First time 4runner owner....help !!!

Hers my .02.

start a savings account immediately for the stuff you’re gonna read about here and have to have. I’m not talking about hardcore mods. Just stuff. I’m up to over $2K and it’s just stuff. Have fun and enjoy.

 

Stuff like what ?

 

Well what about all season tires ? So I don't have to bother with switching up for season

 

What Are All Season Tires?
All-season tires are designed for a smooth, quiet ride in most conditions. Many all-season tires do great in the rain and bare pavement year-round. While a set of all-season tires can offer some traction in light snow and the occasional winter storm, they’re not designed for deep snow, ice, and cold weather (when temperatures stay below ~45º F).

What Are All-Weather Tires?
All-weather tires that earn the 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) designation offer winter-driving capabilities along with capable performance in all seasons. Instead of changing your tires twice a year (from summer to winter tires and vice-versa), all-weather tires handle great in the summer and offer better grip than standard all-season tires in winter driving conditions. However, all-weather tires might not be as quiet as all-season tires and may not last as long.

What Are Snow Tires?
Winter or snow tires are designed for prolonged winter conditions, including snow, ice, and slush. The tread compounds in those tires stay softer and more flexible in cold weather. This improves traction, handling, and control when temperatures dip below ~45º F. Additionally, the biting edges of the deep, wide, and jagged tread on snow tires maintain traction in the harshest conditions.

 

All season tires are inadequate in snow and 4WD will not help you stop or turn to make up for lack of tire traction.

However, there now exist 4-season (or all weather) tires that are winter-light tires that can be driven in a summer. For example, Michelin CrossClimate2. I have not used these myself, as I have a dedicated set of rims for dedicated winter tires.

 

In 2011. I have one.

 

Not true, and depends on lots of different factors. I changed mine out at 150+K.

 

Coolant mixture is not different. Per the manual, Toyota Super Long Life Coolant pre-mixed with 50% coolant, 50% deionized water. It is pink or reddish pink in color. Thermostats are not smart. They are designed with dis-similar metals and open at a set temperature. Usually 180F-210F. For the 1GR-FE it's 180F.

 

OP, in order to save $11,000, you will be dealing with a lot of crap. Why do you want to make the purchase of your first 4Runner so stressful? Call that dealer in Delaware and ask them to sell you that brand new one for $38,000. With the new one in the first 7 years, you will have no major service, it will be just a bunch of oil changes. Just $11,000 more will give you peace of mind. I know you're very excited right now, but cool down, calm down and think about it.

 

The Limited trim is a rich man's Cruiser. Trust me, you don't want that. You want a rugged trim, and SR5 is just that

 

Mmmkay.

 

An offroader doesn't look that shiny and clean. I've got scratches and dents all over

 

Goodluck hope it works out. I bet it comes with powered memory driver seat too. Grrrr

@steelevo I just did 96k service, everything but spark plugs and drive belt. Spark plugs I'ma wait. But drive belt?
Thanks

 

The serpentine belt is usually done at the 100k service. You can check the belt for wear, damage, or cracking. Most of these belts will go beyond the 100k service life, but for the price, I would just change it. You don't want it to break when you're out in the middle of nowhere.

 

Thank you good sir

 

Get the VIN and go to Toyota's owners site. Type in the vin to see if maintenance was done at the dealership. Might help you decide.

 

Great deal and carmax don’t go together.

 

It does have scratches and dents. I just did a paint correction on it. That's why I took the picture. Anything else?

 

Texas gets severe weather, more so in the last few years. I'd look for any small hail dings before you sign any paperwork.

 

No. Just no. Not everybody wants an SR5 with 35s and dual lockers. Or a viper cut. Telling everybody with a Limited that they got the wrong trim regardless of how they plan to use it is just flat out wrong.

 

Everybody who offered great advice on my thread forgot to mention the one thing that's super important to do when at the dealership before signing and driving.....bring your ODB Scanner to weed out anything and everything the dealer didn't or won't tell you.....this was the one thing nobody mentioned.

 

Re: Coolant Mixture. Did you check or assume? I know of some OEMs that have different mixes for hot and cold climates.

Re: Thermostat. I meant different part numbers for thermostats, designed to open at different temperatures. I know I dealt with this issue with Mercedes, where thermostat in the car was different from one I replaced it with. When tracing the old part, it was "hot climate" version that would open earlier.

 

Gonna leave us hanging? Did you end up pulling the trigger? Remember the rules, no pics - didn't happen.

 

Straight out of the manual.

Again. Straight out of the manual.

 

I don't know why this always turns into a pissing contest. Want limited, buy a limited even if its rich mans cruiser. want ORP buy an ORP. I swear we all need to take a chill pill about trim-level back and forth.

 

Yeah, and apparently my Limited was too shiny and clean to be a serious offroader. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, Limited 4Rs can be made into whatever you want to make them. I find mine to be VERY capable offroad. I also enjoy some nice things that other trims don't have. As far as the requisite scratches and dents to "prove" my offroad prowess, meh. I have them, but I like to take care of my paint too. This was just after a 11 hour paint correction DIY job. Not too bad.

 

I'm not sword-fighting you, but my problem is less trim-level and more deaf/dumb/blind advice. A few too many "You dont want x, get y like me because my way is the only way." I'll admit though, I need to look into the mute function or just take my own advice and stfu when I read stupid comments.

 

It is beautiful if you like it. I have made my opinions known about other trims, but I have calmed down now, I am not the one making payments so if they like XYZ trim, they can have it!

 

Many ODB2 codes can be cleared. I wouldn't say it's a bad idea to bring a scanner with you (assuming you know how to use it and understand what the codes mean), but I wouldn't expect it to reveal any and all codes the vehicle has ever had.

Just my $0.02.
TimG

 

I thought I saw a video where those struts will run you 4-5k. For me, I’d go new. I bought mine new in 22 SR5. Then I did all the mods I wanted.