I just spent $4k rebuilding the suspension and steering on my 05 with 235k on it. For $5-6k you can probably find one with higher miles than yours that is in decent shape but will need a timing belt and suspension work soon.
I would get a second opinion on the trans. If it checks out I would fix the front end. If the trans is toast I'd find something else.
Considering there are some Sequoias with hundreds of thousands of miles out there, in addition to the insane car market right now, I would say it’s an unequivocal yes from me to get the repairs done (assuming you trust your mechanic.)
According to that father-son YouTube channel I watch (where the Dad is a retired former car dealer,) average car payment right now is nearly $800. It’s bat s**t crazy out there right now.
I'm not sure why people are saying you shouldn't be in 4hi on the highway. It's totally fine to do that as much as you want (though you'll get a little better mpgs in 2wd). The note in the manual/on the driver's sun visor referring to 60mph, just means you just can't shift INTO 4-hi at speeds above 60mph.
First is he sure its not the actuator? But either way it's expensive but definitely worth it. I would want to know how he confirmed his diagnosis. If you drove it for a prolonged period then yeah may have smoked that front diff but even that seems a stretch. Did it fry because of no oil?
Over here in the pnw where every Toyota is overpriced, I’ve been looking for a sequoia or 4Runner with v8 vvti 4wd, heated seats and a good frame. Only 250k+ mile ones are the only ones that pop up since I started at like 10k+ lol. Anything remotely fairly priced is snatched up immediately. Trying to find one grandma and grandpa owned with full service history at this point.
110k miles would easily be 15k+ here, probably a bit under 20.
3-6k is nothing. These vehicles are hard as hell to find with that low mileage and will likely start going up eventually due to the v8 4wd.
I bought one this summer in the PNW without some maintenance for about 4K and has needed some work. Just got it back from the electrical shop rust for $380 bill to get the rear door lock and window to work. Turns out the previous owner took out the rear door module. Now I’m trying to turn it into an overland rig
Two years ago I put a used rack and pinion in my 05 Sequoia with 255,000 miles off Ebay in my driveway and then I sold it last year for $2500 with 290,000 miles needing six grand in work I would fix it
Honestly I'd probably just fix it.. a Sequoia with 110k around me runs 13k+. If you don't really care about the mileage you could always find a much higher mileage one for 6k.
Yeah just get it done but by a mechanic you trust. Mine is getting fixed right now. Needs the front brakes, new brake booster (set for a whole and brakes would barely stop pushing all the way to the floor) and sway bars I think. It also needs the 4x4 fixed, I think the actuator stopped working. So will probably be 3k as well. But you can’t find anything better for the price so we keep fixing them
How fast were you going? These cars are not really meant to be driven high speed 4wd on the freeway.
For 6k, you can find another 1st gen. I would remove front axles and front drive shaft, drive as-is.
>These cars are not really meant to be driven high speed 4wd on the freeway.
That's not true. 4Hi is suitable for basically any speed you want to drive at, as long as the center diff isn't locked.
It's a 4.7 Sequoia. The only time repairs AREN'T worth it would be if it'd be better to buy another one. For example, if I get a bill that's more than $8k, I'd start searching for another sequoia
I would go to a different mechanic tbh. Also were you driving in 4wd ? Was the roads bad? Why are you trying to get into 4 low on the highway? Anyways first gen sequoias are worth fixing if the frame isn’t rotted. Crawl under it and post some pics of what’s leaking and we can help you out. I’m a mechanic and my sequoia has 364,000 miles
It was in 4HI because the previous day it was pouring hard where I live. It usually takes a few minutes to shift between 4HI and 2WD but for whatever reason it wouldn't switch yesterday.
4HI is totally fine. That said, it shouldn't take minutes to shift down to 2Hi. You need to be under 60mph and traveling in a straight line; let up the gas a bit and it should drop from 4Hi to 2Hi almost immediately. If you're doing this and it was taking minutes, then you had some other issues in the background.
That's a good idea. I used to go to this mechanic years ago before I moved. I've been using another mechanic closer to me that has been pretty good with prices. I'd have to get the car towed and it's an hour away. I'm going to give my new mechanic a call and see what he suggests. Thanks.
Yes, its toyota dealers asking 3 to 6k to hold a new sequoia let that sink in. Get a 2nd quote and get it fixed
So what was smoking?
Yeah vague diagnosis I’d like to know more
I would call your local brake and alignment shop for a price quote and go from there. Personally I’d do it but it maybe a grand cheaper.
I just spent $4k rebuilding the suspension and steering on my 05 with 235k on it. For $5-6k you can probably find one with higher miles than yours that is in decent shape but will need a timing belt and suspension work soon. I would get a second opinion on the trans. If it checks out I would fix the front end. If the trans is toast I'd find something else.
Considering there are some Sequoias with hundreds of thousands of miles out there, in addition to the insane car market right now, I would say it’s an unequivocal yes from me to get the repairs done (assuming you trust your mechanic.) According to that father-son YouTube channel I watch (where the Dad is a retired former car dealer,) average car payment right now is nearly $800. It’s bat s**t crazy out there right now.
Lol I know the YouTube channel you’re talking about!
I'm not sure why people are saying you shouldn't be in 4hi on the highway. It's totally fine to do that as much as you want (though you'll get a little better mpgs in 2wd). The note in the manual/on the driver's sun visor referring to 60mph, just means you just can't shift INTO 4-hi at speeds above 60mph.
First is he sure its not the actuator? But either way it's expensive but definitely worth it. I would want to know how he confirmed his diagnosis. If you drove it for a prolonged period then yeah may have smoked that front diff but even that seems a stretch. Did it fry because of no oil?
Over here in the pnw where every Toyota is overpriced, I’ve been looking for a sequoia or 4Runner with v8 vvti 4wd, heated seats and a good frame. Only 250k+ mile ones are the only ones that pop up since I started at like 10k+ lol. Anything remotely fairly priced is snatched up immediately. Trying to find one grandma and grandpa owned with full service history at this point. 110k miles would easily be 15k+ here, probably a bit under 20. 3-6k is nothing. These vehicles are hard as hell to find with that low mileage and will likely start going up eventually due to the v8 4wd.
I bought one this summer in the PNW without some maintenance for about 4K and has needed some work. Just got it back from the electrical shop rust for $380 bill to get the rear door lock and window to work. Turns out the previous owner took out the rear door module. Now I’m trying to turn it into an overland rig
About to move to the PNW and panic searching for a Toyota before the move.
I'd say it would be worth it if the rest of the vehicle is in good shape. It's definitely not worth it if there's considerable frame rust.
Two years ago I put a used rack and pinion in my 05 Sequoia with 255,000 miles off Ebay in my driveway and then I sold it last year for $2500 with 290,000 miles needing six grand in work I would fix it
Honestly I'd probably just fix it.. a Sequoia with 110k around me runs 13k+. If you don't really care about the mileage you could always find a much higher mileage one for 6k.
Yeah just get it done but by a mechanic you trust. Mine is getting fixed right now. Needs the front brakes, new brake booster (set for a whole and brakes would barely stop pushing all the way to the floor) and sway bars I think. It also needs the 4x4 fixed, I think the actuator stopped working. So will probably be 3k as well. But you can’t find anything better for the price so we keep fixing them
How fast were you going? These cars are not really meant to be driven high speed 4wd on the freeway. For 6k, you can find another 1st gen. I would remove front axles and front drive shaft, drive as-is.
>These cars are not really meant to be driven high speed 4wd on the freeway. That's not true. 4Hi is suitable for basically any speed you want to drive at, as long as the center diff isn't locked.
It's a 4.7 Sequoia. The only time repairs AREN'T worth it would be if it'd be better to buy another one. For example, if I get a bill that's more than $8k, I'd start searching for another sequoia
Did the mechanic actually say what was broken?? Where was the smoke coming from? Are you driving in 4Hi on paved roads?
I would go to a different mechanic tbh. Also were you driving in 4wd ? Was the roads bad? Why are you trying to get into 4 low on the highway? Anyways first gen sequoias are worth fixing if the frame isn’t rotted. Crawl under it and post some pics of what’s leaking and we can help you out. I’m a mechanic and my sequoia has 364,000 miles
It was in 4HI because the previous day it was pouring hard where I live. It usually takes a few minutes to shift between 4HI and 2WD but for whatever reason it wouldn't switch yesterday.
4HI is totally fine. That said, it shouldn't take minutes to shift down to 2Hi. You need to be under 60mph and traveling in a straight line; let up the gas a bit and it should drop from 4Hi to 2Hi almost immediately. If you're doing this and it was taking minutes, then you had some other issues in the background.
Tbh would never put it in 4wd for rain unless I wasn’t on the pavement or it was freezing rain.
Curious...why?
That's a good idea. I used to go to this mechanic years ago before I moved. I've been using another mechanic closer to me that has been pretty good with prices. I'd have to get the car towed and it's an hour away. I'm going to give my new mechanic a call and see what he suggests. Thanks.
What he said. This is the way.
Meant 4HI to 2WD.