Toyota Trucks

4 runner purchase

I¹m thinking about buying a 4 runner used, some where between 96 and
2K.  I assume that the V6-SR5 is the way to go.  I can¹t imagine the 4
having enough omph for hiway and AC.  Any other items too look for or
better years?  I assume it can be had manual?  

Thanks,
 Fritz

Comments (11)




11 Responses to “4 runner purchase”

  1. admin says:

    I have heard that the first couple of years had some suspension bugs. How
    serious they were I don’t know. They remained pretty unchanged throught the
    years. Some came with 15" wheels and some with 16". The aluminum wheels look
    very similar in both sizes. The models with 16" wheels came with bigger
    brakes. Go with the V6. Wind resistance is the bigger killer of mpg than
    motor size. Obviously 2wd/4wd is a decision too. From you post it appears
    you are not considering the Limited which has some other features as well.
    Manuals are tough to find these days but the auto is pretty good. Creature
    features are pretty standard on the SR5.


    Lars
    http://www.larsdennert.com

    - Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

    Fritz wrote in message <190520001818308645%bangzoomNOS…@compuserve.com>…
    >I¹m thinking about buying a 4 runner used, some where between 96 and
    >2K.  I assume that the V6-SR5 is the way to go.  I can¹t imagine the 4
    >having enough omph for hiway and AC.  Any other items too look for or
    >better years?  I assume it can be had manual?

    >Thanks,
    > Fritz

  2. admin says:

    Also the ’98 and newer models dropped the floorpan so the step up height is
    less. This is a major selling point for me to consider only the ’98 or newer
    models.

    -Bill

    "Annon" <EMail_Addr_is@My_Website.Spam_Deterrent> wrote in message

    news:9a6W4.18931$T41.434512@newsread1.prod.itd.earthlink.net…

    - Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

    > I have heard that the first couple of years had some suspension bugs. How
    > serious they were I don’t know. They remained pretty unchanged throught
    the
    > years. Some came with 15" wheels and some with 16". The aluminum wheels
    look
    > very similar in both sizes. The models with 16" wheels came with bigger
    > brakes. Go with the V6. Wind resistance is the bigger killer of mpg than
    > motor size. Obviously 2wd/4wd is a decision too. From you post it appears
    > you are not considering the Limited which has some other features as well.
    > Manuals are tough to find these days but the auto is pretty good. Creature
    > features are pretty standard on the SR5.

    > —
    > Lars
    > http://www.larsdennert.com
    > Fritz wrote in message

    <190520001818308645%bangzoomNOS…@compuserve.com>…

    - Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

    > >I¹m thinking about buying a 4 runner used, some where between 96 and
    > >2K.  I assume that the V6-SR5 is the way to go.  I can¹t imagine the 4
    > >having enough omph for hiway and AC.  Any other items too look for or
    > >better years?  I assume it can be had manual?

    > >Thanks,
    > > Fritz

  3. admin says:

    In article <siav2feriu…@corp.supernews.com>
    "Robert Leonard III" <stunt…@koan.com> writes:

    > My 4Runner needs new pads and the rotors turned.. I just called Toyota and
    > they want $340 to do it!!!  Is there something I’m missing?  Can’t I just
    > buy some pads, take the rotors down and have them turned someplace… is
    > there really so much work to this that they can reasonably charge that
    > much??

    > Thanks for your thoughts!

    Any competant mechanic can turn rotors if he has the equipment.  That
    also depends on how the rotors are mounted to the wheel hub.  If it
    just slides on over the studs and is held in place by the wheel then
    it’s problematic to turn because it’s difficult to mount on the brake
    lathe such that it is true to how it’s mounted on the wheel.  You could
    turn the rotor and have it wobble (runnout) on the wheel.

    Before I left the profession there were machines just coming out that
    you could hook right up to the rotor while bolted to the hub and turn
    them in place.  These machines weren’t cheap.

    Another possibility is to look into replacement rotors from a source
    other than Toyota and slap those guys on yourself.  Like I said, if the
    rotors just slide in place (after you’ve removed the brake caliper of
    course), then it’s an easy job to handle.  The Tacoma I have appears to
    have this type but I have not inspected the brakes carefully yet.
    Don’t have to, the dealership overhauled them before I bought the
    truck.

    But installing brake pads and turning rotors is one of the things any
    mechanic can do without needing factory training or Toyota equipment.
    Just shop around and see who gives you the best price if you are averse
    to doing it yourself.

    Corky Scott

  4. admin says:

    In article <8g43r3$m0…@merrimack.Dartmouth.EDU>
    Charles.K.Sc…@dartmouth.edu (Charles K. Scott) writes:

    > That
    > also depends on how the rotors are mounted to the wheel hub.  If it
    > just slides on over the studs and is held in place by the wheel then
    > it’s problematic to turn because it’s difficult to mount on the brake
    > lathe such that it is true to how it’s mounted on the wheel.  You could
    > turn the rotor and have it wobble (runnout) on the wheel.

    I wanted to add that this was the way it was when I was still a
    mechanic in 1982.  For all I know there are mounting plates available
    now that make turning this type of rotor easy and routine.

    Corky Scott

  5. admin says:

    Robert Leonard III wrote:

    > My 4Runner needs new pads and the rotors turned.. I just called Toyota and
    > they want $340 to do it!!!  Is there something I’m missing?  Can’t I just
    > buy some pads, take the rotors down and have them turned someplace… is
    > there really so much work to this that they can reasonably charge that
    > much??

    > Thanks for your thoughts!

    Yeah, just "pop" them off, turn them, pop them back on, "snap" in the
    pads, you on yer way!

                              *** Rick Jones ***
       Toyota Chat Room!– http://members.xoom.com/ssauer40/chat.html

              Toyota Master Diagnostic Technician/ASE Master/L-1
                  http://pweb.netcom.com/~ssauer40/webpage.htm
          "SECOND PAGE" http://pweb.netcom.com/~ssauer40/second.html
    *********************************************************************
              What it takes to be a modern day liberal democrat!

    You believe that the AIDS virus is spread by lack of funding; trial
    lawyers are selfless heroes and doctors are overpaid; you believe guns
    in the hands of law abiding Americans are more of a threat than nuclear
    weapons in the hands of the Red Chinese; global temperatures are less
    affected by cyclical documented changes in the sun and more affected by
    SUV’s; you believe business creates oppression and governments create
    prosperity; the military, not corrupt politicians start wars; there was
    no art before federal funding; the NRA is bad because it stands up for
    certain parts of the constitution, while the ACLU is good because it
    stands up for certain parts of the constitution; you believe Tubman,
    Chavez and Steinem are more important to American history than
    Jefferson, Washington and Edison; you believe conservatives are racist,
    yet think minorities couldn’t make it without your help; you believe
    socialism hasn’t worked yet because the right people haven’t been in
    charge yet; self esteem is more important than actually doing something
    to earn it; and finally, you are against capital punishment, but for
    abortion on demand, in short,you support protecting the guilty, while
    killing the innocent!

  6. admin says:

    Robert Leonard III wrote:

    > My 4Runner needs new pads and the rotors turned.. I just called Toyota and
    > they want $340 to do it!!!  Is there something I’m missing?  Can’t I just
    > buy some pads, take the rotors down and have them turned someplace… is
    > there really so much work to this that they can reasonably charge that
    > much??

    > Thanks for your thoughts!

    We do charge $149 on these 4WD’s, that includes new pad and machining
    rotors plus the inspection stuff. We try to be more competitive

                              *** Rick Jones ***
       Toyota Chat Room!– http://members.xoom.com/ssauer40/chat.html

              Toyota Master Diagnostic Technician/ASE Master/L-1
                  http://pweb.netcom.com/~ssauer40/webpage.htm
          "SECOND PAGE" http://pweb.netcom.com/~ssauer40/second.html
    *********************************************************************
              What it takes to be a modern day liberal democrat!

    You believe that the AIDS virus is spread by lack of funding; trial
    lawyers are selfless heroes and doctors are overpaid; you believe guns
    in the hands of law abiding Americans are more of a threat than nuclear
    weapons in the hands of the Red Chinese; global temperatures are less
    affected by cyclical documented changes in the sun and more affected by
    SUV’s; you believe business creates oppression and governments create
    prosperity; the military, not corrupt politicians start wars; there was
    no art before federal funding; the NRA is bad because it stands up for
    certain parts of the constitution, while the ACLU is good because it
    stands up for certain parts of the constitution; you believe Tubman,
    Chavez and Steinem are more important to American history than
    Jefferson, Washington and Edison; you believe conservatives are racist,
    yet think minorities couldn’t make it without your help; you believe
    socialism hasn’t worked yet because the right people haven’t been in
    charge yet; self esteem is more important than actually doing something
    to earn it; and finally, you are against capital punishment, but for
    abortion on demand, in short,you support protecting the guilty, while
    killing the innocent!

  7. admin says:

    Robert Leonard III wrote:
    > My 4Runner needs new pads and the rotors turned.. I just called Toyota and
    > they want $340 to do it!!!  Is there something I’m missing?  Can’t I just
    > buy some pads, take the rotors down and have them turned someplace… is
    > there really so much work to this that they can reasonably charge that
    > much??

    > Thanks for your thoughts!

    Why would you go to the dealer and not a brake shop?  Chances are however, you
    will need new rotors.  Still, I had replaced 4 pads, 2 rotors and two calipers
    for about that much money.


    __________________________________
    Please remove "X" from email address to reply.

  8. admin says:

    Robert Leonard III wrote:
    > My 4Runner needs new pads and the rotors turned.. I just called Toyota and
    > they want $340 to do it!!!  Is there something I’m missing?  Can’t I just
    > buy some pads, take the rotors down and have them turned someplace… is
    > there really so much work to this that they can reasonably charge that
    > much??

    > Thanks for your thoughts!

    I forgot to mention that you have to take apart the hub to get the rotor off.


    __________________________________
    Please remove "X" from email address to reply.

  9. admin says:

    I work at a dealership… they just charge alot.. thats about it… you can
    do it yourself alot cheaper.
    Robert Leonard III <stunt…@koan.com> wrote in message
    news:siav2ferius27@corp.supernews.com…

    - Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

    > My 4Runner needs new pads and the rotors turned.. I just called Toyota and
    > they want $340 to do it!!!  Is there something I’m missing?  Can’t I just
    > buy some pads, take the rotors down and have them turned someplace… is
    > there really so much work to this that they can reasonably charge that
    > much??

    > Thanks for your thoughts!

  10. admin says:

    Typical price at a brake shop would be $50~$60 per axle. I’ve always done
    the brakes on my ’86 4Runner and other Toyotas, even though rear drums are
    sometimes a bear! It’s one of the easier maintenance items and I get free
    brake pads due to the lifetime warranty. You don’t have to bleed the brakes
    if you are careful. The worst thing that can happen is an overflow of brake
    fluid out of the reservoir if you don’t remove some fluid before you push
    the caliper pistons back. Rotors shouldn’t be turned unless you gouge them.
    When you hear metal on metal, it’s too late and turning will be needed. Most
    shops charge about $7 or so to turn a rotor for you if you want to do that
    separately.

    -Bill

    "Ryan" <ridinh…@mindspring.com> wrote in message

    news:8gcsi2$shg$1@slb3.atl.mindspring.net…

    - Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

    > I work at a dealership… they just charge alot.. thats about it… you
    can
    > do it yourself alot cheaper.
    > Robert Leonard III <stunt…@koan.com> wrote in message
    > news:siav2ferius27@corp.supernews.com…
    > > My 4Runner needs new pads and the rotors turned.. I just called Toyota
    and
    > > they want $340 to do it!!!  Is there something I’m missing?  Can’t I
    just
    > > buy some pads, take the rotors down and have them turned someplace… is
    > > there really so much work to this that they can reasonably charge that
    > > much??

    > > Thanks for your thoughts!

  11. admin says:

    Rotors and/or drums should always be turned if you want smooth reliable
    braking!  K

    - Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

    Bill McCalla wrote:
    > Typical price at a brake shop would be $50~$60 per axle. I’ve always done
    > the brakes on my ’86 4Runner and other Toyotas, even though rear drums are
    > sometimes a bear! It’s one of the easier maintenance items and I get free
    > brake pads due to the lifetime warranty. You don’t have to bleed the brakes
    > if you are careful. The worst thing that can happen is an overflow of brake
    > fluid out of the reservoir if you don’t remove some fluid before you push
    > the caliper pistons back. Rotors shouldn’t be turned unless you gouge them.
    > When you hear metal on metal, it’s too late and turning will be needed. Most
    > shops charge about $7 or so to turn a rotor for you if you want to do that
    > separately.

    > -Bill

    > "Ryan" <ridinh…@mindspring.com> wrote in message
    > news:8gcsi2$shg$1@slb3.atl.mindspring.net…
    > > I work at a dealership… they just charge alot.. thats about it… you
    > can
    > > do it yourself alot cheaper.
    > > Robert Leonard III <stunt…@koan.com> wrote in message
    > > news:siav2ferius27@corp.supernews.com…
    > > > My 4Runner needs new pads and the rotors turned.. I just called Toyota
    > and
    > > > they want $340 to do it!!!  Is there something I’m missing?  Can’t I
    > just
    > > > buy some pads, take the rotors down and have them turned someplace… is
    > > > there really so much work to this that they can reasonably charge that
    > > > much??

    > > > Thanks for your thoughts!

Place your comment

You must be logged in to post a comment.