I need your advice on 4runners!

omgodzilla · 11-13-2008, 06:50 AM

So Today I may be purchasing a 2000 toyota 4runner Sr5 with 130k
Transmission was rebuilt this yr with a 2 yr warranty.
Im paying 5k for it.

I was wondering if I should stay away from 4runners because of their faulty transmissions. I've been doing alot of research, and many people are having transmission issues. Is this car really as reliable as people say?
Can anyone tell me what to expect when owning this vehicle?
Should I just stay far away??
Please give me some insight.

Im going to be making my choice today.

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pfdaxe · 11-13-2008, 06:58 AM

I've had mine since new and never had or heard of any tranny problems with these. I would suggest getting a Carfax report. Sounds like someone may have been rough on it. Where are you hearing about issues??

4Runner202020 · 11-13-2008, 06:59 AM

that is the first complaint about a tranny on our generation of 4runner that i have heard... so i guess not to many are having this issue. my tranny is doing great as well as everything else on the car and i'm at 170,000 and drive 120 miles a day and dont think twice about it... i have had no services done to it besides the belts water pump and one starter... other than that usual stuff it an amazing ride.

bobby

omgodzilla · 11-13-2008, 07:00 AM

From what I've read, many runners have bad trannys..
Can anyone confirm this claim?

pfdaxe · 11-13-2008, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by omgodzilla

From what I've read, many runners have bad trannys..
Can anyone confirm this claim?

I think your confused with a JEEP

Seriously, the trannys are great so whom ever you talk with is full of it....

4Runner202020 · 11-13-2008, 07:04 AM

where have you heard this. and how many miles did the 4runner you have heard of have on them? 225,00? 250,000? 275,000? 300,000? any car with that many miles is gonna need some TLC. but i have money sayin that when puttin a toyota with those kind of miles next to a lot of any other brands that the toyota will have way less issues that its rivals...

bobby

omgodzilla · 11-13-2008, 07:07 AM

http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f0dacc5

Everyone on the forum has stated tranny issues.

I really want a 4runner...
But Im just a little unsure.
Ive wanted one for a long time

4Runner202020 · 11-13-2008, 07:16 AM

lol you they are not the same tranny's. that generation of TUNDRAS did have some issues and it was in the 2wd's.

bobby

Innervision · 11-13-2008, 07:18 AM

I have a 94 Runner and have never had any issues with the transmission. And she has 211K on her.

and have not heard anybody else talk about any problems

MillerPKA · 11-13-2008, 07:24 AM

it's been thrown around that the 00-02 transmissions don't hold out as long as the 96-98s and are prone to intermittent issues. there are even posts about it on here, use the search button and see what it turns up, good luck with the sale

pfdaxe · 11-13-2008, 08:17 AM

I like this posting:

"My Toyota has 210000 miles, in need of help to figure out whats going on. The gears are taking longer to engage, and feel slugish when I am doing 50-60 miles per hour as if the RPMs are going over 3500. I also hear a "clicking sound" when idle at 20 miles per hr. My mechanic could not pin point the problem, and chnged the oil & filter with out solving the problem however when it first happened the needle to check the fluid did came out, but could not get it back in, (persistent problem) as if s/thing was stuck"

210,000 and he and his machanic can't figure out whats wrong....

stagger_lee · 11-13-2008, 09:00 AM

$5k sounds like a decent price too. Is it 4x4 or 2WD? Don't worry about the tranny, especially since you have a little warranty. Expect a solid vehicle that wont let you down, take you anywhere you want to go, and will hold its value pretty good.

cackalak han · 11-13-2008, 11:00 AM

Not to start rumors, but I have heard 2001-2002 transmissions had problems with planetary gears. But I've only heard a very few cases of this.

It mainly has to do with transmission care. People forget that transmission fluids need attention. They change out the motor oil at 3k miles on the dot, but many people I know have not changed out the transmission fluid at 100+k miles.

eightnine · 11-13-2008, 11:02 AM

I have never heard of any problems for the 3rd gen trannies. My 89 has an auto and after only one fluid change recently and 20 years of use it still shifts flawlessly.

omgodzilla · 11-13-2008, 11:36 AM

Well Im glad to hear that the 3rd gen tranny issues are not as bad as I thought.
The car that I am purchasing is a Green 2000 toyota 4runner sr5, 2wd, 130k, 1 owner, He told me that earlier this year he had to replace his "shift solenoid" and then decided to replace the whole tranny..
Do you think the second tranny will be as competent and reliable as the original OEM tranny?

dbcx · 11-13-2008, 11:37 AM

I bought my 97 runner with 196k on it and flat towed my 74 beetle over an hour back home when i bought it.. I had to go look at it alone wife was prego and due. I have 212k on it know and that was since january. I changed to full synthetic fluids right when i got it. Prolly will do the timing belt after the winter, it was done sometime before i got it. You will enjoy it if it is in good shape.

Mason Dixon · 11-13-2008, 11:42 PM

how many 3rd gen 4runners do you see out on the road? tons of them, there's your evidence

11-13-2008, 06:58 AM	#2 (permalink)
pfdaxe Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,443	I've had mine since new and never had or heard of any tranny problems with these. I would suggest getting a Carfax report. Sounds like someone may have been rough on it. Where are you hearing about issues?? __________________ My 2000 TRD 4 Runner My email Last edited by pfdaxe; 11-13-2008 at 07:00 AM.

11-13-2008, 06:59 AM	#3 (permalink)
4Runner202020 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Fort Collins Posts: 593	that is the first complaint about a tranny on our generation of 4runner that i have heard... so i guess not to many are having this issue. my tranny is doing great as well as everything else on the car and i'm at 170,000 and drive 120 miles a day and dont think twice about it... i have had no services done to it besides the belts water pump and one starter... other than that usual stuff it an amazing ride. bobby __________________ 96 4Runner, 4in lift (883's w/ top plate spacer, Land Cruiser's 8 coil) Pro Comp Xtreme AT 315/75/16's. rear e-locker *I UNDERSTAND THE WHOLE JEEP THING THATS WHY I HAVE A TOYOTA!!*

11-13-2008, 07:04 AM	#6 (permalink)
4Runner202020 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Fort Collins Posts: 593	where have you heard this. and how many miles did the 4runner you have heard of have on them? 225,00? 250,000? 275,000? 300,000? any car with that many miles is gonna need some TLC. but i have money sayin that when puttin a toyota with those kind of miles next to a lot of any other brands that the toyota will have way less issues that its rivals... bobby __________________ 96 4Runner, 4in lift (883's w/ top plate spacer, Land Cruiser's 8 coil) Pro Comp Xtreme AT 315/75/16's. rear e-locker *I UNDERSTAND THE WHOLE JEEP THING THATS WHY I HAVE A TOYOTA!!*

11-13-2008, 07:16 AM	#8 (permalink)
4Runner202020 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Fort Collins Posts: 593	lol you they are not the same tranny's. that generation of TUNDRAS did have some issues and it was in the 2wd's. bobby __________________ 96 4Runner, 4in lift (883's w/ top plate spacer, Land Cruiser's 8 coil) Pro Comp Xtreme AT 315/75/16's. rear e-locker *I UNDERSTAND THE WHOLE JEEP THING THATS WHY I HAVE A TOYOTA!!*

11-13-2008, 07:18 AM	#9 (permalink)
Innervision Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 73	I have a 94 Runner and have never had any issues with the transmission. And she has 211K on her. and have not heard anybody else talk about any problems Last edited by Innervision; 11-13-2008 at 07:19 AM.

11-13-2008, 07:00 AM	#4 (permalink)
omgodzilla Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 115	From what I've read, many runners have bad trannys.. Can anyone confirm this claim?

11-13-2008, 07:07 AM	#7 (permalink)
omgodzilla Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 115	http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f0dacc5 Everyone on the forum has stated tranny issues. I really want a 4runner... But Im just a little unsure. Ive wanted one for a long time

11-13-2008, 07:24 AM	#10 (permalink)
MillerPKA Contributing Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: GSU/ATL/SD Posts: 1,318	it's been thrown around that the 00-02 transmissions don't hold out as long as the 96-98s and are prone to intermittent issues. there are even posts about it on here, use the search button and see what it turns up, good luck with the sale __________________ Weston 97 SR5: Profile 883/LC with OME/PC shocks ∙ 2" body lift ∙ ARB bull bar ∙ Safari Snorkel ∙ KC/IPF aux lighting ∙ 315/75 BF Goodrich KM2s ∙ LC Wheels ∙ Vortex Cherrybomb ∙ Custom black/tan color scheme ∙ couple other things Toytec 4Runner Catalog

11-13-2008, 08:17 AM	#11 (permalink)
pfdaxe Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,443	I like this posting: "My Toyota has 210000 miles, in need of help to figure out whats going on. The gears are taking longer to engage, and feel slugish when I am doing 50-60 miles per hour as if the RPMs are going over 3500. I also hear a "clicking sound" when idle at 20 miles per hr. My mechanic could not pin point the problem, and chnged the oil & filter with out solving the problem however when it first happened the needle to check the fluid did came out, but could not get it back in, (persistent problem) as if s/thing was stuck" 210,000 and he and his machanic can't figure out whats wrong.... __________________ My 2000 TRD 4 Runner My email

11-13-2008, 11:00 AM	#13 (permalink)
cackalak han Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Salt Lake Posts: 1,767	Not to start rumors, but I have heard 2001-2002 transmissions had problems with planetary gears. But I've only heard a very few cases of this. It mainly has to do with transmission care. People forget that transmission fluids need attention. They change out the motor oil at 3k miles on the dot, but many people I know have not changed out the transmission fluid at 100+k miles. __________________ 01 Tacoma DC TRD OR 4x4

11-13-2008, 11:02 AM	#14 (permalink)
eightnine Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 934	I have never heard of any problems for the 3rd gen trannies. My 89 has an auto and after only one fluid change recently and 20 years of use it still shifts flawlessly. __________________ 1989 Toyota 4runner Special Edition - Rebuilt 22re bored .20 over 4.30 gears, - Magnaflow Performance Exhaust with Magnaflow Hi Flow Catalytic Converter, Monroe Sensa-Tracs Shocks all around, 4runner AALs, Custom Checkerplate front skid plate, Kayline Soft Top , Clear Corners and Turn Signals, Eagle Alloy Rims with 31x10.5x15 M/T tires, 2 12" JBL Subwoofers / MTX AMP, Pioneer Premiere Speakers, JVC KD-G730 MP3/CD/Bluetooth

11-13-2008, 11:36 AM	#15 (permalink)
omgodzilla Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 115	Well Im glad to hear that the 3rd gen tranny issues are not as bad as I thought. The car that I am purchasing is a Green 2000 toyota 4runner sr5, 2wd, 130k, 1 owner, He told me that earlier this year he had to replace his "shift solenoid" and then decided to replace the whole tranny.. Do you think the second tranny will be as competent and reliable as the original OEM tranny?

11-13-2008, 11:37 AM	#16 (permalink)
dbcx Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Hazzard County, Georgia Posts: 425	I bought my 97 runner with 196k on it and flat towed my 74 beetle over an hour back home when i bought it.. I had to go look at it alone wife was prego and due. I have 212k on it know and that was since january. I changed to full synthetic fluids right when i got it. Prolly will do the timing belt after the winter, it was done sometime before i got it. You will enjoy it if it is in good shape. __________________ 1997 4runner. stock for now just got it 1999 z71, intake ,285bfgs,with ford keys,hypertech 1974 baja bug 2110cc dual weber 40s,rancho tranny www.lubedealer.com/dbcox ZO#1568374 Click for free catalog:https://www.amsoil.com/AmsoilLogin/L...x?type=catalog

11-13-2008, 11:42 PM	#17 (permalink)
Mason Dixon Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Huntsville, Alabama Posts: 796	how many 3rd gen 4runners do you see out on the road? tons of them, there's your evidence __________________ http://www.sectalk.com/images/graphi...ds/alabama.gif 2000 4Runner SR5 4x4 Sport

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