Looking for a reliable Toyota 4Runner for sale under $20,000.

Honestly 180k miles is just breaking it in for these things. Back when I lived near the Springs, I picked up an old 2006 with 210k on the clock and it lasted me through every trail in the Rockies without a single hiccup. In my experience, these engines are absolute tanks as long as the previous owner didnt treat it like a rental car. Over the years, Ive learned that for a $20k budget, youre likely looking at a super clean Toyota 4Runner 4th Gen 4.0L V6 or maybe a higher mileage 2010-2013 5th gen. If you go for the V8 4th gen, just make sure the timing belt was done every 90k miles or so. Heres what I always look for before buying:

• Frame rust. Get underneath it and poke around. If chunks of metal fall off, walk away immediately. Colorado salt can be brutal.
• Service records for the cooling system and transmission.
• Check if the 4WD actuator actually shifts into 4-Lo. If owners dont use it, it freezes up and is a huge pain to fix. Once you get it, spend a bit of that leftover cash on some BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 Tires and maybe a ScanGauge II Ultra Compact 3-in-1 Automotive Computer so you can keep an eye on your temps while climbing those long mountain passes. Youll be totally fine out there, just dont skip the pre-purchase inspection.

Saw this today and thought Id weigh in. Since youre here in Colorado, dont worry about the 180k engine mileage as much as you worry about the underside of the truck. Ive been driving these for twenty years and the engines are basically bulletproof if theyve had oil changes every 5k miles. Honestly, a well maintained high-mileage rig is way better than a low-mileage one that sat in a field for three years. Heres a quick checklist of what actually matters at that price point:

• Frame Rust: This is the number one killer. Get under there with a screwdriver and poke around. If you see huge flakes of rust coming off the frame rails, walk away. Surface rust is fine, but structural rot is a total dealbreaker.
• The 1GR-FE Engine: This is what youll find in the Toyota 4Runner 5th Gen 2010-2013 SR5. It uses a timing chain, not a belt, so you dont have to worry about that $1,500 service every 90k miles.
• Cooling System: At 180k, the radiator might be getting brittle. Check for pink crusty leaks around the seams. Its an easy swap, but good to know.
• 4WD Actuator: Make sure the 4WD actually engages and disengages. If the previous owner never used it, the actuator can seize up, which is a pricey fix. I have been very satisfied with my 2011. If you find one that has been treated well, it will easily hit 300k. Just bring a OBDLink MX+ OBD2 Bluetooth Scanner to check for any hidden codes before you hand over the cash. Also, once you buy it, hit the frame with some Fluid Film Undercoating to keep the mountain salt from eating the metal.

To add to the point above: unfortunately, some sellers hide engine issues. I had issues with that once. Bring an Innova 5210 OBD2 Diagnostic Tool to check everything properly.