crolison

Hello i am about to buy this 97 4runner 5spd 4wd 4banger, has 94000 miles. I have agreed to pay 7700 for it.

http://us.a2.yahoofs.com/users/442d4...QGCCGBydqutqzu

http://us.a2.yahoofs.com/users/442d4...QGCCGBOdS6BuDF

http://us.a2.yahoofs.com/users/442d4...4VCCGBtCS1Pbvh
http://us.a2.yahoofs.com/users/442d4...4VCCGBZlXcqhmc

It only needs new tires, i am gonna get some 265/75/r16 bfg at.

I plan on getting a 2inch lift and putting a winch bar on it.
Any suggestions?
Can you do the deckplate/isr mod on the 4cylinder?

rimpainter.com

You could get a V6 for that much - with a locker. I personally don't like dark colors as scratches show up too easily. Also, that 4-banger has a tow package on it - which could mean more wear overall.

Tires will run you $800. That being said, you could score a really nice V6 with locker and good tires for $8500.

Personally, I would keep looking.

tulsa_97SR5

wow, the specs are almost identical to mine, within 1000 odomoter miles of mine too. That seems a little high on price to me, depending on where you are. I'd feel lucky to get 6k for mine if I were selling. At that price it better be about perfect inside and out. Any underbody rust? Any other add options on it, looks like a fairly base sr5, with the black bumpers and all.

Stevo3

Lol, you dont like dark colors because of Arizona Pinstripes! But I hear ya on that one. Shows anything and everything.

I second going for a trying to find one with the v6 for that price.

mastacox

Find a V-6, or you'll wish you had later on. Kind of like the people that buy a 2wd 4Runner and end up realizing they want 4wd later on.

Jdizzydub

That's around what I paid for My 97' sr5 V6..I drove a 4 and didn't give me enough balls under the hood...I was flooring it and my brothr looked over to me and asked if i was goin to go faster! There are ballsy 4's out there but it wasn't for me. That's keeping in mind I'd be hauling several extra pounds of cargo and throwing on some meaty 33's! It is your choice, and I don't know what your plans are for it, but....search, they're out there. James

tulsa_97SR5

Hey now! I've never once wished I'd spent the extra $$$ on a V6, the 2.7 has been more than enough for me. That said, the price break for a 4cyl was more when I got mine than it seems to be now, and the MPG difference between the two isn't much it seems... If I still lived in colorado, or some place with mountains I'd likely be singing a different tune though.

mastacox

No offense intended, but the 4Runner is an awfully heavy SUV (especially in 4WD trim) to be hauled around by a 4-banger.

What can I say, it's my 0.02 for what its worth. 'Course even the 3.4 wasn't enough for me; I had to go and get a supercharged one.

crolison

It has cruise control and cd player. I am in the position where i need a car now, like this week.

I would rather have a 4cylinder 5speed than a 6 cylinder auto. I have already driven it, and it was really nice.
The only rust on the under body is that on the spare tire. The engine is very clean its a two owner car.
I am gonna be driving on the highway alot, and i need an suv to go onto rough/muddy roads.
It actually is about as fast or faster than a landrover discovery or range rover. I used to own a old range rover and an 86 jeep cherokee so i am used to the slow acceleration.


My plans are
maybe ome lift
bullbar
biggest tires i see running are 265/75/r16
and off road lights
headers, and intake just to smooth things up.

the most this 4runner will see off road is muddy trails, farms, and job sites. The most i am gonna haul is a few people.

crolison

I am in Knoxville, tn. 4runners don't last long here. To many college kids getting them. But yet what can i say i am a college kid, i am studying civil engineering. I am interning with a company and i have to drive out in the boonies.

tulsa_97SR5

Has the timing chain been done on it yet? I think that was due at 90k, and from what I understand it's about a $750 job. Might be able to squeeze them under $7000 with that... If it's been done then it makes the price look a little better to me.

crolison

I dont know if the timing chain has been done. I am taking it to toyota knoxville friday.

pruney81

I couldn't get the pics to work but I'm right there with you on having a 4 cylinder stick over a v6 auto. I've driven a 2.7 and it didn't really seem that much less powerful than the 3.4.

Doug S

You sound like you are sold so good luck with it..

I hate "buts", but, the V6 is anything but overpowered and a fourbanger is gonna be underpowered for sure. We have guys here doing the deck plate mod trying to get 6 HP more out of a v6.... I'd keep looking, it's 10 years old!!!

Doug

mastacox

And don't forget, there are V-6/5-spd combinations out there, you just have to look. Even V-6/5-spd/e-locker ones, though they're the most rare species of all...

But if you're sold, go for it. A 4Runner is a 4Runner, engine notwithstanding.

crolison

I know there are many 5speed v6's but i cant go very far from knoxville. I have found many v6 4wd, but i love me manual. And i agree with pruney81 the 5speed isnt that much off of an auto 3.4

rimpainter.com

Load it with camping gear then try to pass another car - you'll notice a difference.

Skrillah

Timing Chain at 90k....?

crolison

I figured with weight i would notice a difference, but thats going to be often, mostly just getting me from home to the work site. And its like now or never, I have an opportunity to buy a 4runner thats close to home, and I need a car. It accelerates faster then a 95 range rover, which was my last suv. Which the only way to get it to go faster than 70-75ish was flooring it downhill. So i am used to preparing ahead for passing people and what not.

etan

hoooo heck yeah! i shoulda waited and got a 4wd, but i couldn't pass up the offer on the 4runner i have. then i got into offroading and now i wish i had a 4wd. as well as a 6cyl. depends on where you live. back in hawaii a 4cyl was great. now its in colorado, and struggles up the mountain passes. but nothing downshifting won't solve! it all depends on your needs. though i get great gas mileage i just recorded 22 on my last tank, and i've gotten 25.5mpg before but that was straight highway.