Hey all. I am a former owner (actually, my parents own it now) of a Red 1990 4Runner V-6 5-speed with 215,000 miles on it. Currently I drive a 1997 Ford F-250 Powerstroke. Dont get me wrong, I love the truck, but I am always worried that it will strand me on the highway. A friend of the family is selling a '96 4Runner V-6 automatic with 120,000 miles on it. They say it needs new tires and new shocks. They also say that there is a little rust on the A-Pillar from a faulty windshield instilation. Rust in my area is really not a problem at all, as we only get about 7 inches of rain per year and no snow. They are asking about $5,600 for it. I have many questions:
1) Is this a good price?
2) How much to replace shocks and tires
3) What are come typical maintnance issues around this mileage?
4) Anything that is a common problem on these that I should look out for?
5) Any other tips and advice you have would be great.

Thanks a lot!!

-Kameron

 

Price sounds a bit high to me for what you have to do to it. I have a 1995 with 155K on it, and still going strong. I'm sure others will tune if for better info that you are asking.

 

At 120k miles, you will also want to replace the timing belt and water pump, if it hasn't been done already. Do you know what trim level it is? (Limited, SR5). Also, check to see if it has a rear locker. Also, is it 4x4?

If everything checks out, it's actually a pretty good deal. Price depends on your location, but a deal like that will go pretty quick around here.

See if they'll take $5000 for it. You can do the shocks yourself, which will run you $2-300. Tires are $300+. Don't know if you want to mess with the timing belt, but it'll be around $900 at the dealership. You might be able to take it to another mechanic for a cheaper price.

 

It is an SR5 4X4. It is in NM, Las Cruces area. I would rather not deal with the local stealer-ship, I would probablly have that done at our mechanic. Im not much of a mechanic, how difficult are shocks to install?

 

Shocks aren't too hard to install at all. Just two bolts on each one and you should be able to pull them out; you may have to jack up the vehicle. I would definetely recommend doing them yourself rather than pay someone else too much money for a simple task.

 

Not that hard at all. I'm a very novice mechanic, and I went in blindly. Took me about 1.5 hours for the front left shock, but then I figured out everything, so the front right took only 30 minutes or so. The rears aren't too bad, either. I just cut the old ones off using a sawzall, then installed the new ones. Trying to screw in the top nut was the hardest thing. If you've got any automotive experience, you shouldn't have too much problem at all. Look up the shock install in the "Tech" section.

 

Ok, thanks a bunch guys. What about the auto tranny? That is my biggest worry. Dont they typically last to only about 100k miles?

 

Toyota autos will easily last over 200K if taken care of. Hope they had it flushed at least once. According to KBB.com, $5600 is good condition private party.

 

I would say that is a good price too. I bought my 97 Limited 4x4 E-Locked and 2 owners for $8K with 127,000. This was in California too. Mine didn't need anything except to have the tired balanced. So long as it looks good and feels right...I say go for it.

I don't know why you worry about the F-250 though...that Powerstroke is the best Diesel that Ford ever built.

 

I would never think about getting a runner (AS YOUR HEADING SAYS) I just go and get one. Whats to think about. LOL