Does the 4cyl drive like the V6?
- Thread starter mymalade
- Start date
phattyduck
Elite Member
The rear diff is the same for 2WD and 4WD - you can use any of them. I would suggest finding a cheap one from a 4WD guy who has upgraded his diffs and has his stock 4.10 rear 3rd-member laying around cheap.
My 2WD V6 Auto had a 3.73 stock (15" wheel SR5). I swapped over to 4.10's when I did the 4WD swap and bigger wheels/tires.
-Charlie
JoeT4R
Senior Member
Allow me to just name drop for a moment and say that [MENTION=148218]JZiggy[/MENTION] and [MENTION=665220]Pyral[/MENTION] make super solid points.
I will say that, many moons ago when I was 18, I had purchased my first vehicle. It was a 1996 base model, 2WD auto with the 2.7L. I f’ing loved that thing and I miss it almost everyday. It was literally completely stock. Zero modifications. Low mileage, I wrecked it. But now that I’ve owned my 3.4L for almost 9 years, I will say that they are indeed comparable. The only time I noticed any difference with the 2.7 was, as previously mentioned, merging onto the highway. Aside from that, I don’t really recall any speed issues. Plus, I’m not going for “speed” in a 3rd gen 4Runner. Like what? Gas mileage is definitely similar as well so no noticeable differences in that department. Less maintenance due to timing chains and whatnot is SUPER nice for sure. If it were me, I’d say pull the trigger on it. 2.7 or 3.4 doesn’t matter to me. If it meets the criteria of: 3rd gen, overall in good mechanical and physical shape, has been taken care of, then why not? If I could do it over again, I’d get the same truck I had, just with a 5-speed manual trans and 4WD. But those were rare in the 2.7 from my understanding
I will say that, many moons ago when I was 18, I had purchased my first vehicle. It was a 1996 base model, 2WD auto with the 2.7L. I f’ing loved that thing and I miss it almost everyday. It was literally completely stock. Zero modifications. Low mileage, I wrecked it. But now that I’ve owned my 3.4L for almost 9 years, I will say that they are indeed comparable. The only time I noticed any difference with the 2.7 was, as previously mentioned, merging onto the highway. Aside from that, I don’t really recall any speed issues. Plus, I’m not going for “speed” in a 3rd gen 4Runner. Like what? Gas mileage is definitely similar as well so no noticeable differences in that department. Less maintenance due to timing chains and whatnot is SUPER nice for sure. If it were me, I’d say pull the trigger on it. 2.7 or 3.4 doesn’t matter to me. If it meets the criteria of: 3rd gen, overall in good mechanical and physical shape, has been taken care of, then why not? If I could do it over again, I’d get the same truck I had, just with a 5-speed manual trans and 4WD. But those were rare in the 2.7 from my understanding
Thank you for the input. I'm getting really close to actually buying this thing without driving it beforehand but I guess I will have to take that risk, it definitely looks super clean for a 20 year old car.
I will admit I'm a little bummed out that it's not going to sound like the V6 does, but of course that's a given.
On a side note, according to the factory brochures I was reading, for the year 2000 the 4 cylinders were not available with 16-in wheels at all and it looks like there was no 4x4 4 cylinder option. I've seen a few 1999 models with that configuration, but never a 2000, so maybe they only offered it with the base model? Seems odd that they would discontinue that on its last year but who knows?
I will admit I'm a little bummed out that it's not going to sound like the V6 does, but of course that's a given.
On a side note, according to the factory brochures I was reading, for the year 2000 the 4 cylinders were not available with 16-in wheels at all and it looks like there was no 4x4 4 cylinder option. I've seen a few 1999 models with that configuration, but never a 2000, so maybe they only offered it with the base model? Seems odd that they would discontinue that on its last year but who knows?
phattyduck
Elite Member
4-cylinder 4x4 was MT only in 2000. 16" wheels are a separate option on the base model.
https://www.top4runners.com/runhist/3rdgen/2000_4runner.pdf
-Charlie
gamefreakgc
Elite Member
You could easily pick up a 3rd member, 'pumpkin', rear differential (it goes by many names) at a junkyard and bolt it right up. If you put 16" wheels and 265/70/R16 tires which are stock for most 4Runners, it's going to feel slow. If you go any larger than that, it's going to feel very slow with 3.73 gears. I had a 2WD auto 4Runner with the 3.9 gears and it was a slug.
I used to sell complete 3rd members for around $200 to $250. One could get it from a pick-n-pull for around $75, about 90% of 4Runners came with 4.10 gears. They are a little tricky to remove the first time as you have to partially pull out both axles, remove the rear driveshaft and get it juuuuust right to pop out but it's not anything terrible. Also they are very heavy.
Twisted Sid
Member
Good luck finding one in Southern California in a junk yard. They tend to be one of the first things stripped off as soon as the 4runner or tacoma hits the yard. It sometimes seems like the yard themselves take them out. I have never seen an elocker in any of the yards I visit. You might get lucky though depending on where in Southern California you are.
