How good is a 3rd Gen 4Runner offroad? (1 Viewer)

[hoch]

p nut - nice 4-Runner. I like the color. Good move dumping the Jeep. Welcome back to Toyota.

Minus the hood scoop, looks just like mine. Nice find!

Thanks. Yeah, the Jeep was fun, but always left me wondering if I'll get home that day, sometimes. After seeing the 4th ZJ on the side of the road one day, I decided to sell. It feels SO good to be back. No more domestics for me.

And don't worry, the running boards will be gone as soon as I get Stubb's sliders.

 

[CDUFF7]

Well, I just noticed recently the 4Runner was in my price range (much to my surprise!). I'd love to get my hands on a V6 manual (but auto is far more common, so I may just go with that).
And before you all say it, no the 80 isn't really an option as it's far more expensive over here.

However, I can't seem to find much info on how it performs off-road. I'm kinda concerned by the IFS (and I am not going for a SFA swap), but most of all I can't find any info on the rear diff ... LSD? factory locker? Aftermarket lockers?
Don't care much for lifts and big tires, 31" and 2" (susp. lift, no body lift) is the biggest I'll want to go.

How does it perform off-road compared to a WJ Grand Cherokee (with Quadra Drive) or DiscoveryII? No need to mention that unlike the aforementioned vehicles, it will not break down on its way to the trail. I also know it's 95% driver and 5% truck ... so I better make that 5% count!

The 3rd gen 4Runner just doesn't seem to be the vehicle of choice for off-roaders, I seldom see any out there in the mud or rocks ...

How does it compare on the trails to a Tacoma Crew Cab?

The 80 is tha much more? are you in the states or overseas? Good luck either way - both are great choices. I own a 1998 Hilux Surf and love it.

 

[ttora4runner]

I've enjoyed taking my 4runner offroad it's done really well and is going to do better once the locker gets installed.

 

[ToysRus]

I've had two 3rd gen 4runners (one stock sans running boards/one with 2.5" lift and 275 Nitto AT tires), a Sequoia, an old 88 Toyota extra cab (4" lift/33" MTR) and a 95 Land cruiser. I loved them all for different reasons. The 3rd gen 4Runner's push-button, on-the-fly (up to 65 mph) 4 wheel drive was a life saver when cossing the snow-capped blue mountains. The 2.5 " lift 275 tires gave me just enough clearance to eat up some nastey Utah trails--but robbed my mpg (from 21 mpg to 14). The factory diff. lock was a reassuring feature, but I never needed it. (I also had a diff. lock on my Yamaha Grizzly 660 ATV--and never needed it either, although I hit some insame trails on that too). The stock 3rd gen 4Runner I currently have (minus running boards) has enough clearance to be a threat in Utah backcountry. The 88 4cyl EFI 4x4 Extracab (4" lift/33" tires) could jump anything (fallen trees, boulders, large ruts), had awesome MPG, but could barely muster 60 mph climbing Utah highway hills. The Sequoia had my now must-have on-the-fly 4wheel drive, seated 8 much more comfortably than the land cruiser (roomier captains chairs, more room in middle row and back row), and had full shoulder straps for all 8, and much more room in the cargo area than my land cruiser--plus better cargo access with easily removable rear seats--and the V8 towed my 17' trailer/4 ATVS/roof top cargo carrier and camping gear very well. The 95 Land Cruiser's full-time 4 wheel drive is comforting with Utah's snow. It seats 7 (we need 5 at least, plus the additional seats are useful for friends). But, sadly the MPG is a little less than our V8 Sequoia. FINAL WORD--the 3rd gen 4runner is great on/off road. Decent MPG. Great handeling. Fast (push button) access to 4x4. Get it. Love it. Cherish it. Then beat it up and post pics!!

 

[Happy Trails]

Nice write-up Toysrus.

 

[kyoso23]

I miss my '98 SR5 5speed. 2.5" lift, shocks, 285's, Marine Deck plate/custom intake, TRD headers, ProDyno exaust/hiflowcat, extended breathers, many other mods, nearly unstoppable. Did lots of great (and technically difficult) Arizona & Montana trails in this and never had to turn back.

 

[hoch]

kyoso - looks like you had some fun in that thing. What are you rolling in now?

I'm always envious when I see FJ80's on the road and kind of wish that I had gone that route. But with the MPG's and maintenance, I'm glad I went with a 4Runner. Until I have 3-4 kids, 4Runner will stay.

 

[burbankianfj45wagon]

These days with the price of gas i am so glad that i sold my LC and just got a 99 4runner. I have not tested it on the trails yet but I sure it would not be dissapointing. So far after owning several toyota trucks froom tacoma,sequoia and LC all has been well.