Looking for a 4-Runner, what to look for?

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Cdaniel

Cdaniel

Undocumented Mechanic-I Am Not CDAN
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I'm looking to get a 4-runner for mild duty wheelin', snow etc. The most I expect to mod is a mild lift and possible a rear selectable locker. Being an FJ40 guy I've got no experience with the ins & outs, dos & don'ts of the 4-Runner brethren. Are there any years to look for or avoid? Any desirable options to look for?
 
Cdaniel said:
I'm looking to get a 4-runner for mild duty wheelin', snow etc. The most I expect to mod is a mild lift and possible a rear selectable locker. Being an FJ40 guy I've got no experience with the ins & outs, dos & don'ts of the 4-Runner brethren. Are there any years to look for or avoid? Any desirable options to look for?
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Cliff, where are you located ?
In Arizona ??


Fred
 
I had a 91 with and OME 1 1/2 lift, Downey torsion bars, 32" BFG MT, ARB rear locker and Auburn LSD with Warn hubs. All in all it was a decent wheeler, did Peckerwood at GSMTR. But the engine was a terribly underpowered V6. The passenger cabin is typical Toyota, small and very narrow. Very reliable.

Had a 94 daily driver. I think it was the same engine but without the ARB, winch, dual battery etc it was a lot peppier.

If you get a second Gen, make sure the head gasket recall service was done. Also, if the current owner hasn't plan to plan on replacing the rear springs, they all sag in the ass.

IIRC everything after 85 is IFS.
 
Cdaniel said:
Looks like a fine machine, but I really am looking for something a bit more civilized. Got a rock crawler already and looking for a basically unmolested stocker.
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Really depends on what you're looking for. Your description doesn't state if you have a family, small kids, dogs, lots of camping gear that you'd like to take with, etc. The answers to those might change the recommendations. I've owned an 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 94, 96, and 00. The 85 was locked f&r and ran 35's - it was a DD. The 88 (the one for sale), has never been wheeled by me, but I've put 4K miles on it driving around town. It's not as fun a DD as the 85 was simply due to height. The 94 has a 4" lift and 33's. We put a ton of miles on it and I wish I had kept it. It was myfavorite of the bunch. The 96 was a cream-puff that I sold to buy a Tundra. Also one of my favorites and I think the size is just about perfect.

All were unique in their own right. All had benefits and negatives. The 85 got the best mileage of the bunch, even w/ the 35's.
 
I have the first generation (1988) with IFS and 22RE, SR5 model with power everything, 6 way adjustable driver's seat, sunroof, rear heater. Pretty much stock except for the exhaust, which at 220k needed replacing anyway. We've been out to, up and around, all over and back SE Utah, found my thrill on Elephant Hill, lost my mudflaps on the Silver Stairs, all VERY easily done on nearly bald XH4 M+S P235 tires.

Good luck finding one somebody hasn't :censor: up. Especially one of the early models (definitely '85 and maybe '86) with solid front axle. But for mild wheeling, the Toyota IFS is very tough.

The 4 cylinder has a better torque curve for offroading and is easier and cheaper to work on. The V-6 will perhaps get you to your off road destination faster.
 
Cdaniel said:
Yes, a bit north of you, in Tempe.Why?
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I'm in Tucson and have a '95 that I've had for a little over a year.
I was just starting to build it up, but have decided that for what I want to do (came from a very, very build up Jeep, '98 TJ, that I ran most of the hard trails around here, Lower Woopecker, Highway to Hell, Miners, Jawbreaker, Miners Revenge, The Graveyard, etc.), that is build something that I can do most of the trails that I was use to doing with the Jeep, except for the most extreme few, that I'd be better off starting with something a little more "extreme" trail designed/or ready.
I've decided to sell the 4Runner.



dcp_3217.jpg



dcp_3218.jpg



dcp_3219.jpg


dcp_3220.jpg


dcp_3221.jpg



I've started a few things already in the buildup and they're just wants required, as is, for doing medium trails (such as Lower Ajax, Upper Woodpecker {though one would want to add sliders and bumpers}).

I've installed Warn Hubs:

dcp_3234.jpg



And the Downey Idler Arm Brace:

dcp_3707.jpg



And the Sonoran Steel lower rear a-arm brace:
dcp_3711.jpg






:)
Fred
 
No small kids, just one that will be driving in a few years. No pets and no camping planned. Mostly just want something for the day trips and weekend outings that will get us there a little more comfy. I'm not holding out much hope for finding a straight axle early model in good shape.
 
FredTJ said:
I'm in Tucson and have a '95 that I've had for a little over a year.
..................I've decided to sell the 4Runner.
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</p>Fred, that rig looks interesting. Though red isn't my 1st color choice. Any more details like mileage, price?Are the idler arms a vulnerable point on these or is that just for good measure?PM me on the side if you like.
 
Fred, your 4 Runner is looking good. I like the color. Where is the front sway bar?
 
4-Runner family?

So what are the dividing years for the "generations" of the 4-Runner? I basically see them as early straight axle and later IFS. I'm sure there has been significant changes in the remaining years.
 
Originally posted by cdaniel
So what are the dividing years for the "generations" of the 4-Runner? I basically see them as early straight axle and later IFS. I'm sure there has been significant changes in the remaining years.
Click to expand...

Cliff,

Here you go and enjoy reading! Toyota 4Runner History
 
Cdaniel said:
So what are the dividing years for the "generations" of the 4-Runner? I basically see them as early straight axle and later IFS. I'm sure there has been significant changes in the remaining years.
Click to expand...

1st gen is the removable top 2 door trucks, the earliest ones (84-85) being straight axle, the rest IFS. 22RE and 3.slow motors.

2nd gen are the solid top, mostly 4 door, 90-95, all IFS, mostly 3.slow, some 22RE.

3rd gen are the solid top and 4 door, most have the 3.4 V6, some 2.7 I4 good motors.

4th gen are the newest ones.
 
4x4CPOSEADOG said:
Fred, your 4 Runner is looking good. I like the color. Where is the front sway bar?
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The front and rear sway bars on there in those photos.
When I've wheeled the 4Runner I've removed the front sway bar, side steps, spare from under the vehicle (tie it down in the bed) and the towing hitch, all for clearance.
If I kept it I would be adding sliders to it, front and rear bumpers, 2" bl, 33's and a skid (probably BudBuilt) that would push the xfer case/tranny up the additional 2" that the bl would provide.


Here's what it looks like with the steps off, though the hitch and spare is still on:

dcp_3564.jpg





:)
Fred
 
4x4CPOSEADOG said:
Cliff,

Here you go and enjoy reading! Toyota 4Runner History
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Thanks! That's just the sort of info I was looking for by starting this thread.Now, what are the gotcha's to watch out for?I've seen several for sale bragging about replaced engines. Have there been any longevity issues with the various engines?
 
Tools R Us said:
1st gen is the removable top 2 door trucks, the earliest ones (84-85) being straight axle, the rest IFS. 22RE and 3.slow motors.

2nd gen are the solid top, mostly 4 door, 90-95, all IFS, mostly 3.slow, some 22RE.

3rd gen are the solid top and 4 door, most have the 3.4 V6, some 2.7 I4 good motors.

4th gen are the newest ones.
Click to expand...
Thanks Tools. What are you doing lurking in here, looking for info on the "shop truck"?
 
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