new locked '96

[Blue Bomber]

I sold my 60 series and got the 80 a few weeks ago. 160k miles, locked, leather. It lived most of its life as a grocery getter in Arizona, so it is 100% rust free. Engine is in fantastic condition. Paint is in great condition. Leather is cracked and will be replaced when the budget comes up. The owner (super nice guy) had the PHH replaced after I bought it from him and gave me all work receipts. Excited about using the lockers.

It is bone stock. Status of head gasket was unknown to PO. Can I go to a Toyota dealer for service history? Would Carfax tell me this information?

First impressions:
Good:
I knew I would like it a lot, but it has exceeded my expectations.
Looks great, runs great, looking forward to getting off road.
Towed a trailer over the Grapevine like a champ when we moved to Fresno to go to school.

Strange:
one button remote is odd...have to check the doors to see if they're locked
I did not know the brakes wear out so fast.
P0401 error code the second day I had it...super. Been reading about the fun times ahead.
Back to an automatic after 10 years in a standard...weird.

 

[firetruck41]

Congrats!

Toyota does not have nationwide system to tell you about service at all dealerships. If you know it was serviced at a specific dealer you could go there, play nice, and see if they will give you a copy of the service they have done.

 

[Beowulf]

Can I go to a Toyota dealer for service history? Would Carfax tell me this information?

Carfax would not tell you if the HG has been replaced.

I did not know the brakes wear out so fast. P0401 error code the second day I had it.

Using 100-Series pads on new OEM rotors up front will take care of the frequent pad replacement.
The P0401 isn't a major problem, just read up on it and tackle it when you get some time.



-B-

 

[Brian Macgyver]

Nice, Very nice! My brother (toolsrus) has a white Lexus and I sometimes wish I had used white paint when I had the chance! Mine is John Deere green. I like it in a parking lot full of grey Tahoe's. I can find it.
On your vehicle's history you are on your own. You need to inspect the vehicle yourself or hire a mechanic. You might be able to get the local dealer to give you info, but you cannot assume it to be complete. Carfax is greatly overrated for a simple reason. Services can be obtained in a number of independent shops for cash without a record being made.
Example: Medical records are far more accurate and anal than Carfax. Insurance companies are angry when info is kept down. I have spinal conditions that are studied in medical schools. I am a rare case that involves a double spina bifida (missing bones) and a severe spondola that should have put me on disability years ago. Yet I still regularly handle sacks of concrete. My spinal X-rays are a case study that is used in medical training.
But there is no record of any of it. When I apply for medical insurance there is a curious lack of any record of back problems for a man of my age. I get a clean bill of health because I have carefully paid cash for all treatment to chiropractors known for discretion.
The same can be done with a vehicle much more easily. Vehicle history registries advertise that they know all, But if even medical insurers can be kept in the dark, I would not count on Carfax!

 

[re_guderian]

I sold my 60 series and got the 80 a few weeks ago. 160k miles, locked, leather. It lived most of its life as a grocery getter in Arizona, so it is 100% rust free.

Woohoo! Congratulations! I also went from a 60 to an 80.

Status of head gasket was unknown to PO. Can I go to a Toyota dealer for service history? Would Carfax tell me this information?

Toyota can help IF you know what dealer the service was done at, IF it was even done at a dealer. Carfax is hit or miss (mostly miss). Some dealers will share data with Carfax. I bought a '00 Avalon last year who's Carfax had service history. I called around to dealers in the area until I found one that had actually done the service, and the records matched, so I knew I could count on them. Only time I've seen service records in Carfax (but I'm not a heavy user either).

Back to an automatic after 10 years in a standard...weird.

Not weird. AWESOME! I was concerned by all the auto-bashing from the 60's crowd. It ROCKS off road. One shortfall though is losing the ability to push start in case of dead battery. If you're going to off-road it either a) Never go alone and always carry jumper cables, or b) get a dual battery setup.

 

[Skillet]

Let the mods begin!
Nice color, congrats.

 

[97fortieth4me]

Congrats on the new purchase! Very nice!

And, you got the right color too!

 

[Bluetribal]

I went to the dealer where mine was serviced it's whole life and they sent me to the manager and he explained to me why he could not give me that info. Blah Blah Blah whatever watching his A$$, I know!
So when I took it in for service at my local dealership I told them the situation and he was like no problem I will give them a call right here and now. Boom 5 min later he has the info right in front of me! Just as I had been told, the HG was deffinately replace. Gotta luv the ease of mind.
Just take your dealership the phone # of the dealer it was serviced at and they will find out for you.

 

[Sackman]

what lift are you thinking about putting on it?

 

[Blue Bomber]

mods are going to be money and time dependent. The plan is to go up 2", but it needs to fit in the garage still.

 

[IronYuppy]

Not weird. AWESOME! I was concerned by all the auto-bashing from the 60's crowd. It ROCKS off road. One shortfall though is losing the ability to push start in case of dead battery. If you're going to off-road it either a) Never go alone and always carry jumper cables, or b) get a dual battery setup.

Yup, I second that one. My last two 4Runners have been auto (1992 22RE/auto, and 1988 V6/auto).

Wheeling is so much more fun with a free foot; you can use your brakes and gas together strategically for certain obstacles, and a little brake pressure will give you a "quasi-locker", as the axle "senses" balanced resistance on both wheels and distributes the power evenly (this trick I learned trying to get an open-diffed 5.0 Mustang up a polished, rain-slicked concrete parking ramp!).

Plus, no more embarrasing stalls when trying to "giv'r" up-hill from a dead stop!

 

[kennyv0826]

great find! That's one that I'd have a hard time wheelin too hard since it looks so nice. Did you get a good deal on it?

 

[MDarius]

One trip will take care of your guilt wheeling it. I took our soccer mom wagon out today. Found an ATV trail that I couldn't turn around on and didn't want to back down. Now I don't ever have to feel guilty about scratching it again! Bent up the running board too. Looks like I'm gonna have to get sliders! dang. It's a trail virgin no longer!

By the way, mine's white and the white hides the trail pinstriping pretty well.