Buying & modding my 1st 4runner! What Year?

[MonstrOso]

After being sorely tempted by the FJ, I'm going back to my original choice of modding a used 4runner.

I'm leaning towards Gen 3 (96-02 right?)
And I just want to get as much advice as I can.
Budget is $16k-$20k (and that's pushing it on the high end).
AND this will not be and exclusive offroader, it will be a DD; used to move my photo-gear around.

In the past, I've gone offroading and helped various friends mod their 96-98 T4Rs. So I'd be happy w/a truck that gives me a few do-it-yourself options.

What options/package should I be looking for? Leaning towards the SR5, but I'm listening to ALL advice. And of course 4x4 is a must, but I'm not sure if Gen 2 gives me a choice between Part-time and Full-time 4x4.


1st mod would probably be a lift and tires (new or used, they never seem to have the right rubber)

Thanks for reading this post, and I'm definitely looking forward to sharing some pics.

Alex

 

[RonMAIDEN]

'99-'00 are the best years in stock trim since they have all the updated features ( here's a rundown http://www.top4runners.com/ja/runhist31999.html ) plus '00 is the last year of the locker and the 5 speed if you want one. '99s and most of the '00s had the taller coils which yield and extra inch of clearence which really dropped with the '01 models but a lift takes care of those issues.
The Limited models also have the multi mode auto tranny which includes part time 4wd ( AWD ) so if you can get one coupled with a rear locker you'll really be in good shape.

 

[Rock Slide]

I'll have to partially agree w/ RonMAIDEN, I believe the '99-'02 (not just 99 & 00) are the best years in stock trim since they have all the updated features.

Alex, being that I drive an '02 Sport 4WD, my views are swayed. I love the Sport models (offered from '99-'02) , so of course I think you should opt for one of these. They come w/ all kind of extra amenities that the other 3rd gens don't have. (Do a search, you'll see.)

However, depending on mileage and the conditon of the 4R, you will find many different prices. For example, an '02 Sport 4WD w/ 25k miles in great condition could be $24K. However, a '00 Sport 4WD w/ 90k miles could only be $15k. It just depends. It seems you've got a good price range to choose from being you said $16-$20k, so you should be able to find a '99 - '02 w/ fairly low miles for a good price.

Good luck on your search, and look into the Sport models. Do it.

 

[MonstrOso]

Thanks!

Thanks guys!

Found a 2001 that seems like it might be a good option...
SR5... loaded... 62k miles and they're asking $17,500

Tempting... but it has traction control......
Is that a perk? or just a pain to future mods?

 

[RonMAIDEN]

If you actually are going to off road the locker makes a huge diff climbing hills and can make the difference of making it and not making it. Traction control and the center diff lock on the '01+ is not a replacement.
If you are doing just light trails than any 4Runner will do the job but the newer amenities are nice and that was the reason I traded my '97 in for my current truck is I wanted a locker and of course the HOOD SCOOP is a nice bit of factory rice.

 

[lee]

yeah if you have any intention of wheeling, go with one that has an elocker (RR DIFF LOCK button next to the steering wheel)... as was said, this applies only to 96-00 model yrs.

in 01 they added vsc and atrac which some like offroad.. i personally do not, so i shut mine off.

 

[neliconcept]

atrac is a bitch when in the mud.. its only useful when you are on some rocks which I have tested but. I have an 01 and I love it

if you want that locker go with the 99. I heard it has the highest ride height even to the 00.

for sport models

99-00 = highlander I think it applies to the 00 as well

01= sport pkg
02= sport edition badges on the side.

 

[MonstrOso]

I'd love to find one w/a locker, but haven't had much luck. Most people/dealers don't even know what it is!!! I have to ask them to look for the switch.

Going to try and take a peek at this 2001 this weekend.

My friend has a '98 w/the locker, lucky bastard

We were wheeling up near Gorman. Wound up seeing this HUGE lifted monster truck of an Excursion up there; it even had a chromed out under carriage. The guys were all dressed up like wanna-be-Jesse-James, wearing their wife-beater Ts and Flat billed caps.

Now, in Hungry Valley, there is an AWESOME pre-set offroading course. It has all the basics, tilts, sand, climbs, ditch, frame twister, everything up to a couple of gnarly boulder climbs. The cool thing is that since it's so central, anybody can watch your wheeling and you don't have to worry about being stranded.

After doing doughnuts for a while, the EXCURSION went for the 2nd gnarliest climb.
He bumps (NOT climbs) the first rock, and starts to spin.
And spin
and spin his tires.
His friend finally comes out to help spot, so the truck manages to drive AROUND, not over, the first rock. It starts going uphill, until he bumps the next rock.
This is a rock scramble after all, so that means he made less than 2ft uphill before he starts spinning out AGAIN.
The guy gives up, heads back to his buddies and his brews.

After that sad show, we flipped on the locker, picked a line, and decided to give that climb a go.
The completely stock Limited 4runner made it look so easy, I almost felt bad for the guy.
Almost.
We still gave him a wave from the top, hehe

 

[lee]

I'd love to find one w/a locker, but haven't had much luck. Most people/dealers don't even know what it is!!! I have to ask them to look for the switch.

please trust me when i say you should wait till you find one with the e-locker.

i am stuck throwing in a lunchbox locker (lockright) which is not a big deal, but it isnt selectable, and will not make city driving a ball of fun.

 

[neliconcept]

im sure he wouldnt want to ruin that chromed out undercarriage lol

trucks that size werent made to offroad..

those trucks were made to haul stuff end of story lol.

yeah man id keep lookin around... im already looking for an arb locker to throw on mine.. only selectable I know of right now.

 

[MonstrOso]

Found a locking diff!!!

ok... I found ONE so far

http://tinyurl.com/gd264

http://www.carfax.com/cfm/ccc_DisplayHistoryRpt.cfm?partner=ATD_W&vin=JT3HN86RXY0261354

the CARFAX has me a little worried, but not enough to be completely turned off.

Don't like the "Crash reported with earth element/ditch"
(I really did want to pop the offroading cherry)

"Loan or lien reported
Vehicle recovered after theft"
I"m not sure if that means it was in fact stolen, or REPOed

The asking price seems a little high, any tips on what to look for and how to bring him down?
I'll definitely be sliding myself under that truck, but I'm not 100% sure what to look for.

Alex

 

[lee]

offer 15K... even that is a little higher than id like.

just be prepared to walk away... base it on things like the fact that it was stolen and in an accident and find imperfections on the interior and exterior to take issue with.

 

[neliconcept]

yeah that is high and I made an impulse buy on my 01 for 17k flat and I should have gotten it for less but I was using impulse instead of brains.

start off around 14.9 and try to haggle them to the 15.7 15.8 area

16 would be my limit imo since it has been stolen but does have all the features and the rear locker

 

[polvadis]

WOW!!!

That CarFax report is impressive. That car went through more hands than my ex-girlfriend. hehehe

The only thing that strikes me is that it is an East Coast car. Not to get on anybody's bad side here, but there is an obvious difference between Southern California cars and everywhere else; low miles more rust for eastern cold regions, high miles no rust for a So Cal car. I found that out first hand.

By the way, professional installation of an aftermarket air rear locker runs about $1,200. Just a thought.

 

[neliconcept]

its gotta be double locked.

get one with the rear locker..

lock the front later

 

[lee]

its gotta be double locked.

get one with the rear locker..

lock the front later

locking the front can be tricky

you can kill cv's easier...

 

[neliconcept]

that is true.. im not familiar with locking the front so i was going off instinct.

 

[MonstrOso]

SHE'S MINE NOW!

Alright, picked up a 1998 w/the rear locker... and she's in BEAUTIFUL condition.
Took her up to Big Bear the same week (Oct 13th) and put that locker to good use.
Now, it's on to the mods :

 

[lee]

congrats

 

[numba1runna]

awesome dude, I love that color