So I am looking to upgrade trucks and get a loaded 3rd Gen as apposed to my base model 4 cyl 2wd that has manual locks and windows.

Specs on the truck I am looking at:

99 4runner SR5 V6
4x4 Manual 5 Speed transmission
120k miles
Tow package
power everything

The guy that is selling it is an auto wholeseller. He bought the truck from a local Toyota Dealership that took it as a trade-in. He claimed before the trade-in it had just the original owner.

I looked at it and drove it and everything seems to be in good shape. All the door panels line up well. The engine bay is normal and clean with no overspray and all the fasteners and parts seem of normal age. Seller said timing belt was done at 90k.

I have never driven a V6 so I am not used to the engine noises, anyone have a video clip of acceleration in a V6? At semi hard acceleration it had kind of a low "rrrrrrr" growl to it. Best way i can describe it

Some things that got me thinking negatively:
-It had a skateboarding sticker on lower portion of the front windshield. To me that means it was a younger persons truck. Nothing against young people, I am 27 myself, but I know that my friends that are not enthusiasts don't maintain their cars quite as they should.

-on the back lift gate it is missing the spoiler/wind deflector. I could be reading too much into it and it could be as simple as the previous owner didn't like how it looked.

So after all that rambling here is the deal, I am very familiar with the 2.7l and common issues on that setup but not so much with the V6 4x4 manual. What should i look for? Any common pitfalls? Problems with engaging 4WD?

Thanks everyone. (picture of truck attached)

 

i think thats just normal intake noise u r hearing during accelaration, cut a hole in the side of your 4cyl air box in your 4 runner and it will sound similer

 

my 99 4x4 5spd is loud. First thing I noticed when I drove it too. Had a 90 SR5 3.0 V6 and it wasn't nearly as loud as this one. I bought mine with 104k and it now has 125k and nothing has ever gone wrong with it other than routine maintenance.

 

Price?

 

The spoiler would be easy to fix, just buy one from a wrecking yard and bolt it on (assuming he didn't have the holes covered)

 

Like any car with high(er) miles, look for leaks. Take the skid plates off and look for leaks, drips, torn driveshaft or power steering boots, etc. Make sure it’s not smoking under acceleration. Make sure the check engine light bulb isn’t burned out!

Hard to tell from the pic… Will it need an antenna?

Looks like a nice truck.

 

Also look for the the crappy gas mileage with the V6.

 

He is asking $9,500 but I think $9,000 is a fair offer per KBB.

If I remember right, I believe it has a power antenna.

I asked the seller about the mileage and he gave me a very vague answer saying that he only puts $10 in at a time and doesn't track the mileage.

 

I'm lucky to get 17mpg on the hwy. 14-15mpg around town. 2000 extra cab 3.4 v6 auto, 31's w/ 4:10's.

 

Yep, the gas mileage ain't too good... But, it appears to really change from driver to driver. Many here claim to get upwards of 20 mpg.

 

I could only get 20 going down a hill.

 

You may check Edmunds.com for their “true market value” price. It’s usually a little lower then KKB and might be useful for negotiating.

It should. In the picture it looks like the antenna is up and bent. It could be something behind the truck though. Tough to tell.

I had to buy an antenna mast for one of my other cars. It was about $40. If the power antenna motor is burned out, it may be a lot more.

Good luck!

 

Have it check out by a mechanic for leaks, wear, abuse before you purchase it. Maybe take it home for a day to see if you find more quirks. It seems like it got aftermarket rims. I guess you could swap over some of your goodies that fit before you get rid of the 4cyl.

You get to deal with a usual clutch squeak and spring bushing issues having a manual but I find it more preppy than an auto trans.

The suspension might be shot if it is stock. With that milage other things might start popping up too

I can get up to about 20 mpg, but that is going on highway at 65-70mph. Go 80 and see it drop. Around town it will be 16-17 depending on hard you drive it.

$10??? How much did he add? Expect to put $40-50 when you fill it up from empty (~250-300 miles)

 

16-17 may be normal for you, but I think that it's a very ambitious number for many others on this board.
250-300 miles from empty is only 13-16 mpg.

 

Well I only have regular/stock sized A/Ts and drive maybe with less lead foot than others do. Also I can hardly avoid a hwy getting around here so it might be lower if going stop sign to stop sign. Going to 285s, lift and driving harder will bring down the mpgs.

Sorry with "Empty" I meant when the light comes on plus how far I drive past that. Light comes on at 14 or so gallons used (it came on yesterday with about 245miles, that equal roughly 16-17mpg) . I never run it down to the last drop. In winter I get less due to the blend.

Once I got 24mpg for a stretch of 395 (filled 10g after 240 miles), never saw that happen again