Might be getting a free 4runner

Since I have been looking for the right truck now since October and haven't found it, I'm considering accepting a free 4runner. Her grasp of what is wrong with it is terrible. Her solution was to park it 3 months ago and just buy a new car. From her vague description, it sounds like it needs a torque converter or maybe a solenoid, but it was driving bad enough that even she noticed it. I will assume that if its a transmission issue (likely an A340) it will require a complete overhaul so I'm not disappointed later.

To give you an idea of her grasp of things... I asked her what year it was and she had no idea. I asked her what color it was.... and she had no idea. It might be tan, grey, or blue. That's how much she knows about it. However, given her and her husband's current arsenal of vehicles I would have to assume its a second or third-gen truck.

I'm just looking for some background on this vehicle to get me started. Consider this bench racing. Shop talk.

Is there anything I should do right away, like "the intakes are restrictive" or "the flux capacitor relays fail so replace it with p/n xxx"?

If I'm going to be yanking a transmission, should I consider replacing it with a manual? I know that some cars they are pretty simple with the right parts and others are a nightmare. Like putting a T56 where a 4L60E was is simple, but sometimes its a whole different set of parts front to back with other cars. Just curious if a guy were to find a junkyard Taco 5-speed if he could swap in the manual goodies pretty easily or if its just best to rebuild the slushbox.

So, yeah.... let's have fun talking about a free 4-runner

Free is good. parts are plentiful for second or third gens, there are millions of them. Cheap will be junkyard tranny swap.

Figure out what it is then we can talk manual swaps. On the third gens all the studs are on the firewall for the manual pedal assembly IIRC. Its been awhile since I was under one.

Check the blinker fluid, always gets gummed up on those.

Does she know if its 4x4?

These things are pretty much appliances, very good ones though. Hopefully, its a third gen. I'm not sure I would spend a lot of money on it other than to make it work.

I've got a 99 4runner. Its been a good vehicle, but isn't an economy car. I am now getting less than 20mpg and its a 2WD. About the only maintenance I've had to do, other than oil changes, is replace the O2 sensor, MAP sensor and I paid the local dealer to do the timing belt/water pump/tensioner/accessory belts.

Give you a dollar for it

Free is good. Junkyard a tranny, if that's the problem. Need more info otherwise.

Other than the fact that it's an SUV, how different is the 4Runner to the Hilux/Tacoma?

Toyota? 4Runner? Pennsylvania? You'll be lucky if there's any body left below the beltline. That's probably why she doesn't know what color it is. Still, free is free.

The 4runners of any particular year are the small truck of that year with a roof on the back.

I added an external trans cooler to my third gen, as I had heard a lot of people talking about "pink milkshakes" when the trans fluid combined with coolant (since the stock cooler is built into the radiator). Just emptied and blocked off the stock one and never had any issues.

Other than that it was as reliable as gravity.

Can't get anymore bulletproof than a 4 Runner..

curtis73 wrote: So, yeah.... let's have fun talking about a free 4-runner

The older 4runners had a 3.0 v-6 which is notorious on the internet for blowing head gaskets (mine is fine). If knowledge is that poor, could be an engine problem?

A lexus 1uz is a popular swap. That swap is cheapest and easiest if you keep the lexus auto transmission (2wd). Many options exist to put that engine on the varying 'yota transmissions for 4wd.

Transmissions are easy peasy: the 4 runner is basically a 'yota pickup, many parts are interchangable. The 5 speed box and pedals could come from a 4runner or pickup.

My uncle had a newer 4runner that had the coolant and trans fluid mix. We changed the radiator at a beach house, as far as I am aware he never flushed the trans fluid, drove it forever until it was killed in an ice storm accident.

End of the day, these things are relatively heavy. Worth a bit in scrap steel, and there are enough toyota nuts around to make parting out relatively worthy.

There was one 2 miles from me on CL with the V6, BHG and two spare motors to put in it. 4WD, lift kit, nice body, relatively low miles, no rust, clean interior. $1500. I was real tempted, but I have enough projects.

Update... it is either a 2000 or 2001, so near the end of third gen.

She also described how it was driving when she decided to park it. She said that it was fine on flat roads, but going uphill or trying to speed up it "didn't want to go." I asked if it was just sluggish or if the engine was revving up, but she gave me that look like "what's a revving?" But, she did remember the word "converter" from her mechanic. That to me sounds like transmission (or if I'm lucky) catalysts. Other good news is she said she just spent $1600 on new brake lines and 4 new tires.

It is 4wd. I'll assume its V6 since nearly all of them were. That would be the 3.4L 5zfe, right?

Talk to me about multimatic. Is that the 2w/4w/awd? How does that work? Is it a clutch diff in the xfer case that is either unapplied, partially applied, or fully applied?

Dr. Hess wrote: There was one 2 miles from me on CL with the V6, BHG and two spare motors to put in it. 4WD, lift kit, nice body, relatively low miles, no rust, clean interior. $1500. I was real tempted, but I have enough projects.

Judging from what they go for around here, you should have grabbed it. Around here they're going for $3500-5000 as best I can tell for the 2000-2001 with under 200k.

curtis73 wrote: Update... it is either a 2000 or 2001, so near the end of third gen. She also described how it was driving when she decided to park it. She said that it was fine on flat roads, but going uphill or trying to speed up it "didn't want to go." I asked if it was just sluggish or if the engine was revving up, but she gave me that look like "what's a revving?" But, she did remember the word "converter" from her mechanic. That to me sounds like transmission (or if I'm lucky) catalysts. Other good news is she said she just spent $1600 on new brake lines and 4 new tires. It is 4wd. I'll assume its V6 since nearly all of them were. That would be the 3.4L 5zfe, right? Talk to me about multimatic. Is that the 2w/4w/awd? How does that work? Is it a clutch diff in the xfer case that is either unapplied, partially applied, or fully applied?

Yes to the motor ID. As mentioned before, the stock trans cooler is in the radiator and is known to fail. It's pretty much the only thing you've got to worry about on these rigs and its easily fixed with an external trans cooler.

The multi-mode transfer case was only available on the Limited models. Its 2wd, AWD, 4hi, 4lo. The transfer case has a torsen unit that can be locked for 4wd. It is not easily made compatible with a 5-speed. If its a 2000, you might get lucky and get a locking rear diff too. IIRC, that option was dropped in 2001.

The third gen 4runners are different from the same-year Tacomas from pretty much the firewall back, chassis-wise. Front suspension is identical but the rear is a 5-link set-up. They're closer to the Prado 120 platform than the Tacoma.

Pics. We need pics, or this is all academic.

No pics yet. She said she'd get some for me tomorrow. Knowing her, that means next week.

I was offered a free Nissan Pathfinder a few weeks ago, but I passed on it. I would have dragged home a free 4Runner though.

Free 4Runner > Free Pathfinder.

Free Pathfinder? What year?

sethmeister4 wrote: Free Pathfinder? What year?

I don't know them very well. I think it was second generation. It looked something like this, only with more crappiness:

Take the 4runner. All the parts to rehabilitate it are available and for the most part, cheaply. I got a '96 SR-5 with a "slight" tick in the motor from a client for $700. I ripped out the interior and replaced carpet and seats(I have repo'd cars and never seen anything as dirty as this 4runner) I put new tires on it. I drove it until the motor blew and then did a motor swap with a 3.4 from a rolled Tacoma(fitting my requirement that it was running good when it was wrecked). I sanded down the paint where the clear had lifted and used rattle can matte black to cover the flat surfaces. It looks pretty good from 10 ft. I rebuilt the front end with a $300 kit off ebay. I installed a $99 push bar off ebay. I could still triple my money in it if I wanted to sell it but what would I replace it with??? I keep it as my bad weather, dog, hunting and Costco shopping vehicle. I drove it to work today. You cant go wrong

Curtis

You need to make this thing happen sooner than later. The longer it goes, the better chances have to go awry. There are a lot of these vehicles in our pick and pulls due to wrecks.

But, if the brake lines were replaced, it was likely because of rust. Do a good lookover.

Even in the sunny south, these go for 6-7k if 4wd.

Free cars are the best kind, especially a 4runner. I had my eye on second/third gens when shopping for my XJ this past summer, but even the roughest examples of the third gens were tough to come by for under $3-4k.

We should go wheelin' when you get your truck together.

Furious_E wrote: Free cars are the best kind, especially a 4runner. I had my eye on second/third gens when shopping for my XJ this past summer, but even the roughest examples of the third gens were tough to come by for under $3-4k. We should go wheelin' when you get your truck together.

I already have some places in mind