Is it possible to tell the year and model of a 3rd gen from the exterior, or narrow it down? And by exterior I mean its behind a fence so I don't think I can't see under it to see if its 4WD. Color won't help because it was used every year.

Wikipedia says 99 up has the fat lip bumper and different lights. I presume that's when the grill changed too. So I think its a 96-98, although I didn't specifically look at those things I think I would have noticed if they are drastically different from my 97.

I will try to sneak... I mean get... more details to see what else I can determine.

in most cases you can tell the year and sub model, but so many people change things over time due to accidents, etc. yes 99 and up had the fat lip and the grille is slightly different and the grille can change a bit even in the same year..some were color coded to the body, some not. But over the years I have seen people rebadge them , like putting limited badges on a non limieted etc. or even remove all badges.

Correct. Fat lip starts in 99 with the headlights and grill changed too. Dead give a away from 1996-1998. Also 1996 I believe the only 3rd gen missing the center from body mount for the crash test enhancement. Unless changed the grille headlights with crush cans in the bumper for 99 up vs 96 to 98. Taillights and turn signals lights I believe changed as well..

The chassis and body panels and frames are almost the same. The collision repair manual is the almost the same for the entire generation. One body panel I think change.. Frame changes as the body mount change in 1996 add on 1997 to 2002 all the same. The front bumper change is just at the end of the frame and crash cans added...(1999). When they added the 2 brake lines to the rear (2001 -2002) needed for the VSC and TRAC systems. They changed the rear skid plate bracket on tab

Now this is 4WD frames and chassis... 2WD has some cross members changes and that is a change..

When the emission changes the EVAP its a good indicator too.. The charcoal canister moving from the drivers fender well to by the gas tank attached to the body... Along with the throttle body change 1996-2000 By throttle cable.. 2001 and 2002 by wire along with the vsc and trac systems. All goes with this evap change location. I only have 4wd models in my fleet here. So I am not sure what all the 2wd changes are... I do think the last 2 years 2wd had some features but I can't answer those changes besides the frame. Other members probably can. :-)

My main question now is whether it is 4wd or not. I have read elsewhere that 2WD models sit lower but that's relative and would be hard to determine. The front looks plenty high to me, but the rear has that 3rd gen sag so that end looks low haha. It does look stock though, from what I can tell. I can't see the rear hatch or any of the clues to model there. My only hope is probably to get down low enough to see if it has solid front axles without becoming a suspicious person lol. It's on private property behind a fence but hasn't moved in years.

If you're interested in the vehicle why not just knock on the door and ask about it??

Just go knock on the door. Worse they can say is no.

Exactly, then your know... I agree with the other 2 members. :-)

It's too soon for that. Because of the overall situation, I want to have a real good idea if I'm even interested and be ready to deal in advance of when I knock. I don't want them getting the idea its worth something, and I'm not really in a good situation to acquire it right now anyway. I'm working a long way from home, and its not going anywhere.

I can tell a lot, but I can't tell everything. And a lot of the methods of identification are frequently changed by the owners.

You can tell a 2wd from a 4wd by the ride height, 2wd sit lower. Base models have black mirrors and door handles, and those are more often than not 2wd. If it is a base model you know it's 2000 and older.

Fat lip bumpers are a 1999 and later thing. Body painted bumpers or non-chrome ones are often later 4runners

The head lights pre-99 use a Fresnel lens while later ones are clear glass. Same for the tail lights, 01 and 02 had tail lights where the white part was more see through.

2001-02 limiteds had a different 5 spoke wheel design.

I know its pre-99. But much to my horror, I now think it might be 2nd gen. Google Street View seems to show "V6" on the driver's side grill, and I don't think any 3rd gens have that. I will have to do a drive by to confirm. If its 2nd gen I will lose most of my interest.

I didn't love my 2nd gen, it was too cramped. It's the only vehicle I ever sold.


EDIT: Yep, its got V6 on the grill. I was able to get down and see that its 4WD but probably a 2nd gen. There's supposed to be headlight differences between 2nd and 3rd but I can't see what that difference might be.

Poop.

Yep, might be sitting there with a blown head gasket

That wouldn't bother me if it was a 3rd gen, it's been sitting for years so I know it has some serious issue. And the paint is badly faded too, but you put that together with serious mechanical issue you have something that could be in my price range.

But even though it's rust free I don't think I want a 2nd gen with issues badly enough to tow it cross country.

If its a 2nd gen...Just 5VZ-FE Swap it. Then you solve the 2nd gen engine issues..Its a win win..

Thanks a lot, just as I had extricated myself from an expensive mistake you go trying to tempt me back in lol.

Well like I said, its probably not going anywhere because its been sitting in the same spot since 2020. I will see if I still care a month from now. If I can determine if its a stick, I might maintain a low-grade interest.