Looking at 99 4runner. pretty clean , dealer wants $9995.

I've been looking a few years for a clean 98-99-2000 4 runner SR5. Im picky. found a 99 w 250K miles, manual. Pretty clean, straight, 1 owner from Az , drives great, sounds great. Car fax only shows service records up to 137K . Im concerned about timing belt ? Meaning no records , no info besides regular service at dealer. Any clues on how to tell if replaced? Engine has been detailed. I mean super clean , inside and out.

 

If it's been changed recently, you should be able to find a sticker with date and mileage, usually on the airbox or close to it. If it hasn't it's not a particularly hard DIY job. I'd definitely climb under the truck and tap around with a hammer on the frame though. That's the secret killer on these things, look for crusty bits, also check each of the weep holes, they tend to rot from inside out, and will begin what looks like delamination around those holes if there's an issue brewing.

 

10K sounds like a fair price for a 99 and even if it is a dealer that is selling it, there must still be some wiggle room there. With an AZ car I don't expect to see any rust underneath but there should be corrosion spots on the exhaust system. Hopefully everything is still intact and no holes. If maintenance after 137K is unknown, you'll have to assume that timing belt and water pump will need to be replaced. It is a non-interference engine so that aspect gives you some time to do the repairs. Before you purchase the car though, I suggest that you have someone check the condition of the plugs (telltale sign of oil burning) and also perform a compression test on all the cylinders.

 

If 2wd that's way overpriced. 4x4 it's still on the upper end.

250k miles be prepared to spend money on mechanical items. It may look clean, but I guarantee you it will need something.

Timing belt is one of those things that if you don't know when it was last done, you better just get it done.

 

New owner of 99 SR5. Great condition. Found timing belt RR sticker . Thanks for advise on where to look. Replaced 249K. Good news. No rust. Damn clean. Took it and twisted it, up-down, reverse , 4 H -4 L all tight. Salesman was cool . I told him to hold on,60mph on wash board. It is tight , no noise , no vibrations , shifts(manuel) great. I'm impressed. Quietest 4x4 I've owned. $7200.00. Thanks for comment's. 1 owner , looks like back was never used not even back seat, crazy Weather guard customs , even full size in cargo space. Wish me luck.

 

1st things to check closely are the lower ball joints.

 

Welcome from BZB!

 

Pics or it didn’t happen…

 

good luck with the purchase..if so, welcome..

 

mine has 260K. Recently replaced oil cooler seal, main seals, some interior bulbs, and had the AC serviced. Steering is a bit sloppy, alignment is good though. Runs great but just affirm the above, you will have TLC issues.

 

250k and no record of the ball joints being replaced? no question, replace them with oem joints, I've seen a couple of pics of what happens when one of them separates, it's ugly, welcome to the forums!