Concidering on obtaining a 2000 4runner

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Sprungmonkey

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Concidering on obtaining a 2000 4runner 4x4 5 speed manuel as tow vehical


There’s a few things I like about the older Toyota relieability, it’s not a huge SUV.
it’s not extremely heavy, seams to be a popular model so replacement parts
will be available from a non dealership parts store.
I’ve been concidering many vehicals for a deadicated TV I don’t know much about
the T4R so here’s a few ?s


?1.doe’s the 3rd gen T4R’s engine control computer have a diagnostic function where
If a electrical part is malfunctioning I can decifer what is the fualty part w/ a series
Of blicking lights?

?2.the boat I plan to tow is 2200LBs this includes boat/engine & trailer mainly flat
Land (slite incline coming from Florida sea level to Atlanta 950’ altitude) I’m curious
How well will the T4R tow w/ it’s relatively low horse power for a 3900LB vehical?

?3.Doe’s this T4R appear to be a Toyota trailer hitch(see attached image)?
If yes what class is it?
Also if this 4RT came w/ a tow package what doe’s it include like tail light
Connection builtinto the bumper, electric trailer brakes?

?4.I’ve only sean images and read about the 4RT (I have sean a few cruising around
On the road) doe’s the rear window roll down?

I’ve read a little, the spec sheet for the 2003 4th gen this engine requires premium 93
Octane fuel so
?5. I’m assuming the 3rg gen uses low grade 87 octane?

?6.how fast MPH doe’s the 4RT must be moving upon crash impact for the SRS
Airbags to inflate?

?7. Are the defective headlights a seal beam type or can the bulb simply be unscrewed
From behind and replaced w/ a decent bulb?

I was looking at a image (not sure of model) the front of the back sets appeared to be
Pressed up the back of the front seat so.
?8.do the rear seats of the 3rd gen slide up to increase cargo area?

w/ 9”s of ground clearance what
?9. type of jack comes w/ the T4R?

?10.how many cold cranking amps (battery) doe’s the T4R require?
Thanks for advice
 

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Blinking lights is for obd1 this has a port which you can hook a scanner up to it and retrieve actual info from. Much better for diagnostic. The rear window does roll down. It comes with a bottle jack. Headlights are not a sealed beam type, they actually have a bulb that can replaced. Premium fuel is not required. Rear seats fold up then the backs fold down. These are the ones I know off the top of my head.
 
#6 Air Bag deployment is not based on vehicle speed in MPH. It is set off when a Module/Computer detects a significant change in inertia. You could call it change of direction, or change of motion. You could be doing 5mph in a parking lot and if you hit a light standard you'll probably set off the bags. You might rear end another car at 40mph and NOT set off the bags. In the first case the light standard would not move, meaning all the energy would transfer back to the vehicle causing it to IMMEDIATELY stop moving forward. In the second case the car you rear end could move away as you hit it, and the body would collapse absorbing energy. Your vehicle would also absorb energy, thereby minimizing the rate of change in the direction of your vehicle.

#8 The rear seats do not slide, but they do fold up and out of the way to create plenty of cargo space.

Hope this helps!:biggrin2:
 
Towing, the v6 isn't going to win any races. if this is a specific tow rig, if you have the money go for the 4th gen v8 (Even though it looks like a minivan) :p any other v8 will probably be better. I just don't like towing with my 4runner, that's just me.
 
Some of these has already been answered but here goes.
Sprungmonkey said:
Concidering on obtaining a 2000 4runner 4x4 5 speed manuel as tow vehical


There’s a few things I like about the older Toyota relieability, it’s not a huge SUV.
it’s not extremely heavy, seams to be a popular model so replacement parts
will be available from a non dealership parts store.
I’ve been concidering many vehicals for a deadicated TV I don’t know much about
the T4R so here’s a few ?s


?1.doe’s the 3rd gen T4R’s engine control computer have a diagnostic function where
If a electrical part is malfunctioning I can decifer what is the fualty part w/ a series
Of blicking lights?

It is OBD II compliant and any scan tool will be able to pull codes. As for deciphering blink codes; no.

?2.the boat I plan to tow is 2200LBs this includes boat/engine & trailer mainly flat
Land (slite incline coming from Florida sea level to Atlanta 950’ altitude) I’m curious
How well will the T4R tow w/ it’s relatively low horse power for a 3900LB vehical?

It will tow it just fine. You might want to instal a transmission cooler to be safe though.
?3.Doe’s this T4R appear to be a Toyota trailer hitch(see attached image)?
If yes what class is it?

None of the 3rd gen 4runners came with a factory installed hitch. They were dealer installed. The one pictured looks to be a REESE hitch. This is what is on mine. It will handle the tow capacity of the 4runner just fine.

Also if this 4RT came w/ a tow package what doe’s it include like tail light
Connection builtinto the bumper, electric trailer brakes?

No tow package available. All would be aftermarket.

?4.I’ve only sean images and read about the 4RT (I have sean a few cruising around
On the road) doe’s the rear window roll down?

Yes

I’ve read a little, the spec sheet for the 2003 4th gen this engine requires premium 93
Octane fuel so
?5. I’m assuming the 3rg gen uses low grade 87 octane?

the 3rd gen uses 87 unless it has a trd super charger, then it will need super

?6.how fast MPH doe’s the 4RT must be moving upon crash impact for the SRS
Airbags to inflate?

What an odd question. It only has to have enough G's to trip the air bags. There have been cases were an owner was pulling a stump and the airbag went off. While there have been others where they hit guard rails and it not go off. But like all other Toyota cars, the air bag system works fine.

?7. Are the defective headlights a seal beam type or can the bulb simply be unscrewed
From behind and replaced w/ a decent bulb?

They are H4 bulbs and can be replaced and upgraded quite easily. Make sure you get a 99 and newer 4runner to get the crystal clear glass lenses.

I was looking at a image (not sure of model) the front of the back sets appeared to be
Pressed up the back of the front seat so.
?8.do the rear seats of the 3rd gen slide up to increase cargo area?

No, They do not slide up. They do fold up and stow for more cargo area

w/ 9”s of ground clearance what
?9. type of jack comes w/ the T4R?

A turn crank bottle jack

?10.how many cold cranking amps (battery) doe’s the T4R require?
Thanks for advice

A Group 24 battery. It does not have a minimum requirement but I am sure if you lived in Canada, You would want to get to most cranking amps you could get
Click to expand...
 
I should have addressed this in my first response.

The hitch pictured is a class III hitch, with a 2" square opening for the ball mount. They are generally rated for 5 or 6 thousand pounds, far more than Toyota intended for a Gen 3.

I recently towed about 4K behind my 4cyl runner, I was OK as long as I didn't have to go up any hills. I think that was more than was truly safe for my little rig.

I'm towing that same set up today, but I'm using my other Toyota.

:flypig:
 
SR5Runner97 said:
Towing, the v6 isn't going to win any races. if this is a specific tow rig, if you have the money go for the 4th gen v8 (Even though it looks like a minivan) :p any other v8 will probably be better. I just don't like towing with my 4runner, that's just me.
Click to expand...

I respectfully disagree. I won a race against a jeep wrangler. It can win races. Just with other over weight, under powered vehicles haha.
 
And toyota still to this day does not wire for trailer brakes accept on the tundra with an extra cost and it doesn't come with the controller
 
couple more ?s for right now

1.could this 2000 silver 4x4 possiabley be a 4runner sport (first highlander)?

2. notice the gap inbetween the back bumper and the back fender should this gap be this size it appears to be a tad big, I'm thinking there should be no gap at all?

3.doe's the front grill attach to the hood like on the Rav4's.?

Thanks Guy's for advice
 
Last edited:
Sprungmonkey said:
couple more ?s for right now

1.could this 2000 silver 4x4 possiabley be a 4runner sport (first highlander)?

2. notice the gap inbetween the back bumper and the back fender should this gap be this size it appears to be a tad big, I'm thinking there should be no gap at all?

3.doe's the front grill attach to the hood like on the Rav4's.?

Thanks Guy's for advice
Click to expand...

1. It could.

2. If you think there should be NO gap, you should be looking at a Lexus. I think you should go look at a few of these in person so you get an idea what you are talking about. That gap looks very normal.

3. No
 
Singtoe said:
Some of these has already been answered but here goes.
Click to expand...

I was just checking out you 4.7 V8 engine swap (not the whole thread yet)
impressive swap.

1.what type and size of differial doe's this 2000 4x4 5 speed, T4R have? is it 8" ?a limited slip? or Posi?

2. did you ever concider a 500 HP Chevy LS1 engine swap?


edit: I quote you here
"It will tow it just fine. You might want to instal a transmission cooler to be safe though."

I did'nt know you could install a transmission cooler on a manuel trans. how is this done?

Thanks
 
A couple of things -

1. If you have a laptop, this is a great, low cost option to access engine data and read/clear codes - $45 from Amazon. This is the hardwired version and they have bluetooth versions that are more expensive. Lots of more expensive options available, many with less functionality.

ScanTool.net LLC - OBDLink SX Scan Tool/OBD Interface - ScanTool.net

2. My 2000 SR5 does not have the plastic body cladding on the bottom half of the sides - I thought that was on the Limited version. Also, I think it is odd there is no factory roof rack - all the SR5's I have seen have them. I would suggest you get the VIN and decode it using CARFAX or some other source.

3. I towed a 2000 lbs pop-up for years with my 4runner - it did ok but was a bit of a dog in the mountains. You can warp the rotors pretty fast if you aren't careful as the brakes are marginal to begin with. The Tundra upgrade is likely a good way to go and if I was still towing, I would have done it.

4. If this truck has been in the north or mid-west, need to check frame rust. Look under the car on the inside box frame member beside the muffler. Need a light and need to be directly underneath it to see up between the frame member and the muffler.

Sorry for the long post - good luck.

Buckaroo
 
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Buckaroo said:
A couple of things -

1. If you have a laptop, this is a great, low cost option to access engine data and read/clear codes - $45 from Amazon. This is the hardwired version and they have bluetooth versions that are more expensive. Lots of more expensive options available, many with less functionality.

ScanTool.net LLC - OBDLink SX Scan Tool/OBD Interface - ScanTool.net

2. My 2000 SR5 does not have the plastic body cladding on the bottom half of the sides - I thought that was on the Limited version. Also, I think it is odd there is no factory roof rack - all the SR5's I have seen have them. I would suggest you get the VIN and decode it using CARFAX or some other source.

3. I towed a 2000 lbs pop-up for years with my 4runner - it did ok but was a bit of a dog in the mountains. You can warp the rotors pretty fast if you aren't careful as the brakes are marginal to begin with. The Tundra upgrade is likely a good way to go and if I was still towing, I would have done it.

4. If this truck has been in the north or mid-west, need to check frame rust. Look under the car on the inside box frame member beside the muffler. Need a light and need to be directly underneath it to see up between the frame member and the muffler.

Sorry for the long post - good luck.

Buckaroo
Click to expand...
I'll have to read up on the scan tool SW I would prefer a SW that I could scan and also change the tune w/.

Yes I've read about the brakes being weak on the T4R even the though the rig I'm towing is half the T4R tow capasity the trailer will have a surge brakes.

couple more ?s
1.Will a 4’x8’ sheet of plywood fit inside (or lay flat ) inside the T4R? if yes how much
Will be hanging out?
2.Are there tow hooks on both sides of underneath body?
3.is there a spot where a winch be installed w/ the OEM front bumper?
Thanks
 
Sprungmonkey said:
I'll have to read up on the scan tool SW I would prefer a SW that I could scan and also change the tune w/.

Yes I've read about the brakes being weak on the T4R even the though the rig I'm towing is half the T4R tow capasity the trailer will have a surge brakes.

couple more ?s
1.Will a 4’x8’ sheet of plywood fit inside (or lay flat ) inside the T4R? if yes how much
Will be hanging out?

No, a sheet of plywood will not fit. It will hang out 2 -3 feet past the back door.

2.Are there tow hooks on both sides of underneath body?

There is a tow hook in the front and hook point in the back.

3.is there a spot where a winch be installed w/ the OEM front bumper?
There is a spot but it will have to custom fabbed.

Thanks
Click to expand...

I was just checking out you 4.7 V8 engine swap (not the whole thread yet)
impressive swap.

1.what type and size of differial doe's this 2000 4x4 5 speed, T4R have? is it 8" ?a limited slip? or Posi?

2. did you ever concider a 500 HP Chevy LS1 engine swap?


edit: I quote you here
"It will tow it just fine. You might want to instal a transmission cooler to be safe though."

I did'nt know you could install a transmission cooler on a manuel trans. how is this done?

Thanks
Click to expand...

I did not even consider the 2UZ-FE motor but my buddy chickened out. So, It fell into my lap.

So a 500 HP Chevy LS1 was not even a thought.

The differential in the 4runner is an 8" . No factory Posi or Limited slip. There was an option on 96- 00 models for an electrically operated locking diff.

No need for for the tranny cooler.. There are no provisions for oil coolers on manual trannys.
 
I searched all over the net did'nt find a full sheet of plywood in a T4R
I did read a little discovered that a full sheet will fit on top of the wheel wells
and like you say stick out a couple of feet.

so all gen 3 have the 8" diff. correct? is that just the rear diff. or also the front diff.? is this diff a toyota part?
also w/out taking the diff. out is there a way to determine the gear ratio?

I'm also curious what the T4R engines RPMs are when cruising down the expressway at 75MPH?

please excuse my ignoreance but what is a electrically operated locking diff.
I'm assumming it's a button on the dash that turns the street driven LSD (meaning each wheel does'nt recieve the same amount of power compaired to a posie where both wheels recieve the same power)
into a off road posie diff.?

if a T4R is'nt equipped w/ the electrically operated locking diff. how is the locking function done?

Thanks
 
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