Need Advice - Purchase of 90 - 95 4Runner

[88CltLC]

Need feedback on the planned purchase of a 90 - 95 4Runner. I am leaving the Southeast and moving to the Northeast (west of Philadelphia) and currently do not have a 4wd vehicle. I just sold my last LC this summer - a 93 - but do not want to go that route again b/c of the cost. I was hoping to get something in the $4k - $6k range that i could use for bad weather for the next two years or so.

I know the 3.0 V6 leaves a lot to be desired, but I have seen lots of people getting high miles out of the trucks. So, seems like its no different than any other Toyota in terms of quality.

Any thoughts on what i should look out for?

Thanks!!!!

Andrew

[KLF]

Other than the fact that the 3.0 is a total PITA to work on, is notorious for blowing head gaskets, and has no power, it's a great engine.

If you really have your heart set on a 2nd gen 4Runner, look carefully at the rust issues: bottom of the tail gate, bottoms of the doors, behind the plastuc pieces just rearward of the rear doors, etc.

Personally, I would have stuck with the 80-series. The difference is gas mileage isn't that great. Maybe look for another one that is in really good shape, low miles.

[88CltLC]

Thanks!

I actually started looking at a 98 Volvo XC 70 Cross Country. Beautiful car, but apparently they have a bad reputation for eating up couplers. Don't think I'm going there anytime soon!

[Cube Dweller]

I have a 91 runner w/ a V-6. The engine was replaced by Toyota at 91K miles, it now has 140K. No issues, power is pretty good, even with 35's. It seems like the headgasket issue is hit and miss. Some get 200K w/ no issues, others keep eating headgaskets every 20K miles.

Gas mileage is very poor.

[KliersLC]

If you run 235s the 22re will get you down the road just fine, it is a little slower with 31s but not bad. Good gas mileage and great reliability. Just don't get the auto tranny with the 22re

Also, you can get an early 80 series with a 3fe for what you want to spend......

Good luck,
Dan

[88CltLC]

Thanks!

Any thoughts on looking at something that still has the droop? I assume that can be corrected, although i don't know how much that will run.

[KLF]

Could you explain what you mean by "the droop"?

[88CltLC]

Sure,I've noticed that on a number of the 4Runners i look at that the rear end sags. On most of the LTD models it seem much more pronounced.

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

Mmmmmmm 4Runner butt sag....... Yes, there are kits to fix that. Not too pricy if I recall right.... I think that Toyota performance catalog has them....

[slosurfer]

Originally Posted by 88CltLC

I know the 3.0 V6 leaves a lot to be desired, but I have seen lots of people getting high miles out of the trucks. So, seems like its no different than any other Toyota in terms of quality.

Any thoughts on what i should look out for?

Thanks!!!!

Andrew

I have a '93 auto 3.slo, I love my runner but hate my auto tranny. I would not get another one with an auto, def. get a 5 spd. The autos suck going through the mountains and suck whatever power these motors have. Use the vin# to make sure that the headgasket recall has been done. There are many coils to return the butt sag to stock or minor lift. They actually still look saggy stock because the rear wheel well is cut smaller than the front. Also, there is a steering relay rod recall on most of these. That is about all I can think of right now.

[88CltLC]

Thanks

[goschbrandon]

i don't actually know what kit this is- the original owner put it on (i'm the 2nd owner). This is parked uphill, with a bunch of crap in the back.

Depending on how big you are, you might want to reconsider the 80 series again- i'm 6'3 and it's cramped, especially with a clutch pedal to work with- part of the reason i'm replacing the runner with an 80. I get between 14 and 21 mpg depending on driving- around Colorado Springs, CO (small city traffic) i hit consistently in the 18-18.5 range, going to the mountains i could break 20, and here in Phoenix AZ i get 14-16 with stop and go traffic. 2nd on the automatic veto- it just doesn't have the power. As far as reliabilty, mine's got 180k on the 3.slow and the engine itself hasn't had any major issues- i've done timing belt, waterpump, new radiator, flush the power steering, A/C conversion to the new coolant, and the headgasket was replaced under the recall.

Maybe check the rear window motor- they have a tendency to wear out. Only other thing i can think of is a horrible clunking sound at full steering lock- this is not a problem, it's the noise the steering stops make. The noise can be alleviated by greasing the stops or finding some plastic caps to put on 'em.

[Tigerstripe40]

I have a 1991 4Runner with the 3.slow.

I just rebuilt the motor. I have aobut 200 miles on it since the rebuild.
It's totally different than my FJ40. Less torque than the 2F, but the 5 speed has a good gear spread that it makes up for it. I havnet had a chance to take it up into the mountains (I have some maintenance issues to take care of first). But it's a nice ride for what I paid for it ($1500, but IO have $3k into the motor).

With all that said, I'd suggest looking for a 96-2003 4Runner instead. Better gas mileage, better front suspension, and better motors (5VZ, 3RZ). 1999 was the last year you could get a 4 cyl and/or a 5 speed.

If I wasn't getting <Expletive Deleted> for my liability insurance, I'd have just paid the extra $$$ for the third gen 4Runner.

[88CltLC]

Thanks!! Actaully, not bad feedback overall. I am planning on looking at a 94 with 130K on it this Saturday. Appears to be clean and well maintained, but who knows. I'll report back.

[Alz Toy]

I bought a '95 w/3.0/auto back in '99, it had just come off lease. As luck would have it, the previous owner was a mechanic at the Toyota dealer. I bought it with 48000 miles on it, it now has 136000. I haven't had any problems with it to date, other than rutine maintence items. Mine has the 4.88 gears, and I average 17-18 mpg goin to work and back. I have gotten into the low 20's on the interstate. Some things I have done- swapped some lock out hubs on, adjusted the cable that controls tranny shifts to make it shift firmer ( less wear on the clutches ), K+N filter, and Jacobs Omni-Pak ignition. Don't know if all this really helps it run better, but it has been a VERY dependable ride. Al