4runner question... (1 Viewer)

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jamister1

jamister1

Joined
Nov 26, 2005
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Here's the scenario... my $300 Honda Civic is on its last legs so I'm in the market for a new vehicle. My wife's only requirement is its something "newer" and more "reliable" than most of the beaters I have been driving since I met her. Let's read newer as 95+ and reliable as Toyota. For the record I'm not an "80" fan so I'm ruling that one out.
She suggested getting a newer 4runner which I wouldn't mind having, and since I only live 5 miles from work and have 4 other vehicles insured gas mileage isn't much of an issue. I don't like the 3.0 so I would have to go with a 96+ or find the elusive 4cyl. I have the 85 solid axle but its for a passenger side drop, the 3rd gen 4runners are all drivers side drop. Obviously the 2nd gen trans and tcase will bolt up to the 3.4 but which trans/tcase do I need? Is it the second gen V6 with its chain driven tcase or can I go with a first gen 4cyl one and get the gear driven tcase? I would love to go dual cases and elockers front and rear to make this thing as streetable as possible. Probably some 35's would be as radical as I'd go but I want a go-anywhere-all-toyota truck. Idea's? Suggestions?
 
First off..... just find one with an E locker, put some 33's on it and see how you like it...

I think the recipe for 3rd gen 4Runners is a 3.0 5 speed with a marlin adapter to gear driven t-case, which will give you a pass side drop and you can then go to the Mini truck axle.... Also, wheeling something you really care about is nerve racking...

* Didn't your wife want you to get something to drive, not to take apart at the first chance you get and have it "down" for months while you build it into another wheeler which you will then go out and beat on till it breaks again? :cheers:
 
2ndGenToyotaFan said:
* Didn't your wife want you to get something to drive, not to take apart at the first chance you get and have it "down" for months while you build it into another wheeler which you will then go out and beat on till it breaks again? :cheers:
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No, that's why I married her! Besides we have 4 other vehicles insured! She also wants something that we could reliably take camping to remote locations in the summer such as McGrew and take skiing. All we have at the moment is the giant tuna boat we call the GMC that gets 10mpg and has the ground clearance of a mini van!
I just found a 2.7liter 4runner in Bend! Are these so painfully underpowered that they would get the same MPG as a 3.4? That would be the only reason I would get one. I have vehicular ADD so she just wants me to get something that I won't sell for at least 2 years and that is reliable.
 
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All i know is I want a 97-2000 4runnner for the :princess: + I enjoy driving them.... not as much as my 80 but ;), and I hated my 91 5spd 3.0 stock'er. But with the right setup maybe would be better.
 
i think it is silly to get a 4cyl 4runner. but if you have to have it dont get an auto, they ARE underpowered.

if you look around you can get a nice truck for 5 or 6k. maybe not a Limited but still nice

i really only think the MPG is 5-7 between the two motors anyway.
 
OK, so this $300 Honda that's dying, who's the one usually driving this vehicle? I mean, really, who's ride is this really gonna be? Cracks me up when someone mentions maybe a new "rig" we all start fantisizing and foaming at the mouth! Hell, go buy another Pig and paint it pink and put V8/700R4. What a cute little couple you'd be! :eek:
 
mobydick said:
OK, so this $300 Honda that's dying, who's the one usually driving this vehicle? I mean, really, who's ride is this really gonna be? Cracks me up when someone mentions maybe a new "rig" we all start fantisizing and foaming at the mouth! Hell, go buy another Pig and paint it pink and put V8/700R4. What a cute little couple you'd be! :eek:
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I drive it, she drives a 09 Mercedes. I drive the 92 Civic(202k, beater, DD), MR2(300hp 2 seat sports car), GMC(10mpg tow rig), and the Pig(8mpg 4x4). The 59 should be on the road by the end of February although I may or may not insure it depending on the condition of the 327 I have for it. So, yes, this is strictly for me. She's 5'2", anything more than a foot off the ground is hard for her to get into without a running leap and that ain't pretty. So when the Civic gives up the ghost I don't really feel like fixing the engine since I don't care about that particular car.
 
jamister1 said:
She's 5'2", anything more than a foot off the ground is hard for her to get into without a running leap and that ain't pretty.
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Ha, I feel your........munchkin blues. Daphne is 4'11" and has similar issues. I'm always around to offer her a "boost" up. You need to build a rig like the city buses that will "kneel down" to pick up the disabled riders(or our height challenged women).:)

I'll bet Jerod and Aric are already churning out a design for the articulating kneeler.:lol:
 
So it looks like the 96+ 4runners switched to a rack and pinion setup for steering... what a PIA! Either way its looking like a lot of work at this point. Currently I'm leaning toward finding a running 2nd gen and just driving the 3.0 til it blows, in the mean time I can SAS it and put in e-lockers. I like the look of the 3rd gens a little better but the simplicity of the 2nd gen and the roll down rear window are also appealing. Here's the breakdown.

I could get a 2nd gen 4runner for $2500 then do a
1. SAS
2. 3.4 swap
3. E-lockers

or I could get a 3rd gen for $6000 and do a
1. SAS
2. Transmission/tcase swap
3. Steering box swap
4. Hope to find one with an elocker, if not then put in E-lockers.
 
Danny, are you hearing all this?? :)
 
And another thing... on the 3rd gen, at least similar year tacomas anyway, they seem to have thin frames. From what I've read u can dent the frame with a rock?? There is a Bunch of weld on frame bracing sold in the aftermarket. No es muy bien!
 
Jesse, what's wrong with the Honda? Just worn out? I gotta start looking for something for Bobby to drive some day. Gas prices going back up, it sucks.
 
mobydick said:
Jesse, what's wrong with the Honda? Just worn out? I gotta start looking for something for Bobby to drive some day. Gas prices going back up, it sucks.
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I've done a ton of work to the Honda.
What's wrong with the Honda:
1. The bottom end has 203k on it but appears to run ok
2. Just recently the idle went up to 1300rpm and stayed there... could be anything.
3. engine feels slightly rougher than it used to
4. There is a bearing somewhere in the front of the engine that has made noise since I got it, could be any of the accessories, but I suspect the water pump bearing
5. A/C doesn't work
6. some small dents, paint is just OK
7. gas mileage recently went from 31mpg in town to 27mpg
8. tags are about to expire, just not sure I can get it to pass I/M with the high idle.

What's good on the Honda
1. newer transmission 90k, 50% clutch left
2. rebuilt entire top end of engine
3. new axles
4. new exhaust
5. new brake master cylinder
6. new o2 sensor
7. new carpet
8. new tires/rims
9. everything works except A/C...ie cruise, power windows, doorlocks, sunroof
10. new timing belt
11. new radiator
I have receipts for everything, I'm just done playing with it is all. rebuild the bottom end and you'd practically have a new car.
 
Jesse, what year is the Honda?
 
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