1996 Limited 4x4 4Runner (1 Viewer)

[G-Cat]

Trying to be “smart”, I bought my middle child (daughter) a 2004 Honda Accord with 160K miles as her first car.

Her older brother drives our 1998 SR5 4Runner and her little brother had a 1989 4Runner waiting for him.

I immediately had to replace the alternator, starter, battery and 2 tires...and have to add a quart of oil every 1000 miles.

After 2 years, with zero passion for this car, I had had enough. It is the newest vehicle we have ever owned, the only non-Toyota 4x4 we own, and great gas mileage is its only redeeming quality.

So, I was searching Bookoo, a site used on and around military bases and posts. On Fort Benning, I found this 1996 4Runner Limited 4x4, with a short description and two crappy photos, asking $3000.

What I got, for $2800, is an immaculate truck, with rear locker, no rust, no damage and no modifications with 237K miles.

 

[G-Cat]

Truck is pristine for a 25 year-old vehicle. PO purchased it in 1996 after the original owner traded it in.

He had the front seats recovered in matching leather at some point.

The steering wheel has its original cover with very few signs of wear.

Carpets have minimal staining. Tires are new, but are crap...and IMO 3rd Gen aluminum wheels are in the top 5 ugliest Toyota ever made.

 

[G-Cat]

I grabbed an Aisin timing belt/water pump kit off Amazon, a Toyota T-stat and 3 Toyota drive belts and had my local shop swap everything out.

I expect it needs front lower ball joints.

I have a short-term plan (budget) to address the wheels.

 

[G-Cat]

Truck is Desert Dune Metallic over silver 2-tone. I don't love the DDM, and I am not a fan of 2-tone.

I’m not up for removing the flares (running boards for sure...just playing with timing as my daughter is not as careful as her brothers) but am considering painting the flares body color.

The only other 3rd gen I’ve ever owned is our 1998 SR5 4x4 that we purchased in 1999 with 55K miles ans now has 300K+.

So, I’m not 100% that this Limited has everything offered in 1996...but with the rear locker and the cargo cover, I can’t imagine it is missing anything.

 

[G-Cat]

The only 2 non-stock items are a Kenwood deck that has Apple Car Play and an aftermarket keyless entry.

Both work well and will stay, for now.

 

[RKTINC]

Nothing more satisfying than putting kids in their first Toyota and knowing it is built like a tank and dependable as hell. My 17 year old is on his 2nd Land Cruiser and my 14 year old is in love with her 03 4Runner V8.

 

[TLar25]

Damn what a score! Big agree on those wheels being some of Toyota's ugliest. A takeoff set from a 5th gen should be relatively cost effective/a big improvement. Or the split 5 spokes from a 1st gen Sequoia/tundra, in my opinion one of Toyota's best looking wheels. I ran a set on a 96 that I had and loved them. I can usually find them for around 2-3 hundred dollars when they pop up on the local classifieds in Utah at least

 

[onemanarmy]

Yea... keep the flares. That gen without flares looks weird and keeps the tires poking out....not a good look.

 

[G-Cat]

Intermittent buzzing under hood turns out to be common on 1996: Evap Canister:

1996 4Runner Intermittent Buzzing Evap Canister

I recently purchased a 1996 Limited 4x4 4Runner (first year of the 3rd Generation). After a drive, and shutting the truck down, there is an intermittent “buzzing” coming from the driver’s side of the engine bay. Research shows this is unique to the 1996 4Runners, is “normal” and is nothing to...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[White Stripe]

In my opinion, one of the best mods as an upgrade I did for my 4runner to make it more daily driver friendly, was to make myself a set of bixenon projector headlights with hid bulbs. Using budget components it only costs about 300 bucks. Increases night time visibility a lot. It's pretty easy to do.

 

[Weedhopper]

Congrats on the truck! My 01 has 285K with just routine maintenance.

Keep the running boards, they are a pain but the truck will look goofy without. They also protect the paint from road crap.

Go through the cooling and transmission systems, at that mileage you probably have cracked, or almost, lines. A new radiator and separate transmission cooler eliminates the dreaded milkshake syndrone.

Enjoy the truck !

 

[G-Cat]

Good copy. Radiator is newer. I plan to add a dedicated tranny cooler to this and my 98 this summer.

Added an OEM rad cap and OEM gas cap as per all my used vehicle purchases.

 

[G-Cat]

First add is a set of 17” wheels off of a 2004 Lexus GX470. Same size, still bunk, street tires. I see this as interim…it allows for new tires in a 17”
this summer, and sets-up for a nicer 17” wheel down the road.

Gave a friend $100 for the 5 wheels with new tires and will sell the new tires on the original wheels to get the money back+