Anything bad to say about the 3rd gen 4runners?
- Thread starter KliersLC
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
I have one as my DD and just love it. NO problems whatsoever!
If you want the ability to shift into full-time 4wd, get a '99-00(?) Limited. It operates in traditional 2Hi, 4Hi, N, 4Lo, and also has a 4Hi mode with an open center differential.
Make sure the timing belt has been replaced on schedule or do it yourself.
I put the third timing belt on ours at 130,000 mi., and wound up replacing the water pump at the same time, as it was starting to show some dried seepage at the weep hole. It might be a good idea to preemptively replace the water pump if it's pushing 120,000 miles.
It's my wife's DD, and she likes its braking and acceleration a lot more than the 80 in city traffic.
Make sure the timing belt has been replaced on schedule or do it yourself.
I put the third timing belt on ours at 130,000 mi., and wound up replacing the water pump at the same time, as it was starting to show some dried seepage at the weep hole. It might be a good idea to preemptively replace the water pump if it's pushing 120,000 miles.
It's my wife's DD, and she likes its braking and acceleration a lot more than the 80 in city traffic.
Last edited:
Three timing belts at 130,000 mi?? The service manual says to replace it
at 90,000 mi. That is very $$$
at 90,000 mi. That is very $$$
The manual has different mileage numbers based upon the duty that the engine has seen. As it is a relatively new vehicle to us, I chose to err on the side of caution so that I would have a known quantity. At $40, a fresh OEM belt is cheap insurance.
The belt that was removed was in good shape and it probably could have gone to 90,000 miles before replacement.
The belt that was removed was in good shape and it probably could have gone to 90,000 miles before replacement.
I love mine it gets 21 mpg with the AC on!!!!! great DD i look forward to taking it to the hot springs this winter.
- Thread starter
- #7
Thanks guys,
I am pretty familiar with the powertrain, as it is the same as my truck. Good info on the AWD capability on the later models.
Is that only on the limited rigs or on all of them?
I am pretty familiar with the powertrain, as it is the same as my truck. Good info on the AWD capability on the later models.
Is that only on the limited rigs or on all of them?
Mine is a LTD 2001 and it has the locking center dif feature.
rear axle seals
I have a 3rd gen. and no I have nothing bad to say about it, but like all vehicles it has a few quirks. Mine is a 5 speed and personally I avoid automatics. I test drove one with the full time all wheel drive and it drove like a dog compared to my peppy 5 speed. Both with the 3.4 V6. For slightly better fuel economy you may want to consider the 2.7l 4 cylinder. You are in Idaho? if so I would stick with the V6. If the vehicle say were going to be used exclusively in a flat state-like Kansas or Nebraska-then go with the smaller motor.
There are other Toyota forums, I use T4R for 4Runner only questions.
There have been a number of threads/discussions regarding the rear axle seals, typically noticed by the owner as rear drum brake leakage-on the inside of the rotors. If left unattended it can be expensive fix-as the bearings have lost their fluids.:whoops:
And yes I would also recommmend not going older than 99-there were a number of interior enhancements-cupholders for one- now off the dash and into the center console and exterior flush headlights and some other insignificata unless you already owned a Runner.
Best of luck with the purchase. They really hold their value here in Denver-most all trucks do here if they are maintained.
I have a 3rd gen. and no I have nothing bad to say about it, but like all vehicles it has a few quirks. Mine is a 5 speed and personally I avoid automatics. I test drove one with the full time all wheel drive and it drove like a dog compared to my peppy 5 speed. Both with the 3.4 V6. For slightly better fuel economy you may want to consider the 2.7l 4 cylinder. You are in Idaho? if so I would stick with the V6. If the vehicle say were going to be used exclusively in a flat state-like Kansas or Nebraska-then go with the smaller motor.
There are other Toyota forums, I use T4R for 4Runner only questions.
There have been a number of threads/discussions regarding the rear axle seals, typically noticed by the owner as rear drum brake leakage-on the inside of the rotors. If left unattended it can be expensive fix-as the bearings have lost their fluids.:whoops:
And yes I would also recommmend not going older than 99-there were a number of interior enhancements-cupholders for one- now off the dash and into the center console and exterior flush headlights and some other insignificata unless you already owned a Runner.
Best of luck with the purchase. They really hold their value here in Denver-most all trucks do here if they are maintained.
I love my 98 Limited, I can get 24 mpg, if I'm careful. I do agree that the cupholders kind of suck, but the mechanical soundness of the rest of the truck more than makes up for some minor nuisances. Try to get as many lockers as possible. Mine has the rear and it makes a huge difference in snow and ice. I haven't had mine very long, and the only problems I've had have been failed spark plug wire and warping brake rotors. (I'm beginning to believe that the rear brakes need adjustment to stop more of the load and take some work off the fronts). Hope this information helps you. Luke
My '98 is a stout truck, and I generally like it. I bought it with 110K and it now has 130K on it.
Downsides: It has a shimmy that won't go away with tire balancing (I'm not the only one on this), the dome lights are a joke (like 99% of all Toyota products), the latch on the hatch/gate is stiff and hard to operate if a load is against the gate. The clearcoated wheels corrode even in Colorado (unless you get a later model year with painted wheels). The front rotors warp fairly quickly. Rear brakes are drum, not disc. The ride is fairly harsh and jiggly, even with a full load or trailer - you'll never forget this is a truck. The factory roof rack is pretty lame - the main cross-bars are too close to each other for a longer load. The leather seats don't hold up terribly well, even to 100K miles. The clutch pedal effort is WAY too heavy - my FJ40 FJ60 and my old Chevy pickup are lighter and easier to operate. The power window switches (3 of the 4) have gotten gummed up (for no apparent reason) and have required careful disassembly and cleaning. An oil change requires removing both skidplates and 9 bolts or so - poor design.
On the plus side, gas mileage is very good (5 speed) and you can get a rear diff lock. The interior plastics are pretty stout and mar-resistant. The 3.4 engine loves to wind out - try a mountain pass in Colorado with the engine at 5K in 3rd gear and it'll put a grin on your face. It tows our camper (2000#) better than our '95 FZJ80 Land Cruiser. The factory stereo is pretty decent and still works. No leaks, including the rack and pinion.
It's a huge improvement over my first-gen 4Runner, but there are some areas Toyota can still improve.
Downsides: It has a shimmy that won't go away with tire balancing (I'm not the only one on this), the dome lights are a joke (like 99% of all Toyota products), the latch on the hatch/gate is stiff and hard to operate if a load is against the gate. The clearcoated wheels corrode even in Colorado (unless you get a later model year with painted wheels). The front rotors warp fairly quickly. Rear brakes are drum, not disc. The ride is fairly harsh and jiggly, even with a full load or trailer - you'll never forget this is a truck. The factory roof rack is pretty lame - the main cross-bars are too close to each other for a longer load. The leather seats don't hold up terribly well, even to 100K miles. The clutch pedal effort is WAY too heavy - my FJ40 FJ60 and my old Chevy pickup are lighter and easier to operate. The power window switches (3 of the 4) have gotten gummed up (for no apparent reason) and have required careful disassembly and cleaning. An oil change requires removing both skidplates and 9 bolts or so - poor design.
On the plus side, gas mileage is very good (5 speed) and you can get a rear diff lock. The interior plastics are pretty stout and mar-resistant. The 3.4 engine loves to wind out - try a mountain pass in Colorado with the engine at 5K in 3rd gear and it'll put a grin on your face. It tows our camper (2000#) better than our '95 FZJ80 Land Cruiser. The factory stereo is pretty decent and still works. No leaks, including the rack and pinion.
It's a huge improvement over my first-gen 4Runner, but there are some areas Toyota can still improve.
i have a 98 sr5 with no issues at all a great TRUCK. if you are looking for a big car dont get it . there built on a truck platform.
as far as maintance not an issue. unlike other messages an oil change can be done without removal of the skid plates. ( reach thru the drivers wheel well to remove the oil filter)
it my wifes dd and she has put 50000 miles on it in a year and a half. on issues at all.
as far as maintance not an issue. unlike other messages an oil change can be done without removal of the skid plates. ( reach thru the drivers wheel well to remove the oil filter)
it my wifes dd and she has put 50000 miles on it in a year and a half. on issues at all.
see post 8 and relative link. all been discussed before
https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=100770
there are also some other forums I found with good info on this model
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/forumdisplay.php?forumid=80
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f0b352e
http://www.nctd.com/review-intro.cfm?ReviewID=902
http://www.toyota120.com/
http://www.yotatech.com/f2/
https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=100770
there are also some other forums I found with good info on this model
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/forumdisplay.php?forumid=80
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f0b352e
http://www.nctd.com/review-intro.cfm?ReviewID=902
http://www.toyota120.com/
http://www.yotatech.com/f2/