I need a quick cheap high clearance replacement vehicle for some field work in the mountains, my current vehicle is getting too banged up and I need it to last. No crazy offroads, just some steep rocky sections that I probably don't even need 4WD for. Which is good, because there aren't any 4WD available nearby with under 200k.
I drove an 02 V6 2WD recently and I liked it a lot, though it had some issues. "only" 160k though, which to me (as a Toyota owner) isn't much. But
1) the ac didn't work, and I need it to. I didn't have time to diagnose. Looks like aftermarket and junkyard compressors are readily and cheaply available though, so is there anything else I should know or suspect or look for?
2) cruise didn't work, but that's not a deal breaker since I can rarely use cruise in my work area
3) ball joints all showed more or less grease leaks, but it handled very tight and solid.
4) on tight, slow parking lot turns, the wheel would kind of take over and tighten the turn at a certain point. It did this equally in both directions so I wonder if its normal. Is it?
Now the biggies
A) Owner doesn't know the timing belt history, and he's had it for 10 years so it might never have been done. I don't mind replacing it over the winter, but I need it to last the summer. That makes me nervous. I went well beyond the recommended mileage with my 4runner, but its non-interference.
B) I need to make sure the oil leak isn't rear main seal. That could be a deal breaker because after doing my 4runner clutch twice I don't ever want to drop a tranny again. is there a way to be sure without pulling the starter?
I drove an 02 V6 2WD recently and I liked it a lot, though it had some issues. "only" 160k though, which to me (as a Toyota owner) isn't much. But
1) the ac didn't work, and I need it to. I didn't have time to diagnose. Looks like aftermarket and junkyard compressors are readily and cheaply available though, so is there anything else I should know or suspect or look for?
2) cruise didn't work, but that's not a deal breaker since I can rarely use cruise in my work area
3) ball joints all showed more or less grease leaks, but it handled very tight and solid.
4) on tight, slow parking lot turns, the wheel would kind of take over and tighten the turn at a certain point. It did this equally in both directions so I wonder if its normal. Is it?
Now the biggies
A) Owner doesn't know the timing belt history, and he's had it for 10 years so it might never have been done. I don't mind replacing it over the winter, but I need it to last the summer. That makes me nervous. I went well beyond the recommended mileage with my 4runner, but its non-interference.
B) I need to make sure the oil leak isn't rear main seal. That could be a deal breaker because after doing my 4runner clutch twice I don't ever want to drop a tranny again. is there a way to be sure without pulling the starter?
