Looking to buy a 3rd gen 4Runner, need opinions please.

[raydium]

Hi Everyone, I am new to the forums.

A couple years ago we bought my wife a 97 4Runner 4WD to replace her old 88 Jeep Cherokee , She loves that truck and I do too. I am now selling my Suburban and wanting to look for another 4Runner for me.
What I like about her 97 is the strong frame and the design of the 4Wheel Drive train. We have used that truck to pull other cars out of snow ditches that even a County Sheriff said we would never get that car out of there.
I am looking for a 3rd gen but need advice about the different years and changes that were made. I am looking from 97 and up to 02. I'm not sure of what changes were made for the better or worse in a 4th Gen but those are more expensive and probably out of my price range, beside I love the 97.
My biggest factor is the strength of the chassis and the 4WD. I see that in 99 they changed to an All Wheel Drive system. Is that better, worse etc. Did they change the frames in the following years. Are there advantages or disadvantages to certain years? Thanks for any help.

Ray

 

[RonMAIDEN]

In '99-'00 they added and AWD mode to the Limiteds and then in '01 they added the multi-mode tranny to the SR5s also along with ATRAC but in '01 they lost the rear diff lock and 5 speed options. Frames are the same throughout the generation but the '99s did get a mid gen refreshing and those changes are chronicled in this thread. Not really any downsides to any year but if you off road then the locker is nice but otherwise they are all made the same.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/44297-99-mid-gen-upgrades-w-pics.html

 

[024RunnerSE]

Hang tight. Here goes..

The overall platform of the 96-02 3rd gen 4Runner is the exact same ol same. Everything as far has frames, axles, suspension bits, sheet metal is all the same. The only difference you will ever see on 3rd gens is cosmetic changes. 96-98 remain the same cosmetically, and if im not mistaken, rare 96 4Runner Limiteds came with AWD with a locking center differential.

96-00, if you look hard enough, you'll find one with a V6 5spd combo and even rarer, a locking rear diff with the 5spd. Those also have a lower gear axle gear ratio.

Some 99-00s had a taller spring which equaled a one inch lift, but those are kinda hard to come across and aren't a real buying factor.

01-02 came with a multi-mode 4WD which I highly recommend! I have a 98 5spd and a 02 SE and the 5spd is a pleasure to drive, but the technological advances in the 02 are aw-inspiring. Driving through slick road conditions, you just hit the 4WD button and on comes All Wheel Drive and you got the benefits of vehicle stability control to assist your driving with unexpected nasty road conditions.

Hit the CDL button and you engage a real 4x4 just like in your wifes 4Runner and now your ready for the tough stuff. Shift it into 4low, and go through off camber and tire lifting obstacles with about 1/4 of a throttle you get the awesome TRACtion control to aid you with limiting the wheel spin and getting you going your intended direction.


Now, all of this is a bit confusing, but I would still single-handedly take a 3rd gen over a 4th or a 5th any day any time. You just can't beat the stoutness and tidy body in 4wd situations, and the handling department is just awesome for a 4200lb SUV.

P.S. the VSC 4Runners don't give you the cool fishtail kick going around corners of the 96-00 tail-whip happy 4Runners. My 2 cents.

 

[raydium]

Thanks RonMAIDEN and 024RunnerSE

That answered my questions on the frames and chassis, and from 024RunnerSE response it really sounds like the 01-02 4WD is the way to go. I'll try to focus on those years first when searching. I did not want to take a chance and make a mistake by buying a later year and then find out they made major changes in what I liked about the 97. Soon as I unload this Suburban I will be on the hunt, Thanks again guys.

Ray

 

[THE MACF]

Sounds like the 00 is the best year to have. I'll have to keep that in mind when I find mine

 

[jdrunner28]

2000 4 Runner

Here is my 4 Runner

 

[T4topher]

Here is my 4 Runner

Not trying to be rude but please stop reviving threads from over a decade ago.

 

[jdrunner28]

Yes you are