1st19954runner

So I just traded my 2003 nissan 2.5 Altima, for 1995 3.0 automatic 4 runner with 177K, plus i got $500 out of the deal. It seems like the more i read here on yotatech, i got one of the worst vehicles ever. The 4runner overall seems good, maybe some new shocks,u joints an tune up. It doesnt seem to have ever been wrecked, has a real tight look to it, like it hasnt been abused.Fluid levels are all correct, an clean looking to the eye. I couldnt even find in scrapes underneath. I feel like the Altima was on its way out at 156K, i just had a feeling things were about to get exspensive with the altima. What Are youre guys thoughts, think i made a good trade? what are some of the things i should replace first?

Dinardy

iTrader: (1)

I usually drain and fill fluids on a new used vehicle. It helps you get an idea of how the vehicle was treated. Replace belts if they need replacing.

You didn't do too bad man, just enjoy it.

BioHazard050

Sounds like a good deal to me.

HighLux

Out of the frying pan. Into the fire.

Your toyota will drain your pockets. But it will be way more fun than an Altima.
You will catch Toyota fever. There is no cure. Ever. You will notice every Toyota on the road now. You will go looking for things to fix. You will want tires. You will want bumpers. You will want a lift. You will want....more Toyotas....compounding the Toyota fever. Your a goner now.

Gevo

LOL , funny Highlux

well, 1st19954runner, the first thing you did right is join this forum.

Don't be bothered by all the possible issues one may have with a these cars. You are right about one thing, at 156k your altima WAS on it's way out. I had a 2005(or 2006??) altima for 3 years, put 100k HARD miles on it and it was all sorts of crappy. The chassis (or monoframe equivalent of one) was very weak... The 4runner is a solid car, if it appealed to you thus far, then you are going to enjoy it.

Also, I have a point to make about people reading these forums which are full of all sorts of issues and then thinking that this is a bad car. I would say ney to that, here is why. The type of person who has this car is more likely to want to keep it, keep fixing it and try to fix it himself/herself. Thus they create online communities and discuss ALL of their issues, big and small. I also own a 2010 A4 Audi, and I tell you there is NO helpful information on any little issues I've had on that car. It goes to show you that the type of owners who own those cars don't really care to try very hard to do it themselves, they just fork out the money.

Also, look at the jeep forums, there is a similar community like this that people discuss all of their issues, and without knowing better you'd think the jeeps are crappy cars as well... alas, they built that 4.0 engine forever... there is a reason for that..

Point being, if you skipped that rant and came to this last sentence, you are going to have a lot of fun and learn a lot....

JohnnyCanuck

Sounds like you did good on that deal, welcome to the forums.

93Xtra-Cab

That pretty much sums it up. If you don't think you can handle the disease, sell your 4Runner ASAP and buy a Civic...before it's too late

1st19954runner

hhhahahahaaaaaa RITE ON GUYS!!! yah i couldnt find to many altima forums with guys claiming even 200k on there car. Iv been a toyota 4x4 freak for a while. I once owned a 1991 v6 4x4 single cab truck, bought with 270K on the clock. Im not kidding you when i say the thing looked like it was shot out of a canon,bent frame,leaked oil,you name it. I only put 20k on it, but it did not skip a beat, it just seemed like it really didnt give a $%@!.Sold back to the orignal owner, dam near what i paid for it. Im not a mechanic, but am still very impressed with these machines, the confidence an the bond you build with them is priceless. My friend who is a mechanic, like to tell toy truck owners," you know that wine you hear when you put youre key in the ignition, thats the sound of the car guy dieing inside you, cause you will never drive another type of vehicle again". Im already lovin the feel of the ride, much better than the altima. I changed fuel an tran filter today,no metal on the magnets, the tran fluid with pretty clean. air filter looked good. Looks like it could use some rear shocks, thinkin of goin with kyb gas a shock????? then like Hilux said its on to tires an bumpers. I want a bumper i can attach hi lift jack to, any maybe the spare tire??? Like i said this is a pretty clean rig. When youre looking around underneath it, you kind of get the feeling, its hasnt done to much off road, no scrapes. The only thing i have a concern about, like so many other auto 4runners, it doesnt like to shift into that final fourth gear!?!?. whtas deal the guys, whats the trick to having a happy automatic transmission???

1st19954runner

/Users/user/Pictures/iPhoto Library/Originals/2013/Nov 19, 2013/IMG_3146.JPG
sorry guys im new to forums, i find them a little tricky to operate, i took this pic yesterday

1st19954runner

Dingotech

I once owned a 94, 3.0, auto, but I didn't care much for it. Very slow acceleration and poor gas mileage were the primary reasons. I did have one issue with the tranny overheating, and I would stop the car, raise the hood for a little bit and then be on my way. It would sometimes leak tranny fluid when this happened. I installed a tranny cooler to help deal with this.

Rear coil spring sag is another issue to look out for. Look carefully at the rear end while the vehicle's on level ground.

Sizing down when (if) you buy new tires ought to help with acceleration issues.

JohnnyCanuck

Use photo bucket or a similar site to upload and link your pictures.

Edionne13

Honestly I'd grab a manual and swap it out just my two cents.

1993 4x4

I have been a Toyota owner for over 20 years. You just can't beat it. Good luck with it!