01 4 Runner Sr5 4wd Questions

[dgangle]

First time here, I usually hang out in the 40's section. Help educate an old-school Land Cruiser guy.

I am considering buying an '01 4 Runner SR5 for a daily driver. It currently has 86k miles. I have heard though underpowered, these things can go +150-200K.

What are things that usually go bad/have to be replaced/recalls/potential problems/etc? The one I found is a one-owner, really clean, never wrecked, priced right (high $13K- low $14K) and doesn't leak a drop. It was recently serviced at a Toy dealer for cooling system and tranny flush, plugs and rear diff fluid changed.

Other than the obvious like brakes, tires, paint work, etc what should I be looking for or expect if I buy it?

Dave

 

[Bighead]

The one part I find my self consistently replacing are the front rotors. Other than that just look at the normal maintenance items. BTW, I don't think it is all that underpowered.

There is one TSB I know of for the 2001-2002 4Runners involving the lower ball joints. I want to say it came out in May 2005. You will have to contact a dealer and give them the VIN to see if that 4Runner is affected by the recall. Not all 2001 4Runners were specified in the TSB. Mine was one of the unaffected ones. You can do a search on Yotatech for some more info on the TSB.

 

[Poriomania]

The water pump and timing belt are recommended service items at around 90k. I did ours at about 12X,k. Find out if the dealer cooling system service included this. Beyond that and the ball joint TSB we've had zero problems with ours and it's pushing 150K right now.

 

[dgangle]

Cool. This is just the type of info I was looking for. Here's the link if interested

http://www.yotatech.com/showthread.php?t=59291&highlight=lower+ball+joint+recall

 

[SteveH]

If you think an '01 is underpowered, try a 4 cylinder 1st generation model with 200K on it at high elevation (7000'). The 3.4 needs to be at fairly high RPMs to shine, and a 5 speed (NA in 2001) helps a lot, I think.

Check the CV boots on the front for grease leakage.

Steve

 

[dgangle]

Other than my current FJ40, my last Toyota truck was an 87 SR5 4WD I drove for 7 years and sold in '96. The power was tollerable when I lived in flat places but get it towing anything or on any type of elevation change and it was a balless wonder. I'm glad to be back driving a Toy after doing the American car thing for 10 years.

 

[offroad_nomad]

I've got an '01 4Runner and it runs great. Even with the 285 MTRs and stock gears I have no power-related problems on the trails or roads. It actually handles quite well on the highways, easily accelerating at stop signs or lights and cruises at 80+ MPH on the highways.

If you're not going to use it offroad, get the '01. If you're thinking of taking it offroad, maybe look at an older 3rd Gen with a rear E-Locker.

 

[dgangle]

Ian,
Not to sound like a dumbass, but how can I tell if I have this?

What does this switch do????

 

[offroad_nomad]

Nope, that's not it. The button you're pointing to is, I believe, is for the center diff locker. Not to be confused with a rear E-Locker.

If you haven't found Yotatech, check it out as well. Lots of 4Runner info there.

http://www.yotatech.com/showthread.php?t=55156&highlight=center+diff+locker

http://www.yotatech.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9340&highlight=center+diff+lock

 

[Big Red 64]

I have a 2000 SR5 5speed with 135,000 miles. No problems other than the clutch, which I have had replaced twice. Plenty of power- relatively speaking. It will do 70 up the canyon (7,000' elevation and 7% grade) in 4th. My son is taking it over the 4Runner for a daily driver while I restore a recently acquired 76 FJ40.