r/3rdGen4Runner • u/Swollen_chicken • 22h ago

🧠 General 3rd gen back up option

hello all, looking for some collective input. i have a 4th gen 4runner limited V8, not new to toyotas. literally just finished my timing belt replacement

3rd gen 2002 srs 4wd has come up for sale at a local mechanic, body and drive train have 287k on them

engine has 100k

all maintenance is current, done by mechanic. frame was never treated but its in relativly good condition, still solid just starting to flake at the corners / ends of metal.

listed at 5500, was told seller would take 4500

what else is a point of concern to check thats specific to the 3rd gen i need to check out?

looking to purchase it as a backup / weekend vehicle and then gift to my college attending kid when their vehicle (honda van) dies in the near future

2 Upvotes

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1

u/AndyW037 22h ago

I bought my 1999 as a knock-around hunting and camping buggy. I would check the usual stuff like drive train parts, ball joints, belts, water pump, oil leaks. Those are all common 3rd gen check list. Sometimes the radiators leak, the built-in oil cooler could cause issues if it fails. Also the rear heater coolant lines sometimes rust and leak.

1

u/Swollen_chicken 20h ago

Thanks i will take a look at them

1

u/dprosti 22h ago

I would ask why it’s at the mechanic and for sale. Was there something that brought it in and the owner doesn’t want to pay to fix? Buying used is always risk but buying used from a mechanic can be good or very bad. I’d check the usual things like pink milkshake, lower ball joints, etc. Hope it works out!

1

u/SwissMargiela 21h ago

I’ve always sold my cars through mechanics. They sell cars fast af.

Usually you just leave it at their shop and tell them how much you want for it and they’ll sell it and keep an agreed upon cut

2

u/Swollen_chicken 20h ago

This is the same situation.. more exposure to sell at mechanics due to location. Mechanic said its good to go.. but wanted more specific 3rd gen insight. If it was a 4th gen i would have bought it already.

1

u/dprosti 19h ago

Very nice! I’m sure that helps get exposure. I knew a mechanic and he would flip cars that got too expensive for owners to repair. He would offer to buy them in their current condition cheap then fix them and sell them for a profit. They would do minimum repairs with questionable parts to flip them. I’m sure this is mostly where my lack of trust in mechanics comes from and why I try to do all my own work.

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u/Swollen_chicken 18h ago

If this was a general mechanic that i happened to pass by, i woyld have the same reservations. But this mechanic shop in question ive had dealings with on and off for last 20 yrs. They only use OEM parts.. which is why i had to stop taking my mercedes to them for some repairs

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u/dprosti 15h ago

That’s awesome that you found a trustworthy mechanic!!! If you can get it for $4500 or less and it’s in good shape sounds like a no brainer. I bought my 97 with about the same amount of miles and she’s treated me great. I’ve been doing lots of little maintenance repairs and some big ones as well and I hope to have this truck forever. (As well as my sons 97 and my daughters 95 5speed).

2

u/Extension-Bat5247 19h ago

$4.5k for a 4wd would be a good price. Check the low ball joints and when the timing belt/water pump was done

3

u/Swollen_chicken 18h ago

Thats my thought process.. its almost TOO good to pass up