Looked at First 4Runner Over the Weekend

Hi All,

My wife and I have been halfheartedly looking for a truck for a while. It's not an immediate need, but we'd like to have one. A 3rd gen 4Runner seems to make the most sense. It looks to be plenty capable off road, super reliable, and less expensive than other capable, reliable possibilities.

I found a 2000 Highlander with a manual gearbox (yes, I'm one of those people) near enough to me to easily check out. The next nearest 3rd gen stick I've seen is something like 500 miles away.

The good:

The body and frame are in really good shape. The car lived its life in MD and VA and doesn't appear to have seen much salt at all. There's some surface rust on the frame, but I didn't see anything on the body.

The interior is passable.

It has 163k miles, which doesn't really seem to be much for a 3.4L 4Runner.

There was no sign of axle seal issues. I checked both before and after driving it.

The bad:

It sounds like it has a bad throwout bearing. When you let out the clutch pedal, it gets quiet. When you depress the clutch pedal it gets very grumbly. It's not a squeal, but more of a lower pitch rumble. Also, the clutch pedal engages just off the floor. (Just checked and see it's a hydraulic system and the slave is external to the gearbox!)

There are no service records, except the Carfax, which says basically nothing, except that:

The transmission was replaced last fall. That, with the above issue, worries me. Would anyone replace a gearbox without also doing the clutch? Is my diagnosis off and I'm hearing gearbox noise or something else?

It sounds like it's supercharged. It's not. This sound is related to engine speed (or gearbox input shaft). It's quite a loud whine, like a supercharger or straight cut gears. Ideas? Is there anything in the engine itself that would make this noise?

The brake pedal goes nearly to the floor before engaging (but, no death wobble).

There is a bit of seepage from the valve covers.

There's also a bit of seepage along the lower 1/3 or so of the rear diff.

No locker.

The weird:

I think it may have been owned by a volunteer firefighter at some point. ??? There are three wired electrical gadgets on the inside of each A pillar. They look like lights, but seem to have a lot of electronics under their clear covers for just being lights. I didn't flip the aftermarket switch on the dash to see what happened.
***

I've had a couple of old cars - two classic Minis and an early Bronco - and a bunch of regular cheapo cars. I'm not too worried about having to do the timing belt, brakes, suspension bits, regular maintenance, etc. I'm old enough now that I could afford to pay someone else to do something bigger like a clutch, if I didn't feel like dealing with it. But, I don't do welding or bodywork, which makes this one quite a bit more attractive.

The asking price is $8400. I mentioned the clutch issue to the dealer. He's going to have his mechanic check it out. If it needs a clutch, they'll do it and the price will be $8400 firm. (I assume I'll be able to tell if they try to scam me on the clutch. I can't think of any way of "fixing" a throwout bearing without actually fixing it. Unless it's something else...)

Anyway, I really liked the vehicle overall. $8400 seems fair to me, so long as there's nothing major wrong with it. The 4Runner looks like it would be near perfect for my needs, so if not this one, I'll probably wind up with another at some point.

Dean

 

The whine sounds bad...I have no idea. Does it have the OEM air box? Those crappy cold air intakes can whistle.

Brake pedal issue is an issue. There is a problem there. To me the car is unsafe with that. Good culprit is that the rear drum cylinders are shot. Could be brake lines but being that the rear seals are shot...seems related.

One reason for the leaking rear diff seals is that people think they can off road these things into deep water without extending the diff vent higher than it is. Put the rear diff under water and that vent sucks in water and the countdown to seal failure starts. My 260k miler has never seen much more than a large puddle and the rear is as dry of oil/grease as can be.

Also...what's a 2000 4Runner Highlander? I think I've heard of that tag on a very early 4Runner in Canada or something...but not a 3rd gen from the states.

 

Thanks!

The Highlander edition has the fake hood scoop and big flares. Apparently, it also has larger, 13", brakes. I'll have to look into that. I wonder if these already have the Tundra brakes.

The intake looks stock. (Forgot to put up a link to the ad - https://www.drivenowmotors.com/vehicle_pages/jt3hn86r5y0260029-2000-toyota-4runner-sr5-used-schaumburg-il.shtml )

I'm not too worried about the brakes. I can fix that and it won't cost an arm and a leg. The whine and clutch issues have me worried, though.

Doesn't a leaking axle seal spray fluid onto the inside of the rear tires/wheels? The wheels were clean. The pumpkin itself was discolored on the bottom third.

 

I think you mean a Sport edition? It didn't come with larger brakes.

Sport edition go the special hood.

Lots of cars got the flares.

 

Sport Edition didn't come out until 2001. 1999-2000 had the Highlander edition. I do believe the Highlander edition came with a rear locker. I saw the pics and yes that definitely is a Highlander Edition. Check and see if there is a diff switch on the left/hand side of the dash beside the steering wheel. If you look at the picture with the steering wheel, look at the left spoke, there is a switch there. Might be the diff switch.
Found this article on one. https://www.theautochannel.com/vehicles/new/reviews/2000/russ0002.html

 

the brake problem sounds more like the hydraulic master cylinder to me. Heck it might just need to be bled well too or adjusted properly. Most likely the seals in the master cylinder are going bad though.

 

i would concur...seals in the master cylinder..spend some time on the hoist, and go thru it..

 

No e-locker. Apparently, there were two option packages for the Highlander - one with and one without. This one is without. The packages are outlined here: https://www.top4runners.com/ja/highlander.html

You know, I didn't think to pump the brakes to see if the pedal came up. Doh. It's been too long since I've regularly wrenched on anything!

 

It sounds like you'll have your work cut out for you... certainly not worth your time for the asking price.
Axle seals will blow soon if they've never been replaced.
Diff cover gasket is a royal bitch if you've never done it before.
Valve cover gasket is eh, but still a few hours of your time.
Brakes probably just need to get bled
I personally wouldn't even consider it if you think it has transmission issues.
Plus the unknown whine (worst case, bad power steering pump; best case a belt is too tight)

All in all, they should pay you to take it off their hands lol