Best year for 3rd gen T4Rs?

[live2hunt]

Extremely subjective question I know. But I'm scared of getting screwed on buying a used T4R. I always seem to find out after the fact of buying a truck that "you should have got 'XX year cause they redesigned the heads", or "should have got 'XX year cause they upgraded the rear end" or something.
So I'm asking a lot of questions. What I'd like to hear is, "You can't go wrong with a T4R from '96 to '02! But that ain't happenin'.
I do know I am gonna get one, and soon. I do have a good friend who is a mechanic and has worked at a Toyota dealership that will help look it over with me.
My usage will primarily be work and back. Driving around town with some freeway and grocery store. But will need it to take me hunting/fishing/camping in snow, dirt, wet, off roads. I want comfortable, automatic tranny, cruise, tilt, etc. Will be interested in adding on some stuff like wench, sturdy roof rack, oversized tires for a little lift, driveway add-ons. And will tow ATV trailer with 2 machines (2500 lbs est)

 

[T4R2014]

I would go for the one with the best service history. They are all pretty much the same mechanically. Some will say to go for a 1999-00 Sport but the only real differences from any 96-98 SR5 are the slight different painted bumpers, fake hood scoop, better cupholders, and slightly taller springs that are sagging after 15 years anyway. The 99-00 Limited's have the most transfer case modes available with a rear locker. I would really give a good look at the buyer's guide for more in depth info.

 

[Tdaz250]

My opinion as far as the towing goes is you probably will either want to stick with stock tire size or regear with the bigger tires. Unless you live somewhere really flat then it shouldnt be too bad. But any kind of towing your gonna want to look into a transmission cooler(search, you will find lots of threads and DIY's).

Other things off the top of my head from what i can remember...99 has the highest suspension(that year had tall springs)...i think 99 is when they redid the interior and the front end is a little different.

 

[Ol'Blue]

As said above. Take a look at the buyers guide. Now my .02 on this. Go with a 99 limited with an Elocker in the rear. You will get the multi mode transfure case so you will also have AWD, 4x4, and a locker. See were I'm going with it, and it has the most ground clearance of all the 3rd Gens. That and I have a 99 so you know it is good, lol... Enjoy and welcome to our family. It will be perfect for your needs.

Blue

 

[RonMAIDEN]

99s got the mid gen refresh which included better headlamps, auto up/down on both front windows, multiple power outlets including one by the rear hatch, rear headrest holders for when the rear seats are up. Of course the cup holder relocation was a biggie especially when off road. Digital odo might have appeared a year earlier along with the 4 spoke steering wheel.

Taller coils were sprinkled through out alot of the trims on the 99 Runners but all the Highlander models had them but on any truck you'd be buying if it has the original coils they will need replacing anyway.

 

[redbull9944]

My opinion is to also go with the 99-00 4Runner, especially if you can find one equipped with a locker. I personally would stay away from the 2001 because it was the first year they introduced traction control and it had issues. I had a 2001 and the traction and skid control would act up on perfectly dry roads and would inhibit acceleration. I had to disable it for safety concerns. I do have a friend with a 2002 that has the same system as my old 2001, but his trac and vsc works as it should. So 99,00,02 would be my suggestion

 

[Supermoney]

I have a 2001 sport and the first thing you need to do is the AndyMod 2.0 which you can disable both of these at a flip of the switch. Too many close calls when trying to accelerate from a stop in snow and I have 0 power haha. All good now though.

 

[BrianSD_42]

I believe this is what you are looking for?

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/44297-99-mid-gen-upgrades-w-pics.html

....

 

[SCRunner12]

I'd say any vehicle between 99-02 should be good, but the 99-00 Limiteds would be most ideal. Like others have mentioned they have AWD, automatic, rear lockers (in most), comfortable interior and all the mid-gen upgrades.

 

[redbull9944]

I have a 2001 sport and the first thing you need to do is the AndyMod 2.0 which you can disable both of these at a flip of the switch. Too many close calls when trying to accelerate from a stop in snow and I have 0 power haha. All good now though.

Exactly. And to my knowledge, there's nothing to make the system work correctly. Toyota told me I was out of luck when I went to them with the problem. As far as I know it works flawlessly in the 02's though, as I mentioned before

 

[adkinsadam1]

IMO the 1999-2000 Highlander model with 5-speed manual and e-locker are the best 4runners ever made. They look the best (especially the 2000 with the fender flares) and I think they sit the tallest as well. I waited forever to find one and even mine doesn't have an e-locker - YET...

 

[live2hunt]

Now this is what I'm looking for! Thanks all!
So is the e-locker standard equipment in a '99 Limited?

Is 246,108 miles excessive for a 15 year old T4R?

 

[tyr0981]

1999- 2000. Non of the VSC crap, or work arounds to get rid of / disable it! i do wish i had the factory e-locker... but i'm just a lowly SR5 Model out:. will probably go with an Ausi locker in there rear and call it good, so i don't have to start caring spare CV axels.....

 

[white_n_slow]

I've owned a '97 and a '99 and in 1999 they updated the cupholders and a few doodads throughout the interior that make it a little nicer.

If you care about multi-mode, AWD functions, transmission and locker choice, then yes, there are some significant differences between the years (all of which are documented in the BUYERS GUIDE sticky thread). Here, I'll make it easy for you:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/82033-3rd-gen-4runner-buyers-guide.html

E-locker is NOT standard on any trim level, so you'll have to hunt for one if you want one.

That said, if you just want a good working 4x4, any year will do fine. They all have the same motor, same basic vehicle. Get the one with the best maintenance history and you'll be set.

And these are the interior updates:

I believe this is what you are looking for?

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/44297-99-mid-gen-upgrades-w-pics.html

....

 

[wc11]

Interesting question.

My '88 Runner I sold with some 300,000km and still saw it around town for at least 4 or 5 years afterwards.

Technology is always moving forward and one usually learns from ones mistakes so vehicles are always evolving.
Base on that theory, you would think that the last year of each generation would be the best just before a complete redesign which is typically 7 years.

Having said that, you want won with compete service history. One that has been taken care of and not abused. A pretty tall order for any used vehicle.

Even my '98 with 475,000 km, totally dealer serviced with oem parts, oil every 5k, most parts replaced as they wear rather than when they brake, rust proofed twice a year since new has just shown it's 1st signs of rust and is starting to show a few signs of aging.

There are many good ones to be had out there regardless of which generation.

Good luck with your search

 

[MStudt]

I have a 2001 sport and the first thing you need to do is the AndyMod 2.0 which you can disable both of these at a flip of the switch. Too many close calls when trying to accelerate from a stop in snow and I have 0 power haha. All good now though.

x2 on 01-02's. I love my 01, but the AndyMOD is a must!

 

[JayRolla]

99 Limited like stated, with the multimode 4x4 and rear locker!!

 

[Ol'Blue]

99 Limited like stated, with the multimode 4x4 and rear locker!!

Or a 99 SR5 with a 5speed and a e-locker like some girl I know [MENTION=99834]rn_trauma903[/MENTION] finds and buys after her 97 get totaled that is already lifted and on 33's.... That is a nice 4Runner for sure.

Blue

 

[white_n_slow]

Or a 99 SR5 with a 5speed and a e-locker like some girl I know [MENTION=99834]rn_trauma903[/MENTION] finds and buys after her 97 get totaled that is already lifted and on 33's.... That is a nice 4Runner for sure.

Blue

Glad to be of service, but I was sad to see her go

 

[sportscarfan]

Extremely subjective question I know. But I'm scared of getting screwed on buying a used T4R. I always seem to find out after the fact of buying a truck that "you should have got 'XX year cause they redesigned the heads", or "should have got 'XX year cause they upgraded the rear end" or something.
So I'm asking a lot of questions. What I'd like to hear is, "You can't go wrong with a T4R from '96 to '02! But that ain't happenin'.
I do know I am gonna get one, and soon. I do have a good friend who is a mechanic and has worked at a Toyota dealership that will help look it over with me.
My usage will primarily be work and back. Driving around town with some freeway and grocery store. But will need it to take me hunting/fishing/camping in snow, dirt, wet, off roads. I want comfortable, automatic tranny, cruise, tilt, etc. Will be interested in adding on some stuff like wench, sturdy roof rack, oversized tires for a little lift, driveway add-ons. And will tow ATV trailer with 2 machines (2500 lbs est)

Find the one with the least amount of frame rust - shouldn't be a problem according to your location.
I see some recommendations above for the 99-00 based on the springs & e-locker?? FYI earlier years (my '97 SR5 for example) also come with an e-locker if that is something you want. Springs at this stage in the 4runner's life are going to be a moot point (although my $60 craigslist '99 "tall" springs still have not sagged yet).
Mechanically, they are all basically the same - so you are going to have to choose what your preferences are like 5-speed vs. auto. Fat lip bumpers and flairs vs. chrome bumpers and skinny/no flairs and then pick the best one you can find from there.
I gotta say at 17 years old and 200,000 miles mine is pretty damn clean still, so they are out there...