Used 4Runner Test Drive Question re:brakes

Hey, test drove a private party sale 2007 SR5 with 206kmi. My plan is to use it as a weekend camping/overlanding/baja vehicle.

On the surface all seemed kosher, however the brakes raised a question. The current owner “does all his own work”, and seemed like a stand up dude….however he upgraded the brakes apparently to 5th gen brakes. According to him, the 5th gen has more/larger pistons and since he didn’t upgrade the master cylinder, the brake pedal is very mushy due to the additional brake fluid volume requirements that the 4th gen master cylinder doesn’t have. Meaning you gotta press the brake fairly hard to get the vehicle to stop.

I do plan on having a mechanic inspect it, but before I do that, wanted to get this groups opinion on whether this even seems plausible? I’m no mechanic and so any help from the group is appreciated!

 

With enough money, time and sticktoitiveness anything is possible or plausible. I haven't heard of anyone doing this, but that doesn't mean it hasn't happened before. If the brake pedal has to be mashed to the floor, then that's a HUGE red flag that the brakes are shot.

Take it to the mechanic and have the brakes inspected very carefully. Know what you're getting into before spending your hard earned cash.

 

Thank you for the perspective @Borracho Loco - I definitely will have the inspection mechanic figure this out.

Separate question, I purchased the CarFax, and it looks like this 4Runner originated out of Texas, was well maintained, and then was purchased and moved to Illinois for a few years where it was also maintained. From there the current owner started his own work. My question is, the time in Illinois, I assume they salt their roads for snow, how concerned with the dreaded frame rust should I be? Or just add it to the inspection list?

 

I've seen frames getting eaten up in just a few years if they were not properly treated. I'm 99% sure they salt the roads. Add that to the inspection list. Obvious signs of rust can be found on the trailer hitch. If you've got it there, then you've got it bad.

 

Definitely add it to the list. Or just crawl under there. If it's horrible it will be pretty obvious and you might save yourself the trouble and expense of an inspection.
I looked at a 2007 as well that spent about 7 years in Joliet. It wasn't horrible, but enough to make me pass. Being in AZ, the land of rust free cars, I just couldn't do it. Too bad too, because everything else about it was really nice and right up my alley.

 

Yes, I found that Joliet salted when I looked into it.

 

Another question - will a 285/70 sized tire fit in the 4th Gen's stock spare location underneath the rear? I see several threads for 5th gen, but searching the 4th gen forum I didn't see one.