Roadrunner

There are a few 2001 4Runners for sale with mileage ranging from 16,000 to 33,000 miles. Do you guys have any suggestions what I should look for, things I need to pay attention to? What do you look at? A couple are certified, pre-owned 4Runners. Thanks.

tomus1000

Someone else will be able to give you specific things to look for, but it seems to me that they are not old enough to have any major problems. They are just barley broken-in. Are they previously leased vehicles?

The Toyota Certified Used program seems like a pretty good deal. If I remember correctly you get a drive train waranty that takes you all the way to 100,000 miles. That's much better than what I got on a brand new truck.

Good luck.

Bighead

Go a year or two older and look for one with the factory E-Locker.

HBoss

I agree with Lance. My 4Runner of choice would be the '98 w/the E-locker.

Al

Roadrunner

The electric locking differential, was that standard on the "98 4Runners? For the same feature in a 2000 or 2001, would I have to install a manual locking differential (like ARB's)?

Hermes

Read the 4Runner history from J.A.'s site. That will tell you all you need to know.

http://www.top4runners.com/ja/runhist3.html

If you are looking for a 4Runner for crappy road conditions then a '01 & '02 are a good choice with all the advances in the 4wheel drive system. If you want to wheel, buy an older one with a factory locker. If you really want to wheel, go much older than that

The only things that I replaced on my '01 is the factory CD player and the driver's mirror. Both are somewhat common problems with all third gens (from what I can gather).

Bighead

I think the last time it was offered was on the 2000 SR5s. Hermes is right, check J.A.s 4Runner history page. That will say for sure.

Without the E-Locker you would be in the same boat I am. I will have to get either the ARB Air Locker or try putting in the Toyota E-Locker like Phong (Phong's E-Locker Retrofit write-up).

Stump1883

Yeah I would definatly go for a 98' w/the E-Locker. That would be the 4Runner of my dreams, black 98 LTD w/ locker. The only thing you wuld have to put up with in a 98 and not in a 01' would be the stupid cup holer location. But here on the board Bob has a fix for that as well. You can have the 99-02 location fitted in your 98'. I would love a 99-02 Runner, but when it comes to wheel'n you can't beat a locker, and it's easier and cheaper to but a Runner w/ one than have to retrofit one or add a manual one.
But your on the right track just for looking at Toyota and 4Runners in general.

Roadrunner

I've done some searches on Autobytel.com and Cars.com for '98 4Runners. I also read the 4Runner History, but still have a question. Is the E-Locker on the '98 4Runner a standard feature or an option. All the sales people I spoke with couldn't tell me if their '98s were equiped with an E-Locker.

If it's an option, I doubt I'll find any here in Northern Virginia with an E-Locker. It seems like 95% of the 4Runners and other SUVs I've seen around here are used primarily as glorified mini-vans.

Darren

It was an option on '96-00's.

There's an RR Dif Lock button on the dash. That's the easiest way to tell.

CLin9383

yea, here is a pic of it...courtesy of phong...hope you dont mind bro...RR DIFF

DrummerDaveB

I would suggest you check the body very well for paint work.
Check all the door sills, and seams for paint lines.
I've bought certified vehicles without checking just to find they've been totally repainted.
Then you end up with the clear coat peeling in a year or 2. Then the paint starts flaking. . . .
Yeah. Just avoid paintwork.