3rd gen, 80 or 100

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Looking for a third vehicle for the family of 5, will be used as a dd by me and the wife and will be used to pull our 21ft open bow. Found a nice 98 4runner with 211k and was wondering how this would handle the boat. Also found a nice hundy but it is a little more$ but would def. pull better and have some extra room. Room isnt that big of a issue as we have the wifes van to travel in and my f350 4door. Just looking for some of your thoughts,experiences and ideas on this topic, thanks.
Adam
 
If it was me I would want an 80 or a 100 for the power as well as the ride pulling a 21 foot boat. Bigger brakes to stop with and more int room thus more relaxed while driving. Plus you'll have more cargo area. Ice chests are big and bulky.

Make sure what ever you get the rig and boat dont exceed the GVW allowed.

JM2C
 
I would give a big no-go on the 3rd Gen just for the towing requirement. Towing my old 19' Cobalt turned my 4Runner into quite the pig.
 
3rd gen 4runner is a great DD
3rd gen 4runner is not a great 21 foot boat tower.. :)

you would do better to get a 4th gen 4Runner with the 4.0L for the extra hp to pull the boat and still be a great DD
 
If you can afford a 100, that would be the best bet for towing and interior space for 5. The 4Runner will be VERY tight with 5 in it (but would get the best mileage). The 80 will be roomy, will pull Ok, and will get you crappy gas mileage.

Depending on budget, a 4th gen 4Runner or 05 Tacoma 4 door with a 4.0L V6 (or a V8 4Runner) would give you a nice engine for towing.
 
Why not tow with the F350?

How much does the boat weigh? Towing flat or in mountains?

My 3rd gen tows my 17' sailboat with ease. It only weights about 1,500lbs though. It didn't like towing my fj40 on a flatbed trailer though.

I did upgrade to Tundra brakes. It's an easy swap on the 3rd gen. Not necessary though IMO. Better advice would be to put good quality components up front and do the rear brakes. The rear brakes are where the issue lies as they get out of adjustment and end up putting all the brake load on the fronts.

Also, your kids are going to get bigger. 3rd gen is not good for 5 bigger kids. It's small in the back.

I love my 3rd gen, but I'm not sure it's really the right vehicle for you.

Have you looked at a sequoia? They can be found right in that same price range as a 4th gen 4runner/100 series.
 
I currently have 1 of each...

100 Series Land Cruiser
 
Lot of people saying the 4Runner can't tow the boat w/o knowing what the boat weighs... I've seen a Mercury Capri convertable pulling a ~18 ft boat... but it weighed <1200#, so no big deal.

Of the three, I'd go with the 80. Since it's not a primary vehicle, it'll be the best platform for a capable weekend rig. Not the cheapest of the three to purchase, operate or modify, but the most capable. I've never owned one, and likely never will, but it's a much better platform than the 3rd gen 4Runner, IMHO.
 
I'm currently in the same boat. I will be trading my "07" Tacoma for either 4runner (1999-2000) or an FZJ80. I have checked out 1 of each so far and I have decided on a 80. I will just have to wait until the right one comes along.
 
I Have an 80 series with the 1fzfe engine, I regularly go camping and haul 5 people, and associated clothes and food, also i bring my trailer and quad.

This is its element, the route is hilly, and my campsite is a mile off road through mud and steep inclines.

My 80 pulls all this stuff
-1,000 pounds of peaple
-300 pounds for food and clothes
1,200 pounds with trailer and quad

I can keep up with traffic through the hills, with a smooth ride, and then travel a mile off road in soupy conditions to my camp site. Personally I would pick the 80, its a gas guzzler but has and always will do whatever you ask of it, until the engine falls out.
 
boat

I am a little late on this thread I started but, I cant tow with the f350 because it pulls my 5th wheel , I believe i have decided on a 80.
 
I would agree on not towing with the 4runner. I tow a smaller boat and it struggles. You really won't like it if you have an F350 as I had a Dodge Cummins for 10+years. The stock suspension on the 4runners suck especially towing anything. I was looking for an 80 but had a hard time finding one around me, and the gas mileage was a killer for me as it would have been a daily driver. My 4runner gets 17mpg with 285's and stock gearing, usually 20mpg before larger tires.
 
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