99+ upgrades

[SCRunner12]

Looking at 4runners I am wanting a 99 or 00, but there are an abundance of 96-98 for good prices. What are you guys opinions on the 99+ upgrades? Are they worth holding out for?

I know you can add the center console, head lights and an extra power outlet. Not too worried about the bumper and extra storage will be covered with a home made storage unit.

The only thing is the AWD aspect of the limited, but I will be going up to the snow only a few times during the year.

Also do the 96's have any different aspects besides the two less body mounts?

 

[JohnsD90]

I live in the Northeast and do like 10+ snowstorms a year and while AWD may be nice, 2H and 4H work great. I did do the center console and roof console swap and am much happier i did. I would also reccomened the 01 or LED Tail swap. But other than those things, there aren't that many more advantages for me atleast to have a 99. My advice is set your sights on a 99-00 limited with the AWD T-case, and if a 96-98 pops up as a great deal thats too good to pass up, then take it as theres not too many downsides to the early runners that can't be fixed.

 

[Clemsonfan15]

I personally would not pay more for the AWD. There is no situation where you would need AWD and not be able to use 4H.

Like John said, almost all the of differences can be fixed.

 

[SCRunner12]

Yeah I'm looking for a 99-00 Limited but they are hard to come by. I found this one right near me and it got me thinking. 1996 Toyota 4 Runner - 4WD Great Condition It would make you happy John because it is 5 speed. The one thing I must have though is a sun roof and this doesn't say it has one. That is a deal breaker above all.

 

[spongerx]

My parents have a 2001 and one thing I notice between theirs and my 97 is that it is less squeaks and creeks. It seems to be put together much tighter, if that makes any sense. We live on a dirt road and mine feels/sounds more like an old truck while theirs feels like it's holding together better. Not sure if this is the case with all 99+ models but I thought I'd add my .02

 

[JohnsD90]

Yeah I'm looking for a 99-00 Limited but they are hard to come by. I found this one right near me and it got me thinking. 1996 Toyota 4 Runner - 4WD Great Condition It would make you happy John because it is 5 speed. The one thing I must have though is a sun roof and this doesn't say it has one. That is a deal breaker above all.

That does look pretty nice, If the sunroof is that big a deal for you, i know that almost all 4runners i see have sunroofs, but they are expensive to retrofit. Mine has it and i use it alot but i could definetley live without.

 

[SCRunner12]

Yeah the guy said it has been dealer maintained its whole life and the Tbelt and water pump were done at 120k. I don't have a sunroof in my 95 now and it sucks when you live in california. I think I could get it for 4800 and possibly 4500.

 

[IanB]

Sunroof is a deal breaker for me too, I just love it way too much.

And good point about the AWD not being critical, as anytime you'd need it, the 4WD would do the trick as well. I hadn't really thought about it like that.