4Runner shopping, need info

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Hank

Hank

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Feb 5, 2003
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Oshkosh, WI
I'm just starting to look for a 4runner for a dd. Is there a tell all info source with option package descriptions and what was available each year available? For example. I'm thinking 91-97 model years. I saw a 97 Limited SR5 with leather, moon, rear e-locker, 3.0l Auto etc. Is that 97 only? How rare?

Thanks in advance for any help.
 
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There's no way you saw a 4Runner equipped like that in that year, unless it's been modified by the owner.

E-lockers came out in '96 with the newer body style, and the 3.4L engine. The 3.0L stopped in '95 (it was never ODB-II complient).
 
You are right. 97 is what it was. I fixed my post. SO I have to go 96-97 to get that stuff? Can I get a 91-95 with leather? Is the newer locker swappable to the older rear?
 
Hank said:
You are right. 97 is what it was. I fixed my post. SO I have to go 96-97 to get that stuff? Can I get a 91-95 with leather? Is the newer locker swappable to the older rear?
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Yes, leather was available before 97.

Yes, the TRD elocker can be retrofitted to any 8" rear axle. I put 2 of them in my 85 4Runner. It requires axle modifications and wiring and it is involved but not too difficult.

I would buy a 97 through 01 with the rear elocker (I think they were an option through 01??).
 
Yes, they built the earlier models with leather, my '92 had it.

Yes, you can install an e-locker in the rear, but it's not a quick bolt-in deal. Search.

90-95 had the crappy 3.0L engine, but a drop-down tailgate.

'96+ got the much better 3.4L engine, but a liftgate.
 
I like turtles

























j/k :flipoff2: I am partial to 89-95 as I've always had a 4x4 truck or 4Runner and prefer the chassis. I have also parted out two Tacoma's. I did not care for the ride or the chassis construction AND there is currently a buy back on them
(soft recall:rolleyes:)...so, I prefer my 89-95...AGAIN.

I would kill for a 22RE 4Runner and just deal with the fact it won't have face shredding POWA!!!

What ever motor you choose, IF you are contemplating this body style, just make darn sure you get a 5speed tranny! (not that the AT's are bad) It will make the 3.0h feel much more tolerable, and you should get some MPG to. 2MK, they did not get an option of taller gears like my 94, 4R, AT with 4:56's. 2MK, V6, 5speeds only came with 4:11's. IIRC, R/E 5speeds had options.

Get it, you'll love it. It will last forever, but you must embrace the fact it is old and not as powerful or stylish as its predecessors.
 
Last question, thanks for the help so far. I searched 'child seat, car seat, baby seat' and some more and found no threads. I have a 3.5 year old and an infant. Do kids seats fit in this generation 4runner 4 door with a 6'+ driver and 5'9 wife sitting comforably? Thanks
 
Nobody I've ever seen that was big, fit comfortably in Toyota's. But they rather drive something that's gonna last, so they compromise.


There's always a Tundra?......(oh, that was mean. I'm sorry :lol:)


I'm not a Sasquatch, so I can't tell ya....:D
 
Hank said:
Do kids seats fit in this generation 4runner 4 door with a 6'+ driver and 5'9 wife sitting comforably? Thanks
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Yes. As a 6'5" owner of both with a kid I can tell you that the 2nd generation 4Runner has, surprisingly, more leg room than a stock FJ62- with plenty of room for the car seat in back. My 62 now has a TLC driver's seat extension and has awesome legroom. With a tall wife, you'll probably have a tall kid!
 
i am 6 foot 300 lbs ,have a 4 year old and an infant,luckily my wife is 5'4" 110 lbs and we fit in an 85 4runner that i swear was designed for japanese midgets"lol" im thinking about switching up to a 91-95 4runner once the rust becomes to bad"its gettin there....FAST" so ill ask also are the 91-95 4door runners more spacious inside?:grinpimp:
 
I don't think anyone can give you a specific answer on that. I'd say go see one and put the front seat in a comfortable position and tape from its back, to the rear bench.

There's too many variables IMO. I for one sit as close and uncomfortable as possible when I drive, so why would you ask me if the rear seat has more room? Naturally it would, b/c I sit so close.

And as much PITA as it is to get into a 2door 4Runner you gotta admit its a convertible. So if you want a convertible, its not like you have options, so deal with it.

I'd get a tape measure and hit some dealers up. I think you'll find for that vintage, most of any brand SUV, LC included, don't have much rear room anyway. I don't know of any 4door car or truck with "enough room" other than a stretch limo that'll take you forever to turn around....FFT.


Man has to make compromises some times....
 
Hank said:
Last question, thanks for the help so far. I searched 'child seat, car seat, baby seat' and some more and found no threads. I have a 3.5 year old and an infant. Do kids seats fit in this generation 4runner 4 door with a 6'+ driver and 5'9 wife sitting comforably? Thanks
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You will have no trouble finding a car seat to fit and there is plenty of room for the other little one in the back. You may want to shop for a front load car seat like the wife and I did.We started with a car seat that faces the back rather than the front(we have the 2 door runner).

I am 6 foot 1inch and I find I am more comforable in the mini than the cruiser (of course I have aftermarket seats).
 
if its gonna be driver,my 2 cents is 96 & up.I have a 91 and although I do love it even with little power,when I drive the wifes 97 its like daylight to dark.much more room & better ride in the 97.more power,better mileage.On the other hand the 91 is slightly lifted with OME all around & feels more like a mans truck than the 97 soccer mom rig.If we are going on vacation & driving 6-8 hours the 97 hands down.Going camping with my 2 boys & our buddies the 91 or nothing.Just make sure to drive the different models & get what makes you AND the wife happy if its gonna be a family dd rig
 
oh,on leg room,i'm right at 6 ft & if even my ten year old sits behind me in the 91 I have to move the seat forward to give him enough room.then I'm short on room.He can sit behind me in the 97 & we both have enough room
 
Thanks guys. If the front seat is at least as good as a stock fj62 I'm good. If the back seat is as good, that is even better. My 7 month old fits in the 62 behind his mom in the backwards seat, he has to be backwards for a few more months to be legal. My 3.5 year old is no problem in anything with her seat. I don't need a "man truck." My man card is firmly planted in my wallet. My Fj62 will stay with trail duty and some DD duties, the minivan will still do family truckster duties and the runner will be fun for the whole family and 4x4 for the wife when she wants it. Now I just have to find the right one. Has to have leather, 5spd would be nice, rust free or minimal etc. If I find a 96+ all the better they are out there if the miles aren't an issue.
 
I always had the seat in my 90, my 95 (2nd gens) and my 98 (3rd gen) to the full-rear position, with the seatback reclined a bit. I'm 6'0", my wife is 5'9" and we fit fine with two forward-facing child-seats and one rear-facing bucket (infant) seat.

For me, it is either 1st gen or 3rd. The second, having had two, does nothing for me. Either a removeable to, or the 3.4...
 
I bought a black 97 4Runner SR5. 3.4l auto. 2nd owner, service records since new, PM done. 182xxx miles. I picked it up last night. Only things it doesn't have is leather and a power seat. Those things might be added but the seat is pretty comfortable. It has keyless entry but no key fobs so that is todays mission. Need to find out if it is factory or dealer installed. Then I will order a couple remotes. The seller really impressed me. I've been watching the truck in autotrader and Craigslist since it was $6500. I paid a lot less than that. Last night before I picked it up he filled the gas tank, washed it, greased the tires and bought new wiper blades. I was amazed. His wife had a tear in her eye when I took the title. It was her first newer vehicle, he boss leased it before she got it.

Anywho, for some tech. It has to pull my camper and a utility trailer. I'm thinking Woody will hook me up with his stock rear 80 springs. I'm looking at Sonoran Steel for the rest. Bumpers will stay stock for now, the chrome is perfect. Running boards will be removed soon and sliders will be installed before it gets wheeled. Might find a used factory e locker also. I have not researched that yet.
 
Hank said:
I bought a black 97 4Runner SR5. 3.4l auto. 2nd owner, service records since new, PM done. 182xxx miles. I picked it up last night. Only things it doesn't have is leather and a power seat. Those things might be added but the seat is pretty comfortable. It has keyless entry but no key fobs so that is todays mission. Need to find out if it is factory or dealer installed. Then I will order a couple remotes. The seller really impressed me. I've been watching the truck in autotrader and Craigslist since it was $6500. I paid a lot less than that. Last night before I picked it up he filled the gas tank, washed it, greased the tires and bought new wiper blades. I was amazed. His wife had a tear in her eye when I took the title. It was her first newer vehicle, he boss leased it before she got it.

Anywho, for some tech. It has to pull my camper and a utility trailer. I'm thinking Woody will hook me up with his stock rear 80 springs. I'm looking at Sonoran Steel for the rest. Bumpers will stay stock for now, the chrome is perfect. Running boards will be removed soon and sliders will be installed before it gets wheeled. Might find a used factory e locker also. I have not researched that yet.
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:ban:Pictures fawker:D
 
No gots fawker. It's black and stock as hell.
 
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