3rd gen as a dd/family vehicle?

[jrm27]

So who here uses their 3rd gen a a daily driver / family vehicle?

I'm gettign rid of my current SUV (Jeep GC) and trying to get my hands on a 4runner. It's going to be my daily driver and serve as a family vehicle (well, once kiddos come along). I know a lot of poeple here mod and get everything all good for off-roading and wheeling. But what about the other side of the equation?

Do you think these make good family vehicles? I sure hope so... I've got my heart set on getting one and I'll most likely do it either way. They seem really quite safe, reliable, and solid. Plus, I can still take it out on the weekends! Bonus.

Oh yeah, can anyone with a 2001 or 2002 tell me if the seats have the anchors for carseats? My wife asked me that the other day and I honestly don't know. My folks just sat me on the dashboard or let me crawl around on the floorboard!

 

[flyte74]

I use mine as a DD. Plenty of room, kinda decent on MPG, and the kids love it. However, my '98 does not have the anchor system for car seats. One of my kids is in a booster so that doesn't matter, but for my youngest I use a MightyTight on her car seat. Works good. My girls like to wheel with me, so I put the 1st Gen roll bar in. It's not tied to the frame, but in a low speed rollover it may help. They have a problem getting in and out due to the 3" lift I installed, but now I have justification for rock sliders. I told the wife the kids can use them as steps. We do quite a bit of camping and other "outdoorsy" stuff and the 4Runner works great. All around good DD and great off road vehicle. Plus, with all the help on this forum you can kind of keep the maintenance costs down.....

 

[Muti007]

As long as the mileage doesnt bother you, I think they're ideal as a dd and a family hauler. Lots of room, very comfortable, rear seats fold down flat, 4wd etc.

 

[Clemsonfan15]

They would probably be good for one or two kids. I don't think there is a ton of room so long trips might be sort of a pain.

 

[steve-]

Use mine as a DD too and other than the gas mileage works out great.The wife doesn't like to drive it as much which is good for me
Lot's of room for things especially with the seats folded down plus it's fun to drive.Can't go wrong with one for a DD.

 

[topdown4runner]

Well, as a family vehicle, DD, camping, all around everything vehicle, I think you can't go wrong with a 3rd gen.

When I had my '96, my Wife started using it as her DD. We lent her parents our Nissan Stanza sedan to shuttle the grandkids around. They have a Corvette. No place to put the car seats.
She loved my truck so much, we got her a '97 4Runner. Still have it to this day. It is her DD.
We sold my '96 to get a T100 ( pickup ), but I want another 99 - 02.

Over the years, we have had 2 Explorers, 2 Grand Wagoneers, a Range Rover, 1 1st. gen 4Runner, 1 2nd gen. 4Runner, 2 3rd Gen. 4Runners. All 4x4. By far, the best of them all have been the 3rd gens.

My neighbor bought my 96 for her son. He is still driving it as a DD, commuting to college & work. he put 40K miles on it in 2 years. Still runs great and looks great. He loves it. Only thing he has had to do is put in a new battery and a rear axle seal. The truck is at 185K miles now and counting...

So long story short, properly researched 3rd gens will last a LONG time when properly maintained.

Get yourself one and don't look back!

 

[Justin727]

So who here uses their 3rd gen a a daily driver / family vehicle?

I'm gettign rid of my current SUV (Jeep GC) and trying to get my hands on a 4runner. It's going to be my daily driver and serve as a family vehicle (well, once kiddos come along). I know a lot of poeple here mod and get everything all good for off-roading and wheeling. But what about the other side of the equation?

Do you think these make good family vehicles? I sure hope so... I've got my heart set on getting one and I'll most likely do it either way. They seem really quite safe, reliable, and solid. Plus, I can still take it out on the weekends! Bonus.

Oh yeah, can anyone with a 2001 or 2002 tell me if the seats have the anchors for carseats? My wife asked me that the other day and I honestly don't know. My folks just sat me on the dashboard or let me crawl around on the floorboard!

I use mine as a DD and to haul my kids around. No anchors in ine BUT our car seat has a base that acts as an anchor and is pretty secure when we put in the lil one.

 

[jrm27]

Thanks all.. that is pretty much what I thought. If I'm correct, the mileage should be about the same as what I am getting in my Jeep right now.. maybe actually a tiny bit better. The 4runner is definitely a smaller vehicle, but no kids yet, so the forseeable future has a max of 3 people in the family if kiddos join the fam. I'm sure that is plenty of space now that I think about it. If we need super mileage, we can always drive my wife's Jetta where we need to go

 

[hockeyrunner]

baby loves the 4runner :biggrin2:

I feel the 4runner makes a great DD/family mobile. I love the ability to completely fold the rear seats down. I fit my mtn bike no problem and has plenty of room for "stuff." I average 18-19 MPG and that is my only complaint. I would love to get low 20's on the highway. But I feel you cant beat the off road/on road balance the 4runner provides as a DD/family mobile/hauler :reddance:

 

[2000Black]

We have two

My family loves 4runners so much that we have two 3rd gens. When I was younger we bought our first 1999 limited millinum silver t4r and once my brother got his license he took that. Then we got another one 2000 limited black and once i got my license (recently) i took that:biggrin2:. I have to drive 35 minutes to school everyday and it works perfect. And I can have a bunch of people in the back. So basically I the 4runner is the best suv to buy.

 

[2000Black]

My last sentence didnt make sense. I meant I love my 4runner and it the best suv to buy.

 

[OU4x4]

i'm not sure why people think there isn't a lot of room for long trips but we do fine with two kids in car seats. there is plenty of room for all the stuff we have to take along for the kids and still have room for the adults luggage.
great for daily driver/minor off-roading.
when the kids get a bit older a lift will be in order to get a little farther off the beaten path.

 

[Muti007]

i'm not sure why people think there isn't a lot of room for long trips but we do fine with two kids in car seats. there is plenty of room for all the stuff we have to take along for the kids and still have room for the adults luggage.
great for daily driver/minor off-roading.
when the kids get a bit older a lift will be in order to get a little farther off the beaten path.

I dont get that either. I think theres a ton of room behind the rear seats, 2 people are very comfortable in the rear and 3 can also manage fairly well.

 

[xskydivingdudex]

i use mine as a DD and is a family car since i now have an 8 month old daughter yet my rig is still lifted. I have no probs getting her in there and the gas mileage isnt great but isnt bad as of now... im getting 15-16 mpg.

 

[Owenjam]

Just started using a 2000 Lmtd as a DD, works out fine with 2 kids, (3yo 7mo). I have a carseat with one anchor strap, I ran over the top of the back seat and hooked to the cargo tie down in rear of truck.

 

[Lignum]

I think federal law was put into place in 2003 mandating car seat anchors. I put my 9 month old son in his car seat via the seatbelt method, and it is plenty secure.

Here he is driving around town, rubbernecking as usual...

 

[Colonal Angus]

Just started using a 2000 Lmtd as a DD, works out fine with 2 kids, (3yo 7mo). I have a carseat with one anchor strap, I ran over the top of the back seat and hooked to the cargo tie down in rear of truck.

That's the same exact setup I run. Works perfect.

I drive a '99 3rd gen but usually rely on the 100 series Land Cruiser :hiding: as the family vehicle (wife's ride). It's funny though...My bro in L.A. drives the 100 and bought his wife the 3rd gen as the family vehicle. Kinda the same only different.

My 2 year old son loves the 3rd gen though...even though it's not even lifted with 255/85s on it yet.

 

[theizzardking]

I think federal law was put into place in 2003 mandating car seat anchors. I put my 9 month old son in his car seat via the seatbelt method, and it is plenty secure.

Here he is driving around town, rubbernecking as usual...

must be looking at a very very tall chick, lol

so he's got your truck...you know where your wallet is, the kid looks like trouble!lol (in a good way) lol

(cute)

:lol:

 

[pat161]

Toyota started putting the anchors on the rear seat backs in either 01 or 02. I say that as my 2000 did not have them while my current 2002 does, I have never looked to see if an 01 has them.

 

[Colonal Angus]

He's trying to figure out where to mount the limb risers....daddy needs a new ARB rack and bumper! ?!