beklemmung
New member
Amazing. What was the cause of death?
Anyone get much past 300k on a 3rd gen 4runner?
- Thread starter wasthe33
- Start date
apohl17
New member
Another 3rd gen :happy:
StreetCreeper
New member
Pretty sure the head gasket
jhuerta22
Member
324k at the moment. Original engine and transmission. I'm mulling around the idea of finding a donor engine and tranny as a backup and just repainting it when the time comes to transplant it. Found an engine/transmission setup with 180k on it working for 600. I couldn't imagine a better vehicle as far as reliability and capability, with a 97 FJ80 being a close second. Miss my FJ still though.
northstr99
New member
I bought my '96 3.4L 4wd SR5 11 years 7 months ago at around 155k, for $7000. I'm just shy of 367k now, with only really typical maintenance replacement type stuff (starter, alt, rad, timing belt kit twice now, injectors, some suspension stuff, etc.) and the old girl still hauls the mail with plenty of giddy-up! BEST RIGS EVER MADE!!!
She was originally a rental fleet rig in Michigan, but found her way out here to the PNW somehow. The Michigan road salt didn't do the undercarriage and frame any favors, but she's still solid and dependable as ever. I'm on my 3rd set of new tires since purchase, and need to put new shocks on all round, and get the worn out leather on the front seats re-done, and maybe a trip to MAACO to freshen up the paint - but I'd not trade my dear old Bessie for anything. She's faithfully gotten me to everywhere I've needed her to, and I plan on keeping her around until I'M not - then I'll get buried in 'er! :rip:
She was originally a rental fleet rig in Michigan, but found her way out here to the PNW somehow. The Michigan road salt didn't do the undercarriage and frame any favors, but she's still solid and dependable as ever. I'm on my 3rd set of new tires since purchase, and need to put new shocks on all round, and get the worn out leather on the front seats re-done, and maybe a trip to MAACO to freshen up the paint - but I'd not trade my dear old Bessie for anything. She's faithfully gotten me to everywhere I've needed her to, and I plan on keeping her around until I'M not - then I'll get buried in 'er! :rip:
Ghostrider
Registered User
Friend at work has an 02 in Thundercloud and it is at 470K
brillo_76
Elite Member
I saw an owner on here has over 720k on the 3rd gen Runner. Made it close to 400k before head gasket starting leaking. 5 clutches and it's still rolling. That is the highest I have ever seen anywhere.
These are designed to last a very long time. Basic maintenance is the key to longer life of the drivetrain. Especially the Transmission fluid exchanges. As they are just as important as oil changes.
Sent from my SM-J337V using Tapatalk
These are designed to last a very long time. Basic maintenance is the key to longer life of the drivetrain. Especially the Transmission fluid exchanges. As they are just as important as oil changes.
Sent from my SM-J337V using Tapatalk
96RedRunner
Senior Member
96Redrunner had 374k showing odo worked on n off for last couple years would have easily gone 400k+, sliding down interstate on roof 65 mph ended that.
HighMiles
New member
Currently in the 360s miles, almost no repairs
I have 585 000 kms on my 96 Limited and other than a temp sensor at 270 000, spark plugs, wires and timing belts, there has been no engine work. The only repairs (other than maintenance) have been a fuel pump at 450 000 kms, ball joints at 330 000 kms. Oh, I did swap in a used alternator as I travel at night in the winters through the mountains.
It starts easily at - 35 deg c with no block heater - great Canadian vehicle!
I have 585 000 kms on my 96 Limited and other than a temp sensor at 270 000, spark plugs, wires and timing belts, there has been no engine work. The only repairs (other than maintenance) have been a fuel pump at 450 000 kms, ball joints at 330 000 kms. Oh, I did swap in a used alternator as I travel at night in the winters through the mountains.
It starts easily at - 35 deg c with no block heater - great Canadian vehicle!
brillo_76
Elite Member
spartacus
Senior Member
check out this thread and you'll find a ton
How many miles on your 4runner?
How many miles on your 4runner?
99problems
New member
307K miles and counting on my '99 Limited. I've done the usual maintenance, always used full synthetic oil, and gave it a mild refresh at ~250K miles (new water pump, starter motor, changed all the bushings, springs and shocks, plugs and wires, etc.) Recently had to fix the A/C "clicky noise" issue coming from the passenger footwell after the system got stuck on full heat... which wasn't a problem until I moved South). Runs better than anyone has a right to hope for on a 21+ year old SUV; I will never sell it.
noshacal
New member
344,000 to date. Not the daily driver it was but use it to pull boat and surf fishing. A spare for my wife's daughters to drive to college and work. Pinion bearing started to roar a year or so ago so I had all differential bearings replaced. Very reliable ride. Shooting for 500k.
cameron.wright
New member
Got a chuckle after reading the first post
I just read the first post of this thread. Found it funny that someone didn't want to put money into their 4runner because it was only worth a couple grand. How times have changed. The value continues to increase on these vehicles. I've seen 97s go for 10-12k now.
Now to the topic. I made it to 268,000 mi. I was losing power, engine sputtering, and check engine light came on. I checked my dipstick and saw the oil level was 1.5 quarts high! I've never overfilled my oil. So, I pull the drainplug and 1.5 quarts of COOLANT comes flying out! My diagnosis - cracked head(s). I just received a replacement 3.4 from Japan with 50-60K miles on it. Will start the engine swap shortly.
Has anyone else swapped their engine recently? What was the hardest bolt to remove and how many bolts were too rusty and just snapped off? I can wait to break a few myself...lol.
I just read the first post of this thread. Found it funny that someone didn't want to put money into their 4runner because it was only worth a couple grand. How times have changed. The value continues to increase on these vehicles. I've seen 97s go for 10-12k now.
Now to the topic. I made it to 268,000 mi. I was losing power, engine sputtering, and check engine light came on. I checked my dipstick and saw the oil level was 1.5 quarts high! I've never overfilled my oil. So, I pull the drainplug and 1.5 quarts of COOLANT comes flying out! My diagnosis - cracked head(s). I just received a replacement 3.4 from Japan with 50-60K miles on it. Will start the engine swap shortly.
Has anyone else swapped their engine recently? What was the hardest bolt to remove and how many bolts were too rusty and just snapped off? I can wait to break a few myself...lol.
Endlessblockades
Senior Member
Share some pics and best of luck!
Devbot
New member
Almost at 300,000mi. Starting to show it's age in very negligible ways that I shouldn't stress over - small rattles and creaks in the interior, short groans when flexing, a suspension pop here and there but everything runs like a top. No trans slip, t-case works like a dream, engine purrs like new. Alt pulley is squeaking a little sometimes but it looks very old and needs to be swapped for a 140 unit anyways. Control arms and CVs are next to be replaced (whatever comes first), after that the only things that haven't been serviced in some way is the steering rack and front driveline.
A little TLC goes a long way. This truck drives MUCH better than when I first bought it, and most of that I attribute to new bushings. Especially for the rear trailing arms; very big difference.
Just went out exploring trails yesterday and hit a few dozen GNARLY, deep af, well hidden potholes at some pretty dicey angles/speed, and the car took it like a champ. Almost seemed to help me out, driving home and pulling into the driveway I noticed zero pops or rattles :ear:
A little TLC goes a long way. This truck drives MUCH better than when I first bought it, and most of that I attribute to new bushings. Especially for the rear trailing arms; very big difference.
Just went out exploring trails yesterday and hit a few dozen GNARLY, deep af, well hidden potholes at some pretty dicey angles/speed, and the car took it like a champ. Almost seemed to help me out, driving home and pulling into the driveway I noticed zero pops or rattles :ear:
