I am looking at buying a new to me 2000 4 runner SR5 4x4. I want the v-6 and the manual transmission with the 4 wheel drive. Are there any problems with this model that I should be looking out for, timing belt, suspension, drive train? Most reviews I've read don't seem to have any complaints, but not any of them said they used theirs off road.

So if anyone could please share their ideas on this model I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks,
Todd

The rear axle seals commonly leak. It's a couple dollar fix if you replace them yourself, but possibly $500 to have a shop rebuild the whole axle, possibly affecting rear bearings and brake shoes. It'll be evident if there's gear lube that has leaked onto the rear wheels from the axle tube.

I think other stuff is minor and expected for any vehicle, like the power antenna usually dying before it gets this old.

A manual transmission might be hard to find as 2000 is the last year it was offered. The timing belt/water pump should be replaced at 90K. The 2 people I know with 2000 4Runners have not had any issues, and they both off-road occasionally. The SR5 rides on a 225/75-15 tire, while the sport and limited ride on a 265/70-16. So, if you see a SR5 with 31's or 265/70-15's just know that is not the standard tire and may cause u-joint wear issues.

A standard tranny may take a while to find, but they are out there. I would expand the search to include 99's, they get the same upgraded interior and front bumper, basically the same truck as a 2000. And while the standard tire on the SR5 was the 225/75 many have the upgraded package w/ the 265/70 and it will not cause your u-joints to wear prematurely. Most important thing with tires is the gear ratio, most w/ large tires came w/ 3.90-4.30, some 4 cylinders got 4.56. Do a search for axle codes and when you find a truck make sure it has low enough gearing for the equipment, if it has anything higher than 3.90's then it might be a bit doggy with the 265 tires.

The 2000 SR5 came standard with 15" steel rims and smaller tires. Most came fitted with either the 15" alloy wheel option, or the option package including 16" alloy rims with 31" tires, larger brakes and different rear end ratio. I got this option package when I bought my SR5..

Don't remember on the manual trannies but with the auto tranny 15" rims came with 3.90 axle and with the 16" wheels it got the 4.10 ratio along with larger diameter brakes.. The "Highlander" 4Runner package (not to be confused with the later AWD Toyota Highlander), came with the 4.30 axle.

An original factory 16" rim equipped vehicle will have the "large painted overfenders" (silver color on mine shown below) as opposed to brightwork trim around the wheel openings.. That covers the additional tire offset out to the side.. That's an an easy way to identify what the vehicle originally came with..




Here's the factory sticker showing the option below.... listing the large tires and "overfender" option.


There are differences among the Toyota regional distributors as to how they packaged the various options... The above was through Southeast Toyota, Jacksonville, FLA port of entry...

The 2000 model 4Runner was a great year! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Unlike my 1999 the 2000 models got a couple of new standard features like Vehicle Skid Control with traction control and a brake assist system. I wonder if either qualify for an insurance discount. The 13" brakes listed under upgrade value package #4 would be a nice upgrade for your SR5.

Not all trucks w/ the 265/70 tires came with the larger flares, it was an option. Not even all SR5's came w/ the flares, some had the small chrome trim.

I have a 94 4Runner with Independent Front End Axle and find that because I go off road, espeically on rocks, that the idler arm breaks yearly. My friend fixed mine today for the second time now in 2.5 years since I bought my truck. He also fixed my left sway bar too! First time for that.

Nope - that wasn't even available in 2000. The traction control and vehicle skid control started in 2001. That's also the reason why the 2001 got rid of the manual tranny and changed from 3-channel to 4-channel ABS so it could independently control the brakes at every wheel. The 2000 was also the last year that the rear locker was available since the average person doesn't understand it, so starting in 2001, Toyota made the vehicle smart enough to attempt to brake the spinning wheel for you -- but that's definitely not as good as a locker off-road.


Yeah - that's common on that generation of 4Runner (ending with '95). I've never had any steering system issues or failures with my 2000 despite the massively added stress of having a front ARB locker and plenty of hard off-road use. The '96-'02 also has about twice as much front wheel travel as the previous generation, so it's fantastic for off-roading.

I got a 2000 4runner SR5 V6 w/ manual transmission,there's not much 5speed manual 4runners here in my city(Winnipeg,Canada),for all i know it could be the only one and most of them with the same year are automatic which makes it stand out a bit from the rest.The truck is pretty solid,good on winter,got a lot of compliments but within the 3 years that i got it, I had the starter motor,TPS sensor and rear axle seal replaced and fixed, now im having issue with the MAF sensor but bottom line its a good vehicle. I would recommmend you getting one too,good luck with your vehicle searching <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />