3rd-gen 4-cyl questions

[andyradin]

Hi there, first post. I'm looking to buy an SUV for travelling and camping and am here doing research.

Why is it that the EPA mileage for the 3rd-generation is 17/21 for the 5-spd manual, but 19/22 for the 4-spd auto? This is repeated in Toyota's press release, so I don't think it's a simple error. The difference in gearing is not so great. Any clues?

Also, was the locking rear diff available in any 4-cylinder models? So far I've only seen it as a V6 option.

 

[toybox]

Manuals always used to get better mileage than an automatic. Nowadays the gap is getting tighter if not nonexistant. But those numbers make perfect sense.

I believe you could have ordered a 4 with the locking diff but at this point I'm sure they are VERY rare on a 4cyl IF they exist.

 

[andyradin]

I don't think it makes sense at all that the auto gets better mileage than the stick. The 2nd gen with the same gearing difference, the stick gets better mileage than the auto, as it should.

I guess my question is: is this real? Does the 3rd gen 4cyl manual really get only 17 mpg? I'm trying really hard to get something 4WD with around 20mpg or better.

 

[Thai]

Well, i do believe that gearing is the answer to your question.

The 4-cylinder model with manual:

1st 3.954
2nd 2.141
3rd 1.384
4th 1.000
5th 0.810
Reverse 4.091
Differential Ratio: *4.100 (2WD 3.727)

Compare the first 3 gear ratios to that of the auto.

The 4-cylinder model with auto:

1st 2.804
2nd 1.531
3rd 1.000
4th 0.705
Reverse 2.393
Differential Ratio: *4.100 (2WD 3.909)

Differential ratio is the same for both trannies.

Fuel economy:

 

[andyradin]

excellent info, thank you guys.

 

[Thai]

I'm trying really hard to get something 4WD with around 20mpg or better.

The ONLY way that you're going to succeed with the above requirement is buying a miniSUV (Honda CRV, Toyota RAV4, etc.). Or maybe the Toyota Highlander.

Regardless of engine choice, I cannot think of ANY frame-based SUV (or any off-road capable SUV) that have over 20 mpg in city driving. Weight and poor aerodynamics are to blame.

 

[andyradin]

The 2nd gen manual 4-cyl, the 3rd gen 4Runner auto 4-cyl, and the 93-96 Jeep Cherokee 2.5l manual are all rated 19/22. That's close enough, and those are basically my options.

the Cherokee is a little short for me to sleep in and lacks cargo space, but it's cheap and well-regarded offroad. Also it's quite lightweight (3100 lbs in 4WD). The Toyota is my preferred choice at the moment, due to size and reliability, but the four-bangers are proving quite hard to find.

 

[Thai]

The 2nd gen manual 4-cyl, the 3rd gen 4Runner auto 4-cyl, and the 93-96 Jeep Cherokee 2.5l manual are all rated 19/22. That's close enough, and those are basically my options.

the Cherokee is a little short for me to sleep in and lacks cargo space, but it's cheap and well-regarded offroad. Also it's quite lightweight (3100 lbs in 4WD). The Toyota is my preferred choice at the moment, due to size and reliability, but the four-bangers are proving quite hard to find.

But it's worth it! The 3rd gen 4runner's 2.7L I4 is quite impressive, making almost as much power as the 2nd gen V6 (while getting much better fuel economy)! In addition, it is also quite reliable and have a modern DOHC configuration.

Out of the choices you listed, it's a no-brainer! The 3rd gen 4-cyl is your best bet...and maybe the reason why it's so hard to find! Older Jeeps have really bad quality and reliability...and i mean BAD!

Good luck.

 

[andyradin]

yup, I'm right there with you. I'll keep looking out there. thanks,

andy

 

[peter78]

Yes, the 4 cyl. are harder to find, but they are out there. They were kind of a loss leader in the papers. I now find them at CarMax, they seem to get 4 cyl. for some reason. They made the 2.7 4 cyl. from 1996 to 2000. 2000 was also the last year for the stick shift.

 

[LBC99]

My 99 4runner is a 4-cyl. I mainly use my truck for commuting 20 miles a day to and from work. The gas mileage a great for a SUV. I'm not ever going to tow anything and hardly ever go up in the mountains, so the smaller engine is just fine for me.

 

[hiluxsurfnz]

I get around 22m/gal. average! I mainly do hiway and city driving.No towing.

 

[pat161]

3rd gen 4

Well I currently own a 2000 4wd 2.7 with the 5 speed manual, I have about 80k on it an average around 19mpg year round. I live in MA and get better mileage in the summer 20-22 than in the winter, but I calculate mpg every tank and I have never fallen below 18mpg, even with 5-10 minute warm up on frigid days. Best I ever did was almost 25mpg, all highway, cruise set at about 78 or so with 4 people and a/c running, which I felt was great for a 3725lb truck. I am happy with the power my truck has and feel these motors are 2nd to none for reliability and longevity, though I certainly don't win races I personally do not care about that. Mine came with the 16' wheel package and ABS which came factory with a 4.56 axle ratio, same as the autos with 16' rims, I would recomend this ratio as it puts you around 2500-3000 rpms at highway speeds, and we have decent power for hills and such in that range. Only time I downshift on the highways is on very steep long hills, and then only to pass quicker, I can always maintain speed in 5th and usually gain slowly. Though going through green Mts. in VT I was pulling 3rd to run 60 up the hills, but I'm sure the 6 would have been dropping as well. They did offer a locker for the 4 but it is rare, and unlees you offroad often you will be fine w/o it.

 

[Creams0da]

my 4cyl with a manual tran. gets about ~23 mpg on average. Freeway ive seen 26+.

its a good motor, still working strong at 126k

 

[bflooks]

i second with pat161. he was actually the one who helped me pick my runner out. it is a 98 4 cyl, 5 spd, 4x4 with 16" wheels. i have actually turned 115,00 on my way to work, and she is still getting me 20 mpg right now, even with the winter mix of fuel up here in new england. she purrs like a kitten on the highway at 80 mph. runs at about 3000 rpm. mobile1, and regular tlc is all she asks for. bottom line...love the truck, and would def. buy another one just like it! who needs a 6 cyl, especially with the numbers our "little" 3rz puts out? more than adequate for my needs.

 

[peter78]

I had the chance to test drive a 4cyl. back in 2000 when I was looking for a vehicle. I test drove an automatic on 2 different occasions. I was fairly impressed with the smoothness and drivabilty. I realized after the second test, I would have a tough time passing a slow camper on a 2 lane highway. I know they are still making this engine and they are worth a look. I also like the idea that they have a timing chain.

 

[bflooks]

once again, i fyou are looking to win races, then the 3rz is not for you. if you don't want to hear it on the highway, then the 3rz is not for you. i must admit though, with the 4.56 gear ratio, and the 5spd, i have had no problems passing people. it is more than sufficeint for my needs, and pat161's. tell you the truth, i love it. considerring they didn't really change anything between the 4 and 6 cyl 4runners, i would say that the 4cyl is overbuilt for itself. how many other trucks have 115,000 on original clutch? and it is not only me. pat161 had about the same on his 4 banger (3rz) tacoma. all i have done to mine is change the oil, plugs, wires, and put a k&n in it. not too bad for a 7 year old motor.

 

[pdx650]

Risen from the dead....

I found a '97 2.7 liter (4 cyl) 3rz-fe just last month and bought it for a good deal. It is 4wd. It is an automatic and I fill it almost every week. I love it. It is my first 4wd. I just changed the transmission fluid today. I added a remote transmission oil cooler to the front of the AC condenser and totally bypassed the cooler in the stock radiator. It has 180,000 miles on it.

 

[maxspeed96ct]

I purchased a 2.7 auto 4x4 back in december
Only problem is im getting terrible gas milage, just over 200 to a tank.


I have a thread kicken here somewere, I have a bunch of tune up parts waitings to be installed, just havent had time . Hope it helps me out.

g/l with your search

 

[awinter78]

I've got a 4cyl auto and so far I'm getting roughly 300 a tank - not too shabby I just wish gas would stop going .6 a damn day!!


1997 T4R