Getting a 4runner...yea

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

skyehunter

skyehunter

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
May 29, 2009
Threads
18
Messages
161
Location
Arizona
Website
www.jamiebrooks.com
...Take it easy on me, i did a bit searching and reading already. I have been over in the 79-95 truck forum for awhile. I have a 89 mini with a few gizmo's...Love the truck, but looking to get a 4runner for the extra doors and the kids....I want to try to find the best options in a realistic world...for example i have the 3.0 auto, would like to avoid this combo again...

The truck will get approx 3" lift and will put my 33's on it. I do week long moderate expeditions with my son. I plan to continue this...

So I guess i'm looking for either a link to an existing thread I may have missed or a group survey of best motor, year range, etc. to accomplish an "expedition" type vehicle and mostly avoid the bad no no's...

I think I will probably look at the 96-2002 4x4's due to budget ($4000-$7000)... if this generation is not a good idea please let me know.

Thanks for the help, and hopefully you will see more of me over here shortly.....:popcorn:

P.S. regretting selling my original owner 86 runner now...
 
Last edited:
Link attached https://forum.ih8mud.com/95-gen-toyota-trucks/307418-3rd-gen-4runner-question.html

personally I would pick a 99 or 2000.. auto or manual your choice. 3.4 Litre and definitely a rear diff lock.

I hope the ferg doesn't mind but I have always liked the look of his rig... 2002 I think
the ferg.webp
 
Last edited:
raydouble said:
I have an 01' 3.4L auto and I love it.
Click to expand...

Sorry ray.... I have not tried an 01 or 02 so maybe I should be quiet... what do you think about the traction controls?

Good on highway not so good offroad or what?
 
Duane said:
Sorry ray.... I have not tried an 01 or 02 so maybe I should be quiet... what do you think about the traction controls?

Good on highway not so good offroad or what?
Click to expand...

Nonsense :flipoff2:

If I had more time to pick mine out, it would have been a 99' 3.4 5speed.....Well since the baby came a couple weeks early and the wife preferred the auto.......so. :hhmm:

I will say this about the traction controls, I hope I never have to replace the master cylinder/ABS/TRAC/Accumulator/ECM combination on mine. :D

And I can't speak to offroad in mine personally because as of now, it's a road queen for the princess :princess:. All forms of the 3rd gen are extremely capable wheelers though.

Looks like I need to work on a buyers section for the FAQ. :idea:

Wheeling? What is that? :grinpimp:
 
Hey ray
good on ya for the 3rd gen FAQ you are complilng... that pic of the sludged up 3.4 is pretty nasty..shame on that owner
 
skyehunter said:
....Exactly the stuff I was looking for.....keep it coming. Thx all
Click to expand...
As I say a 99 or 00 I just sold our other 99 to a friend as we had 2 and nobody seems real keen on buying our 96 with about 200,000 miles on it.
A part of me is quite ok with that as I think our 96 with the 2.7Litre engine and auto tranny is a lower maintenance vehicle than the 3.4L.
I had to replace a cracked exhaust manifold on the 2.7 but other than that just replace fluids, a tuneup(rotor and cap,3.4L has multi coils) and drive the sucker. The 2.7 doesn't seem to require water pump changes, has a chain so no timing belt to change but it is an interference engine where the 3.4 is not so if you break the belt on a 3.4 you just need to line things back up and away you go. Try that on a new 4.7 L V8 interference fit with 32 valves and you better get a big loan:frown:
We have had our 96 down trails, in creeks, banged rocks and it just runs. Has next to nothing for squeeks or rattles. It's not a power house but it just runs without complaints. Requires some patience with head winds and long uphills on the highway but have run 32 inch tires on it without rubbing. I think the 2.7 is rated about the same or a bit more HP than the 3.0L.
If you haven't driven a 3rd gen yet compared to a 2nd gen you might be pleasantly surprised and more room as well.
I think the 99 and 00 sat the highest of the 3rd gens as well. Not much of a lift to put 33's under it so you shouldn't need a 3 inch lift I believe.:cheers:
our 96 with 32 inch rubber on it...LT235/85R16..have some goodrich KM2's on it now ...:)
toyota_009.webp
 
Last edited:
Like Ray I have a '01 4Runner and have been happy with it. I haven't had any problems with the ATRAC while offroad but I also have front/rear ARB lockers.

With what you are wanting the 4Runner for I would look for a '99 with the e-locker.
 
I have an 02 auto and love it, I just got back from a weekend of camping and slept in the runner each night. The elocker is not a huge deal b/c you can always run ARB's and have OBA available which is nice when coming off trails. Mine is my DD and I have a 3" susp lift and 1.5" bodylift.
 
My favorite was my old 96. Every time I see that truck (sold to a buddy), I get pissed off at myself. Picked up a very high mileage 99 Limited. It needs more work than I thought it would, but I'm looking forward to getting a few things done and making it my DD. I prefer the 99-00 models myself. Like the (rare in MN) silver dash on the sport.
 
Bighead said:
... I also have front/rear ARB lockers.-locker.
Click to expand...

Can I ask what the front ARB locker cost and I assume it's at least a full day garage project to install?
 
Duane said:
Can I ask what the front ARB locker cost and I assume it's at least a full day garage project to install?
Click to expand...

I ended up buying complete front and rear diffs with ARBs and Precision Gear 4.88s from Inchworm. This was over 6 years ago so any pricing I give you would probably be off. Installing the diffs, compressor and wiring/tubing took a day with two people.
 
OP, I really believe the 3rd gen 4runner ('96-02) to be the best expedition sytle off roader you can buy - any make or model. The only equal to it would be a 4-door Taco (for expeditions).

Duane,

Do you know what kind of flares the ferg is running on his? I like those and need a little more protection than my SR5 flares.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

IH8MUD Forum | Toyota, Lexus & Off-Road Community
Community platform by XenForo® © 2010-2026 XenForo Ltd.

© 2000-2026 Tie Rod Media LLC

Back
Top Bottom