How Capable Are 3rd Gen 4Runner's, Off-road?

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BushPig

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How capable are the 3rd Gen 4Runner's, off-road?

I am specifically looking at a '99 SR5 V6 w/ 5-speed and 4x4.

In comparison to a '93 Truck w/ 4x4, 22re, and 5-speed?

I used to have a 1st Gen 4Runner w/ carb'ed 22r --- capable, but underpowered.
 
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'99 sits lower than other years. Does the one you are looking at have a locker? If it has both 4 wheel drive and a locker then it is pretty darn capable.

Compared to those other models I'm sure you will like the increase in power, although the V6 leaves a little to be desired in my opinion.
 
Clemsonfan15 said:
'99 sits lower than other years. Does the one you are looking at have a locker? If it has both 4 wheel drive and a locker then it is pretty darn capable.

Compared to those other models I'm sure you will like the increase in power, although the V6 leaves a little to be desired in my opinion.
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Thanks for the reply!

Really? I didn't know they sat lower. I was planning on doing a 1" body lift, so I guess I should also plan to do a different set of springs.

Can I install factory springs from a later ('00+) 4-Runner, that doesn't sit as low?

Yeah, I'm looking forward to the V6 power, but not the MPG.

I asked the seller if it has a locker, but he doesn't know...

... where should I tell him to look in the cockpit?
 
Not all '99 have the taller coils but a fair amount of the '99s did and some of the early '00s had the taller coils. All Highlander/Sport models had them of those years.
 
The 3rd gen is plenty capable off road in stock form. As for the locker there will be a switch to the left of the steering wheel that says RR Diff Lock in orange letters.
 
it'd be 2" more than an 01-02. they are the lowest, the 96-98 in most cases has an inch on them. the 99 is another inch taller.
 
Sloan said:
99s are the highest....

its '01-'02 that are the lowers.
Click to expand...

Simple lift takes care of that and levels the playing field, though.

Like with anything else, the off-road capability depends on your skills and wealth. If you've got plenty of both, possibilities are endless.
 
The locker can be a difference maker in some situations and at the very leadt will make some obstacles a bit easier to tackle.

Here's me in July tackling an obstacle I've usually avoided in the past and the locker made it easier to climb with control. My truck is stock with just a tad taller Nittos.

<embed width="448" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://i206.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid206.photobucket.com/albums/bb284/v8spankr/4Runner%20pics/summer08060.flv">
 
BushPig said:
How capable are the 3rd Gen 4Runner's, off-road?

I am specifically looking at a '99 SR5 V6 w/ 5-speed and 4x4.

In comparison to a '93 Truck w/ 4x4, 22re, and 5-speed?

I used to have a 1st Gen 4Runner w/ carb'ed 22r --- capable, but underpowered.
Click to expand...

That is a good chose I was also looking for a 98 or 99 SR5 manual 4wd. But the thing with Manual 4runner is that is it very very rare to find one equipped with diff-lock.
Anyways about the power and reliability of the 3 gen 5vz-fe 3.4L is far more powerful.
 
Sloan said:
99s are the highest....

its '01-'02 that are the lowers.
Click to expand...


thats what I thought...

the regular 99s are the same as 96-99
the 99 highlanders were 1" taller and then 01-02 were super short as in shorter than the 96-99 regulars.

thats what I thought anyways
 
Duhockey said:
thats what I thought...

the regular 99s are the same as 96-99
the 99 highlanders were 1" taller
Click to expand...

I don't think that's true. I'm pretty sure my 99 SR5 (non-Highlander) has the tall coils. I know that even without a lift my wife has difficulty getting into it since I took the running boards off, and I have parked next to other 3rd gen 4runners and mine is noticeably taller.

Part of that is because the previous owner went up 1 size on tires (stock size is 265/70/16, same as my Taco's stock tires, current tires are 265/75/16s.)

And yes, I'm still on the stock suspension (which sags a bit in the rear depending on how I park.)
 
Martinjmpr said:
I don't think that's true. I'm pretty sure my 99 SR5 (non-Highlander) has the tall coils. I know that even without a lift my wife has difficulty getting into it since I took the running boards off, and I have parked next to other 3rd gen 4runners and mine is noticeably taller.

Part of that is because the previous owner went up 1 size on tires (stock size is 265/70/16, same as my Taco's stock tires, current tires are 265/75/16s.)

And yes, I'm still on the stock suspension (which sags a bit in the rear depending on how I park.)
Click to expand...

i'm pretty sure that all the Highlanders got them and then it was hit or miss for the rest of the 99's. one way to verify would be to check the color colde on the springs.
 
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