Going from 1st to 3rd gen 4runner...

[riverrat44]

New guy here.

Our 1988 4runner has been a trusty companion for road trips, camping, skiing and MTB support. But with a new family member, we need a 4-door.

Looking at 1996-99 models with the 5-speed. Not opposed to newer but probably out of our price range. Gotta have 4WD, not interested in a 2runner. Would love to find a 2.7L 4cyl but they are rare as hens teeth. And the mileage isn't much worse with the V6.

What tire sizes give the best gas mileage with the 4WD 5-speed combo? It looks like the SR5 came stock with pretty small tires, about lke my 88-225-75-15. The Limited had 265-70-16s or something.

I have an almost new set of 235-75-15s BFG AT KOs on my 88 runner. How would those work on a third gen 5 speed? I'm not a huge wheeler, mainly need good traction and gas mileage.

I'm generally curious if anyone has experience with going to larger tires with the 5-speed. Did you feel the need to regear to maintain power and mileage?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

 

[GatorGreg]

I'm guessing your 235/75-15 tires would fit the stock 15" wheels on a 3rd gen. I believe they came with 225/75-15 from the factory, so your tires are just a wee bit bigger then stock.

My old '00 5spd SR5 had the upgraded wheel tire package which came with 265/70-16 tires stock but I ran slightly taller 265/75-16 and they worked great, no need to regear but I did have the V6 which was an excellent motor.

'00 was the last model year that you could get the 5 spd stick or the 4 banger on a 4Runner. But like you said, good luck finding a 4x4 with that combo - they are very rare.

I'd recommend a '99+ because of all the improvements it got that year, but if you really want a 5spd 4banger 4x4 I'd snap up the first decent one you can find.

Also, in case you haven't seen it yet check out J.A.'s top4runner site, it has an excellent rundown on all the changes from year to year:
http://www.top4runners.com/ja/runhist31996.html

 

[Ron Helmuth]

middle of 99 change to 16" wheels std

If the ride you find has 16" wheels you will not want to run the 15s. You will be running into clearance issue with the brake calipers.

As I understand it, in mid 1999 the base and SR5 models went to a 16" wheel and tire.

where you at riverrat? we will be glad to watch out for one for you.

I saw a 98 white 4Runner with the 5speed and 2.7 with about 127K miles at the dealership seems like maybe 6 months back.

I believe they still were asking like $11K or so for it.

That was well before the recent hike in gas prices and this of course is Denver.

I see screaming deals now all the time but that likely does not help you out.

 

[riverrat44]

Thanks for the replies folks.

I'm in Oregon. Nice 4runners do seem to fetch more here in the west.

Ron, I could potentially respond pretty quick to the right deal. Our budget is pretty meager, but do keep me posted if you see something that you think qualifies as "smokin"- can't hurt!

Your rig is built up about the way I would like...

 

[Ron Helmuth]

good luck

a 98 limited I just saw here was $8480 with 123K miles on it. Slight dimple in the hatchgate dealership could not seem to see....

an 02 SR5 with around 80K miles went for $12,995.

Both at Go Chevrolet-here in town.

Neither one of those I would consider a screaming deal...but that 02 sure was nice looking. Almost too pretty to off road in.

This is a good time to be shopping 3rd gens.

You have craigslist up there yes?

 

[uwgrad97]

I don't recall seeing many 4-cyl, 4wd in the Northwest. It is usually either/or, but not both. A search on autotrader.com for a 4-cyl, 4wd yielded about a dozen trucks. Two of them were in the Pacific Northwest, one in San Diego, and the rest on the east coast. So they are out there, but you're right -- they are hard to find around here. Good luck!

 

[riverrat44]

I am indeed monitoring craigslist. I see a fair number of nice 4runners for under 10k. My price range is more like 8k. I realize I probably won't meet all of my wish list for that price:

1. White, Silver, Tan or other light color.
2. 5-speed
3. 4WD
4. 4 (preferably) or 6 cyl
5. Diff lock
6. "Sport" seats, with the lumbar, side bolster, cushion height and headrest adjustments. It seems most trucks have these, except for some earlier base models. And I know they can be swapped in.
7. AC -did they even offer 3rd gen 4runners without this?

For the right price, I could forego one or more of these items. Not sure what all the option packages included- I could easily live without power windows, running boards, etc.

I know I should inquire when the last timing belt change was on any truck I consider. Any other maintenance items I should be particularly concerned with?

 

[Ron Helmuth]

check the rear axle seals

Take a close look at the inside of the rear wheel assemblies, If rear axle seals have not already been done they will need to be done soon.

Generally leaves a lot of oily residue behind which can affect rear braking.

 

[sl0annuggets]

ill take 12 for mine haha

 

[p nut]

How set are you on 5-speeds? I am also wanting to pick up another 3rd Gen to compliment the Tacoma, and have been debating between 99-00 5-sp SR5 or automatic Limiteds. The Limiteds are awesome for this year (99-00), because they came with a multi-mode transmission (basically means AWD) AND rear locker option. Here is a example of a craigslist listing:

http://saltlakecity.craigslist.org/car/738237910.html

If it's clean, I'd probably pick it up, and maybe talk them down to $7500 or so. 5-speeds would be great paired with this same drivetrain, but I like autos, too. Especially after a long day of hunting or skiing.

 

[riverrat44]

How set are you on 5-speeds?

Not dead set, but close. I've never owned a vehicle with an auto but I understand the newer ones are much better and the mileage difference appears to be pretty minimal.

The Limiteds are awesome for this year (99-00), because they came with a multi-mode transmission (basically means AWD) AND rear locker option....5-speeds would be great paired with this same drivetrain, but I like autos, too.

Sounds nice, I know that 4WD/AWD systems are more sophisticated these days, But I wonder if the fancy 4WD/AWD system means more maintenance and potential problems?

 

[RonMAIDEN]

I've never really read that there were any more issues with the multi-mode autos vs the regular auto tranny which are minimal anyway with regular maintenance.

The multi-mode autos became standard on the SR5s in '01 but they lost the rear diff locks in that same year so only the Limiteds in '99-'01 can have that combo from the factory.

 

[riverrat44]

Here's a pic of my 1988 4runner and its replacement, our "new" 2000 4runner:

2000 4runner 4WD 5 speed 2.7L
Silver w/oak cloth interior
AC, PW, PDL, PM, tilt wheel, variable intermittent wipers, rear heat/AC, maplights, sunroof, 15" alloys BFG AT/KO 235/75R-15

To do list:
Sell 1988 4runner
2000 4runner: change transmission, transfer case and diffs to Redline lubes
Install SR5 "Sport" seats in place of standard buckets
Thule T2 bike rack

Wish list for 2000 4runner:
LCE header & exhaust
16" Toyota alloys w/ 245/70R-16 BFG AT KOs and Tundra brakes
Sonoran Steel system 7.2 lift (looking for 1.5- 2")
Aluminum front & rear 2" receiver bumpers (ARB? Don't need brush guard or winch, just better clearance...)
Light to medium duty rock sliders, e.g. Trail Gear
Skid Row front skid plate
Component speaker system- (has decent JVC head unit with stock speakers)
Short shifter kit; leather wrapped SR5 shifter knob
Fog or driving lights(?)

Pie the sky wish list:
Front and rear diff or axle swap for electric locker and 4.56 gears
Paradise Racing or other after-market performance head for 3RZ motor

Currently trying to educate myself about intake options for the 3RZ- deckplate mod, elbow mod, washable oil-type air filter?

I'm not a bigtime wheeler and this vehicle will be a daily driver. Depending on funds, my intention is to do a mild buildup to make this rig a bit more capable on rough backcountry roads and deep snow, while retaining the best possible mileage and power from the the 3RZ motor. This means tradeoffs in wheel and tire size, and minimizing the weight of add-ons.