Loving my 5 speed.....

[Panda96]

Thanks for chiming in everyone. I'll have to inspect the heater valve issue to see if the way it's hooked up now will harm anything.

The rig is soooo clean! Have you ever driven a vehicle and just from the sound and the way it drove you could tell it'd been taken care of?! That's how I felt from the get go with this one. Garaged etc. Original paint with no fade. Interior I'd say is 8.5/10......cloth is in like new shape.

Miles are miles.....is what it is. But it's strong and purrs. No signs of neglect. And a thought crossed my mind; if it made it this far and still drives like a vehicle with half the miles, then it must have rolled off the assembly line the right way!!!! :cheers:

I figured if the engine ever did go belly up I'd just rebuild or drop another in and keep on going!

 

[Seattle_SR5]

Another 5-speed truck here. 211k miles and a strong 3.4 liter under the hood. Going to keep her mostly stock but put on an ARB front bumper + winch down the road. Maybe an OME suspension upgrade for a better ride & slightly higher ride height.

Speaking of 5-speeds...I just received a cheap "TRD" shift knob from an ebay seller in China for $10 with shipping included. It looks good and feels much better than the well-worn stock shift knob in one's hand.

 

[Seattle_SR5]

Mine's a 5-speed with 160k on it. It's a 1998 with the 3.4. Great car, and it's a blast to drive. It was hard getting used to that long clutch coming from a '97 Civic, though!

Long clutch?? The 4Runner feels short to me after I've been driving my E46 BMW. That car has an insanely deep clutch.

 

[168981]

Hijack, sorry; Gracie Barra BJJ? I trained there for a while. Spent 15 years in a japanese style of JJ and Judo. My knees are both toast, so i cant really roll anymore but good to see another grappler on here. Cheers

Grappler here as well!! Judoka and BJJ. Also in the 5speed club. Gotta love that '99 Highlander edition 4Runner

 

[Chuckles89]

I just received a cheap "TRD" shift knob from an ebay seller in China for $10 with shipping included. It looks good and feels much better than the well-worn stock shift knob in one's hand.

Is it this one? This one ships from America. Blk Leather 5 Speed Manual Gear Shift Shifter Lever Knob for Toyota Scion Lexus | eBay

If it is, what is the quality like?

 

[Jedrattle]

5speed too. But the trans is going out due to a bad oil leak out:out:

The funny thing is....I have a '97 runner 3.4 auto for parts. I'm putting that drivetrain in the courier. I'm a truck driver who's vehicle are mostly manual trans. I'm starting to get a little tired of shifting. Lol

 

[foskco87]

I just bought a stock 2000 4runner, 5 speed with the 3.4L.. I am just so happy to have found one. I had searched everywhere for years. Never been able to find the one I wanted.. 3rd gens are already hard enough to come by where I live. Every vehicle I have owned has been a manual. So one day I finally decided to myself.. Okay fine... if the only way Im ever going to get a nice 3rd gen is to drive an automatic then I'll just suck it up and get one... Something I NEVER would have even considered before. (Nothing against you auto guys at all....I just love driving stick). So I was going to go look at 2 different limiteds (98 and a 99), both autos, and I was pretty sure I was going to buy the 98 if it checked out... and I go on craigslist that morning and there is a black 2000 with a 5 speed, with only 127K miles, right in my city!! So I race over there and look at it and immediately was determined to have it...the guy was asking $9K (CDN) and I talked him down to $7600 as it needed to have the timing belt done soon, which he knew was pricey (I have a friend who is a mechanic who is doing it for $200 though ). It has a brand new clutch and I just love how nice it drives and shifts. Amazing how some things work themselves out.

Im glad you were able to find yourself the rare 5 speed as well! Looking forward to hearing more about it! It looks like you found yourself a really nice runner.. Looks to be in great shape.. Im jealous you found a white one! I love white trucks. I've never owned a black vehicle and to be honest I am a bit nervous... I always hear about how much of a nightmare black vehicles are.

 

[SweetWaterSurprise]

Hijack, sorry; Gracie Barra BJJ? I trained there for a while. Spent 15 years in a japanese style of JJ and Judo. My knees are both toast, so i cant really roll anymore but good to see another grappler on here. Cheers

Team Balance under Relson Gracie

 

[BrandonF]

5 speed here with about 220 miles. I drove an auto 3.4 4runner recently and I couldn't believe how slow it felt. Mine is lifted on 32's with heavy plate bumpers and rock sliders and is still way way quicker than that stock auto. I don't understand how people put up with 33's and extra weight with stock gearing and the auto.

 

[Seattle_SR5]

Is it this one? This one ships from America. Blk Leather 5 Speed Manual Gear Shift Shifter Lever Knob for Toyota Scion Lexus | eBay

If it is, what is the quality like?

Yeah, that's it.

The quality is pretty decent - but the thing is that the knob leaves kind of a strong skunky odor on your hand after you've touched it a few times. I'm gonna use some leather cleaner and see if that deals with it. If not - I'm going to toss it or throw it on the free section of craigslist.

 

[HiLife]

When we thought of getting a 4Runner it had to be a 5 speed.
We missed out on a 98 and was bummed because these are so hard to come by. The next month 2 came up for sale. Another 98 and a 2000. We went with the 2000. Love going through the gears ever since.
My only gripe is I wish the gear spread would be closer.

 

[zgensler31]

I had to have a 5 speed so bad I swapped it into my automatic. Best mod ever! Cant wait for tax time when ill be getting either a lift or supercharger

 

[ThorInc]

1997 3.4L SR5,5 speed, bought mine new with less than a km. I'll keep it till it dies.......

 

[Chuckles89]

Yeah, that's it.

The quality is pretty decent - but the thing is that the knob leaves kind of a strong skunky odor on your hand after you've touched it a few times. I'm gonna use some leather cleaner and see if that deals with it. If not - I'm going to toss it or throw it on the free section of craigslist.

I decided not to get that one after reading the reviews and finding out there are no threads in it. I really want matching red 1st gen transfer case and transmission knobs.

 

[paddlenbike]

5-speed here. I hate autos with a passion.

 

[MyHigh]

When we thought of getting a 4Runner it had to be a 5 speed.
We missed out on a 98 and was bummed because these are so hard to come by. The next month 2 came up for sale. Another 98 and a 2000. We went with the 2000. Love going through the gears ever since.
My only gripe is I wish the gear spread would be closer.

I think there is a device for shortening up the shift, them tacos have them so I imagine we can do it for ours.

arty:I just picked up a 1st gen SC can't wait to install, seems like it's going make that 5-speed scream...

 

[paddlenbike]

I think there is a device for shortening up the shift, them tacos have them so I imagine we can do it for ours.

arty:I just picked up a 1st gen SC can't wait to install, seems like it's going make that 5-speed scream...

I have the URD short shift and it's pretty nice. So is the supercharger combined with the manual.

 

[HiLife]

I think there is a device for shortening up the shift, them tacos have them so I imagine we can do it for ours.

Yes I was thinking of getting a shifter that shortens the throws. I think the trd model was going for $270. What I was really wishing for is a closer gear ratio 5 speed.
Never the less I'm just happy to go through the gears manually.

 

[MyHigh]

Oh okay I got what your saying!
So what gears are bothering you?
Maybe second to third? I like the range third gives us it's my main Gear for city driving, anything from 15-35.
I've yet to install my SC but I can imagine 1st gear is kinda wicked with it, just being stock I pretty much have to shift instantly to second or I feel like I'm going to redline her.

hey paddlenbike, :blah::blah::blah: I'm so special :blah::blah:...:lol:

I swear I'm not jealous!!......well maybe just a little

 

[8sm]

Yep.... Love the 5-speed with the easy to install URD short shifter. Even better with one of these .... Go peddle enhancers. I have one for ya in classifieds.