99' 4Runner Pre-Buy Info?

MDAutry · 10-20-2009, 10:09 PM

Hello All,
My wife wants to buy a 99' 4Runner
3.4L Automatic with 206,000 miles
The guy is asking $3,500.00

I am attempting to check the truck out but I do not know of the problems as well as all of you and ask for your input.

What are known big problems (if any) and would the 206,000 miles on the engine/tranny bother any of you guys.

We probably won't off-road much if any in the near future but the truck has definitely been offroad in its lifetime...

Thanks for the help, great forum!
Michael

P.S. What milage are you guys able to get out of your engines/transmissions? Or what has been reasonable to expect as far as miles go?

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904_runner · 10-20-2009, 10:12 PM

Thats dirt cheap...

$3500...

As far as mileage goes it really will depend on how the vehicle was treated. I had the 3.0L v6 in my truck (which is considered the worst toyota motor) and it lasted 258,000 miles.

As of now i swapped in the 3.4L v6 which is a GREAT motor.. Ive heard people getting 300,000 miles or more out of it.

Just make sure to find out how it has been maintained.. as far as timing belts, waterpumps, oil changes regulary, tranny flushes, etc...

If the guy selling it has good records of it or convinces you he has taken good care of it i say it would be a good buy,.

No real problems with that motor, the only thing ive heard of with the autos is to check out the tranny cooler cause ive heard of the lines breaking, and ive heard of faulty fuel guages or ones that stick..

MDAutry · 10-21-2009, 08:02 AM

Thanks for the reply,
As far as maintenance goes, I can tell that it has been taken decent care of. The truck was this guys baby if you will, so I know that he did at least the necessary stuff. Also, around 190,000 mark the timing belt/water pump/ belts were changed/ and a transmision service was done (fluid and filter).

I still think that is a lot of money for a vehicle with that many miles but I know that it would make a good family vehicle. My black lab would love that back window for sure...

When people have had their motors require major work, what were the problems? Top end, main bearings, or whatever you think of? How difficult is it to patch the engine back up is more what I am trying to figure out. The bottom end work is more of a pain than I am really looking for and would probably just switch the engine out in that situation.

Thanks Again,
Michael

Elton · 10-21-2009, 08:17 AM

if it make you feel any better papa's 3.0L has 300k+ miles and it still going strong the 3.4L is a much better motor they had for sale a 99 here the other day with like 258k for 6500

Godzilla · 10-21-2009, 10:11 AM

Like any vehicle, just do the typical checks and bring it to a shop to do an inspection.
The 3.4 is pretty reliable, though there are some reports creeping up now of it throwing rods. The 96's had some issues with the headgasket but this was corrected for 97+.
As mentioned the internal tranny cooler in the radiator is known to fail causing a mixture of coolant and ATF. In most cases, when caught quickly, the tranny survives after many flushes. Some now are doing preventative maintenace by replacing the rad.
And the 99-00's had issues with the fuel gauge. There is a TSB for them, though no recall. You can check your VIN against the TSB to see if the vehicle is included and what parts are at fault. This inaccuracy varies. Mine is under the TSB, and it seems like it has corrected itself.

MDAutry · 10-21-2009, 07:14 PM

Thanks for the additional info everyone. I am looking into the radiator replacement. (radiator runs about $182.99 at Autozone) How could I check to see if the radiator and transmission cooler are comingling fluids.
Again, many thanks...

Elton · 10-22-2009, 12:12 AM

yea id look else where for a rad could try http://www.radiatorbarn.com/

Godzilla · 10-22-2009, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MDAutry

Thanks for the additional info everyone. I am looking into the radiator replacement. (radiator runs about $182.99 at Autozone) How could I check to see if the radiator and transmission cooler are comingling fluids.
Again, many thanks...

Check the levels of each and then observe the colours and smell. It would be tougher to see if you have the red coolant

Ron Helmuth · 10-29-2009, 08:02 PM

rear axle seals are a common failure. Fuel gauge inaccuracy and dash clock failures are common nuisance items only.

Some suggest the tranny cooler get replaced with external to avoid future radiator/tranny cooler design inherent weakness-research this issue thoroughly if you tow.

More critical than price and mileage is record keeping and how often are the oil changes and how well kept is the interior and so on. All contribute to a perception of how well the owner cared for the vehicle. Pull that air filter and see how clean it is. Pull that dipstick and ask what type of oil is run.

Front end suspension inspection is wise-ball joints and steering rack and tie rod ends and A-arms and more. Check tire wear for signs of alignment issues.

Once you get serious about one specific vehicle consider spending the funds to have a mechanic give an unbiased opinion. Use those repair items to help your bargaining position accordingly.

That is a good price if the vehicle is well taken care of. It's too high a price if it has been neglected and ignored.

10-20-2009, 10:12 PM	#2 (permalink)
904_runner Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Chico, California Posts: 3,782	Thats dirt cheap... $3500... As far as mileage goes it really will depend on how the vehicle was treated. I had the 3.0L v6 in my truck (which is considered the worst toyota motor) and it lasted 258,000 miles. As of now i swapped in the 3.4L v6 which is a GREAT motor.. Ive heard people getting 300,000 miles or more out of it. Just make sure to find out how it has been maintained.. as far as timing belts, waterpumps, oil changes regulary, tranny flushes, etc... If the guy selling it has good records of it or convinces you he has taken good care of it i say it would be a good buy,. No real problems with that motor, the only thing ive heard of with the autos is to check out the tranny cooler cause ive heard of the lines breaking, and ive heard of faulty fuel guages or ones that stick.. __________________ Mike 1990 4runner: 3.4 swapped, 5-speed, sas'd, Rear leaf swap, Locked, 5.29's, 39.5" iroks on Beadlocks, Armor'd Longfields, Duals coming soon: My build thread http://www.yotatech.com/f152/904_run...thread-158746/ http://www.treadlightly.org/ http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billav...ery/index.html

10-21-2009, 08:17 AM	#4 (permalink)
Elton Contributing Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Siletz,Oregon Posts: 10,657	if it make you feel any better papa's 3.0L has 300k+ miles and it still going strong the 3.4L is a much better motor they had for sale a 99 here the other day with like 258k for 6500 __________________ My Truck 98 4runner SR5 3.4L 5spd 4x4 E-Locker Mods Mom 07 Tundra d-cab limited 5.7L 4x4 auto sister 92 pickup SR5 X-cab 3.0L 5spd 4x4 Papa 89 Pickup SR5 X-cab 4x4 3.0L 5spd/98 4runner SR5 4x4 auto 3.4L R.I.P 91 4runner SR5 4x4 3.0L 5spd Totaled 5/13/06 My Wreck

10-22-2009, 12:12 AM	#7 (permalink)
Elton Contributing Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Siletz,Oregon Posts: 10,657	yea id look else where for a rad could try http://www.radiatorbarn.com/ __________________ My Truck 98 4runner SR5 3.4L 5spd 4x4 E-Locker Mods Mom 07 Tundra d-cab limited 5.7L 4x4 auto sister 92 pickup SR5 X-cab 3.0L 5spd 4x4 Papa 89 Pickup SR5 X-cab 4x4 3.0L 5spd/98 4runner SR5 4x4 auto 3.4L R.I.P 91 4runner SR5 4x4 3.0L 5spd Totaled 5/13/06 My Wreck

10-29-2009, 08:02 PM	#9 (permalink)
Ron Helmuth Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Denver metro area-CO Posts: 1,339	rear axle seals are a common failure. Fuel gauge inaccuracy and dash clock failures are common nuisance items only. Some suggest the tranny cooler get replaced with external to avoid future radiator/tranny cooler design inherent weakness-research this issue thoroughly if you tow. More critical than price and mileage is record keeping and how often are the oil changes and how well kept is the interior and so on. All contribute to a perception of how well the owner cared for the vehicle. Pull that air filter and see how clean it is. Pull that dipstick and ask what type of oil is run. Front end suspension inspection is wise-ball joints and steering rack and tie rod ends and A-arms and more. Check tire wear for signs of alignment issues. Once you get serious about one specific vehicle consider spending the funds to have a mechanic give an unbiased opinion. Use those repair items to help your bargaining position accordingly. That is a good price if the vehicle is well taken care of. It's too high a price if it has been neglected and ignored. __________________ 99 4Runner SR5 4wd 3.4/5 spd- Fact. Rr. Locker/Diff Breather Ext. Old Man Emu lift springs- 881 fronts/890 rears O/M/E shocks- N91s fr./N86 rr. All Pro Off Road welded sliders-prevent body damage! ARB"Taco"bumper/Gamiviti clear lenses/Hella 500s Redline Tuning hood struts/Bushwacker Extend a Fenders all my photos are over on Facebook now-I gave up on photo hosting sorry.... http://www.facebook.com/album.php?ai...5&l=5795132731

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10-21-2009, 08:02 AM	#3 (permalink)
MDAutry Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 6	Thanks for the reply, As far as maintenance goes, I can tell that it has been taken decent care of. The truck was this guys baby if you will, so I know that he did at least the necessary stuff. Also, around 190,000 mark the timing belt/water pump/ belts were changed/ and a transmision service was done (fluid and filter). I still think that is a lot of money for a vehicle with that many miles but I know that it would make a good family vehicle. My black lab would love that back window for sure... When people have had their motors require major work, what were the problems? Top end, main bearings, or whatever you think of? How difficult is it to patch the engine back up is more what I am trying to figure out. The bottom end work is more of a pain than I am really looking for and would probably just switch the engine out in that situation. Thanks Again, Michael

10-21-2009, 10:11 AM	#5 (permalink)
Godzilla Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Vancouver Posts: 2,151	Like any vehicle, just do the typical checks and bring it to a shop to do an inspection. The 3.4 is pretty reliable, though there are some reports creeping up now of it throwing rods. The 96's had some issues with the headgasket but this was corrected for 97+. As mentioned the internal tranny cooler in the radiator is known to fail causing a mixture of coolant and ATF. In most cases, when caught quickly, the tranny survives after many flushes. Some now are doing preventative maintenace by replacing the rad. And the 99-00's had issues with the fuel gauge. There is a TSB for them, though no recall. You can check your VIN against the TSB to see if the vehicle is included and what parts are at fault. This inaccuracy varies. Mine is under the TSB, and it seems like it has corrected itself.

10-21-2009, 07:14 PM	#6 (permalink)
MDAutry Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 6	Thanks for the additional info everyone. I am looking into the radiator replacement. (radiator runs about $182.99 at Autozone) How could I check to see if the radiator and transmission cooler are comingling fluids. Again, many thanks...