Looking at a 96 4Runner with 297k miles for $4k

Hey everybody, I’m coming over from Tacoma world. I’ve had 5 Tacoma’s, my most recent being a 2009 with 356,000 miles on it. I sold it a month or so ago when I took a job that afforded me a company truck. I didn’t really want to sell it but the money helped transition to a new job and pay some bills etc. well now I’ve been offered a job that has me working at home, I’m on the road working now, and I’ll have about a 25 minute drive to and from work. I absolutely love the older Toyota’s so I’m looking at a 3rd Gen. 4Runner for fun and commuting. Something different and a hair more affordable than the 1st or 2nd Gen Tacoma’s. I love to tinker and am looking at a 97 with 297,000 on the clock. 4x4 with scs F5 wheels 3” lift etc. has a little rust that doesn’t scare me as I’m a welder and don’t care about paint so much. So I can fix that. I’ll put some armor on and some off roading gear as I drive it. The rear bumper with be replaced as will the front with a move DIY kit.

here’s the link. Let me know what you guys think.

https://cosprings.craigslist.org/cto/d/usaf-academy-1996-toyota-4runner-limited/7349549057.html

 

Welcome from Wisconsin!

 

Welcome from Arizona!

 

I’m from Texas but working up in Wisconsin and Minnesota right now. I was in Lacrosse a couple weeks ago.

 

Welcome from Florida!

 

Seems reasonable. What does your gut tell you? Is this an "Oh, shit" ride? (As in... "Oh shit, I should have bought it") or will you be glad that you didn't buy it.

 

Welcome from Austin! Seems like a pretty good price! I have a 99 I'm thinking of getting rid of. If interested ill pm you! Cheers!

 

I'm from the central region around Neillsville. If you see a Mack quad axle dump truck around there, it might be me. Enjoy your stay in Wisconsin! (even though it's work related)

 

nice possible ride...overall, looks to be a fine shape, with some tweaking..rear main seal, should be replaced ASAP...and go thru everything else depending on your budget. your biggest concern ? RUST. especially frame. if it's fairly clean underneath, then you should consider buying..4k isn't that unreasonable...and quite frankly, there isn't much out there..in that price range...and given proper attention, 500k mileage, ain't that far fetched....good luck....and welcome to the forum.....

 

Actuator CAN be a prohibitively expensive repair. Right now it’s a 2Runner. You can read about it on these forums. Bet this guy already tried all the easy fixes. Also 300k is a lot, I don’t care if it is a Toyota. No way to expect 500k from that thing. I am not saying one guy somewhere didn’t do it, but it is a myth to think some random POC can get there.

 

The first question that always comes to mind is;
Why is he getting rid of it. Personally, I think it looks pretty rough. I feel you can do better. Some fun?...maybe, but as a commuter, well, we all know these are gasaholics.

 

I certainly will not go for a vehicle that has close to 300K. Now had it been well taken care of, I would have seen it on the exterior and might have had second thoughts. The exterior is showing lack of proper care. It makes me wonder how the rest of the vehicle is faring in areas that are not so visible.

 

walk away....better deals and better taken care 4runners out there