3rd gen durability?

[chrisb]

Hello all I'm new to the forum but not to toyotas .I was wondering how you guys have faired with the ifs fronts ( cv's,ball joints,front center section)
I know its all how you drive and so on but how much abuse have you put out and whats happened ? I'm starting to like the 3rd gens (cheap prices and looks) I've had a many solid axles 1st gens ,one 97 taco but i never abused it ,2009 fj ,2005 runner
thanks:hungry:

 

[chrisb]

I'm thinking 33-35 tires auto v6

 

[JasetheDamager]

Hey ChrisB, I love my Runner! 3rd Gens are one of the greatest all-around vehicles you can own.

As far as IFS, I read this thread: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/82033-3rd-gen-4runner-buyers-guide.html

I bought my rig with 131,000K and after inspecting the undercarriage, I decided to replace the UBJs, LBJs, and tie rods. I also got the SS 1.2 lift and 33s, so I wanted everything to be perfect. Just my nature I guess.

I believe you should replace the LBJs every 100,000 miles. Fact check that though.

There are quite a few guys on here who regularly wheel and abuse their rigs, and they're definitely more knowledgeable regarding how our rigs hold up on the trail. I use mine as a DD and for all my camping/hiking/backpacking trips. No complaints thus far.

Here's a list of guys whose threads I've used for help:
4-Ripcord
BigFishAllDay
COB
Dirtco
Rickashay
PitbullRescuer
BrianEmc2

I'm sure I've forgotten other guys. There's so much great info on this forum. I hope this answer helps and good luck!

 

[JWaldz]

Welcome to the community Chris. I'm fit into the category of the regular wheelers. You can check my build thread for ideas as well. Feel free to ask questions. I absolutely love my 4Runner. They are tanks and the motor is solid. Why else would I have dumped 7 or 8 grand into it?! haha

 

[revenantdead]

i bought my truck with 145k on it. it's up about 182k now. i wouldn't say i've beaten mine up, but i did a serious bit of wheeling before i changed the tie rods and ball joints. really it all comes down to previous owners i guess.

 

[Doc2012]

Want to know durability?

By doc11 at 2012-07-24

Swamped it. ECU got water in it. Transmission had the dreaded "Pink Milkshake." Two days later I still had and inch of water in the head lights. Want to know what myself and Sing did?

Pulled the ECU, rinsed it off with a hose, and blew it dry with an air compressor. Did a transmission flush. Changed the oil.

Truck runs beautifully.

As far as the IFS, like you said, it's all how you run it. My brother runs his '99 Tacoma with ARB and 4.88's front and rear, 35 Super Swampers, and 3" of lift, never a problem. He's had that truck for 3 years and has broke maybe two CVs. But he doesn't dog the hell out of it, or do insanely stupid sh!t either. Though that truck can get up some stuff that no one else can......

 

[yota22]

I have had my 98 Ltd since 2002. It has over 200k on it. I just recently changed out the original suspension, ball joints, tie rods and cv boots. How is that for durability? Love my Runner!

 

[white_n_slow]

Having owned a solid axle mini truck and an FJ60, I will say the 4rd gen does OK in comparison. It can do pretty much all the same trails as my other rigs, but definitely with a bit more drama and "pucker." The hard part to get used to is that the body will just follow whatever the front tires are doing and the rear basically does all the flexing to try to keep the tires on the ground (as opposed to a solid axle truck which flexes equally front and rear). You have to adapt your driving style as some lines that would be fine with a SA make you nearly flop with IFS.

In terms of reliability, I broke a CV on my first trip out, and I'm not an abusive driver. Then again, Toyota straight axles break birfields with regularity, so I'm not too bummed about that. At least it's a relatively quick swap.

Bottom line, if my 3rd gen ever becomes a dedicated wheeler, it's getting a solid axle. But in the meantime, it does OK.

 

[Dous]

IMHO the front end on these 4runners are pretty weak, I love them to death, but there is no other way around it.

I would never run 35"s on this IFS, I break enough with 33"s. But there are plenty of people out there doing it, I just wouldn't feel comfortable.

I can't wait till the day I can get the 3 link kit and do a solid axle under it

 

[chrisb]

thanks guys for all the feed back it's great to see the willingness to help !
I'm looking forward to getting a 3rd gen i've always been in the chase of a good all around 4x4 .I've built many but they always end up being really good at one thing and not so good at others so i think the 3rd gen is a great base
I think 33s are big enough i have yet to see where the difference from 33s to 35s actually limited someone i know that some cases bigger is better but not around Arizona rocks anyway
Has anyone had a locker in the front and had limited issues?
what do you brake?

 

[chrisb]

Thats a crazy photo I know the difference from 33's to 35's on my rubicon was plainly evident parts started falling off (well sorta)

 

[chrisb]

ok thanks troyboy I like your runner nice pics . I'm not going to worry about the fronts time to start hunting a good deal and sell my first gen
thanks all:driving::driving:

 

[Singtoe]

IMHO the front end on these 4runners are pretty weak, I love them to death, but there is no other way around it.

I would never run 35"s on this IFS, I break enough with 33"s. But there are plenty of people out there doing it, I just wouldn't feel comfortable.

I can't wait till the day I can get the 3 link kit and do a solid axle under it

1 year and three months...