hey guys I've been looking at buying a mid 90s 4runner for my daughter and in my mind they seem to be really over priced in my area. some people are asking 2500 for a truck they say Is great and then by the way it has a blown head gasket. is that a fair price? would like some ideas I'm not real versed on 4runner values. thanks
4runner help (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter jwilber
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If you're looking at a nice 3rd gen (96-02), that's a fair price. They go for at least $6k in the NW, and up to $10-11k.
For a 2nd gen, that's a little steep.
For a 2nd gen, that's a little steep.
Go with a 3rd gen if you can 96-02
$2000 for a 4runner with a blown head gasket??? $500 to $1000 should be more then enough for a vehicle thats almost 20 years old
Agreed, with a bad motor it should be super cheap. I just picked up my 98 with decent miles and super clean interior for $6k out the door.
As far as 2nd gen vs 3rd gen. I would also agree if you can bump up to the 3rd gen then go for it. The 2nd gen rigs are solid. The motor and driveline is basically the same from 88 thru 95. The torsion bar front is tried and true and they should be pretty easy to pick up running and in good shape for $2-$3k. The 3rd gen is going to be a whole different animal. Coilover strut front suspension rides better, don't know alot about the rack and pinion steering, but so far seems a little smoother. And the 3.4L V6 is a little more sought after than the old 3.0.
Hope that helps some.
As far as 2nd gen vs 3rd gen. I would also agree if you can bump up to the 3rd gen then go for it. The 2nd gen rigs are solid. The motor and driveline is basically the same from 88 thru 95. The torsion bar front is tried and true and they should be pretty easy to pick up running and in good shape for $2-$3k. The 3rd gen is going to be a whole different animal. Coilover strut front suspension rides better, don't know alot about the rack and pinion steering, but so far seems a little smoother. And the 3.4L V6 is a little more sought after than the old 3.0.
Hope that helps some.
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Go for a gen 3 the engine is much better the gen 2 has the 3. slow and has issues .
???all Toyota V6 motor have head gasket issues,
I have changed just about as many head gaskets on a 5vz(3.4) motors as i have on a 3vz(3.0) i have also changed head gaskets in a 1gr-fe witch is in 4runners from 03 to 09 in the landcruiser from 07 to 2011 and in FJ cruisers from 07 to 09
dont get me wrong toyota is in my blood, but v6 head gaskets are there the achilles heel of Toyotas.
and at about 150 thousand to 170 thousand start to think about head gaskets.
Agreed. Just about any iron block/ aluminum head motor will give issue with the HG if the cooling system isn't maintained. I know alot of folks take issue with the 3.0 for that reason, but I tend to defend it on that point.
The 3.4 just seems to be a little better suited for hauling around the extra junk that the 4runners carry around in the trunk. I do wish they had given the autos different gearing though like they did for the pre-95 models. The slush-box robs whatever extra power they made with the 3.4.
The 3.4 just seems to be a little better suited for hauling around the extra junk that the 4runners carry around in the trunk. I do wish they had given the autos different gearing though like they did for the pre-95 models. The slush-box robs whatever extra power they made with the 3.4.
Duane
IH8MUD Wookie
lots to discuss on powertrains... I'd go to a 3rd gen as they tend to be less rusty that the 2nd gens where I live.
Normally I would have said that a 3.4 is more reliable than a 3.0 with their noted head gasket woes. But regarding the darn water pumps, timing belts and pulleys my 2.7L in line 4 has been very reliable compared to the 3.4L.
No timing belt and pulleys hassles and no water pump issues as of yet. Just the darn exhaust manifold cracking.
Normally I would have said that a 3.4 is more reliable than a 3.0 with their noted head gasket woes. But regarding the darn water pumps, timing belts and pulleys my 2.7L in line 4 has been very reliable compared to the 3.4L.
No timing belt and pulleys hassles and no water pump issues as of yet. Just the darn exhaust manifold cracking.
