Considering a '95 4Runner - Need Advice

[NMC_EXP]

Greetings

I'm fixing to eyeball a '95 4Runner, 4WD, V6, auto. It has 76K miles. Carfax confirms milage and shows it was a lease its entire life. Records show regular service at the Toyota dealer. I called the dealer and their records show the timing belt was changed at 69K miles.

Can any of y'all clue me in to common problem areas I need to be looking for when thinking about buying this rig?

I have an '89 pickup with the V6 auto and know that combo is not known for blazing acceleration or pulling stumps.

Thanks and best regards

Jim

 

[TCinVA]

I would look for a '96 with the 3.4, having owned both a 3.0 and a 3.4. Much stronger AND much better gas mileage. I only got around 16 with my '91, my '01 gets 22 on highway road trips.

 

[89s rule]

Same problems your '89 pickup would have. If you know that combo and like it then go for it. Nothing is really any different than your truck other than the rear suspension and the obvious body differences.

At this point though for the $ it may be worth going to a 3rd gen. Sounds like the 4runner you are describing is really clean and really low miles. That is great, but its still a 16 yr old vehicle and should be priced accordingly. (3rd gen 4runners can be had in the $4k range now.)

Any pics of the 4runner and how much are they asking for it? You might get more response with those details.

 

[NMC_EXP]

I would look for a '96 with the 3.4, having owned both a 3.0 and a 3.4. Much stronger AND much better gas mileage. I only got around 16 with my '91, my '01 gets 22 on highway road trips.

Good info on the gas mileage - thanks.

My 89 pickup gets 16 to 17 on short hops and 18.5 on the hiway.

Question: Does the 3.4L V6 have a timing belt or chain?

I missed the '95 by an hour.

Regards

Jim

 

[NMC_EXP]

Same problems your '89 pickup would have. If you know that combo and like it then go for it. Nothing is really any different than your truck other than the rear suspension and the obvious body differences.

At this point though for the $ it may be worth going to a 3rd gen. Sounds like the 4runner you are describing is really clean and really low miles. That is great, but its still a 16 yr old vehicle and should be priced accordingly. (3rd gen 4runners can be had in the $4k range now.)

Any pics of the 4runner and how much are they asking for it? You might get more response with those details.

The 4Runner was exceptionally low mileage and clean, unfortunately I missed it by an hour this AM.

Its the old question of style vs substance, but I prefer the Gen II body style. Not likely to see a Gen II that nice for a long time.

The 89 p/u had 100K on it when I bought it. The only problems were a cracked exhaust manifold and leaking radiator. The previous owner had changed the timing belt at 60K and replaced the front crank seal. At 115K it developed an oil leak from the timing cover. Both cam seals were hard, one was cracked. Replaced all three seals, the timing belt and tensioner pulley which was noisy and dragging, and the water pump.

It ran a lot better after that. Wonder if an old belt plus a dragging pulley could have let it slip timing?

Not complaining, the 3.0L does what I need it to do.

Regards

Jim

 

[89s rule]

Good info on the gas mileage - thanks.

My 89 pickup gets 16 to 17 on short hops and 18.5 on the hiway.

Question: Does the 3.4L V6 have a timing belt or chain?

I missed the '95 by an hour.

Regards

Jim

3.4 has a timing belt. Was it the 95 4runner in the mud classifieds? Its all in what you want. I bought out FZJ80 with 30K original miles on it. Woudl I have done it again? Probably....but it has had its issues, most are very minor, but parts do wear out with age, not just mileage.

For $6500 I would go for a 3rd gen, but I have never owned or driven a 2nd gen 4runner (I do have a 3rd gen pickup -22re 5 spd, same as 2nd gen 4runner. I also used to own a 3rd gen 4Runner, bought at 65K sold at 179K) We loved the 3rd gen 4runner and probably would still have it, but we outgrew it so we moved up to an 80 series. MPG ranges are all over the place with vehicles that old as there are so many variables. We got right at 20 in our 3rd gen 3.4 AT 4runner and I get the same in my 3rd gen pickup 22re MT, however it has 33's on it. When I was running 31's I would get over 20 and once got 26 on a long trip.

Also, if you like the 2nd gen bosy style better, find one thats been swapped to a 3.4, you should be able to find one for $6500.