Similarities between 90's and 3rd Gen 4Runner

[KyleT]

I think that finding the similarities between the 90 series and the 3rd gen (96-02) 4Runner might be benificial to both vehical owners. I for one would love to have the diesel motor. I would definately be interested to see what everyone has to say. Tips and tricks that have been learned around the world.

[dhula]

I believe that the front suspension is similar, or at least the strut (more correctly - the coil over assembly) looks the same when I look at web pages.

I'm looking into if the rear is similar, so I'll let you know what I find out

[TEPUI]

This is what I have been able to confirm about similarities.

GAS ENGINES: The 3RZ-FE 2.7L 4cyl and the 5VZFE 3.4L V6 are the two engine options on 3rd gen 4Runners (USA) and are also present in gas powered 90s. No diesel 4runners in the US, but one would think that in other markets, they also share the 3.0 TD.

SUSPENSION: Same double wishbone IFS. Same coils & shocks. In fact, the Old Man Emu kits sold in the US for 4runners, are in reality designed for the Prado. Rear suspension is identical, same coils and panhard.

STEERING: Same rack & pinion system.

AXLE: Ring & pinion are exactly the same, I think the axle width is the same but have not confirmed it. The E-locker is offered as an option in both models.

Not sure if the chassis are identical, maybe the body mounting points differ. Can anybody confirm?

I am willing to bet that the tranmissions and transfer case (w56?) are the same, so your swap should be fairly easy.

[TEPUI]

My RZJ90 (2door) is assembled in Japan at the Tamara plant, just like the 3rd gen 4Runners. (The same RZJ90 is currently being assembled in Colombia for various South American countries) This model, like the 3rd gen 4runner does not have full time 4WD.

UK models (Colorado) and Australia 4 door Prados are full time 4WD if I'm not mistaken.

[KyleT]

I read somewhere that the U.S. 4Runner and Tacoma frames are 1/2 ton, vs the rest of the world getting a beefier frame. not sure if thats the case on the 3rd gens or not.

the 01 and 02 4runners have all time 4wd with a center locking dif like the 80 and 100 series.

[dhula]

If they are the same, here is a website that I have been having a gander at.

http://www.sonoransteel.com/

Have some interesting ideas and mods

[TEPUI]

Originally Posted by dhula

If they are the same, here is a website that I have been having a gander at.

http://www.sonoransteel.com/

Have some interesting ideas and mods

Steve Shaeffer from Sonoran Steel is a member here on ih8mud. Very knowledgeable guy, and always willing to help. My homemade panhard drop was inspired by Steve's design.

[KyleT]

i have his suspension on my 4runner. it is an excellent setup for the 4runner. might do well for the prado as well.

[syco8]

does anybody know if a bullbar from my 95 series prado will fit a 1993 toyota surf

[JakeA]

The Prado VZJ90 / 95 and 3rd gen 4Runner similarities are many, since they are both based on the same plataform.

Differentials are the same except that the 90's most common ratio is 4.30 (which is very uncommon in the 4runner) in the V6 an 4.56 in the 4 Cyl . Note: 90's made in Colombia have DANA model 207 Third members in the rear only, which are different from the Toyota V6. The DANA might not as tough as the Toyota becouse it has just 2 pinions instead of 4 (you have to change the third member to take advantage of all the aftermarket parts available for the Toyota V6 differential )

V6 3.4 Liter engine is the same, however there are differences in the exhaust sistem. The TRD Supercharger fits perfectly

Automatic transmission are not the same, 4runner is A340E or H, and 90's is A343F (to my understanding a bit stronger)

4runners Fuel tank is used as the auxiliary tank in the australian 5 door 90's. Both Fuel tanks could fit in th 90 or in the 4Runner

Front brakes are the same in the 4runner and the 90 series, rear brakes are disk in the 90s and drums in the 4Runners (AFAIK)

Suspension parts are the same (Springs, shocks, bars)

One of the best ways to fin the similarities is using the Toyota Electronic Parts Catalog (EPC) available by doing some search online

Guess this covers the main areas

[JakeA]

The Prado VZJ90 / 95 and 3rd gen 4Runner similarities are many, since they are both based on the same plataform.

Differentials are the same except that the 90's most common ratio is 4.30 (which is very uncommon in the 4runner) in the V6 an 4.56 in the 4 Cyl . Note: 90's made in Colombia have DANA model 207 Third members in the rear only, which are different from the Toyota V6. The DANA might not as tough as the Toyota becouse it has just 2 pinions instead of 4 (you have to change the third member to take advantage of all the aftermarket parts available for the Toyota V6 differential )

V6 3.4 Liter engine is the same, however there are differences in the exhaust sistem. The TRD Supercharger fits perfectly

Automatic transmission are not the same, 4runner is A340E or H, and 90's is A343F (to my understanding a bit stronger)

4runners Fuel tank is used as the auxiliary tank in the australian 5 door 90's. Both Fuel tanks could fit in the 5 door 90's or in the 4Runner

Front brakes are the same in the 4runner and the 90 series, rear brakes are disk in the 90s and drums in the 4Runners (AFAIK)

Suspension parts are the same (Springs, shocks, bars)

One of the best ways to fin the similarities is using the Toyota Electronic Parts Catalog (EPC) available by doing some search online

Guess this covers the main areas

[KyleT]

hmm, i want a 90 series rear axle.

[TEPUI]

Great info JakeA, thanks for sharing!

[dhula]

So if the "platform" is the same or similar, does that mean that the chassis is the same or similar.

If so I wonder how similar.

I have heard that they are very (almost identical) close brothers, although I can't verify this info.

Be good if they are, cause that means that there is heaps of stuff that can be used on either.

[JakeA]

Yes, they are almost identical, all the suspension is exactly the same, shocks, springs, control bars, front control arms, skid plates. The differences, if any, are minimal and irrelevant to lift mods. Like the hanger for the spare tire in the 4runner which is not present in the 90's, and maybe some hanging points for the exhaust.

[KyleT]

i thought i read somewhere that the prado was a stronger frame, but i cant find the article now, it had alot to do with Hilux trucks and us spec pre-taco trucks.

[JakeA]

AKAIK, both frames are the same, everything that bolts to the frame on the 4runner fits the 90's 5 door, and vice versa.

[coldtaco]

The front clip would also be indentical to the 95.5-04 Tacoma's. I too would love a diesel engine swap for my 03 Taco. Wonder how one can get a front clip off of a diesel 90, left had drive prefered?

[KyleT]

so basically the body and interior are different, besides th ediesel option and rear disc brakes.

[JakeA]

KyleT, besides those two you mention,

the Automatic Transmission on the 90s is an A343F Vs. the A340F on the 4runner. I've read that the A343F is the one used in some Series 80 in the US

The 4runner has the spare tire under it and the 90s have the fuel tank there with the spare on the rear door, so you could use the 90s fuel tank as an auxiliary tank with 24gls capacity. This goes vice versa for the 90s with the 4runner fuel tank, just like they were sold in Australia.

Most of the 90s come with a 4.30 FGR, were the 4runner come with a 4.10

[dhula]

Does anyone know if the transfer case in the 3rd gen runner is a planatary design like the 90 series.

I've often thought of putting in extra low gears in mine, but as it's a planatary design i can't (not cheeply anyhow)

if the 3rd gen is of normal (ie - doesn't use planatary gears) design, then this may be an option

just curious

[JakeA]

Dhula, for what I can see on the TOYOTA EPC the 3rd Gen Runner does have a planetary design like the 90s series. In the US some hard core 4wd stores (Inchworm gear, marlin crawler) sell adapters to use the gear transfer case on the transmissions that come with the planetary transfer case. Don't know exactly the details.

[dhula]

Thanks for the info Jake. Pity about that one.
I have a auto TD and the extra low gears was one way to slow him down when doing steep downhills

I might look into hilux stuff, perhaps that is the way to go, although Hilux here in Oz is part time 4WD and Prado is Full time so Maybe not.

Perhaps I'll just have to keep up the 'auto downhill' skills

[007-FJC]

Time to chime in here. I own a 1998 Toyota 4Runner SR5 V6 4x4 5spd in the country of Yemen. 4Runners in Yemen are alil rare, but all the 40-120 series LandCruisers are plentiful. As a matter of fact, most of the vehicles over there are LandCruisers and theres ALOT of 100s and 105s. I offroad alot in Yemen because its fun, and sometimes you have to only if you want to travel to villages deep into the mountain areas or when you have to cross deep water paths. This means that theres going to be alot of wear and tear on the truck.

I've replaced every suspension component in my 98 4Runner using Prado parts. Though, instead of using Prado rear shocks, I used the LandCruiser 60 series full floating rear axle shocks in my 4Runner wich gave it alot of travel and used 100 series springs wich gave it a really nice raise in the sagging back end wich helped carry people a heckuva lot more comfortably.

Every single suspension bushing was replacement of the Prado and all the rubber hoses and belts are Prado. I've noticed that the Prado 2-door V6 is the only one that shares the same gearbox and transfercase as my 4Runner. The big Prado has its own gear box setup.

I've driven Prados and I must admit, the high seating position and the luxurious VX interior makes me feel like selling my 4runner. Also, the Prado in the rainy twisty two-lane highways in the mountains felt WAY more confident at high speeds than my 4Runner. Where the Prado accelerated through the turns, the 4runner would whip its rear end or begin skidding. I think this has to do with the Prado being AWD. Though, the 4Runner being lighter and 2wd, it makes it alil more quicker, and 2WD makes it fun leaving tire marks all over the pavement.

[-MaTTi-]

Very valuable knowledge here. Thanks everyone.

[-MaTTi-]

How about wheel openings/room for tires? If 285/75R16 will fit to 3rd gen. 4Runner with some suspension/body lift mods, will they fit to 90 serie Land Cruiser with the same mods? Original tires are optionally the same 265/70R16.

[TEPUI]

Originally Posted by -MaTTi-

How about wheel openings/room for tires? If 285/75R16 will fit to 3rd gen. 4Runner with some suspension/body lift mods, will they fit to 90 serie Land Cruiser with the same mods? Original tires are optionally the same 265/70R16.

I compared the two, and the 90 series has considerably less fender clearance on the front wheel compared to the 4runner.

Look at the photo attached. You can easily tell that this vehicle will have mayor rubbing when wheeling.

[-MaTTi-]

Originally Posted by TEPUI

I compared the two, and the 90 series has considerably less fender clearance on the front wheel compared to the 4runner.

Look at the photo attached. You can easily tell that this vehicle will have mayor rubbing when wheeling.

Quite dark point this circulated... Do you have bigger/different pictures of the same car? Are those 285/75R16?

[dhula]

that gap may be able to be made bigger with a good alignment specialist.

Duno how much bigger, but it may work

[KyleT]

the 4Runner has rubbing issues there as well. I rub like crazy with 295's and suspension lift and 1" body lift. It will pop the fender flair off if I am not careful.