Only severe rust, structural or flooding damage would make this a bad purchase.
4-speed is OK. The 1hd-fte with 5-sp auto is better tho', much more responsive and smooth. But nothing wrong with the rock solid 4-sp of the first 4 years' production.
4-pinion front diff started from August 1999 production, so I'm guessing that November reg would still be 2-pinion. (Or can you get it from factory to customer in 3 months ?)
It certainly came with the bad TC tho. But at this age and miles, it must have been changed. Probably on a recall if it was bought through a normal national t0y0ta dealer. The new TC came from June 5, 2001 production.
The dipstick is not necessarily an indication of 4-speed, although lack of stick means 5-speed. The first year of the 5-speed still had a dipstick.
Has the upper tailgate been changed? I had the impression that the first years had the washer nozzle to the left of the 3rd brake light, but don't know for sure. (My 2000 has it on left, 2004 prod on the right).
I see it's a 7-seater. And it has the RDL and CDL buttons. Looks good too. Seat wear looks normal for the age/miles, it has kept very well in fact.
PS:
The production month is the only important "age" for a cruiser. You can't know everything about changes and upgrades from year only, and even less from date of registration.