I also posted this on yotatech. Lots of 3rd gen folks over there. I know some lurk around here too.... please post up with opinions or advice!

Thats right, I have deceided to give my 04 Sport Edition the heave-ho. In fact, I will probably be buying 2 used 3rd gen runners. The wife and I want to buy a house and the payments from the 05 Liberty and the 04 4 Runner got to go. So, I have a few questions about 3rd gen runners.... sorry if they seem dumb..

1.Roughly what MPG to expect in a stock 3rd gen. I am sure its close to what my 4.0L gets, but I am just curious.
2. Is the timing belt and water pump the weak link on the 3.4L? What are some common maint woes to expect?
3. Is the oil filter a pain in the ass to reach?
4. Is their a head gasket recall on some years/models???
5. Do any of the 3rd gens sag in the rear?
6. Are the spark plugs a pain in the ass to reach???
7. Is 4wheel disc brakes common on 3rd gens? if show what years?
8. Any problems with the auto tranny? How many miles are you getting before it needs a rebuild? Is a manual trans even a option?


I will be buying at least one if not two 3rd gens, with at least 100k on them. It seems to me that most 4 runners have no problem reaching 200k+. I plan on keeping them for at least 4 years possibly longer if they are still running. I am not as nervous buying a yota with high miles, especially since I have seen so many runners in the 200K+ mile club. Any suggestions on what to look out for on these models?

Just today I found a 97 Limited on line with 124K, new timing belt, water pump and new brakes all around, new micheln tires, and its fully loaded for 7K. I have not sold my 4th gen , but I am going to test drive it on Saturday, I may buy it if the wifey likes it.

Any thoughts, opinions or pointers ????

Thanks

Jake
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I don't know about your financial situation, but you're going to take a hit with the sale. Why not just get rid of the Liberty and buy 1 3rd gen 4Runner? I just don't like the idea of getting rid of two new cars for two older cars that you don't know the history of. Your '04 4Runner will last you forever. In addition you know if there's anything wrong with it.


Just my 2 cents... Take it for what it's worth. I was actually thinking about trading in my 05 for an 06. Decided against it today. My 5K can be put to better use.

I wont take a hit on either vehicles.... I have some room to work with on the price. I got smokin deals on both trucks, so I will at least break even , but I should make few bucks. From my last experience around here, people will pay blue book private party price if its a clean vehicle.

But basically I need to ditch both payments and get one runner that costs about 7-8k and one that costs about 12-14K. I just need to lower the debt to income ratio so I can get a home loan. Selling the trucks seems like the easiest way to do that.

OK, here is my take:

1.) Consumer Reports says expect 16 MPG, I would say expect 15 to 17 in the city and you can break 20 MPG on the highway, I would think 17.5 would be a reasonable expectation. I get 19.3 overall in my 2WD, about 17 in the city and 22 on the highway.

2.) No, I don't think the timing belt is the weak link, as it is in my Honda. You are suppose to change it every 90,000, but unlike my Honda's, it is a NON-interference engine. It is common for people to go over 120,000 miles. I am tempted to go over 100,000. Yes, you should change your water pump when you change the belt.

3.) YES, it is a pain in the ass to change the oil. I do not take off the skid plates, which would even be worse. It is hard to reach the filter. I use both hands, it is kind of a jig saw puzzle. And it doesn't get easier with practice.

4.) 96 & some 97's had a re-call on the head gasket. It is my understanding the re-call was unlike the second generation, if your gasket was bad, it would go out within 20,000 miles.

5.) I have heard of some sagging, but nothing like the 2nd generation.

6.) One side is harder to reach for spark plugs, you have to remove 3 or 4 items on top of the engine. It is not easy, buy not super hard. My Honda's are 1 on a scale of 1 to 10. It is about a 6. A 79 Camaro was about a 11.

7.) I am now guessing, I don't think any 4Runners had 4 wheel disc brakes. The Limited and Sport came with 16" wheels and the front disc brakes were slightly larger.

8.) Another guess, I have not heard of any great problems with the auotmatic tran. My dealer did not recommend for me to get a transmission cooler for my trailer. They did make a stick till 2000, so you may be able to find a manual transmission.

The biggest thing you will notice is 1.) ride is quite bouncy, especially when your coming from a 4th generation, 2.) The car is quite narrow, you have to fight for the arm rest with your Wife or significant other, 3.) the power will be down a bit, but the overall weight is lower, still expect a bit of a difference.

A lot of changes happened in 99, especially the cup holders. I am actually thinking of getting another used 3rd generation myself.

Have you ever driven a 3rd gen? If not, you'll be in for a surprise. The 4th gen 4Runner is much more refined in so many ways than the 3rd gen. The ride is much improved, the power (even with the V6) is quite a bit more, just to name a few differences.

You might be spoiled with your 4th gen to the point that you'll be unhappy driving a 3rd gen.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of the 3rd gen 4Runners. They are great looking trucks, but they just don't compare to the newer generation in refinement/feel.

I look at it, the 4th generation in more Americanized. Softer sprung, heavier, lots of bells and whisltles and lower to the ground. To each his own.

To add my 2 bits, I'm fairly confident that all 3rd gens came with rear drums only....

Yeah, I'd agree with that, but the refinement is the main difference between a 3rd gen and a 4th gen.

Someone that has owned a 4th gen might not be happy getting rid of it for a 3rd gen if they value the refinement. I'm just saying that he should think twice (and go on a long test drive) before jumping back a generation.

well its either ditch the high payment and buy a home...= happy wife... or rent for a few more years and keep 4th gen = angry wife for a few more years. I am sure I can live with a 3rd gen. I just wanted to get some general info about them. I used to drive beaters for the most part before I joined the Navy, so either way used 3rd gen is not that bad. I will always miss my 4th gen I am sure.

Are you financing or leasing? If all you want is a lower payment and you are currently financing, check out the lease on a brand new one......you might be surprized.

:bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown:

What peter said...only drum brakes on the rear for all 3rd gen 4runners.

Why not get one 3rd gen...and one cheap reliable car (Civic, Corolla)??

Good luck.

BOAZ,
I'd go for the house, later you can refi like I did and get your self a very nicely equiped 4th gen 3-4 years from now and have the truck paid in full.
Which ever truck you get in the upcoming weeks (and I cant help to say this) just make sure you SYN the HELL out of it with AMSOIL.

Man, this oil rocks!! The honda CR-V my wife drives, used to make a knocking sound from the engine. Now the things just purrs.

Thanks and good luck with your buy

Before you think of selling, have you talked to a financial advisor or mortgage consultant to see where you are, and where you need to be?


I've seen a few threads on yotatech about the 'perfect' 3rd gen (year, options, packages). Have to decide if you plan to stay stock, or do a few mods. But it seemed like Toyota made changes every year to the 3rd gen.

If you plan to buy a house or townhouse, and do things yourself, think about one Tacoma in the mix. You'll run out of friends with pickup trucks before you run out of jobs. I always need to buy or move something the 4Runner can't handle.

Renting a truck or buying a trailer is an option, but a PITA.

With a condo, you won't have as much to fix/maintain/improve/repair.

I traded my 1.5 year old '02 Sport for a '03 Sport.

They are completely different vehicles.

The seats in the 3rd gen were a torture chamber device. I could only sit in them for about 30 minutes before everything from the waist down was numb. Plus, the cabin is much smaller than the 4th gen. You almost rub shoulders with your front seat passenger.

I guess depending on how big you are will determine if you find comfort in the 3rd gen.

Mechanically, no problems except for an idle that would never idle smoothly. Engine would always race up to 1,200RPMS at a stop light and no solution from the dealer.

The idle frustration and driving comfort, along with the new V8, meant the end of my time with a 3rd gen.