When do they die and what kills them?

S

Seefral

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Everyone know 3rd gens are very reliable and their reputation is they go forever. I'm now in the market for my 3rd 3rd gen (I still have the the first two and both are pretty low mileage trucks; 108k, 126k). Low mileage instances are getting harder to find and are mighty expensive. There are plenty of affordable instances out there but many show over 200k miles. So, this got me thinking. What usually is the cause of their demise? A 200k truck may well be a good value if it's priced right and I can expect to get 350k before experiencing a major failure.

Realistically, how many miles can we expect to get from a 3rd gen, and what do you think gives out which causes these trucks to be junkers?
 
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I agree with the above, but I have to point out there is always a crapshoot factor. Toyota was known for that time period to have exceptional quality control but that does not mean a poor part wasn't used or somebody did crappy work one day. So you could have a low milage well maintained 4runner die at 150,000. Maybe a poor maintained one will get 400,000. Play the odds and get one with a good maintenance record but there will always be more of a crapshoot factor than we like to admit. Having said that I can almost guarantee it will not be the most wasted value of money you will have in your lifetime
 
1. Frame rotting out (salt/rust belt area)
2. Blown head gasket, warped/cracked heads
3. Pink milk shake destroying the tranny

I would say these are the three main causes for a 4R to end up in the junk yard other than them being wrecked. Of course all of these things can be repaired (fix the frame, put new heads on the engine, replace the bad tranny). Depending on the condition of the vehicle would determine if it would be worth doing any of these major repairs.

Maintenance history with records is always a plus. It doesn't mean that one that doesn't have the records is junk. These are pretty solid vehicles and maintenance is always key.

Some last 500k+ miles, some end up in the yard at 150k miles. For the most part, I would say it is common to get 300k miles out of these rigs as long as they were taken care of.
 
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Most die because of people wrecking them. If you do you maintenance, they'll last a very long time. I got mine at 248k miles and it was very neglected. Lots of maintenance later, at 271k, I have a truck that runs and drives great. Sure, I've spent a small fortune on it, but it makes me happy.
 
Appearance maintenance matters too.

If you have a sharp looking truck and the transmission goes, you are more likely to replace it and keep driving. If the truck looks bad you are more likely to just scrap it and move on.
 
GangsterOfLove said:
Appearance maintenance matters too.

If you have a sharp looking truck and the transmission goes, you are more likely to replace it and keep driving. If the truck looks bad you are more likely to just scrap it and move on.
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True. Paint maintenance, door dings, etc. If it looks like a junker, you'll start to think of it as a junker. So when little parts start to go (as they will with a higher mileage vehicle, Toyota or not) you'll get more and more irritated and may just say, "**** it, junk it". All those 'little' repairs, (new MAF, TPS, FPS, etc) add up and are a pain to diagnose. It'll be just something else to waste your time and throw more money at, versus your beloved 350k+ kick ass truck that you're trying to win a Guinness Record with.
Keep the inside and outside clean and detailed. This will also keep your friends and family from ragging on you to buy something newer.

Although, maintenance, most definitely. Pink milkshake, letting it overheat (head gaskets blow) and bad LBJs mostly.
Major maintenance may cost a few hundred bucks every 100k or so, but it prevents the several thousand dollar repairs that you can nearly buy a whole 'new' 4Runner for.

Most maintenance is easier than the related repair if maintenance is missed. For example, it's easier to replace a radiator than a transmission. It's easier to change your oil then replace the engine. It's easier to replace your LBJs than replace your whole front end (and tires, wheels, and any potential damage from spinning out/rolling).
 
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Pretty basic; same thing that kills most other vehicles.
Rust, collisions, lack of maintenance.
I agree 100% that appearance maintenance is incredibly important too.
I've seen 20yr old rigs that look brand new- even with higher mileage-, as well as 1yr old work trucks that are beat to shit, and look like garbage.
Some guys like to rag on guys that like to keep their rig clean and shiny, saying they "obviously never go off road" and "nice pavement princess". I think they're just lazy, and obviously they don't realize the dust and dirt washes right off a waxed rig much easier.
 
There's a shit ton of 'it depends', see the other posts above, mainly maintenance.

Why on earth would someone want three 3rd gens? I could maybe understand 2, but you just seem like a hoarder at this point.
 
Tyler James Inc said:
Pretty basic; same thing that kills most other vehicles.
Rust, collisions, lack of maintenance.
I agree 100% that appearance maintenance is incredibly important too.
I've seen 20yr old rigs that look brand new- even with higher mileage-, as well as 1yr old work trucks that are beat to shit, and look like garbage.
Some guys like to rag on guys that like to keep their rig clean and shiny, saying they "obviously never go off road" and "nice pavement princess". I think they're just lazy, and obviously they don't realize the dust and dirt washes right off a waxed rig much easier.
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The way you present yourself goes a long way. If you look healthy and strong you most likely take care of your self.

Same goes for a rig. If someone takes the time to clean, wax and baby the rig the more likely they did the same for the motor and drive train.
 
as with most things in life....LUCK!
188K on a always garaged dealer serviced california babied '97......blown head gasket while everyone else's just seems to be getting broken in! :crazy:
 
I might kill my 99 it's been a PIA since I got it....... maybe some concrete shoes and toss it in the river will do the trick.
 
JayRolla said:
The way you present yourself goes a long way. If you look healthy and strong you most likely take care of your self.

Same goes for a rig. If someone takes the time to clean, wax and baby the rig the more likely they did the same for the motor and drive train.
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Really good comparison; starting Whole30 BRB [emoji23]
 
Rust. Over here in Down East, Maine, we are continually rebuilding the frames of both our 3rd Gens, my 4th Gen and our 98 Taco. I always tell everyone- when my toyota is finally rotted into the ground, the engine will still start first try. LOL
 
Whenever I go looking for parts at the wrecking yard, the 4runners/Toyotas have all been involved in some major accident. Tons of Isuzus, Range Rovers, and various other brands with bodies that look to be in pretty good shape.
 
tors10 said:
Whenever I go looking for parts at the wrecking yard, the 4runners/Toyotas have all been involved in some major accident. Tons of Isuzus, Range Rovers, and various other brands with bodies that look to be in pretty good shape.
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There's three at my favorite junk yard. All have been wrecked in the front passenger side...I need a front passenger headlight...
 
Rust is the only real killer. The other is lack of money or interest to keep it on the road. With almost 350k miles on mine, if there is a major failure, I'd fix it at this point. I can't spend the price of an engine and buy anything close to what I have.
 
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