It's Finally Hitting Home...I Have a 2nd Gen 4Runner...The Unloved Gen.

[CentCalKid]

The guy at 4Wheels Parts suddenly had to take a call...his phone was not ringing. Not one specialty shop even bothered to return my call; after I tell them I want the lift kit and/or whatever on a '94 4Runner.

115K original miles, I rebuilt the front end of the engine..belts, bearings, water pump. The Toyota dealer wanted $6,700 to "fix" the 4Runner; bring it back to factory condition. Including $325 just to change the plugs and wires; I tested the Ohms on the aftermarket plug wires myself...well within tolerance.
But other than that, the Toyota analysis came back very good...score a 4Runner for me.

Now I am checking the social media scene for the "cool" factor of owning a 2nd Gen 4Runner...there is none...like zero.

There are no really great vids on YouTube...no hot chicks salivating at the chance to go off-roading in a 2nd Gen 4Runner...That's kind of a let down.

I got a Warn winch guard and 10K Model 6000 winch for $500 and am struggling to get that on. I have 3 Jerry cans, a Hi-Lift and other recovery gear. Non-recovery gear includes tie-downs for multiple coolers, a Coleman stove, an AC inverter to run a blender (you can't make a decent margarita in the desert without a blender), handheld auxiliary lights that double as flashlights and a set of Decent off road 31" tires.

I'm heading to Mono Lake Cali this Thursday; I am told there is an easy dirt road that runs to Nevada from the east side of the lake.

CentCalKid
Real name: Chris Real Age: 55
Call or text if you want to convoy up that Mono Lake road.
415-609-nine nine four four

I'd post a pic or two of me wheeling in my 2nd Gen 4Runner but I can't figure out how to do it on this website.

 

[KidVermicious]

Now I am checking the social media scene for the "cool" factor of owning a 2nd Gen 4Runner...there is none...like zero.

There are no really great vids on YouTube...no hot chicks salivating at the chance to go off-roading in a 2nd Gen 4Runner...That's kind of a let down.

You do indeed have the redheaded stepchild of the 4Runner family - all the sex appeal of a 50 y/o Kardashian and the screaming horsepower of a Yugo with a chest cold. But don't let that stop ya, it's still a 4Runner (even if it is more boring than a Yanni concert). Huck the faters and go find some dirt.

 

[CentCalKid]

At least in the quarter mile run; I would put my money on the Yugo.

 

[v_man]

I'll give you some 2nd gen love , I have a 90'. I think the 3vze motor that came in many 2nd gens really holds them back (literally) in many people's opinion , especially since the 3vze is sandwiched in between two legendary Toyota motors , the 22re and the 5vze...

...here's some pics of that trail around Mono . It's an easy trail , a little sandy in spots , great views . I saw some wild horses out there once ...

 

[Chuckles89]

I'll give you some 2nd gen love , I have a 90'. I think the 3vze motor that came in many 2nd gens really holds them back (literally) in many people's opinion , especially since the 3vze is sandwiched in between two legendary Toyota motors , the 22re and the 5vze...

...here's some pics of that trail around Mono . It's an easy trail , a little sandy in spots , great views . I saw some wild horses out there once ...

Duuuudddeeee that's gorgeous!

 

[T4R2014]

WTF are you talking about?

The second gen is only hated on the forums, but to the rest of the world it is the reason why the 4Runner became so popular. I doubt the name would have gotten this far if they stuck with the 2-door removable roof idea. I actually want a second gen more than a first gen.

BTW, the 22RE is a total piece of crap. Maybe the turbo version is nicer, but I hate that engine in its basic form. Hate it. Clattery, gutless, crude, noisy... all words that come to mind when I think of that engine. Not even that reliable honestly. My mechanic sees them come into the shop with head gasket issues more often than... the 3VZ! Give me a 3VZ over that miserable lump of cast iron ANY day. It still has more power than a 22RE, even if the fuel mileage is equally poor. I just can't understand the praise of it and it drives me crazy to think about it when I get behind the wheel of one. The 5VZ is far more reliable than the 22RE.

 

[DangerDanJD]

Uh, the 2nd gen has something many 3rd gen owners lust over: TAILGATE!

 

[Slowgoat]

I had a 95 with the infamous 3.0, or 3.SLOW! engine.

It would barely do 55 up the passes in Colorado where I used to live, but damn that beast was fun on dirt! It would go straight up almost anything in 4LO!

And the tailgate was great! Nothing like chilling around a campfire sitting on that tailgate! I didn't even need to bring a chair!

Enjoy that thing man!!

 

[UnderFire]

Nothing special in factory form, but one of the best generations for building insane modified rigs out of.

 

[ajordan1975]

I'm a fan.


https://youtu.be/WY4d1xlZt7M

 

[Newb99]

I'll give you some 2nd gen love , I have a 90'. I think the 3vze motor that came in many 2nd gens really holds them back (literally) in many people's opinion , especially since the 3vze is sandwiched in between two legendary Toyota motors , the 22re and the 5vze...

...here's some pics of that trail around Mono . It's an easy trail , a little sandy in spots , great views . I saw some wild horses out there once ...

WOW gorgeous, I guess I have to add this to my road trip list. :thumb3:

 

[Chuckles89]

I want a 2nd gen...

Hopefully, next summer, I'll get a wrecked one and build it into a trail rig

 

[Gadgetguy]

I've had.... lmao, hopefully I don't forget any. An 84, an 87, an 88, an 89, a 95 and now a 97.

84, carb motor, LAAAAAME (sorry carb lovers but just not for me). 87, 88, 89 EFI was sweet, missed the solid axle. 95, very cool, and loved all the tailgates in the ones previous to my 97. I wasn't the hugest fan of my 3.0 but it didn't give me a problem, couldn't take the top off but 4 doors is VERY nice. My 97 has an elocker, with a small lift and 285s it will go a lot of places and the 3.4 is much nicer on the highway, plus I love my sunroof and the little bit better soundproofing. Oh and coils, so much softer than busting down a trail with slightly cranked torsion bars.

Nothing wrong with any of the 4runners if you ask me, it's all about what you want and each generation has something different to offer. As long as you like it, nobody cares!

Also, I was able to get a few ladies in my 2nd gen so just keep trying lol

 

[Jixxer6]

Breath taking!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[RonJR]

I like my '94. Beats the socks off my stock '06 for trail use. A friend with a highly modified '07 (to the tune of at least $9000 of lifts, lockers, armor, etc.) and I went to the Canyonlands Maze district this spring, which has some pretty gnarly roads. My '94 never broke a sweat keeping up with him, except on I-70 going over the passes.

And he was drooling over my tailgate

 

[2ndGenFlip]

Love both of my 2ND Gens
The white one is 2WD auto 4.88 locker king shocks long travel
Other 4X4 5spd 3.0 both kick but on the trail.!!!

 

[1UZrunner]

Second gen for the win!!! And I have a lot of Toyota's in my garage to choose from. I still go for this one every chance I get!!! I will admit that I had to do a 1UZ swap as the 3.0 was pathetic!!!!

Out on the trail with a poser shot!



At home cleaned up!!



I will admit the I drive the Diesel Hilux as much as possible.

 

[fwak1234]

Love my second gen. Even the 3vze is better than my ex jeeps. If I didn't love it so much I wouldn't have 9500 into it not including the purchase price of 500. I get head turns all the time, mainly to how ugly mine is, but people love seeing it on the trail since they don't get the love. I'd rather have something people don't dig and make into something I dig and other people dig.

 

[Reluctanse]

2nd Gen's are awesome, keep the faith! Also best with a 22RE and 5 speed!:reddance:

 

[Workhorse]

I didn't buy a 2GT4R to keep up with the cool kids - I bought it so that they'd have to keep up with me.

:thumb3: