your opinion sought 4runner with 300k

[cahil]

so a 3rd gen 4runner has been listed in my area.
it looks pretty swell and the price is beyond swell also.

96 3rd gen 4wd sr5 auto w/300k

my hang up is the 300k. now now i know these supposedly last forever
but what says at 302k the transmission just goes and basically says
hey pal i gave you 300k. although i'd be the new owner but you get the gist.
am i a fool to purchase a 300k 4runner for it be my daily driver.

..cahil

much thanks in advance..

 

[Squirt]

so just how great is the price??
4wd? 2wd?
auto or 5sp?
which engine does it have?

 

[cahil]

so just how great is the price??
4wd? 2wd?
auto or 5sp?
which engine does it have?

[MENTION=116928]Squirt[/MENTION]
sr5 auto 4wd
imagine it has the stock 3.4l engine..

 

[Squirt]

these transmissions and engines go forever if properly maintained...however, you have to ask yourself is it worth a crate engine down the road (just in case )and the same for the transmission.

 

[JimPA]

My 2001 4Runner just gave up the ghost at 290K. My transmission blew a seal and I have black fluid with metal. Cost for a installed rebuilt transmission transmission is $3200. I am probably going to dump the 4Runner.

The questions for a 300K 4Runner I would have:
How many owners and did the owner change his oil as detailed in the owners manual? Did they use synetic oil?
Was the timing chain water pump replace and if so when? There is a sticker inside the engine compartment that show this information if Toyota did work or a Toyota kit was used.
New radiator, external cooler (pink milkshake)?
How many owner and did the 4Runner do a lot of towing?
Is the 4Runner mostly stock? Did they use Toyota parts?
2001 and 2002 have a better 4 wheel drive system. What year is the 4Runner?

The 4Runner can last a very long time if properly care for. Personally, I would see if you can find a 4Runner with less miles. Is rust a problem where you live? I like AZ 4Runners because the under carriages are clean.

 

[Squirt]

My 2001 4Runner just gave up the ghost at 290K. My transmission blew a seal and I have black fluid with metal. Cost for a installed rebuilt transmission transmission is $3200. I am probably going to dump the 4Runner.

The questions for a 300K 4Runner I would have:
How many owners and did the owner change his oil as detailed in the owners manual? Did they use synetic oil?
Was the timing chain water pump replace and if so when? There is a sticker inside the engine compartment that show this information if Toyota did work or a Toyota kit was used.
New radiator, external cooler (pink milkshake)?
How many owner and did the 4Runner do a lot of towing?
Is the 4Runner mostly stock? Did they use Toyota parts?
2001 and 2002 have a better 4 wheel drive system. What year is the 4Runner?

The 4Runner can last a very long time if properly care for. Personally, I would see if you can find a 4Runner with less miles. Is rust a problem where you live? I like AZ 4Runners because the under carriages are clean.

Yup! basically everything he just said!

 

[cahil]

[MENTION=121045]JimPA[/MENTION] much thanks for the response..
apologies on my end for writing an unclear post.. my bad..
..the low down dirty skinny..
96 4runner 4wd auto sr5 with 300k
2 previous owners..
..all stock with a clean clean frame..
and seems to have been garaged for the duration of it's life..

does have an aftermarket transmission cooler..
..and yes does NEED a new radiator..
which is $200 right?..or now should i worry about the pink milkshake?

i have emailed about the timing belt/water pump
but have not heard back..again apologies for not being clear..

..cahil

 

[Squirt]

I just looked back and found a thread on here with people talking about their 4runners that had over 300 K and still going strong..

 

[UnderFire]

If you're not afraid of locating used parts and doing major repairs like swapping out a motor or transmission yourself, then go for it, but if you are the kind of guy who pays a mechanic to do everything, stay far, far away.

 

[JimPA]

cahil - If the transmission fluid looked like pink milkshake, the transmission is near death. The pink milkshake is a result of poor engineering on Toyota's part. My only 3rd gen negative. Typically a transmission fluid cooler is en external device. But on the 3rd gen 4Runners (and Path Finders), the transmission line is ran directly into the radiator. If the transmission line in the radiator corrodes or fails, the radiator fluid enters the transmission and comprises the tranny. People have tried flushed the tranny out but I don't recall any success. So you want to check you coolant. Change as detailed by Toyota. Use deionized water instead of tap water when mixing new fluid. I did not add an external cooler like many did because I was worried about lowering the transmission temp too much. There are many threads on replacing the radiator. Amazon is where a lot of people get theirs. I just followed their information.

Test the 4 wheel drive system, You cannot engage the 4 wheel drive on dry pavement. After pulling all the sticks, I would ask the owner if you can take the 4Runner on a dirt road and to test the 4 wheel drive. Read the owners manual to better understand the system. Turn right/left and listen for clunks. Engage the 4 wheel system and again turn right/left and listen for clunks. Test 4 low. I like the 4 wheel drive system in the 2001 and 2002 better. I like the fact that the 4Runner only has had two owners. Good luck. Under Fire advice is very good.

 

[BrianSD_42]

be sure to do a compression test

 

[gamefreakgc]

Read this: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/82033-3rd-gen-4runner-buyers-guide.html.

If you are ok changing out most of the parts listed then go for it.

 

[Rock_Rat]

I would look for one with less mileage...

This is a quote from me from another thread about doing upgrades (edited): I'm the original owner so I've already used up my re-sale value. It's worth me keeping mine. as for you...I would look for one with lower mileage.

I've got about 309K on mine, original owner and have just now began to do all the mods. If you change the fluids regularly and only use either Mobil 1 or Amsoil synthetic oil, Toyota OEM "red" coolant, install a B & M transmission cooler and take good care of your engine: IE: denso or NGK, OEM, MAF sensor cleaned, run some seafoam through the vacuum line and good ole regular maintenance you should get at least another 2 -300K or more.

Rule One: PRIORITIZE!!! (engine, tranny and suspension in that order.)
Rule Two: Read...Read...read! These guys have all "been there and done that"
Rule Three: Do not buy anything until you go back to Rule One and rule Two!!!
Rule Four: Contribute back to the site!! Photo's, details, lessons learned etc...Don't be a leach. My own .02 cents.

Even though mine is in pristine condition I could never get anything out of it. So, kids are in college, time to build and have fun!! I'm adding dynamat, new carpet already cut in the garage, new sound system, CB, led's, bumper with winch from Shrockworks, rear bumper...etc. Maybe even an SC. I'm keeping it so why not?

________________________
2001 4Runner SR5 Sport Package 309K miles
Airaid, Deck Plate mod, Toytec Coilovers, OME 890 Rear Springs and OME Sport Shocks, SPC Performance UCA's with a 1" diff drop, Weathertech, PIAA Lights, B&M Transmission Cooler, LC Engineering Equalized fuel injectors
Budbuilt Skid, Tundra Brake Upgrade, CBI Sliders, Level 8 MK6 Bronze, -10 offset with Toyo AT II's 285/70R/17

 

[absalom]

You can pick up used engine/trannys for $1000-$3000. I'll be selling mine soon I say go for it if you don't mind wrenching.

 

[drummeraj12]

Toyota's last forever if you take care of them. It sounds like it has been cared for. My family drove a 89 truck to 333k miles and sold it still on original engine and transmission. If you are willing to work on the 4runner if it needs it, I think it is a good buy.

 

[Tinigunner11]

Toyota's last forever if you take care of them. It sounds like it has been cared for. My family drove a 89 truck to 333k miles and sold it still on original engine and transmission. If you are willing to work on the 4runner if it needs it, I think it is a good buy.

Hey buddy, I know you're just trying to get your post count up so you can start threads and stuff. But don't dig up 5 year old threads posting something with little to no content in it. Find recent posts and post relative info or something that adds to the body of the post! I see that you've dug up quite a few threads in the last day or so.

 

[4Runner fun]

I was gonna comment the original OP hasn't logged on since a day after making his posts.