Interested in upgrading to a 3rd gen!

Thurlo76

Thurlo76

New member
I have been interested in upgrading to a 3rd gen for awhile. i have an 87 with a 22re and its just not enough power for me. i want to have something that doesnt have to scream going up hills. i have always been a I4 kind of guy. i dont really want a v6 but that seems what so many of the 4runners have. i know the 3.4 doesnt have the problems that the 3.0 has.

What are my chances of finding a decent 4runenr with the 2.7 in it? AND is there anyone out there that can give me some incite to the v6. I do like the mpg's of the 2.7 and to be honest thats one of the biggest reasons i want the 4 banger. whats some MPG's people are getting with each?

thanks for any of your inputs!
 
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Thurlo76 said:
I have been interested in upgrading to a 3rd gen for awhile. i have an 87 with a 22re and its just not enough power for me. i want to have something that doesnt have to scream going up hills. i have always been a I4 kind of guy. i dont really want a v6 but that seems what so many of the 4runners have. i know the 3.4 doesnt have the problems that the 3.0 has.

What are my chances of finding a decent 4runenr with the 2.7 in it? AND is there anyone out there that can give me some incite to the v6. I do like the mpg's of the 2.7 and to be honest thats one of the biggest reasons i want the 4 banger. whats some MPG's people are getting with each?

thanks for any of your inputs!
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The chances of finding a 4runner with a 2.7 in it that is appealing doesn't seem high, since the 2.7s shipped only in the base model I believe. Maybe test drive a 3.4 somewhere? You might like the power :naughty:. Gas mileage isn't TO bad in mine.
 
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The 2.7 I4 was available with 4wd. The E-locker with 4.56 gearing was also an option. Finding one equipped that way might be difficult, as the 3.4 V6 was far more popular.
 
There are 2.7 4x4's out there, just need to look for them. And they seem to be 5 speeds so even better.

Wanna sell your 1st Gen? I've wanted one for a long time.
 
As others have said, the 4cyl and 4wd are hard to find and especially with lower mileage. Are you looking for a manual or auto?

I'd just go with the V6 since it isn't a weak engine and gets decent mileage. It is a lot easier to find and has good power stock. It won't fly up hills, but it will be a huge improvement over the 22re. Plus the V6 often comes with more options and if you ever wanted to s/c it, it's a lot easier to find a used cheap V6 supercharger.
 
I bet it won't make much of a difference anyway.

I keep wanting a limited or sport manual v6 but there's nothing cleaner or with less miles than my second gen that isn't 8k or more. :/
 
PitbullRescuer said:
There are 2.7 4x4's out there, just need to look for them. And they seem to be 5 speeds so even better.

Wanna sell your 1st Gen? I've wanted one for a long time.
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I am still on the fence about it. i guess i just need to find the right 3rd gen before i sell my first gen. I mean, there isnt anything wrong with mine, just wanting a little more power and 4 doors would be a big plus!!!
 
Thurlo76 said:
what kinda mileage are you guys with v6's getting???
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On a variety of highway driving, I get around 20, 21. But I'm hoping that if I work on the spark plugs, air filter, and fuel filter, I can gain several more MPGs. I have an Ultraguage, so that helps a little. And that's with a 3.4L, V6, 5VE-FE engine. Oh, and with an ARB on the front.

All depends on how you maintain your truck and your driving speeds/habits.
 
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Ii get 16-17 city. Tank with mostly highway I can expect 18 but usually end up about 19. I need a tune up like previous poster mentioned and my driving habits aren't the best, 20 year old guy. But they're improving and I'm hoping the ultra guage I just purchased will help with that.

But a tuned up 3.4 can get 16-18 city and 19-22 highway. Of course huge heavy tires, extra weight in the form of am bumpers, and roof rack baskets tend to start killing that, but I'd say that a well cared for 5vzfe and a light foot can get decent mpgs for an suv.
 
I agree, my 96 3.4 got 22mpg highway stock i think if you drove one for a day and felt the power difference along with relatively decent gas miladge i believe you would want one
 
If I'm doing strictly freeway driving, I'll get about 17.5 mpg holding 70 with cruise control. Around town for my day in and day out driving, I'm averaging about 15.1 mpg. That's been very consistent for the last 10 tanks. Just about set for new plugs, wires, air & fuel filters according to the odometer. The only thing that's not entirely stock on mine are the tires, 265/75r16. My mileage calculations are not exact by any means, but I use the same pump to top off from week to week when it auto stops to determine gallons and do not calculate tire difference in mileage.
 
as someone who has owned both, they both have their own upsides, i miss my 87 a lot, particularly the manual trans and the fact that it was super reliable. I like the room and size of the third gen i think it would be more fun to drive as a 5 speed though. I would say its worth it if your looking for a bit more room and comfort and a bit more power. I would say dont expect to be thrown back in your seat by the power difference though.
 
87YOTA said:
as someone who has owned both, they both have their own upsides, i miss my 87 a lot, particularly the manual trans and the fact that it was super reliable. I like the room and size of the third gen i think it would be more fun to drive as a 5 speed though. I would say its worth it if your looking for a bit more room and comfort and a bit more power. I would say dont expect to be thrown back in your seat by the power difference though.
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I wont have an auto regardless of what i do.... I think you have kind of answered my question... i am looking for more power and a bit more room.. maybe a bit more comfort too... I would hope that either the 2.7 or the 3.4 would be reliable, i dont want to trade off my perfectly good 87' for a POS 3rd gen. anything other than the obvious stuff i should look out for while looking???

anyone interested in a 1st gen???
 
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