3rd Gen 4Runner Buying Tips (1996 2002) (any car or truck)

[@framemaker52]

If you are looking at a third gen. 4Runner, you are probably looking at a vehicle with 200,000+ miles and 15 to 20 years of road warrioring. I wouldn't worry about the paint. I would get a Carfax. Sure, look at the tread, but also look at the date the tires were manufactured (especially if buying an old person's car --- they typically don't drive enough to wear out the tread). The reason is, tires are rated for both miles and years; those years age the rubber; so tires should be replaced about every 7 years, regardless of tread life. (The date code is easy to find, just google to find out how.) Same goes for the timing belt --- 90k miles or 7 years, whichever comes first. Other problem areas with old 4Runners include: rear axle seals (look for gear oil on the rear brake shoes --- if the emergency brake doesn't hold, that's a clue there may be oil on the shoe); leaking engine seals (valve cover gaskets and rear main seal are prone); leaking shocks; worn suspension components and brakes. Pull the tranny dipstick and take a look at the fluid --- if it's blackish rather than reddish, that's a bad sign. Check the level of the engine oil --- if it's real low (or black), suspect the owner of poor maintenance habits. Radiator coolant should be clean and up to level in the reservoir. Take a look underneath; most older 4Runners will have some oil dripping from the area just behind the engine (if no oil, suspect the owner of excessive maintenance habits). Check the A/C controls' functionality. Take it for a drive and get on the freeway --- any shake rattle or roll? Could be wheel balance type issue, or much worse, worn u-joints/drive shaft. Minor annoyances: Does the power radio antenna extend? Are all the power-seat buttons present?

[@ryanmoyer1]

Great input! Thank you for the comment!

[@girl600podcast]

Yes. Thanks.

[@swaggattarius4355]

framemaker52 I’d hit the thumbs up a couple more times if I could. I do a lot of research before diving into a project involving a vehicle because I get rolled the majority of the time. Sometimes even when I know what I’m talking about and bring it up, I’ll get shushed and patronized. So all those little tips everyone has been through help a lot. Thanks for the video and the comments.

[@madameleeband]

Sounds like a real headache after reading that...

[@jaymoar3561]

Check your lower ball joints and also check your transmission for pink milkshilk and check your radiator because they cause the pink milkshake.

[@hasley84]

on a 15 plus year old car minor dings and scratches aren't that big of a deal to me. Maintenance Items and mechanical components are my biggest concern.

[@ryanmoyer1]

Good point!

[@5831a]

body too..if rusty its unfixable, everything else can be fixed with enough $$

[@Slychau]

My 1998 Limited with E-locker looks exactly like yours except the clear coat on mine is peeling almost the entire hood because I park outside for 20 years.

[@ryanmoyer1]

My roof was much worse than the hood but I wrapped the hood first and I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. I'm actually editing a video with what I did with the roof right now. Should be up this week. Gotta love these trucks!

[@Slychau]

Ryan Moyer Sacramento summer sun doesn't help.

[@swaggattarius4355]

Macarong I’m looking at a 2000 but no E locker which is kinda high in my want list. Is it worth holding out for a limited.

[@shaunmorgan9155]

Whats the most miles on a 4runner you would recommend for a first time buyer?

[@ryanmoyer1]

200k or less but 150k or lower is a sweet spot. Also if there is records on engine work that makes a difference. I almost bought a 1996 runner with 245k on the odometer but they had the engine rebuilt at 220k and had receipts for it. I called the shop and talked to them where they confirmed that the work was done and the engine was good and the shop had lots of 5 star reviews online. But obviously the lower the better and its going to de different on every one. Sorry for the late response but good luck with your purchase! You'll love your runner

[@carloscarvalho376]

i am thinking of buying my first suv as a 1998 Toyota 4runner, but I have a problem is there any difference in trim models of: limited or sr5 trim models?

[@ryanmoyer1]

Carlos Carvalho yes. There are differences to look for. Limited models will have all of the options such as a sunroof and leather where an sr5 will not have leather and the sunroof is optional. Fog lights were also an option on the SR5 but I know it was slightly different on the different years. I would just identify what you care about, i.e. Sunroof, 4x4, etc. and then just go after models that have what you care about

[@Stormtrooper_98Trd]

Just bought a 98 4runner fie 1200 318k miles and I still have my 96 4runner 248k miles love them both to death! Toyota for life!

[@ryanmoyer1]

They’re so great!

[@anthonyc2781]

Hey man, love your vids! I just bought a 97 SR5 and i notice there's this buzzing noise under the hood that goes and stops after I'm done driving and the engine is off. The forums say it could be my ABS system. Got any ideas?? Thanks!

[@ryanmoyer1]

Hmm thats hard to say without being there. I'd say carefully pop the hood when you turn your engine off and your hear it and carefully look for where the sound is coming from. It could be pressure build up on a weak gasket thats making some noise but it could be a lot of things so be careful but try and figure out where its coming from (atlas the general area) I'm no mechanic but that way you can search the forums a little better. Hope that helps!

[@ElliotMcDonell]

I get this buzz too! I even heard a caller to Car Talk ask about it and they had no idea. I think it's something with the exhaust from the engine, recapture device or something like that. Mine comes and goes but never had any engine issues related.

[@cassiespicer1176]

Hey Ryan! Thanks for the awesome video. It helped me a lot since I am most likely going to be buying a 2001 4Runner tomorrow. It does have 244K miles on it but has replaced everything (tranny, transfer case, timing belt, water pump, and has receipts from all of it). He has also owned it since it had 40,000 miles. I am so excited to get out of my stupid car and into a dependable and fun 4X4 SUV. Up in Washington (originally from Cali so I miss the weather you had in your video lol). He is asking $7,500 which I am thinking is really high, but he has done so much to it (maintenance wise, premium sound system, and offload tires and premium wheels) what do you think of the price? I am shooting for $6,000- $6,500. Thanks again!

[@ryanmoyer1]

Hi Cassie! It's hard to determine a really good price on 4Runners with higher mileage like that. Basically what it boils down to is - how long are you going to keep it and how much is it worth to you. I would definitely only buy it if there is solid evidence and receipts that maintenance has been done and and replaced both for you and for when you sell it, but when you sell it is where you'll really find out if you over paid or not. Many people won't even consider a vehicle with over 200k even though we all know that Toyotas can go much longer than that. The people that will look at those will want to see receipts and know that it's been maintained but they will also want a bargain on it because they know the buyer pool is smaller and the mileage is high. Armed with that information I would go into it trying to pay as little as possible and only buy it if you're planning on owning it for at least a year (IMO) I would say stay very firm at $6,000 but try to pay somewhere around $5,500. Only buy it if it's very clean and he has receipts. If it looks a little sketchy, he doesn't have receipts, or he is pretty firm on his price I would walk from it and try and find something else. Thank's for your comment, I hope this helps and good luck with your 4Runner shopping!!!

[@swaggattarius4355]

Cassie Spicer Did you end up getting it?

[@augustoLAX]

Hello Ryan, Just bought a 2002 Sport Edition 2WD, 159K, two previous owners, California car, left front panel replaced due to small accident. No rust. Engine looks clean. No leaks. Replaced all fluids. Put it on the lift and frame looks good. Put new rotors and pads. However, when on Drive or reverse I hear this subtle knocking. One mechanic says it’s normal, others say NOT. No repair history on Carfax. Last week speedometer stopped working. Replaced ABS control module ($300 job)....What’s up wit that “subtle” knocking?.... it seems like it’s coming from under but no one gives me an educated guess...I love how it drives...Perhaps it was rebuilt and no records... bought it as is....small dealer ( Russian dude) looked kind of shady, but I could be wrong..I bought this one after watching all your videos. Give me your thoughts...Good job on those videos!!

[@ryanmoyer1]

Hmm obviously I’m super late to this comment but I hope you figured it out!

[@meisonescobar6211]

Thanks for the video really going to help me out when I'm going to buy a 2000 Toyota 4Runner!!!

[@ryanmoyer1]

You're welcome! Good luck on your purchase and feel free to ask questions if you have any once you start looking

[@DoctorRobert2009]

Looking at an 2002 2wd, 151,XXX miles. Asking $3700. They said reg maintenance. New battery, new spark plugs and coils. What do you think?

[@ryanmoyer1]

Andrew Gamboa if you don’t need 4x4 yeah that sounds like a pretty good deal

[@swaggattarius4355]

Timing belt? Did you get it?

[@jimobrien5575]

Good stuff....thanks !

[@ryanmoyer1]

Thanks! I just bought a new truck and made some videos and will make many more if you care to check it out

[@DoctorRobert2009]

Coiling wires***

[@ryanmoyer1]

Good catch!