Which 4Runner to Get

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MarkReye1

MarkReye1

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Oct 17, 2006
Threads
44
Messages
330
Location
Pompano Beach
Website
www.floridarifleshooting
Hi all,

I will be in the market for a newer Toyota 4x4.

I presently have my 90 4x4 Toyota Extended cab truck and have been indecisive on which Toyota 4x4 to acquire.

My choices are as follows:

4Runner-which years should I look for and I know I do not want the 3.0 Exploding Engine

FJ Cruiser

Landcruiser

Tacoma either Extended cab or 4 door

Im looking for manual if possible automatic if there is no choice.

Any help would be grateful.

I hunt and haul my target rifles to rifle ranges with poor roads so I would definetly need 4wd.

Thanks,

Mark
 
MarkReye1 said:
Hi all,

I will be in the market for a newer Toyota 4x4.

I presently have my 90 4x4 Toyota Extended cab truck and have been indecisive on which Toyota 4x4 to acquire.

My choices are as follows:

4Runner-which years should I look for and I know I do not want the 3.0 Exploding Engine

FJ Cruiser

Landcruiser

Tacoma either Extended cab or 4 door

Im looking for manual if possible automatic if there is no choice.

Any help would be grateful.

I hunt and haul my target rifles to rifle ranges with poor roads so I would definetly need 4wd.

Thanks,

Mark
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You could buy this one. My wife and I decided to sell it today it has been her daily driver. Want 10,500 or best offer.
4run.webp
 
If you ask me, 84-89 with a 4banger. I would skip 90-95 altogether. Any 4Runner 96 and later is going to be a nice machine (if maintained etc.....). I wouldn't mess with a 3.0 again at all but that's me, I had a 3.4 Taco years ago that blew the 3.0 I had previously out of the water, mileage and power wise.
 
Love the pop tops. But, after having a 1988 4cyl 4x4 truck (similar to the 4runner in design) and two 3rd gen (push-button 4x4) 4Runners, I am sold on the 3rd gen.
 
beatdown83fj60 said:
If you ask me, 84-89 with a 4banger. I would skip 90-95 altogether. Any 4Runner 96 and later is going to be a nice machine (if maintained etc.....). I wouldn't mess with a 3.0 again at all but that's me, I had a 3.4 Taco years ago that blew the 3.0 I had previously out of the water, mileage and power wise.
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I agree I have owned a 1985, 1991 and 1997. and in my opinion the 97 is the best. It is roomier and the 3.4 is much more reliable than the 3.0 engine. However the solid fron axle of the 1985 with the EFI 22re engine was a couple of great features of that era 4runner.
 
2ndGenToyotaFan said:
What kind of gas mileage are you looking for? That should narrow it down.... :D
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Hi,

I know that the V6 and V8 LC's and 4Runners are going to give less than desirable fuel economy that what I am used to with my current truck.

I have gotten 17 mpg in the city and got 27 mpg on the hwy coming through the mountains. I averaged 23 mpg with the 22RE on the hwy if I kept it at 65.

I may get married within the next 5 years and I definetly do not want another project vehicle if I can help it. I am working on restoring a MB 240D for my daily driver and use the 4x4 for hunting and driving to target ranges that have bad roads.

Thanks,

Mark
 
You need to give us more info, you are all over the board as far as vehicle and price. A used truck can be had for $7000 but the FJ is $30000. I have had every generation 4runner so far and my wife has a FJ, of all of those the Fj is one of the best we have had but if you want to go off road and not worry about a scratch I would say an 89 4runner with a SAS. I have a 85 right now on 37's and love it but it is my rock crawler.

If you are looking for a DD then go with a 99 or newer 4runner with the 3.4 and a locker.
 
Sounds like it's going to be a weekend type vehicle? I could see any of those vehicles making a good rig for you, maybe you should go take some test drives, and see what you like. Be sure to stop in front of a big store window so you can see how cool you look too! :D
 
I have both a second and third gen 4runner and i think the second gen is built better. Its just got a tighter fit and its more like a truck. where are things seem to get newer they get more car like. There is no doubt that the 5vz-fe is way better than the 3vz-e. My ideal 4runner would be a second gen with a manual trans and a supercharged 5vz-fe swapped in.
Also something i am very fond of in the older IFS trucks is that the CV axles are bolted to flanges on the sides of the front diff. where as the new ones i believe use those stupid circlips. I hate those things.
these have just been my experiences. Then again a land cruiser is even better built, but the mpg sucks.
cheers
 
buffethat@comcast.ne said:
You need to give us more info, you are all over the board as far as vehicle and price. A used truck can be had for $7000 but the FJ is $30000. I have had every generation 4runner so far and my wife has a FJ, of all of those the Fj is one of the best we have had but if you want to go off road and not worry about a scratch I would say an 89 4runner with a SAS. I have a 85 right now on 37's and love it but it is my rock crawler.

If you are looking for a DD then go with a 99 or newer 4runner with the 3.4 and a locker.
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Hi,

The main reason why I have not listed a price yet, is that I am still debating on which platform will suit me fine. I have been looking at least 10k to new at least for the FJ, and for the 4Runner at least the first or second year the 3.4 V6 was offered.

I will try to do some test drives, too bad Toyota does not have a demo vehicle to see how each will perform offroad before purchase.

Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving to All,

Mark
 
Ok one at a time...


MarkReye1 said:
Hi all,

I will be in the market for a newer Toyota 4x4.

I presently have my 90 4x4 Toyota Extended cab truck and have been indecisive on which Toyota 4x4 to acquire.

My choices are as follows:

4Runner-which years should I look for and I know I do not want the 3.0 Exploding Engine
Click to expand...


There is no exploding engine just people that don't know you can check you're own oil :doh:, get you're fax straight. I flog mine on a daily, 4500- 5500- RPM + (red line) constantly, 6-8 mpg(my fault O-ring bad) , and 4:57's leaks every seal, but make no mistake I LOVE IT! Handles like a camero stops like a Porsche!





MarkReye1 said:
FJ Cruiser
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The Taco REbody, **EDIT** prepare for a hard time seeing out of it and body tears in the engine bay,, make no mistake its off road abylity is in its aproach and departure **EDIT** and its ATrac system not here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07fE-IV5tP0

MarkReye1 said:
Landcruiser
Click to expand...

Yes 40 60 62 80 anything else has to many moving parts

MarkReye1 said:
Tacoma either Extended cab or 4 door
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see above, also here


beatdown83fj60 said:
I've had both IFS and solid axle trucks (many of them lol). Toyota has a good IFS system. I've also had two Tacos. I must say that when 180k miles comes on the clicker, my tacos needed a lot more front end work than my regular IFS pickups and 4runners did. The coils sagged, steeering rack ($$$$$$$$$$$$$$$) needed to be replaced, wheel bearings (dont try this at home!), and control arm bushings all needed to be replaced. The taco front wheel bearing is not something you do at home with a brass drift, a hammer, and a few sockets where the older torsion bar ifs was. And I don't think I ever needed to replace a torsion bar, they could hold the world up. That said in stock form I think an sa truck and ifs truck are equal. Where you may not break a cv on a stock sa truck you will break a j-arm if you are wheeling it hard enough to break a cv, and on an sa truck. Its all a tossup. I think as long as you don't throw a big gaudy bracket lift on an IFS truck it will do fine.
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And here,


tntoyota said:
I have parted two out very NOT impressed, I 2nd that.


BTW, the 86-95 is not good, it's the best!
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MarkReye1 said:
Im looking for manual if possible automatic if there is no choice.

Any help would be grateful.

I hunt and haul my target rifles to rifle ranges with poor roads so I would definetly need 4wd.

Thanks,

Mark
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
MarkReye1,

I would go with a 3rd Gen. Runner. Put a locker in the rear third and go.

Just my $.02.
 
08 Taco Four door. Or 86 Runner with diesel conv. :D
 
tntoyota said:
Does you're 90 have a 22RE in it?




Then nuff said! KEEP IT! (high net worth and NOT easily replaced)
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Please do not misunderstand. I am not interested in getting rid of my truck for giggles. I have a 22RE in my truck with a 5speed. I love my truck, but I am looking towards the future of when I get married and starting a family, they will not fit in the extended cab truck. I am also restoring an 83 MB 240 D, which is going to be the daily driver, but I would like to have something that I can haul more than 2 people with gear comfy like.

Hence my question to the group.

Thanks for the advice and assistance.

If I do get a 4Runner Ill probably get the year that I can add an aux fuel tank. Same with the Land Cruiser.


Mark
 
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