Golden Age of 3rd Gens Ending

[Jidaran]

Here in Southern California 3rd gens are everywhere. Mostly 2wd but still has a strong ownership.

I noticed that when I was looking at 4Runners on CL - it seemed like half of em in LA were 2WD. Back east it's like 1 in 10. Anyone have any idea why? Seems like there's way more off road opportunities out west. And it's not like snow is a major issue over here.

 

[FrogginAround]

Ive been looking for a junk 5 speed for a swap for a while now and even with a totally destroyed frame anything under $2000 is gone within a day or 2, however the ones I look at usually still run even with 300k+ miles.

I see maybe one 3rd gen every two weeks on the road, 4th and 5th gens however are everywhere, and tons of tacomas of all gens.

I can't go 2 blocks without seeing another one. I was turning into Riebes two weekends ago and saw a 1st gen in the parking lot. Before I could park next to it another 3rd gen did.

 

[JZiggy]

Having had a 1st gen as a DD for 10 years what I see different about this is that, even at 20 years old and more, the 3rd gen is still a modern car. Four doors, R&P steering, adequate power, airbags, etc. But even 10 years ago my 88 struggled to keep up with traffic and felt like an old vehicle. Folks think my 3rd gen looks sharp and a little vintage, but it doesn’t strike them as an “old truck” like the 88.

 

[Jubsz]

I think that we're starting to see them getting to the point where normal owners are no longer willing to put money into them to fix them. Perceived value of a standard, stock 3rd gen is 3-5k for a 200k-ish mile example. That is about where a standard, daily driven 3rd gen should be at this point. There are many 20 yr old trucks at 200k that have never had a major issue/service. I think they're starting to die by attrition from those that drive them until they have a major issue. Whether that be the pink milkshake, the occasional head gasket, catalytic converter, run low on oil, etc. When a normal person sees that their vehicle is worth 4k, give or take, and they get an estimate of 1k+ to repair, they start to question whether or not they should even repair it, and whether or not they can trust it again. Generally, I think up until recently, most of them that just had regular oil changes, tires, and brakes have been able to survive with the occasional "repair". At 20 years old, 200k miles, normal people stop repairing them.

I like old vehicles that have a community around them like the 3rd gen. I trust that if rust is staved off, timing belt done, LBJ's done, transmission cooler handled, axle seals looked after, I should have a good chance of survival well beyond my 225k miles. That being said, I watch what I spend on the truck. It could have a critical failure tomorrow and I don't have a garage to do an engine/transmission swap on my own. Short of that, I'm willing to take the gamble on the truck because I like it and most of the critical failure points can be prevented since they've been well documented over the last 20 years. It could die tomorrow but I don't think it will. Most people will say "it's been a good run" once they've had it for some time, it's value is minimal, and it needs a costly repair. I think that is the attrition we're starting to see. Things are starting to reach a point of failure for a normal person's maintenance schedule or costing more to repair than what they deem worth.

The good news is that a lot of these people had a good enough run that they'll buy a 5th gen new and sell it down the line. I still love my 3rd gen and have a soft spot for them. It will likely become too much of a hassle to daily and road trip at some point. I'm not there yet, but if a nice 5th gen was 10k right now, I may have walked away after the repairs over the last 2 years.

 

[UnderFire]

Having had a 1st gen as a DD for 10 years what I see different about this is that, even at 20 years old and more, the 3rd gen is still a modern car. Four doors, R&P steering, adequate power, airbags, etc. But even 10 years ago my 88 struggled to keep up with traffic and felt like an old vehicle. Folks think my 3rd gen looks sharp and a little vintage, but it doesn’t strike them as an “old truck” like the 88.

It would if they drove it. They're starting to show their age, especially the average 4Runner with beat down seats, torn up carpet and worn in panels. Compared to the brand new vehicles I work on every day, a 90s Toyota is a dinosaur.

Sent from my JSN-L23 using Tapatalk

 

[shadow247]

I look at it this way. I paid 3500 bucks 7 years ago for my 4runner with 341k miles. I've spent around 1000 in repairs in that time. I don't include regular oil changes or air filters etc, as oil changes are newer cars can be even more expensive. I would drop 10k into this rig, even with 386k now, before I would think about dumping it for another one. I'm just slowly replacing all the parts as they show wear, and eventually I'll have a basically brand new truck again. My frame looks practically new thanks to it being a highway only vehicle for the first 13 years of it's life, so there's no reason to not just spend 1k or so on average a year for repairs. Heck I haven't even spent that in 45k miles of ownership at this point.

As long as you keep an eye on everything, there's no reason these trucks will leave you stranded. Head Gaskets don't just blow, radiators rarely fail within the first 5-8 years of replacement, and hoses should all be changed out at this point anyway. When I do Valve Cover gaskets, I'll be putting all new vacuum hoses. When I do the Steering Rack, it will get new lines. After 5 years, I'll have a brand new truck again, and I'll look way cooler than any of my buddies in their 5th Gens. Plus I"ll have extra money for a Dirtbike!

 

[brillo_76]

The areas you live in really determined what you see. Vehicles over 20 years old become rarities on my location. Like other stated the average person will get rid of them once they need anything that costs $$$ to fix.

I saved 5 from the junk yards so I did my part.

Sent from my SM-J337V using Tapatalk

 

[spartacus]

They are still fairly popular here in Colorado and on Craigslist the ones that people are parting out are gone within a week or so.

 

[Dieselchessy]

Here in Washington they are everywhere. I see many of them every day.

I was thinking now is the golden age.
They are great rigs for general use. They can be had and in good shape or made to be for about 7-8k.
Any comparable new rig would be 30k.
If you can afford a $500 car payment, you can afford to maintain a 3rd gen 4runner and put the leftover in your savings account.

 

[rallypoint_1]

I noticed that when I was looking at 4Runners on CL - it seemed like half of em in LA were 2WD. Back east it's like 1 in 10. Anyone have any idea why? Seems like there's way more off road opportunities out west. And it's not like snow is a major issue over here.

Well Los Angeles is a huge city. About 12 million in the county. Most Angelinos don’t care about off roading. I believe Houston Tx has a bunch of 2wd’s. Back when these were new they were pimp status. A 2wd’s price back in 96 or 98 was $30k for a V6 SR5 to the upper 30’s for a Limited...all 2wd. So if you had a T4R you were big pimpin!!! LOL I remember when Dad bought the truck there was 1 4wd compared to dozens of 2wd at the dealership. Toyota definitely knows their market and what truck to put there.

 

[Hidjet]

Good thread topic Jerod.

I'm close to you as I live in Rancho Cordova now and can vouch that I see more and more with some catastrophic failure (I'm sure we are looking at the same posts for Sacramento).

I drive 12 miles to work and 12 miles home. Everyday I'm guaranteed to see a minimum of 4 different 3rd gens. Today I counted 6, just on my way home. At two different points on my drive home today, there were another two 3rd gens near me on the same road (and they were different from the other two I saw).
I see the same two everyday on the freeway in the morning, and I drive by two others parked on the surface streets near my work. They are everywhere around us in Sacramento.
I'd say it looks like those still running are well maintained and looked after around me.

I'd love to drop the cash for a second as a backup or just because, but it just doesn't seem practical to have four 20+ year old cars to maintain at one time.

Jerod, if you're ever looking for a pick-n-pull buddy, hit me up. I'm 5 minutes to the wrecking yards on Sunrise.

 

[VernySanders]

Just because these trucks are breaking down after 18 to 23 years of usage doesnt mean that we cant view them as the most reliable anymore. The 4th gen v8 will more than likely last a lot longer than the 5vz. However 3rd gen 4runners are the best and always will be. The 5th gens are horrible, second gens are the 3rd gens ugly brother 1st gens are cool but personally I'm not into them. 4th gens are second place in my book. I hope more and more end up in the junkyard. More parts for us who are die hard 3rd gen guys to keep our rigs moving into the classic car era. The more 3rd gens that get removed from the road the more ours will be worth over time. Just my oppinion.

 

[Reinout]

As Tim said 700,000 were made.

There's only a handful of enthusiasts to keep them around (you all!) and keep them running in original condition or otherwise. Mine for example has 370k on it and while I'll probably do mild modifications to it I want to keep it relatively true to it's current state.

The other 680,000 out there are just people that needed a car and it's now getting up into the high miles and things start breaking down. How many threads doing mods really start with the posting owner trying to keep the thing alive?

I love seeing other 3rd gens out on the road and I can tell when the owner of it has a passion for their 4runner or if they are just another car owner. ehhem saggy rear

Are they a classic like a 1st gen: not yet but I sure as hell will keep mine around till it is.

 

[Bumbo]

I love seeing other 3rd gens out on the road and I can tell when the owner of it has a passion for their 4runner or if they are just another car owner. ehhem saggy rear

I can agree with that observation.

 

[gamefreakgc]

Good thread topic Jerod.

I'm close to you as I live in Rancho Cordova now and can vouch that I see more and more with some catastrophic failure (I'm sure we are looking at the same posts for Sacramento).

I drive 12 miles to work and 12 miles home. Everyday I'm guaranteed to see a minimum of 4 different 3rd gens. Today I counted 6, just on my way home. At two different points on my drive home today, there were another two 3rd gens near me on the same road (and they were different from the other two I saw).
I see the same two everyday on the freeway in the morning, and I drive by two others parked on the surface streets near my work. They are everywhere around us in Sacramento.
I'd say it looks like those still running are well maintained and looked after around me.

I'd love to drop the cash for a second as a backup or just because, but it just doesn't seem practical to have four 20+ year old cars to maintain at one time.

Jerod, if you're ever looking for a pick-n-pull buddy, hit me up. I'm 5 minutes to the wrecking yards on Sunrise.

Oh for sure, they are everywhere around here. In the 1,000's at least! There's a few clean ones in my neighborhood including a Sunfire Red 4Runner with factory painted bumpers that is immaculate, an older couple drives it and I bet they are the one and only owners.

I've noticed a lot more "clunkers" on the road though. It used to be the 2nd Gens that were sagging, taped windows, missing the tail light etc. but now I see more 3rd Gens that way. I think age and mileage are starting to claim them. Definitely still a lot of nice ones on the road though.

 

[Rpreme]

I actually see a handful of 3rd gens on my daily drives to work here in NV. I think if you're on the East coast, you see less of them as they all suffer from the rotting frames.

I can imagine they end up at your local pick a part from lack of maintenance, LBJ failures or accidents..

I've owned a 5th gen and would choose a 3rd gen over it..

 

[RunningForNow]

Hmmm, I live in Fresno, maybe it’s time to make the 2-hour drive to Rancho Cordova and start scouting some parts...

OP, this is a great thread, and I like reading everyone’s observations and theories. These 3rd gens will decrease in numbers with time, but there’s a good chance a lot of them will be kept around by enthusiasts like ourselves. I don’t see a cult status on these vehicles in the future, but I do see people keep them for the fact that it’s a no-nonsense, reliable, durable truck. There are people who buy truck-based SUVs for the image of being outdoorsy and rugged, as 4Runners have always appealed to that crowd. Then there are people who really put the 4Runner’s capabilities to good use.

 

[Speedy]

Timely thread for me since I've been thinking about my 3rd gen a bit lately. I've kept it longer than any car I've owned by almost twice the years. I bought it with 10K miles on it in 2003, it's a 2002 SR5 model that came with leather (which I've never seen). It was a lease from some exec or something.

It's been one of the best vehicles I've ever owned and at this point I'd still spend quite a bit on it to keep it fresh. I'm doing some updates to it now as a matter of fact.

I figure these will be classics due to their character and reputation.

I rarely see one on the road around here (Middle TN) but there are two nice ones in my neighborhood oddly enough.

I think what others have said is right though. Values will bottom out if they haven't already and when a repair is 30% of what the vehicle is currently worth most folks just get something else.

Here I am looking at doing updated leather, heated seats, new leather steering wheel, and maybe a new paint job in that Sunburst Orange color LOL. I'll have more in updates than the truck is currently worth, but I love this thing. This is when Toyota actually made some cool cars. New stuff, not so much. Too big and boxy for my tastes.

I live close to a Nissan plant and occasionally I see a 1980 Nissan 4x4 truck running around fully restored. Pretty cool.

 

[Tampa_T4R]

I live in Florida, I see many 3rd gens, maybe due to the fact rust really isn't a thing here.
I just purchased my 1996 with 208k miles from a friend that had it since it had 24k miles in 1998. He's not a wrench turner, I am. He definitely looked at it as an old POS truck, even though he did take great care of it. Which worked in my favor as he let me have it for $1000. Seats are reupholstered leather, timing belt, water pump, belts all done at 185k. All electronics and windows/locks work great. Only thing I really need to do to it is the usual VC gaskets and clean out the maf/iac/tb. These things are like working on Hondas, they are not that difficult. I plan to have this for another 100k miles, and hey in 5 years I can get an antique tag for it

 

[Satter]

Great thread. I just moved to a small Texas town from Houston. There are so many different cars in Houston that I rarely spotted 3rd gen 4Runners. But now I see one or two in this town of 1,200 people.

It’s weird because one looks nicer shape than mine and I’m a bit jealous.

My 4Runner is a 98. But it only has 180k. Almost all of those miles are from inner city driving that consists of starts and stops in gridlock traffic. I hear it’s the worst kind of driving you can put your car through. Because of this I’ve had to replace a lot of engine components over the years.

I just got my Runner back after spending a month at a dealership undergoing a major overhaul. I’m so happy to have it back. But I’m not done. Now that I got it running great again the next thing I want to do is have the hood and the small panels under the headlights repainted. They’re pot marked with chipped paint from rocks and road debris hitting it.

Sorry for rambling.