'96 4cyl 4x4 manual questions

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mx52nr

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Hi there, new to the forums, but I've been trolling around a little bit. I am seriously thinking of purchasing a base model '96 4x4 4cyl manual with 154k, it's selling for $5500. I know it's kinda rare amongst the T4R world, but does anyone have any experience with this truck? How reliable really are the 4cyl's? This particular truck seems to be in pretty good condition, and I can't see anything out of the norm on it. Also how much better would the gas mileage be compared to a v6? I've done some research, but I'd like to talk to an owner of a similar truck before I drop my money. Thanks!

-Jay
 
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very reliable. toyota has always had very reliable 4 cylinders.

and i dont know the exact numbers, but i get 16-17 mpg mostly city driving with my V6.

the 4 cyl would probably get around 20.
 
garrett1478 said:
very reliable. toyota has always had very reliable 4 cylinders.

and i dont know the exact numbers, but i get 16-17 mpg mostly city driving with my V6.

the 4 cyl would probably get around 20.
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Thanks for the reply! I'm trying to see if it's worth my time (and airfare) to fly into Dallas to buy this particular T4R - I never realized how rare 4 cyl 4 Runners are!. Are there any 3rd gen T4R 4cyl owners on this site? Or am I possibly going to be the first?

Also - kinda' a stupid question (sorry I'm a newbie :( ) but does the back window roll down on all 4 Runners? THis particular truck I'm looking at has manual door locks and old school crank-style roll up windows (don't know yet about the back window though); but all the research says that a power back window is standard on all T4R's. Can anyone shed some light on this for me?

Thanks!!!!
 
mx52nr said:
Also - kinda' a stupid question (sorry I'm a newbie :( ) but does the back window roll down on all 4 Runners? THis particular truck I'm looking at has manual door locks and old school crank-style roll up windows (don't know yet about the back window though); but all the research says that a power back window is standard on all T4R's. Can anyone shed some light on this for me?

Thanks!!!!
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there is a extra large hand crank on the inside of the tailgate to roll the window down...


LOL im jk. it is electric in every 4runner, has been since 84.
 
garrett1478 said:
there is a extra large hand crank on the inside of the tailgate to roll the window down...


LOL im jk. it is electric in every 4runner, has been since 84.
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LOL! Whew! For a split second there, I thought you were serious!

Well, it looks like I need to look for flights to Dallas. Garrett, thanks a billion for your help, if I ever were to meet you, I owe you a beer or 3!
 
There are a few 4 cyl owners here and there are a few threads about the 4 cyl. You might want to do a search for the threads.

The 2.7 4 cyl has a good reputation. It also has a timing chain. It is also still being built, except they now have variable valve timing. Hopefully a 4 cyl owner will chime in.
 
 
It has been awhile since we have talked about the 2.7 engine. One of the threads I posted had something to say about the manual transmission. I think it is a good idea to have a stick shift if your going with the 4 cyl. Of course it would be nice to know the condition of the clutch before you fly out there. It would be nice to know if they have replaced it, if they haven't I would think it is probably due.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?threadid=2109
 
Thanks peter, yeah I'm trying to get a hold of the seller to get more detailed information on that truck. Unless I find out something majorly wrong with it, I'll probably be purchasing it this week...
 
okay, i'll chime in since i have a 98 4runner/5spd/4cyl. with 155,600 miles on it now.

i highly recommend the 5spd with this motor in a 4cyl. it is nice to be able to control shift points yourself, especially when climbing good hills or merging on the highway.

my average mpg was 20 city, 20-22 highway. a little suggestion though! try to find a 4runner with the 4cyl that came factory with the 16" wheels! this will give you 4.56 gearing, which is HUGE for this truck. it really helps keep the pep up.

as for repairs...i have done NONE! i bought it used with 62k on it, and like i said, over 155k now, and not a single thing done to it. keep it tuned up, keep the oil changed, due your maintenance, and it will last forever.

heck, i just lifted mine and put 33's on it at 150k...if that tells you how much confidence i have in the motors life. even with 400lbs in tire/wheel alone....i am getting 18mpg still.

you won't regret it. just remember that it is no sports car, that is for sure. good luck!
 
Hey guys, thanks for all the help!!!! I got the truck this afternoon, and I love it! I've only put mabye 20 miles on it - but it drives like a dream! I'll post pictures later this week.

The only thing that sucks is that I need to buy a jack, it was missing. I bought a full size wheel and tire from a local junk yard earlier today dirt cheap, I'm not sure if it's gonna fit underneath, but we'll see... Also it's got gold trim, I gotta' swap that out to black, or silver emblems, or possibly just pull all the emblems off. But that's a minor cosmetic thing ( I can't stand emblems, let alone gaudy gold ones). It has a Pioneer cd player, but the speakers sound stock, and they are on their last leg, but that's expected on a 10 year old vehicle...

I really can't wait to get it out on some trails!
 
Congrats on your new purchase. I kind of sucks that it didn't come with a spare tire and a jack though. How is the clutch?
 
peter78 said:
Congrats on your new purchase. I kind of sucks that it didn't come with a spare tire and a jack though. How is the clutch?
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Thanks! The clutch seems ok, no slippage. It engages within the first third of pressing the pedal - unsure if that's normal for T4R's. But it seems ok. It's as easy to drive as my old Civic! This is the biggest vehicle I've ever owned, but it's much easier to drive than my old Infinity.

I tried to put that full size tire in the stock location, but it hits the tow hitch the previous owner installed.
 
mx52nr said:
I tried to put that full size tire in the stock location, but it hits the tow hitch the previous owner installed.
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If it is close, you may try and deflate the tire a little and see if it fits. If that works, buy one of those cheap 12 volt air pumps. If you have to put the spare on, you can pump it up before you remove the jack.
 
Pics FINALLY!

Sorry I've been pretty busy lately, I'm closing on my first house in 2 weeks... But here's pics of my t4r, sorry to resurrect this thread... MODS - please feel free to move accordingly...

BTW - after the pics were taken I changed the tow hook, added the antenna (it wasn't on when I bought it), and did all the maintenence (except for my exhaust - I've got a hole in the muffler)...


27308285550401l.jpg


28871621061775l.jpg
 
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