to drive it for a few days.......I'm excited to get behind the wheel and just drive it to work!

 

[Nunyabiz]

It almost seems like you are near the finish line.
Would be about like running a Marathon and say F&%$# it after running 25.95 miles when you can see the finish line up ahead.
With any luck you will have less than $10K into it but close to a new truck that should be worth it.

Unless you already know of a perfect 4Runner with everything already done to it selling for $8k then probably wont do much better.

 

[Pikeman]

ok there are a bunch of us(me, drifter, and a few others) in So Cal that are willing to help you do the repairs for food and beverage. Also a few that would give you a good rate and do the repairs for you. Stickfigure does good work for a fair price from what I have heard and the couple times I have met him seems to be a good guy.

What part of the IE are you in?
Do you have some tools and or willing to learn to fix your own truck?

Also to find threads you created, go to User CP then click on the Statistics tab, then find all threads started by.

 

[FdcCal]

The bushings are all bad? WTF, who is selling you all this? What was wrong with the tie rods and steering rack at 160+K?? I think all this is usually good for much longer. Now, I don't know what a 3" lift does to these components, but it seems like either this Runner was abused, or you are getting sold a bill of goods..

 

[8sm]

If it's 2wd, you may have a tough time selling it for much more than what you have invested. Having said that, what you have done so far will extend your usefulness by 100K, not many vehicles out there today that can stand by that reputation.

Good luck with your decision. ....... Regards 8sm

 

[anchoredsoul951]

ok there are a bunch of us(me, drifter, and a few others) in So Cal that are willing to help you do the repairs for food and beverage. Also a few that would give you a good rate and do the repairs for you. Stickfigure does good work for a fair price from what I have heard and the couple times I have met him seems to be a good guy.

What part of the IE are you in?
Do you have some tools and or willing to learn to fix your own truck?

Also to find threads you created, go to User CP then click on the Statistics tab, then find all threads started by.

Thanks. I'm in Riverside. Yes I have tools and am wanting to work on it myself, however, ....this is my daily driver so I kinda need it to be operational all the time. Yes...I would like to learn about this truck and do stuff myself. I will continue to use this forum for advice. Thanks to you and everyone else who has been helpful.

 

[anchoredsoul951]

if it only makes noise on the shift, i would say start with checking the trans mount.

As far as how much to spend, my 00 cost me almost double what you originally paid, and i've put my share of money in to it, some as preventive maintenance, some as actually repair/worn out items. It doesn't bother me one bit, its never let me down, continues to impress me off road, and still holds its value pretty damn well.

Where are you located BTW?

I'm in Riverside. Thanks for your advice. I guess I will continue to drive forward on this truck and learn some stuff about it. The body is great & everything works good inside. Thanks again for your help!

 

[BrianSD_42]

I am sorry too hear about your troubles. I am always fixing my truck, luckily I don't have any tranny issues to date.

IMO these trucks do not make very good daily drivers after 150K, 175K because so much wil go out between 175k - 225K. Just look at the forums, half of all threads are because something is broken.

here is what I think, depending on the manufacture date, the top end of the engine might, might last 200K without a major failure like head gasket. the bottom end will probably be fine on any year as long as you change your oil regularly. if you get to 200K on the original trans with no slipping then you are lucky. expect to replace the steering rack after 150k, brake rotors as well.

I suffered a head crack #3 cyl at 199k miles. I spent $2700 fixing the engine and now it runs great. I figure since I paid it off while deployed in 2005 I can spend the cash. also, a new 4Runner or 4wd suv will run you $35,000 easy. also there is taxes, registration and insurance. suddenly the $2700 I spent starts looking like a good deal.

I love my truck and now it makes a great second car.

again, not a cheap plan to have a vehicle with 150k+ miles be the daily driver. get a different vehicle if you need something reliable and if poss keep the 4Runner.

 

[iowajosh]

Of course things can break but people don't get on the web and complain because their car isn't broken. :violin:

 

[Baja Runner]

Well first off, any vehicle after 175k will have some maintenance issues. There aren't many vehicles out there that I would feel more confident in after 175k than my 4Runner for a DD.

There are so many 1st gen Tacoma's and 3rd gen 4Runners on the road with high mileage. Toyota parts last way longer than most anything else. I think with the normal servicing, these are the BEST trucks for DD'ing after 175k on the road. I've owned 3, and never had a major issue. I have friends with Tacoma's and never had major issues.

Balljoints need to be replaced, no matter what vehicle.

 

[JohnsD90]

Thats kinda what I was thinking. I am in southern California. Its the 169K i have on it now that worries me. I have never had a car with that high mileage. The transmission shifts great through the gears, and the engine is strong. How many miles can these things last ? I love the size and functions of the truck so I really want to keep it. But if the trans goes out, I'll probably blow it up!!! LOL

With what you replaced on it, and so long as the truck isnt getting hit with rust, i would say your good on most parts for another 100k (as stated earlier, and even in 100k i doubt your gonna have THAT big a service), i bet your rear wheel bearings will go in that time period (most are rated for 100k but most dont fail till well into 200k miles), but ive heard of a few members over the 300k mile mark, a handful over 400k, and a ton over 200k, its not that the 4Runner's wont go past 300k or 400k, its that by that time the people wreck them, get bored, or just want a new truck, rightfully so too.