3rd gen as a dd/family vehicle?

[xskydivingdudex]

Do u have pics of them? I have an 02 sport and i didnt see any... i have an 8 month old and we just have a base for the car seat and use the center seat belt locked in and it works really well but if there are anchors id rather use those for added safety.

Ill have to check my runner again but the only one i remember seeing is the one in the center between the two chairs.

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.

 

[Terrapin]

Yes my 02 SR5 definitely has them. They're on the back of the fold down rear seats

 

[xskydivingdudex]

oh those... ya i have them. haha i thought u meant like between the seats where the buckle is like the newer cars. ya those i guess dont work for me now but will once my daughter can fit into a sit-up chair.

 

[andymiami]

I use mine as a DD and love it. My office is 7 miles from the house and the 4R is very comfortable. The kids love it when I take them to school in it. To me, it's the perfect vehicle for whatever you want. Better gas mileage would be nice, but at least it didn't stay at $4 a gallon...

 

[Asmara]

The car is great as a daily driver. perfect for two adults and two kids but you can put three in the middle.

I also bought a cheap third row seat from JC Whitney and put that in the back so we can haul bunches of kids when necessary. The seat pulls out easily when you don't need it.

A note on the third row seat. JC Whitney's price is much cheaper than anywhere else, you can get free shipping and I think I used a coupon. The only problem is that it still took me three different tries to get it. The company that makes and ships the seat apparently doesn't package it well and UPS get sending it back to them before it go to me and JC Whitney would then cancel the order.

 

[Muti007]

The car is great as a daily driver. perfect for two adults and two kids but you can put three in the middle.

I also bought a cheap third row seat from JC Whitney and put that in the back so we can haul bunches of kids when necessary. The seat pulls out easily when you don't need it.

A note on the third row seat. JC Whitney's price is much cheaper than anywhere else, you can get free shipping and I think I used a coupon. The only problem is that it still took me three different tries to get it. The company that makes and ships the seat apparently doesn't package it well and UPS get sending it back to them before it go to me and JC Whitney would then cancel the order.

Wow, I never knew you could get such a thing, thats great!! Is there room back there for legroom with this installed and how hard is it to get people in and out of there?

 

[maclean216]

The 01 models have anchors.

 

[ralatkins]

i also use mine as a DD and it's the travel vehicle when the fiance, dog and i head out anywhere. the gas mileage isn't that bad, and it more than makes up for it in comfort and capability IMHO. and they (3rd gen) look pretty damn good as well.

 

[Asmara]

Wow, I never knew you could get such a thing, that's great!! Is there room back there for legroom with this installed and how hard is it to get people in and out of there?

The kids just climb right in and out. No problems at all. At one point I thought about getting one of those trailer hitch mounted steps but it just isn't needed. For adults, your knees are in your chest and not really recommended except when you have no other options.

My daughter is 10 and a bit tall for her age and has never complained about the legroom.

 

[Owenjam]

How about some pics of that 3rd row install? Lap belts or no belts, does it come with hardware kit to install to the floor?

 

[Asmara]

How about some pics of that 3rd row install? Lap belts or no belts, does it come with hardware kit to install to the floor?

Started a new thread on the seat.

 

[kman55]

I have a 2000 also, great DD has 126,000 and running strong. Since we have owned it, 2 yrs it hasnt had one problem. Just minor tuning up. Great and reliable, pretty spacious inside, not the greatest on mileage but its okay 18-19 city, 21 combined.

 

[adamg32]

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...

You should really teach him to wear his seatbelt, it could save his life someday (we hope that situation never happens)!

But in all seriousness, I love mine as a DD. I use it to get to work/practice almost every day of the week, and it's great. Mileage isn't the best, as has been mentioned before, but I love the space and the fact that I'm sitting up higher than I was in my honda accord. Lets me see LA drivers and avoid them before they do something crazy haha.

 

[jrm27]

Thanks all. this thread helped push me over the edge! Made an offer (and had it accepted) on an '02 this weekend. Now its just up to the banks to do their thing. Its in TX.. gonna have to wait a few weeks to pick it up... waiting is never fun!

 

[peppster66]

I thought it was really interesting how everybody loved the 4runners, but nobody was really happy with the gas mileage, I guess were all feeling it a little, I go through about $65.00 a week in gas, using it as my daily driver, work, kids to school, sports, etc,,, , it would be interesting to hear what others go through in a week using it as the daily driver ,, I guess it depends on what your comfortable with spending, to have a really nice vehicle as your daily driver......

 

[Justin727]

Well hopefully you'll get a green light with the bank! Mine gave me hell for a few days because of the age of the vehicle..

Eventually they allowed me to get it!


Glad to hear the news! I got your email but our server went down so as soon as it pops up I'll respond!


My weekly gas consumption is around 45-48 weekly using 93

 

[99_4Runner]

Yep, my 99 Limited is my DD and no complaints at all. When the fam goes on a trip it is the 4Runner that is taken. I have about 160k on it and have had it for about 4 months now.:banana:

 

[brian2sun]

My weekly gas consumption is around 45-48 weekly using 93

Damn, you use 93! AFAIK, these engines are designed to run optimally on 87 and 89-93 actually burns too hot for them, not to mention the hole in your wallet! I think you're wasting $$.

 

[Justin727]

Damn, you use 93! AFAIK, these engines are designed to run optimally on 87 and 89-93 actually burns too hot for them, not to mention the hole in your wallet! I think you're wasting $$.

I've got the 2.7L but really its only a 3$ difference to fill up compared. When running 87 there was detonation and I also have a 5spd. It would hesitate from a stop. 93 has since solved this problem. I either use shell or chevron fuel.

 

[brian2sun]

I've got the 2.7L but really its only a 3$ difference to fill up compared. When running 87 there was detonation and I also have a 5spd. It would hesitate from a stop. 93 has since solved this problem. I either use shell or chevron fuel.

Well, I was assuming you had a v6 (should have read your sig better) so nevermind, I'm not as knowledgeble about the 2.7. If that's what gets it to run better, than sweet! Has it ever been rebuilt? Sometimes rebuilding an engine can change what octane rating the engine will like the best.