Faults:

Rear window motor went out. Cost was $300. Also had trouble with the back door opening. Had to tear it apart to fix.

Clutch slave cylinder went out at 100k, and the slave master went out at 110k miles. Fairly cheap to fix.

Factory radio caught on fire and blew out a bunch of fuses. Cost was $500 including $100 tow and $200 replacement stereo. The factory cassette deck ate tapes and the radio was next to useless.

The seats are really uncomfortable, I am looking for a pair of SR5 seats.

General Comments:

This car has been a wonderful car. I have had it on some far back country roads and always have faith that it will get me home. It's all stock and very nice. People are starting to look twice at it because they are getting a little rare in this shape.

I was in a head-on 30mph collision with it and drove away, which is more than I can say for the 2001 Ford Ranger that hit me.

However, it is really gutless. The 22re gets good mileage, but mine is California emissions.

Some of the interior parts are cheaply built, like the console door, and the gearshift handle.

It really gets bogged down with four people in it. But it always gets me home.

Faults:

The engine was somewhat oily when I bought it and I could smell coolant leaking. Later on, it turned out that the valve cover, oil pan, and head gaskets are slowly leaking.

There was some engine noise when I bought it, but it sounded minor. That noise turns out to be piston/cylinder wall wear, and probably worn valves. I may be able to adjust the valves myself.

The rear leaf springs have sagged a bit, but spring helpers have helped until I can find someone to replace them.

Alternator belt failed on the way home from purchasing it! The alternator tensioner pulley failed at about 210,000 miles. The replacement pulley was about $25.

Tires were the first real purchase. Four new BF Goodrich tires at Sam's Club were about $350.

I replaced the rear brakes at about the same time. Total cost for shoes, new drums, and hardware kit was about $100. Repair shop found the leaky wheel cylinders, which cost another $250.

The neutral/safety switch got gummed up with oil and dirt inside, and failed to work at all. The new switch was $319 from my favorite parts store, much more elsewhere. I ended up cleaning the one I had, and it works just fine again.

Front brakes are a work in progress. Even though I purchased new rotors, bearings (inner and outer), grease seals, and shoes (total of $150), I don't expect to actually need them all. Hopefully I can return the bearings and seals.

General Comments:

For all the smaller repairs & maintenance it's taken, this is still a very fun vehicle to drive.

This truck goes anywhere, never complains, and my wife and son like it, too.

It has lots of windows, sunroof, air conditioning, fold-down rear seat, on-the-fly 4-wheel drive, chrome Cragar wheels, and its ready for another Michigan winter.

I have had 3 offers to buy this 4Runner since I got it about 9 months ago, but I just laugh... and drive away.

Faults:

I had to replace the starter twice over 3 years. The starter is the main problem with the vehicle, but I heard there are easier fixes than replacing the entire starter. Usually I can get it going by just jump starting it if the starter is going bad, and then replace it whenever I get the chance.

I had to replace the fuel tank because it had a hairline crack in it.

I replaced the water pump at about 170,000 miles.

One problem is winter driving on ice. The truck is very light, so you need good tires and you need to be in 4 wheel drive pretty much all winter, unless you are carrying a heavy load. This can get expensive, because the gas mileage isn't that great in 4 wheel drive.

General Comments:

This car is great. It is very reliable. It starts in very cold weather.

It has high miles and is pretty old, but is a great truck.