Finally upgrading to a '90's 4 Runner from Cherokee

[jeepgirl]

Hi 4 Runner Forum!

I'm a 13 year standard 1999 Jeep Cherokee XJ owner, and after 13 years, three states, 242,000 miles on the original engine/transmission and a PhD I'm finally giving in and upgrading. It really needs to go to a 4x4 hobbyist instead of me keeping my fingers crossed that it keeps running, especially on work trips.

Those of us who own 1990's Jeeps cringe at the idea of buying anything made after 2000 and from my research the only other option for an engine making it to 300,000 miles is a 4 runner or Tacoma. I like the idea of the slight upgrade to a 4 runner from the same era with less miles and a bit more coziness (I'm getting too old to be relying on a bare bones cherokee). My hatchback no longer opens, for example.

My question is, which engine of the late '90's era is the best (keep in mind, I'm still infatuated with the Jeep's inline 6 as that aspect of the Jeep has always done the job). What about the 2000-2002 models? I'm most interested in longevity and not oh-my-god repairs. I'm seeing many with the timing belt/water pump/head gasket repairs. Are those the major things?

Thanks All -

 

[paddlenbike]

The 1996-2002 3.4 V6 (called the 5VZ-FE) is likely one of the best engines Toyota has ever made. It's longevity is incredible, mileage is good for what it is, and even the 1996 model features double overhead cams and 4 valves per cylinder. In other words, much more techology than featured on the Jeep engine.

 

[Unner]

4Runners are considered to be some of the most reliable vehicles. There's a reason why you see so many 3rd gens still on the road today. The youngest one is 13 years old and if I drive anywhere right now I guarantee that I will see at least a few.

The timing belt/water pump isn't really a repair, it's just preventative maintenance. Most of us here are pretty big on that, one more reason our trucks last so long. Head gaskets are pretty uncommon on most 3rd gens, I think the 96 model may have had issues with that, but by now I would think most of those issues have been resolved. The 01-02 models come with some electronics like skid and traction control and ATRAC which partially makes up for the lack of the optional locker in earlier years. I've got an 01 with 174k miles and I wouldn't hesitate to drive it from Alabama to Alaska if I had the opportunity.

You can get the 4 cylinder or 6 cylinder in these 4Runners. I would recommend the 6 as the 4 can lack power, not that the 6 is a speed demon though...

There's 3 common flaws in these trucks. Lower ball joints fail catostrophically when they do. Buy OE toyota ones for ~$160 and don't worry about it. The transmission cooler in the radiator can fail causing the ATF and coolant to mix. A $50 external cooler solves this. Most of us have had a rear axle seal go out at some point too. This is a fairly expensive fix as it requires a press which a lot of us don't have access too.

I say get one that's been well taken care of and it will treat you even better than your Jeep did.

 

[jeepgirl]

Thanks for all of the sound advice so far. I'm definitely leaning toward the V6, for obvious reasons. I'm sort of excited about getting those 4-5 more MPG on the highway than the Jeep. I asked about the engine because one of the reasons I kept the Jeep so long is because there is virtually no maintanance on the inline 6, no timing belt (it's a chain), and I've never even had to do a water pump change. The body/wiring is starting to wear down, however, so it's a no-brainer to replace it with something a little more sophisicated in design but not so much that it adds additional problems.

I'll take all the advice so far!

 

[UnderFire]

Is recommend the 4 cylinder, not that the v6 is bad, but the 3rz can keep up with traffic just fine, and it'll pull 20+ mpg in stock form easily.

And, it has a timing chain.

 

[RAD4Runner]

Welcome to the Forum!

The 1996-2002 3.4 V6 (called the 5VZ-FE) is likely one of the best engines Toyota has ever made...

Concur.
IIRC, the 1999 has the best ground clearance of that generation.
Another detail is that Toyota stopped making it with manual transmission after a certain year.

... Lower ball joints fail catastrophically when they do.

Good to know.. but, Is it known to go bad even on an UN-abused 3rd gen?
I wonder... do these failures happen only on heavily-modified vehicles or stock configurations, too?
I understand of course that BJ's need to be inspected.
I looked at FSM of my first-gen and this does not seem to be a routine replacement part.

 

[UnderFire]

Welcome to the Forum!


Concur.
IIRC, the 1999 has the best ground clearance of that generation.
Another detail is that Toyota stopped making it with manual transmission after a certain year.



Good to know.. but, Is it known to go bad even on an UN-abused 3rd gen?
I wonder... do these failures happen only on heavily-modified vehicles or stock configurations, too?
I understand of course that BJ's need to be inspected.
I looked at FSM of my first-gen and this does not seem to be a routine replacement part.

Ballljoints are a moving part in the suspension, so they do wear out, not quickly by any means, but when they go bad, they go really bad.

 

[RAD4Runner]

Ballljoints are a moving part in the suspension, so they do wear out, not quickly by any means, but when they go bad, they go really bad.

Thank you, Underfire!

O.P.,
So that's one thing to check on prospective truck. There's a simple procedure to do that. Googld, Search this forum or see FSM. Happy shopping.

 

[markwilaoto]

I drive anywhere right now I guarantee that I will see at least a few.

 

[KidVermicious]

Good to know.. but, Is it known to go bad even on an UN-abused 3rd gen?

Yup. It's a bit of a design flaw as I understand it. The 3rd gen 4Runner/1st gen Tacoma lower ball joint is in tension, with the weight of the truck pulling from the bottom. So when they wear out, you get the possibility of the ball joint separating catastrophically. The lower ball joint on early IFS like yours is set up in compression, with the weight of the truck bearing down from above, so that particular mode of failure isn't nearly as likely for you.

Jeepgirl, I agree with the others, it sounds like a well kept 3rd gen is right up your alley. Depending on where you are, figure $6000-$8000 for a decent specimen. Check out the Buyers Guide thread in the stickies in the 3rd gen forum, and happy hunting!

 

[fourwd1]

Forget the 90's, get an 80's.
Removable top, solid front axle if you want it, indestructible 4 cylinder...