Do the 3rd gens still have a strong aftermarket parts market?

[rob_dixon]

I am thinking of buying an old 3rd gen and making a nice off road toy.

I have to opportunity to buy a decent Limited with the E-Locker and Multi select.

With the 5th gen, parts are everywhere and i have a wealth of options, but what about the old 3rd gen? I might re-consider if I am going to be hunting and pecking places for bumpers, sliders, lift kits, and other parts and just stick to my money pit of a 5th gen.

 

[MaineRunna]

I am thinking of buying an old 3rd gen and making a nice off road toy.

I have to opportunity to buy a decent Limited with the E-Locker and Multi select.

With the 5th gen, parts are everywhere and i have a wealth of options, but what about the old 3rd gen? I might re-consider if I am going to be hunting and pecking places for bumpers, sliders, lift kits, and other parts and just stick to my money pit of a 5th gen.

There are tons of OEM and aftermarket parts and accessories available for 3rd gen 4Runners. Maybe more than all the other gens. Check out Toytech, Low Range Off Road, 4Xinnovations, LCE Performance, The Yota Shop and there are many more. There is still plenty of parts availability at the the regular parts stores also

 

[UnderFire]

Aftermarket support is just as strong as ever, about the same amount as 7 years ago when I got my first 3rd gen. I can think of multiple manufacturers for racks, bumpers, sliders, seat brackets, skid plates, suspension, performance, etc. The availability mirrors the newer generations really, sometimes you just have to hunt further as fewer parts will be carried by the major distributors like 4WP.

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[rob_dixon]

thanks, yeah I am strongly considering one (see my post above/below) on test driving one, but it is a limited model.

I assume the limited is just as capable to upgrade as the others. At a minimum i would need sliders and skids and the rear bumper is all smashed up.

The front bumper is also a bit jacked.

 

[RandyBobandy]

Pretty much everything that will fit the other models will also fit the limited

 

[Brian.]

Pretty much everything that will fit the other models will also fit the limited

Errr...., care to point out what WOULDN'T fit? I'd be really interested to know...

 

[RandyBobandy]

Errr...., care to point out what WOULDN'T fit? I'd be really interested to know...

I don’t know, that’s why I said pretty much everything, I’m sure there is some part out there that is limited specific or sr5 specific

The OP did state that the bumpers are messed up so if he wanted to do an oem style replacement they would need to be limited specific so they would match up with his trim and fender flares

 

[theesotericone]

thanks, yeah I am strongly considering one (see my post above/below) on test driving one, but it is a limited model.

I assume the limited is just as capable to upgrade as the others. At a minimum i would need sliders and skids and the rear bumper is all smashed up.

The front bumper is also a bit jacked.

4xinnovations for sliders, Savage Offroad for skids, and [MENTION=28464]eimkeith[/MENTION] for the rear bumper.

 

[UnderFire]

thanks, yeah I am strongly considering one (see my post above/below) on test driving one, but it is a limited model.



I assume the limited is just as capable to upgrade as the others. At a minimum i would need sliders and skids and the rear bumper is all smashed up.



The front bumper is also a bit jacked.

There isn't as much of a difference between the trim levels on 3rd gens, basically just the cosmetic stuff.

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[Iffykid]

I was under the impression that the 99-00 Limited was what is usually preferred. No?

 

[UnderFire]

I was under the impression that the 99-00 Limited was what is usually preferred. No?

Depends on the person and what they find important. The Limited trim only comes in V6 automatic, which is a turn off to some, people will settle for a lower SR5 trim for a manual in 96-00 or a highlander package 99-00 SR5, some people want the 4 cylinder, so they have to buy a 96-00 (mostly up to 98) base model, and some people prefer more of the tech that came with 01-02s like stability control, or prefer the sport edition for those years. There's so many different trim levels that people tend to choose their favorite.

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[Iffykid]

Depends on the person and what they find important. The Limited trim only comes in V6 automatic, which is a turn off to some, people will settle for a lower SR5 trim for a manual in 96-00 or a highlander package 99-00 SR5, some people want the 4 cylinder, so they have to buy a 96-00 (mostly up to 98) base model, and some people prefer more of the tech that came with 01-02s like stability control, or prefer the sport edition for those years. There's so many different trim levels that people tend to choose their favorite.

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Guess I was thinking of the op's mention of the elocker and multi select J shift.:shrug: