the 96-02 models

say 120k mi+

i forgot how much i like them aesthetically and i want to buy a car that i will really only put 5-6k miles on a year for under 8-9k tops

follow on. would you mess with one in really good condition w/ 168k miles on it? (assume the 6 cyl, not the 8)

7/22/2009 7:41:01 PM

Quote :

"i want to buy a car that i will really only put 5-6k miles on a year"

do what now

7/22/2009 7:46:15 PM

This thread is relevant to my interests.

^He will be driving it less than a normal car, probably not as a daily driver. A 96-02 model? I've seen quite a few mechanically and aesthetically well kept 4wd sr5 models in that mileage range for under $5-6k, you could probably find some lower mileage ones if you're willing to spend that $8-9k for a newer 01 or 02 model.

[Edited on July 22, 2009 at 9:11 PM. Reason : .]

7/22/2009 9:07:11 PM

this thread is also relevant to my interests

7/22/2009 9:09:52 PM

Quote :

"He will be driving it less than a normal car, probably not as a daily driver."

i understand that he's gonna drive it less. i'm just confused as to why he's specifically looking for a vehicle with the intention of driving it about 100 miles per week. just curious i guess.

7/22/2009 9:23:34 PM

Prolly just clearing the air up front that he's not going to be fielding opinions on gas mileage since he won't be burning that much gas.

7/22/2009 9:27:57 PM

Love my 2000 Limited so far.

145k, no oil leaks, AC works, and everything still feels tight. Far better than any domestic I've ever owned with over 100k. ::knocks on wood::

It's piggish around corners and lacking in the power department IMO, but it's also a truck so I didn't buy it to drive fast.

Tows my 3500ish pound boat very well.

[Edited on July 22, 2009 at 9:51 PM. Reason : l]

7/22/2009 9:50:48 PM

i havent owned a car for 2 years.

they're luxuries for my lifestyle and im in a position where i could buy something like one of these, not really think about it financially and just use it on weekends or to get out of town every once in a while. it looks great, usually a decently appointed interior and general toyota reliability. its cheap enough that i wont really give a fuck if something happens, but ill enjoy it while i have it.

im just curious what i could expect if i went with one with like 160k well maintained miles.

7/22/2009 10:16:55 PM

As long as its previous owners have receipts of proper maintenance I believe they'd last a good part of 100k more miles even at 160k. Only thing I would do to be safe is do a general tune-up and the above stuff if you weren't sure on its previous history. As far as drivetrain goes I keep hearing about the 3.4L V6 as one of the best they've ever made (especially compared to the early 90's tacoma and 4runner 3.0L problems) but someone with more yota experience can testify on that.

7/22/2009 10:32:08 PM

well I'll chime in since I just got one. (97 1500 dollar bucks) seems like a good truck, mine has 178K, runs good. It’s hard to beat the 3rd Gen 4runner for the quality and price. Toyota's are built to last and I can attest to it. here's a few 3rd gen things for you-

-3.4l engine requires timing belt at 90k- verify its been done from maintenance records, or do it as a preventive maintenance item, also do waterpump at the same time. I'm a parts snob, but only use OEM parts for this, dont want to have to redo it later.

-base models can be found with the 2.7L 4cyl (up to the 01 models), but most you'll see have the SR5 package and 3.4L v6.

-with the 3.4 mileage is supposed to be 16 city/ 19 highway. I'm averaging around 17 combined.

-I'd try to find the cleanest, lowest mileage truck, that appears to have had good maintenance, at the right price that I could find and go with it.

-the 3rd gen rides similarly to a truck, not rough really, but the 4th gen 4runner has a much smoother ride (more money though).

-price for a nice example seems to run in the 6-8K range.

is it 4wd? I'd say go for it. Hope this helps!



[Edited on July 23, 2009 at 12:06 AM. Reason : ..]

7/23/2009 12:04:10 AM

^ Yeah, timing belt is a big thing and it's due at 180k if it was done on time the first time. You're looking at $600-$1100 at a shop depending on whether you do just the timing belt and water pump or if you go ahead and do some extras while you're in there. zxappeal and Jeepman did mine and I saved a lot by buying parts from http://www.trdparts4u.com/ I went ahead and did everything...Timing belt, water pump, pulleys, belt tensioner, three accessory belts, cam seals, etc.

7/23/2009 8:17:43 AM

found an '01 with 69,500 mi that seems very well maintained, guy is selling it to get a 3rd row SUV...limited package and all that, they want 9 for it (KBB is $9000 fair-9500 good) im inclined to pick it up because of the way i will be driving it i will DEF get my money out of it and probably still be able to sell it for something in like 5 years.

just talked to the guy, it does have a few scratches that would need addressing, but mechanically and interior wise it's in good shape. ftw.

[Edited on July 23, 2009 at 10:24 AM. Reason : .]

7/23/2009 10:13:30 AM

That's probably a good price. Low mileage 4Runners and Tacomas always seem to carry a premium over KBB from what I've seen. Getting one on the lower side of KBB is difficult.

7/23/2009 10:52:48 AM

yeah. i may try to get a couple hundred off because it needs new tires he says, but im glad he's not just throwing new ones on there so i could get what i want instead of whatever cheap tires he throws on to sell it...

7/23/2009 11:03:52 AM

they are solid vehicles, esp. for your projected usage.

I didn't want a 4th gen at first b/c i liked the 3rd gen looks better, but the 4th gen is a better daily driver (more power, better fuel economy, handling etc.)

oh and toyota-4runner.org is a good community as well

7/23/2009 11:12:29 AM

yeah, thats my general feeling as well

unfortunately i cant get to it until sunday, but he says it might still be around

7/23/2009 1:27:59 PM

my family owns 2 of these. my buddy has 1 as well. his has 280,000 miles on it and runs top and is clean as hell too.

my brothers has 212k and runs great, on second engine tho bc the oil was never changed on the 1st one (but it made it to 178k)

'-3.4l engine requires timing belt at 90k- verify its been done from maintenance records, or do it as a preventive maintenance item, also do waterpump at the same time. I'm a parts snob, but only use OEM parts for this, dont want to have to redo it later.'
they are non interference engines... so you dont need to do the timing belt. if it breaks nothing messes up.

7/23/2009 3:05:56 PM

anyone have a good solution for an in-line iPod feed for the stock stereo or is it better to just go aftermarket with a usb input?

7/23/2009 3:20:02 PM

http://www.buy.com/prod/harman-kardon-drive-play-in-vehicle-ipod-interface-control-system-dp1us/q/loc/111/202426763.html

I bought one of these, but never put it in. I'm just going to get a double din stereo with iPod controls. Less wires, less clutter; it's worth $250 or less IMO. I drive mine a lot more than you're talking about driving though.

7/23/2009 4:14:33 PM

oh wow that looks expensive (HK) and aggressive. im just going to find some kind of aux input (hopefully there is one on the back of the head unit) or get aftermarket with a usb input. i like controlling from the ipod itself

7/23/2009 4:38:17 PM

I think I paid either $20 or $30 and it came with the inline antenna jack for better reception.

7/23/2009 4:41:04 PM

damn, sadly he sold it yesterday and i couldnt get to it since i didnt get back in to town till this evening

am gonna keep looking

7/26/2009 8:20:10 PM

buddy just bought one....02 with 70K for around $13k. limited..brand new nice goodyears, very clean. i think he paid too much, but its he wanted one now. i love the way they look and talked him in to that body style.

good to know about the timing belt.

7/28/2009 11:02:19 PM

get a real truck

1st gen solid axle ftw!

7/29/2009 1:54:45 AM

just picked up a very well maintained single owned 02 Limited with 140k. only thing it needs is a new motorized antenna

i love it already

7/31/2009 9:50:25 PM

so i went over it in more detail, and really the only two things that need replacing are

-a new radio antenna (motor works, just doesnt raise lower the extensions because i think they're bent slightly and stuck)

a new driver side seat adjuster switch, apparently the lever on the switch that makes the seat adjust vertically has snapped off.

anyone know the best place to get OEM parts for this gen of 4Runners besides a dealership? (my second option) i checked that trdparts4u site and its ok, but i can't tell for things like the seat switch exactly what im buying because there are no pics and poor descriptions.

8/1/2009 10:00:11 PM

i dont go crazy with angles and drive to the mountains to take pictures on turn offs like some of you

but here's a pic because it happened

8/3/2009 1:19:30 PM

About the only thing I hate on my 97 sr5 is the fucking alarm, it goes off if I leave my windows down, or take too long unpacking groceries/cargo. It sets itself everytime even if I don't lock it up with the key fob, so when I come back to grab something out of it, it goes off unless I lock then unlock it. Other than that I'm loving mine.

8/3/2009 7:35:18 PM

they are a drain on society

8/5/2009 11:53:51 AM

so i put in an aux ipod adaptor (http://www.blitzsafe.com)

and in the process of taking off the console trim to get to the radio i accidentally broke the thin plastic mount that holds the clock (simple digital display)...i go online to get a new one, and im thinking it might be like 30-40 bucks on the high end

no shit a parts website had them, for $218 dollars

for that price i could buy a nice watch and just tape it to the dash

8/9/2009 7:15:42 PM

gorilla glue that shit back in!

8/9/2009 9:33:16 PM

yeah i was able to set it back on its mount somehow and just push the console trim back in and it seems to hold it. i am not fixing it for that much. ill wait till i find one in a junkyard and yank it for much cheaper

8/10/2009 10:02:25 AM

n/m found them on eBay for like 30 bucks

wtf $200 for a straight plug in clock. super gay.

8/10/2009 12:41:25 PM

so does anyone have any familiarity with the controls on the power seats on these things? i want to replace the control switch on the driver side and i wonder (without consulting a manual) if it's as simple as just replacing the switch or if its somehow built in so the whole seat would need to be replaced (probably easier in the end, but more $)

8/24/2009 10:22:08 AM

I'm sure you can just replace the switch.

I mean...No you can't you have to replace the whole seat. I'll take the old one to the trash for you though.

8/24/2009 10:59:28 AM

yeah ive just been having difficulty finding one online. guess i will make a trip to the dealership at some point.

found a replacement antenna and clock. now if i could only chase out the squeak in my dash when i go over *some* bumps i'd have myself a perfect 140k mi 4runner

8/24/2009 3:06:21 PM

http://tinyurl.com/memxst

Pretty sure that's it. You can call them to confirm though.

[Edited on August 24, 2009 at 3:29 PM. Reason : l]

8/24/2009 3:28:27 PM

yeah id need it for an 02, and also there's no pics so i cant really see what im buying.

prob safer to go to the dealership on that

8/24/2009 4:25:29 PM

Just switch the year to 02, click "Seats & Tracks -> Front Seat Components -> Switch"
It's actually about $10 cheaper for that year.
But they are a Toyota dealer so you could give them a call and they should be able to tell you if it's the right part. They're usually cheaper than the dealers around here.

[Edited on August 24, 2009 at 4:36 PM. Reason : l]

8/24/2009 4:35:30 PM

^^Wait so does your clock still work but it just won't clip in? Hell if you get a replacement one, I'll buy that one off of you.

8/24/2009 7:12:19 PM

^nice ill call em.

^^yes, but no what happened is the actual clock face/chipboard became separated from the plastic housing that becomes the front of the clock and the clips that connect the two were broken, meaning you could push it up into the housing and quickly push the whole entire console trim back into place and it would 90% stay in place but usually be at a weird angle or something so it was only mostly readable. i just replaced it tonight and found i had to also remove the old housing for the entire unit to be clipped in. dont ask how i managed to pull this thing apart like this, seeing how its put together it really was just me being unlucky. so yes my clock does work but it's not able to be reinserted into another 4runner. the replacement i got on ebay was $45 plus shipping, vs $218 at a dealership.

8/24/2009 8:52:26 PM

oops had those carats f'd up

8/25/2009 9:53:56 AM

as i thought, that wasn't the part but i emailed them and they were nice enough to email me back a parts diagram for all the possible parts and how they fit and we were able to determine what i needed. great site. thanks man

8/25/2009 12:56:17 PM

lol, i had to place that same switch on mine. although mine just kept falling out.. it worked fine

8/25/2009 1:03:58 PM

how hard is it to get to? i have spent ZERO time figuring out how i would get in there, i assume if it gets a little difficult ill just go to a dealer and have them put in the part i bought.

8/25/2009 1:49:12 PM

it just pops out if it's the same on i'm talking about. should take 5 mins

8/25/2009 2:09:18 PM

yeah, but there's some type of plastic cladding over it...i assume that probably just pops off carefully

8/25/2009 2:33:53 PM

got the part to fix my seat adjust switch. gonna probably try to do that over labor day. then just installing a new power antenna and silencing a squeak coming from the glove box latch and she's good to go

9/2/2009 11:43:10 AM

My antenna is permanently up. I should fix that sometime. How much was the antenna you bought and where did you find it?

[Edited on September 2, 2009 at 12:16 PM. Reason : l]

9/2/2009 12:13:38 PM

same site you posted.

here's a good guide for replacing it

http://www.carstereohelp.com/stereoremovalToy4Runr2PwrAnt.htm

in my case, the plastic toothed cable had broken off, so i was not able to just simply feed the replacement in. i'll have to get in up under the fender. looks fairly straightforward though. and if i have to replace any of the plastic grommet/screws, they're cheap.

9/2/2009 12:48:10 PM