Looking at upgrading to a 3rd Gen 4Runner. Just curious if I could get a better idea at market price. Also, if anyone is interested, let me know.

1995 SR5 4WD v6
Automatic Trani
170,000 miles
Sun Roof
Toyota Grill Guard, Rain Guards, & Running Boards
Leather (only wear is driver side)
Interior & exterior are in excellent condition
Timing belt changed less than 1000 miles
2 Owners
New 33inch Tires

KBB books it at $4,600 in fair condition, $5,300 in good condition.

The kicker, the rod knock. Buyer would most likely have to put a new engine in it. I realize that a new block is going to cost around $2000 for the engine itself.

Anyway, if anyone is interested or can simple give me a private party price, I would greatly appreciate it. There are two dealerships that are offering a $3500 push pull or drag on a trade in.

This picture was taken about a month ago

 

Take the dealership offer, you will be lucky to get 2k for it.

 

where ya located? that makes a diff sometimes...

 

^^^^With the rod knock that is...^^^^

 

Located in Colorado.

 

That is such a drag... the pictures make it look pristeen.

I know where there is a good 3.0 engine, but its in ATLanta.... :-\

 

That runner in Pensacola, Fl would get you about 7k on a used car lot if it's got power, no rust, no leaks, and no knock. How technical are you with motor swaps, check your Autozone dealer for a reman, swap it and set it on the curb for 6k and be done with it. Now how bad is the rod knock, a little thunk thunk or does it sound like the piston is about to come through the hood?

 

I know. By far the best vehicle I've owned. Looks like I'm headed to the dealership God I hate car salesmen.

How much BTW?

 

Don't go to the dealer yet, let me try to save some money. Read my post.

 

Its pretty quiet now, but knocks only get worse and worse as I'm told. After changing the oil and going with synthetic, its only noticeable at high RPMs. To be honest, I'm very supprised I caught it when I did.

I have a very good friend thats a Porsche Tech that said he could do it, but to me, it doesn't seem very cost effective. After doing some local shopping, it looks as if a long block is going to be around $2,700 uninstalled. Buddy said he would install it, but thats another possible $1,000.

 

You'd be suprised at the junk I saw 2years ago for $5000+ in Southern AZ

 

Do this first, go to your local parts house, pickup a can of motor flush, 2 bottles of lucas oil treatment (the original not the synthetic) and 3 quarts of sae 30 motor oil(I prefer castrol just don't get the parts house brand crap), and an oil filter. Follow the directions on the motor flush, then put the lucas in, then motor oil. If the knock is gone let me now and I'll tell you what to do next. You will be out about $40 bucks but it might get you another $1000 on your trade in or fix the knock and get you $2500 on the street.

 

Hey just to let you know this is not dishonest, I bought a pickup in 01' that had the same deal. I did this and yes it did let go about 3 months ago (100,000) miles later. It works and the wholesaler that gets your truck from the dealer is gonna do the same thing. The average Joe that buys your truck from you and gets 100,000 miles out of an 11 year runner is not gonna complain if it let's go.

 

are you talking about medved? we are gonna take our van and truck in on that same dealio. get a seqouia or 4th gen runner.....hmmmmm

 

I am. My roomate bought a G35 from their used section and had a decent experience with them. I'm just hoping they give me a call whenever they get something in. I was browsing the local lots today and had a dealership offer my $1500 for my runner. $3500 from MedVed sounds a hell of a lot better.

 

I took it buy a dealership today and the first thing the guy noticed was the knock, even from inside the cab.

http://www.modtheater.com/Audio.wma

Listen to that. If you think the $40 is worth a 30% chance, then I'll give it a go.

 

I wouldn't buy from Medved only because their ads annoy the hell out of me. I'd call the service dept at Peterson Toyota in Ft Collins and talk to Bob. It may not be as serious as you think. The other question is why not just put a new motor in yourself? It's cheaper than buying a new vehicle and you know what you got over a used one.

 

x2. I know someone who traded his old, non-running nissan truck in for a new Civic hybrid. They gave him value for it as if it ran- sight unseen. He rode to the dealership with someone else so they never even looked at it beforehand. He towed the truck up to the dealer when it was swap time and handed them the keys. I think he got 2-3k for it and it was an early 90's/late 80's beater of a truck.

Private party, he would have been lucky to get $500. I'm sure he will more than pay for it in interest anyway.

 

Just do an oil change and substitute one quart of oil for a bottle of Lucas oil treatment. That stuff is so thick it's sure to at least quieten down the knock for a bit, but as you said it will just get worse.

Btw, there are 4 runners going here in FL in just as good of shape as yours without the knock for $3500 all day long. I seriously doubt the market is really that much better in Pensicola than it is here. The trucks just don't hold their value that well anymore.

I say if it comes own to doing a swap, do a 3.4l swap for another $1k or so and have a good motor in it for once. Otherwise go get a newer truck.

I'm on the fence about this myself. I haven't been able to find a replacement engine for my truck that's anywhere near the quality of the stock engine that came in it and I'm tired of feeling unreliable and sinking money into it. I love having a truck that's paid off, but I need reliable transportation to work and back.

I'm planning to either do a V8 swap with a bigger lift and 35's, or go buy a 2002-2004 tacoma and start over again. I'm honestly not leaning either way yet either. This is going to be a tough decision.

Good luck with yours...

 

That did sound pretty bad but hey it's only $40 I'd try it. The 7k qoute is on a used lot and I've seen tons of them for that price I'd like to get one for the wife to drive but 7k for a 10 year old truck is way much. You can't get anything Toyota and 4WD here for a good price from a lot and no individuals want to sell them. I wanted another pickup to beat up in the deerwoods, the best thing I found was an 89', 197,000 miles, broken A/c, and a few dents for $3500. I'd part it out before I took $1500 or just fix the motor.