I am new to this forum and thinking about buying a 1990 or newer 4runners (4x4) for my son. We looked at 2 1990's yesterday. One was at a dealer and looked like it had some overheating issues in the past with only 87k miles, (supposedly). The other was private party, with 240 K miles, and said the engine was rebuilt 55k ago. He added that he was a mechanic and that the older 4 runners has issues with the headgaskets. He used Felpro headgaskets during the rebuild. He is only asking about 3k for that one. Question is, if I buy one of these older 4 runners, am I looking at a lot of repair and maintenance issues? Should I look at another year series? I believe these two were 6 cylinder engines. I am also looking at some 96 and 97 4 Runners. Would those be a better choice than the 1990s?
Looking to buy a 1990 to 1996 4 runner, advice
- Thread starter efstewart
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AZ4FNER
New member
I think your budget will guide you on what is best for you.
A second generation 1990-95, has a 3.0l that is know for head gasket issues. But, is a reliable rig otherwise as far as I know.
You will receive a biased answer on this post, since you posted this question in the THIRD generation forum. We likey a lot!
Do your research, check out this site:
Top4Runners.com - Toyota 4Runner Informational Website
This should answer any question you have about any model year. Helped me make my decision.
Most important, stay in your budget and take your time shopping for the right truck. There are plenty of 4Runners out there!
A second generation 1990-95, has a 3.0l that is know for head gasket issues. But, is a reliable rig otherwise as far as I know.
You will receive a biased answer on this post, since you posted this question in the THIRD generation forum. We likey a lot!
Do your research, check out this site:
Top4Runners.com - Toyota 4Runner Informational Website
This should answer any question you have about any model year. Helped me make my decision.
Most important, stay in your budget and take your time shopping for the right truck. There are plenty of 4Runners out there!
Meh. If you are going old and rugged, I'd say the rebuilt engine. If you have proof it was a rebuilt, then go that way.
Either way. I am all in favor of buying an older car for a new driver. He is bound to beat the junk out of it anyway (intentionally or otherwise) and the beauty of those older vehicles was the ease of body work. On that 4runner you can literally pull off an interior body panel and take a hammer to it...
Either way. I am all in favor of buying an older car for a new driver. He is bound to beat the junk out of it anyway (intentionally or otherwise) and the beauty of those older vehicles was the ease of body work. On that 4runner you can literally pull off an interior body panel and take a hammer to it...
Hepar
New member
If you're going to buy in those years, I'd stay clear away from the 3.0l V6. Look at the 4 cyl. They don't have a lot of power, but are a super reliable engine plus it gets pretty good mpg's.
My money would be on yes.
My money would be on yes.
TFJ-4runner
New member
Stay away from the 90-95 if you can help it. The engine is not worth the trouble at all. The third generation models 96-98 can be had for similar prices as the 93-95 models. You'll thank yourself and if you don't believe me just go test drive the two different generations. Best of luck...
Hepar
New member
I think he just needs to stay away from the V6. No need to stay away from the 90-95's all together.
TFJ-4runner
New member
You're correct and I'm just specifically talking about the 3VZE. If you can find a 22RE model I wouldn't personally overlook it. They are arguably the best four cylinders ever built. But if you have the means any third gen engine model will be a better buy.
Looking to Buy
All of you have given sound advice. I just called about a 96 4runner ad, that has the 3.4? v-6, 190,000 miles, he said that they replaced the timing belt and cooling system stuff about 40K ago. He said that the newer engine does not have the HG issue, but does have a timing belt issue. He is asking about 4400 for it. I will take a look at it this afternoon. What do you guys think? What should I offer?
Also, I found a 94 4runner, v-6, 188k miles,that had the head gasket, timing belt, radiator, power steering pump replaced less than 10k ago. Also has a newer rear axle bearings/seals and brakes, all done by Toyota factory parts. Asking 3800.
What do you think between the two of them. I have not found any 4 cylinders yet, except for in older toyota trucks, which is also an option as my son is not picky. We will need to buy today or tomorrow as my son is due back to work in the snow and needs something soon. Thanks again for all or your input, it is helping me a lot.
All of you have given sound advice. I just called about a 96 4runner ad, that has the 3.4? v-6, 190,000 miles, he said that they replaced the timing belt and cooling system stuff about 40K ago. He said that the newer engine does not have the HG issue, but does have a timing belt issue. He is asking about 4400 for it. I will take a look at it this afternoon. What do you guys think? What should I offer?
Also, I found a 94 4runner, v-6, 188k miles,that had the head gasket, timing belt, radiator, power steering pump replaced less than 10k ago. Also has a newer rear axle bearings/seals and brakes, all done by Toyota factory parts. Asking 3800.
What do you think between the two of them. I have not found any 4 cylinders yet, except for in older toyota trucks, which is also an option as my son is not picky. We will need to buy today or tomorrow as my son is due back to work in the snow and needs something soon. Thanks again for all or your input, it is helping me a lot.
98OzarksRunner
New member
I've had 3 2nd gens (92, 2 95s) and 2 3rd gens (98, 01). The 2nd gens are more rugged and 'trucky' since they have torsion bar front suspension. They will beat you to death off road and the trucks rock side to side a lot. The 3rd gens have coil spring IFS and are much better riding and much smoother off road.
The 2nd gen 3.0 did have head gasket issues, even through 95 (ask me how I know), even though Toyota only repaired them free up to 92 or 93 I think (they claimed they fixed the problem but didn't).
The biggest problem with the 2nd gen is the 3.0 is just too underpowered to get decent mileage or carry the truck around. I averaged about 15 with mine, but only 16.5 or so with my 98 (too much junk on it, my 01 got closer to 18 ave). I used to have to turn off the A/C and hold the pedal to the floor while climbing long hills here in the Ozarks, and would still lose speed, even in passing gear with the O/D off.
The 2nd gens also had issues with transmissions overheating. My 92 had problems with that, and I know it was pretty common (someone called 'Car Talk' one day about it!).
The timing belt is not an 'issue' with 3rd gens (the 2nd gens needed the timing belt and water pumps replaced at 90K too - just factory recommendation). My current 4Runner (98) probably hadn't had a belt changed in, forever, if ever, when I bought it with 221K last year. If the belt breaks it won't damage the engine, just leave you stranded, and the same thing is true of the 2nd gen 3.0.
Overall the 3rd gen is a big improvement over the 2nd gen. I'd say the 96 for $4400 doesn't sound bad.
The 2nd gen 3.0 did have head gasket issues, even through 95 (ask me how I know), even though Toyota only repaired them free up to 92 or 93 I think (they claimed they fixed the problem but didn't).
The biggest problem with the 2nd gen is the 3.0 is just too underpowered to get decent mileage or carry the truck around. I averaged about 15 with mine, but only 16.5 or so with my 98 (too much junk on it, my 01 got closer to 18 ave). I used to have to turn off the A/C and hold the pedal to the floor while climbing long hills here in the Ozarks, and would still lose speed, even in passing gear with the O/D off.
The 2nd gens also had issues with transmissions overheating. My 92 had problems with that, and I know it was pretty common (someone called 'Car Talk' one day about it!).
The timing belt is not an 'issue' with 3rd gens (the 2nd gens needed the timing belt and water pumps replaced at 90K too - just factory recommendation). My current 4Runner (98) probably hadn't had a belt changed in, forever, if ever, when I bought it with 221K last year. If the belt breaks it won't damage the engine, just leave you stranded, and the same thing is true of the 2nd gen 3.0.
Overall the 3rd gen is a big improvement over the 2nd gen. I'd say the 96 for $4400 doesn't sound bad.
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FWIW, there was a head gasket recall on early build (start of production to early '97) 5VZ-FE 3.4 liter V6 engines.
My '97 was built in July of '97, and wasn't subject to the recall.
I also owned a '93 3.0 V6 4x4 extra cab SR5 truck. It did develop a head gasket leak at approx. 40k miles. I sold it about 5k miles later to the business I owned. It was fixed under warranty with updated head gaskets, and was still running fine at 120k when it was sold from the business.
My point is that the 3.0 is a good engine, if a bit underpowered, when it has the updated head gaskets properly installed.
The 3.4 in the 3rd gen did have head gasket issues on early models, but all of those should have been addressed under the recall, and should be reliable. The 3.4 has noticeably more power, and gets a bit better MPG than the 3.0 in older trucks.
My '97 was built in July of '97, and wasn't subject to the recall.
I also owned a '93 3.0 V6 4x4 extra cab SR5 truck. It did develop a head gasket leak at approx. 40k miles. I sold it about 5k miles later to the business I owned. It was fixed under warranty with updated head gaskets, and was still running fine at 120k when it was sold from the business.
My point is that the 3.0 is a good engine, if a bit underpowered, when it has the updated head gaskets properly installed.
The 3.4 in the 3rd gen did have head gasket issues on early models, but all of those should have been addressed under the recall, and should be reliable. The 3.4 has noticeably more power, and gets a bit better MPG than the 3.0 in older trucks.
