Help with purchase!!!

[truword1]

Ok guys, well I final saved some funds to purchase my long waited 4Runner but need your knowledge and exprience. This truck will be my daily driver but every once and the while I it will need to get dirty. (LOL). I will also be pulling a pop up camper with the family. Don't want to go with the second generation because of the 3.0
V6, looking more into the 3rd generation beacuse of the 3.4 V6

So in other words what would you look for in your purchase of an 4Runner?????

What year?
Would you go automatic or standard?
What size engine?
What would you look for in the rear end and front end?

Thanks your time and exprience is greatly appreciated.

JD

 

[Martin White]

With a 4Runner I'd go with a 1996+ model. I prefer auto and they are much more common anyhow. I'm pretty sure you can find one in this era with rear lockers. Pre 1996 you are into the 3.0 engine. The 3.4 is pretty much better in every way so I'd stick with that. I think unless you can tolerate going REALLY slowly you should take the 3.4 6 cyl over the 2.7 4 cyl.

Regardless of what you buy in the 4runner line, I know several people who've owned them and they have all had great luck. They are really excellent vehicles.

Of course if you want to step up to another level, you could always buy a landcruiser....

 

[Ron Helmuth]

all 3rd gens are da bomb!

2nd generations are 1990-95, in my mind they are a little more truck-like, since the rear opened up via a tailgate like a pickup.

3rd gens are 1996-2002. If you want better gas mileage and don't climb a lot of hills-you may be happiest with the 2.7liter 4 cylinder motor. If you like to go a little quicker and visit the gas pumps a little more often, you may prefer the 3.4V6. The tailgate has been replaced with a one piece liftgate-still able to roll down the rear window for letting the dogs in and out and some fresh air.

1999 was a year of several redesigns-some exterior and some interior. If you off road you may want the electric locking rear differential, it's an option-look for the switch to the left of the steering wheel on the dash. There are no "lemon" years-ever-for a 4Runner.

I've never owned an automatic in my life-so my bias is toward the 5 speeds. The combination of the 3.4 and a 5 speed makes my 1999 SR5 feel like a rocket compared to the 1995 SR5 I sold with the 22RE 4 cylinder.

And as with any vehicle-modifications abound and there is a large community of 3rd generation owners standing by to help you outfit it the way you want it.

 

[Duane]

Owning a 2.7 litre..I would listen to Martin and Ron..if you want to pull a pop up camper go for the big block man!

Mind you in saying that I have no idea what torque a 3.4 makes as compared to a 2.7 litre.
Some inline 6 cylinders have more torque than larger displacement V8's.
Not sure where to find out but if you were pulling something.... find the engines torque curve and see what the transmission and gear ratios will allow it to run at and that will tell you which one will pull better. My money would say it would be the V6 though with a 5spd manual for closer ratios between each gear selection than a 4 speed automatic which will have a larger jump between ratios.

I love having my locking rear diff, just found out that the 2.7 litre has a timing chain, no maintenance, rather than the belt on a 3.4Litre.
I prefer the automtic for just driving around..leaves one hand free for an icecream or beverage perhaps. just replaced my cracked exhaust manifold though which I hear is common on the inline 4 cylinder, not certain how much better mileage the 2.7 litre gets but around town it is likely way better..... 2.7 litres are tough to find as well as I keep looking for another one actually.... anyone have one they want to sell?
just my 2 cents

below is a quick link on the 4 runner history.....what changed which year etc.
http://www.toyotaoffroad.com/Articles/History/History_4Runner.htm

 

[mabrodis]

Great info in the above posts...I've always had Land Cruisers in the past and just got a '96 4runner. I absolutely love it (loved the Cruisers too, but the 4runner has WAY more power for size of vehicle than the Cruiser ever did). My '96 has the 3.4L V6 (great engine, as has been mentioned), 5sp tranny (which I love, I passed on literately 20+ 4runners because I did not want an auto), rear locker (which rocks)...great vehicle all around, sporty feel, looks good...

As for longevity, I just bought my '96 with 193K miles, during the first 2 weeks we drove 2400 miles (picking it up and then on vacation 4wheeling with it)...currently at 196K miles, hasn't used a drop of oil, infact with about 1100 miles on this oil it's still clear/gold, not even a touch of black...THAT is impressive...IMO...drives like a vehicle with less than half the miles it actually has.