1997 Limited

[gynyphurr]

Hey, I am looking to buy a 97 Limited 4WD with 52000 miles and I was hoping you all would be able to give me an idea of what to look for- any issues this year has had etc. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks!

[BCowley]

Hey whats up!?
Welcome to the forum if this is your first post, hopefully you will be a 4 runner owner with the next one!
Sounds like a really great find, 52000 miles on a 97 is pretty much as good as it gets. I bought my 97 limited in april of last year with 72500 on it and thought I was lucky. As far as any issues or problems I dont know of any personally. The truck runs great....<knocking very hard on my wooden desk right now>...and I would say go for it, providing everyting checks out for you. And if anyone posts any known issues please email me so I dont look at this thread and get disgusted

Let us know if you buy it...and show us some pics if you can.


Good Luck
Brian

[ldytigress495]

Originally Posted by gynyphurr

Hey, I am looking to buy a 97 Limited 4WD with 52000 miles and I was hoping you all would be able to give me an idea of what to look for- any issues this year has had etc. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks!

I have a 96 linited 4wd, bought it brand new in '96 and have had no serious problems.

[Ian97]

I have a 97 SR5, 4x4, loaded, haven't had any problems at all and it has 124k miles on it. I use Mobil 1 synthetic oil, ever since the first oil change, I have the diffs/trans/trans fluids changed on a regular basis, plus all other maint done at Toyota and it continues to run like a champ. I wouldn't hesitate to drive this truck anywhere....

Good luck, you'll be happy you bought the truck!

-Ian97

Originally Posted by BCowley

Hey whats up!?
Welcome to the forum if this is your first post, hopefully you will be a 4 runner owner with the next one!
Sounds like a really great find, 52000 miles on a 97 is pretty much as good as it gets. I bought my 97 limited in april of last year with 72500 on it and thought I was lucky. As far as any issues or problems I dont know of any personally. The truck runs great....<knocking very hard on my wooden desk right now>...and I would say go for it, providing everyting checks out for you. And if anyone posts any known issues please email me so I dont look at this thread and get disgusted

Let us know if you buy it...and show us some pics if you can.


Good Luck
Brian

[runner97]

I bought a 97 4Runner SR5 in 2003. It only had 55K and was (still is) in great shape. I love my 4Runner....great reliability, great build quality and great looks (I still think 3rd generations look better than the 4th generations too. I've had no serious problems...just routine maintenance. I did just replace a front stabilizer link recently.

I was lucky to not only find one with low miles but have all the service records since new. It was pampered by the previous owner at the local Toyota dealer where I now have it serviced.
Good luck....they are great vehicles like everyone says.

[EGilson0606]

New here...first post...I bought my 97 Runner Limited last year...it actually had about 100K on there, but since I knew that toyotas were great cars...I went for it anyway. I don't know if this is a "known" problem, but I blew my tranny out, at about 120K since the mileage was high...i wasn't surprised, but it was extreme. The dealership couldn't even find out what happened, cause the other half of the transfer case was on the highway. They said it was like someone had shoved a grenade in there. Anyway, I service the truck regularly and on a lighter note, have had no other major problems...but I would DEFINETLEY go for it. I love my truck and it is a very reliable, and not to mention beautiful.

[69goatfarmer]

I've got a '96 Limited that I bought 3 years ago (eBay special) with 143K on it. I now have 232K trouble free miles. Before this 4Runner I bought an '89 4Runner brand new. Put 242K trouble free miles on that one. Put 2 clutches in it and 6 tune ups and brakes a couple of times. Kept up on the maintenance: oil, lube, blah, blah. Doing the same with the '96 and hope to put on another 50 or 60k on it. Only "issues" are the hood skin vibrates at highway speeds and I'm getting some bumps and rattles in the front end somewhere. Sounds like sheet metal squeeking.

Maybe I get good ones, maybe Toyota knows how to build 'em but for the money I'll keep buying Toys.

Now if they only build a hybrid 4Runner ...