I would like to buy a 3rd gen with about 150K miles. Is there anything to look out for.

What kind of life can one expect to get out of the auto tranny if only driven on the street?

Thanks

 

I'd ask if the timing belt/water pump was replaced at 90k. Check the steering for any clunks/looseness, seems to be a common issue. If you've got the time or are taking it to a mechanic, also check to see if the rear axle seals are leaking diff oil into/onto the rear brake drums. Ask about standard maintenance things, ie. tranny flushed on a regular basis, etc. Has it been wheeled, etc. If you want to wheel it, check to see if it has the factory electric locker in the rear axle.

 

what year? model trim?

 

Hey..I live in your town. Are you looking at something local?

 

Yes, ideally I am looking for a local one.

But am a little concerned about an auto w/ high miles. I really don't want to pay for the transmission. I would rather replace a clutch.

Do you know of any good ones?

 

there's been a few 4runners put up for sale recently. have you looked in the for sale section of the forum?

bob

 

150,000 is low miles on these things.

 

What kind of mileage can I expect to get out on an auto before rebuild?

 

I just bought my 99 4Runner with 135K on it and it is awesome. I have put 5K on it already and no issues. You shouldn't have to rebuild the motor or the trans until about 250K if it was maintained well.

 

I've had my 1990 SR5 V6 Std Cab Sht Bed 4x4 since day one

Here are the things I've had to do:

Head Gasket at 110k (covered under warranty)
New CV joints at 150k (got manual hubs too - I had fixed hubs)
New pedal hanger bracket at about 160k (cracked in left upper corner rendering clutch pedal useless . . . the dealer said they sell a lot of these??)
New clutch, synchros, bearings + retip at 180k
New radiator at 200k (pin hole in top)
New cat back exhaust at 190 k (hole in muffler - Jardine made me the cat back for free!)
New paint at 200k (more of a dent issue than paint issue - I went from black to white too! + replaced stock bed liner with Line X and added a SnugTop. New Marlin sliders will hopefully solve future dent problems.)
New ac/heater fan controller whatchamacallit (so the fan works on all speeds)
New idler arm at 210k (fixed front end clunk)
New rear slidiing window and stereo (after someone decided they liked my stereo more than I did)
New EGR modulator at 150k
Disconnected brake fluid level sensor at 170k (apparently a bad sensor affects the cruise control. Solution = disconnect the sensor)
New starter brushes at about 180k
2 New water pumps replaced at the same time as the timing belt due to cracks
New shift lever bushings at ???

This is all I can remember at the moment. The list doesn't include all the general maintenance stuff like brakes, filters, plugs/wires, light bulbs, gaskets, battery, etc.

Current problems at 224k:

Burnt valve in the number 4. (Still researching crate engines and installation options)
Exhaust leak in the crossover. (Time for headers with the new engine)
Broken seat belt retractor (My fault ) (Time for new belts anyway after 15 years)
Poor traction (ARB lockers in the mail)
Sagging rear end ever since I added the SnugTop (researching new springs)
Reappearing EGR code after new valve (broke cast iron body removing for inspection ), pipe, and modulator . . .. . time for a new temp sensor . . . vsv?


I'm pretty happy with the 15 years I got for my $15,000 initial investment! I'm ready for as many more years as I can get from this truck.

I hope this helps!

(all mileages are approximate . . . . off the top of my head. If I think of anything else I'll edit the list!)

 

I just traded my 97 with 206k miles. It's lifted, and locked on 285's. It ran perfectly, the Auto was great. Go take a look at it, it's at Pacific Auto in Auburn. I have extra parts for it too!

 

Oops! Sorry, I don't have any info on the automatic.

 

MMMhmmm

We've come quite full circle havent we, Neil?

Hhaha

 

My 'yotas have all been manual, but I would not worry about the mileage on a Toyota. My truck was still going strong at 270,000 miles when I wadded it into a ball sleeping while driving.

I would definitely ask about the timing belt (if it's a V6 - the 4 cyl have chains) and how frequently they changed the tranny fluid (a lot of debate, but I support the 50,000 mile frequency). If they've never changed it, I would be cautious. I bought my Impala SS used, and the first time I changed the tranny fluid it was VERY black- obviously had never been changed. Sure enough, a valve body was in my future to the tune of $600. You can make a boatload of fluid changes for $600!

 

axel seals. its expensive if you have to pay for it yourself instead of the dealer. its about $600-$1000