looking to get a 4runner... Q's....

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XArmy

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I am selling the ol' heavy chevy and am planning to get a used 4runner... A few years back, a friend of mine got one and slowly we "off roaded" it... It's been a long time and I don't remember much... He found someone that had a nice built up one and rolled it (totaled it) and got some good parts from it... heavy duty tortion bars and a few other parts... Anyway, that brings me to my Q's..

I'm looking to get a late 80's to mid/late 90's 4Runner (price will determain) and want to make it "offroadish" Not all super lifted and stuff, just performance wise, slightly bigger agressive tires better suspention etc... Maybe a small body lift if any at all... So that said:

Any recomendations as to what year 4Runner I should look for???

And when I find 1, what should I look at to see if it is worth buying (typical rusty area's etc...)???

What years (if any) came with the heavy duty tortion bars??? I seem to recall certain years/models had them... Not sure...

I thought I read that some years had different/better motors in them as well... True?? If so what years??


Thanks a ton!!!!
 
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XArmy said:
I am selling the ol' heavy chevy and am planning to get a used 4runner... A few years back, a friend of mine got one and slowly we "off roaded" it... It's been a long time and I don't remember much... He found someone that had a nice built up one and rolled it (totaled it) and got some good parts from it... heavy duty tortion bars and a few other parts... Anyway, that brings me to my Q's..

I'm looking to get a late 80's to mid/late 90's 4Runner (price will determain) and want to make it "offroadish" Not all super lifted and stuff, just performance wise, slightly bigger agressive tires better suspention etc... Maybe a small body lift if any at all... So that said:

Any recomendations as to what year 4Runner I should look for??? [[ if you can swing it, try for a 96 and up ,, it'll have the very desireable 3.4L engine]]

And when I find 1, what should I look at to see if it is worth buying (typical rusty area's etc...)??? Rust on tailgate/liftgate, fender wells, on top of the frame where it bends. If it's a 88-95 model, check to see if the headgasket recall has been performed on the 3.0 engine, and if the steering drag link replacement has been performed.

What years (if any) came with the heavy duty tortion bars??? I seem to recall certain years/models had them... Not sure... I'm not sure on that one, either --

I thought I read that some years had different/better motors in them as well... True?? If so what years??
See above ^^

Thanks a ton!!!!
Click to expand...

Mike in AR
 
I have a '90 and love it.

I do wish form a bit more power, but my mileage is good and power is decent enough. I just drove it from NW Montana to SE Arizona, 1500 miles of mostly freeway with some nasty passes. We kept up pretty good, only having to push a bit hard uphill and up-wind as we were loaded really heavy with stuff on the roof too.

I have 'wheeled it some and like it off-road, especially for trail rides. I would get an older one for heavier 'wheeling tho. the leaf spring rear suspension holds up better than the coils. I ripped the right mount for my suspension from the axle housing twice now...with minimal off-roading. There is a fix for it, swivel and heim-jointed connecting arms instead of the stock solid peice. Allows more articulation and less stress on the axle bracket.

I see a lot of rust in wheel wells and rocker panels. Seems a lot of folks either don't realize they have to wash underneath their truck too, or just live in winter wonderlands where they use salt on the roads.

I ditto trying to get a '96 and up for the engine, but I like the older ones better myself. A 1st generation has a removable roof too, a bonus for me...I like sun and fresh air. Either way, shop around! I have seen NICE units go for over 7k and beaters going for 500 bucks. Expect to pay 3500 to 5000 for a good, rust-free truck. (I had to pass on a nice '90 for 2500...just didn't have the extra cash and he needed it sold fast.)
 
RE:4Runner

Just responding to your 4Runner questions. Personally i feel that the 4Cyl 4runners..all generations are some of the most reliable 4wheelers out there..the 22R and 3RZ engine are bulletproof. The 4Cyl 4Runners are kind of hard to aquire. But if you find one go for it. Power can be an issue but there are plenty of mods out there for those engines. The 3.0 V6 is another matter..this was Toyotas first V6 truck engine and it was born with a fault...the space between the water ports and the cylinder is too close causing headjoint sealing problems. Vehicles of all years 90-95 are prone to headjoint failures..the higher the mileage the more prone it is..they usually fail somwhere between 70-over 100000 miles.It can be costly to repair unless you do it yourself.The 3.0 is also slow and is a Gas hog.usually 10-15 MPG average.
The 3.4 which replaced the 3.0 is more powerfull,reliable and fuel efficient and is found in the 96-02 model 4Runners. These model 4runners have a different front suspension design which is good for road use but has its limits off-road. The weak link is the Rack and pinnion steering which is hung very low to the ground and is prone to damage. Wheel upgrades and suspension lifts put alot of strain on the rack and can cause premature failures.So you have your choices..There are alot of other differences between the trucks..i could go on an on.

MY IDEAL 4RUNNER WOULD BE..
95 model with a 3.4L swap,84-85 Solid axle swap,rear leaf conversion,Toyota front and rear E-Locker..with 33-35 inch Tires..anybody got one out there??..Send me a pic..
 
What's your price range? If you can find a 3rd gen with a rear locker they make a solid off road performer and still has nice road manners and power when you go back on the pavement.
 
everyone has an opinion, this ones mine. The absolute best yr runner is the '85 with EFI. You get the best of both worlds, its the last yr of solid axle fronts, and first yr of fuel injection.mines an '86 and i love it. about to do a solid axle conversion but other then that it is a heck of a machine. check her out its 4runner of the month for april, also just rebuilt the engine and yes the 4 cyl are bullet proof, i put that thing through hell and back and now its been revived even stronger, pushes 35x12.50 tires easily. and with the 1st gen runners they have the romavble top awesome for the trail on a beautiful day, hope this helps, if you have any questions email at [email protected]
 

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I agree with Hammerhead06 to a point the Solid front axle is the way to go but finding one at a good price in good shape is hard most know what they have and you will pay.

The 3.4L in the 3rd gen is the better engine.

Now I have a 2nd gen. 3.0L I know but I am the original owner and it is in great shape so I am keeping it forever.

But if I were looking for a 4Runner it would be:

Early 1st gen. solid front axle
or 3rd gen 3.4L V6 with rear locker.

My .02


mike
 
Great info.... I was thinking a 96 manual shift if I can find it... Add a 1" lift, upgrade the springs and the rear shims... Put 33's on it and that's about it... But I'm liking the idea of an 85 runner... I don't intend it for any serious wheeling, just fun off road now and then... Get me off the trail during hunting season etc... Now if my bloody Z71 would sell.. Darn it...

Price range is anything under $6000 if possible.. Will that get something decent???

Is there alot of modifying needed to put a 3.4 in place of a 3.0???
 
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you can get a 1st gen straight axle for under 3k no prob, alot easier (and cheaper) to lift as well because it has leafs front and back. I just bought an 85 today for 300$, it has no interior or motor, but i just rebuilt my motor and i can use my interior so all i really have to do is swap in the engine and i have my dream runner..... not to mention its an sr5 so it has all power and sunroof
 
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