3rd Gen 4Runner Buyer's Guide

[PNW Roots]

Thanks for all the info! Definitely going to use this in my search for my rig.

 

[4-Ripcord]

I love this thread! I used it for a lot of critical research before deciding to purchase my '99 Limited with the e-locker and will continue to use it resolving some of the less than desirable "traits" that came along with the 3rd Gens.

Overall, it helped me make an informed decision about purchasing what I consider to be a great vehicle and has armed me with the necessary know-how to make it even better.

THANK YOU!!! :guitar2:

Thanks for all the info! Definitely going to use this in my search for my rig.

Thanks guys! Glad you all are getting some use out of the thread.

 

[notrayray]

Bump for sticky

 

[4-Ripcord]

Little bump for a sticky?

I added the lower ball joint to the known issues. Should have been there all along.

Also redid the layout a bit, made it pretty.

 

[cj80cruiser]

Why is this not stickied yet. Excellent write up!!!

 

[Nunyabiz]

Outstanding thread, exactly what I was looking for.
Thank you.

another vote for sticky

 

[dave_mcmillan]

Man...This is awesome...:bravo: I am looking for another 4 runner and I would love to see a similar comparison between a 4th, and 5th Gen either on ours or on there respective forums.

Oh yeah Sticky this one moderators...I will bump it daily until it becomes one...you have been warned....:biggrin2:

 

[OnACreek]

This is a great thread, thanks for the info and pulling all of this together. I am new to the forums and just started a search for a 3rd gen.

My driving will be more on road than off and I'm relocating to snowy Buffalo soon so I think I'll look for a limited with the multi-mode or an 01-02 model. Other than the standard stuff my biggest concern as I look at vehicles will probably be rust.

 

[Dagobah]

Love the color chart!!! I love being able to ask a person if their runner is a 99 cuz I knew that the color that it is only came in that year, and watch their confused facial expression while they try and figure out how I knew exactly what year their truck is...

STICKY STICKY STICKY!!!

 

[OnACreek]

Selfish bump to keep this on page one as I search for a 3rd gen. I have 3 candidates (all V6 4WD) but haven't seen any yet:

- 99 Limited, 113k miles, $8,400
- 2001 Limited, 88k miles!, $13,800!! (the only one at a dealer, wtf price)
- 2002 SR5 Sport, 125k miles, $10,000

Will keep you posted!

 

[4-Ripcord]

That 99 sounds intriguing, any more info on it? Cant go wrong with a nice 02 sport either. The 01 is more than I would pay though.

 

[OnACreek]

That 99 sounds intriguing, any more info on it? Cant go wrong with a nice 02 sport either. The 01 is more than I would pay though.

The 99 just sold, unfortunately. I spoke to the dealer that has the 01 and they lowered the price so I'm going to figure out how to get out there and take a look. It's apparently a one-owner vehicle, and very low miles so fingers crossed.

 

[OnACreek]

So I went ahead and picked up the 2001 limited today with 88k miles. Thanks to this forum and this thread I got up to speed very quickly on the 3rd gen and was able to get comfortable with the purchase. Thanks and I look forward to future posting!

 

[blcktpgsr]

So I went ahead and picked up the 2001 limited today with 88k miles. Thanks to this forum and this thread I got up to speed very quickly on the 3rd gen and was able to get comfortable with the purchase. Thanks and I look forward to future posting!

Congrats on the purchase., you're gonna love that truck...Be sure to post up some pics for everyone to feast eyes on.

 

[cj80cruiser]

Can this please get stickied? I've looked at it almost everyday for reference since I first found it.

 

[BigFishAllDay]

Mods,

Please STICKY this thread so guys don't have to keep digging it up every other day to post the link in the constant chain of "I'm buying a 4Runner, what do I look for?" threads.

Please? :thumb3:

 

[brian2sun]

Can we get a sticky up in heeeeeeeere!?!

Actually, how about unsticking the "Welcome to the new 3rd gen T4Rs sub-forum" and replacing it with this thread? The 3rd gen sub forum is neither new, nor does it serve any purpose now (at least that I can see). The last page of that thread is a guy typing in Spanish and a few people asking tech questions that no one will likely ever see in time to help.

 

[4-Ripcord]

I have wondered what that thread was for since I got here. Still have no clue.

BTW brian, why don't you take those two pics of the 4wd shifters I have in this thread and attach them to yours. I think they are better suited for your thread anyway. Just be sure to actually attach them and not just link with IMG tags.

 

[4-Ripcord]

Can we get a sticky up in heeeeeeeere!?!

Actually, how about unsticking the "Welcome to the new 3rd gen T4Rs sub-forum" and replacing it with this thread? The 3rd gen sub forum is neither new, nor does it serve any purpose now (at least that I can see). The last page of that thread is a guy typing in Spanish and a few people asking tech questions that no one will likely ever see in time to help.

Well they unstickied that one but didn't replace it.

--

Anywho, I have a little bump with a story.

I was at the dealer the other day, walking around the lot waiting for the parts guys to finish with the line of people they had. I was looking at this one black SR5. It had the '99-'00 grill and the '96-'00 SR5 3-spoke wheels, so I knew it was either a 1999 or a 2000, then I noticed the color-keyed limited style flares. I though "Ok, those were only an option for '00-'02 SR5's." So I knew for sure it was a 2000. I looked at the sticker on the window, it said 2001..

Just then a salesman walked up and asked me what I thought about it. I said, "I would really like to see some more information on it, can I see a carfax please?" (I don't normally like to waste people's time like this, but I was really puzzled and he asked me in the first place.)

A few minutes later the dude walked back out and handed it to me. Sure enough, the paper said 2000. I said, "I knew it. This is a 2000, you have it marked as a 2001.."

He mumbled something and walked back inside quickly.
I was bored and figured the parts line was most likely gone so I walked away too and back to parts.

Long story short, this could have easily gone right past any other potential buyer. I could have used their slip-up as leverage for price haggling. Therefore, can we please get a STICKY??

 

[ksroqclimber]

Great thread!

Added to the top.....that is as sticky as I can make it on my thread Tutorial & Documentation Reference.