My first T4R

[pc_tech_ohio]

I've driven Toyotas for 25 years and will most likely drive them untill I die but instead of a celica gts, I went with a 2001 SR-5. The price was outstanding for a T4R w/65k. Unfortunately, I'm not much of a mechanic but hope I can learn some stuff beyond oil changes. I feel guilty for getting a large vehicle when gas continues to rise but I've wanted a 4runner for many years and may never have the chance again.

My question. Why is it so difficult finding info on the 2001 runnner? All sorts of stuff for '95 and '05 but not a ton for 3rd gen. I can't even find the factory repair manuals for it anywhere (unless the 2000 editions apply). Most reviews rate 2001 as one of the best years for the T4R but when I was looking for then on line there were only about 5 or 6 for sale in the whole state (millions of Ford Exploders). What's up with that?

 

[Griffeycom]

Hello, welcome and congradulations! Your 4runner looks awesome.

I dont know what all you're looking for as far as info goes...but yotatech offers a lot of nice tutorials for comon mods and has quite a lot for 3rd gens

Here's a link to the write-ups: http://www.yotatech.com/forumdisplay.php?f=125

And as far as there being only 5 or 6 4Runners for sale in your state..that's because. Once people buy a 4runner they dont want to get rid of it! Most people run them to 200k till they sell it. When dealers get used 4Runners in..it's usually only days till it's sold (mine was on the lot for 2 days before I sighted it and bought it). This is all what various dealers told me when i was searching for my 4Runner. And the reason for millions of Ford Explorers...well..Why would you want to keep one of those?

 

[pc_tech_ohio]

I snagged it the same day they got it

I was actually going to test drive a few more cars that day, including a RAV4, celica gts and maybe even a Honda CR-V. About 2 minutes into the test drive I said, "OK, what's the trade in on my corolla and how much should the cashier's check be for?". I was hooked. Plus it was $2500 - $3000 less than what the 3 other 2001's in OH were selling at.

It's way overkill for me since I will rarely go off road but I probably won't get stuck anywhere this winter, that's for sure. I may paying a bit more for gas but I'll still be driving it long after my sister's jeep liberty bites the dust

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Here's a link that has a year by year breakdown on major changes for the 3rd gens. ('96-'02)

http://www.top4runners.com/ja/runhist31996.html

All 3rd gens are solid trucks but in '01 they did discontinue the 5 speed,rear locker and dropped them an inch.

 

[pc_tech_ohio]

Thanks for the link

That's pretty much what I was looking for. I'm not an expert but many of the new SUV's seem to be soccer mom cars on steroids and one look under my T4R and it was pretty obvious it was built on a truck. Even so, it still rides better than some of the cars I've been in.

 

[SH0ck-D]

Re: I snagged it the same day they got it

I was actually going to test drive a few more cars that day, including a RAV4, celica gts and maybe even a Honda CR-V. About 2 minutes into the test drive I said, "OK, what's the trade in on my corolla and how much should the cashier's check be for?". I was hooked. Plus it was $2500 - $3000 less than what the 3 other 2001's in OH were selling at.

It's way overkill for me since I will rarely go off road but I probably won't get stuck anywhere this winter, that's for sure. I may paying a bit more for gas but I'll still be driving it long after my sister's jeep liberty bites the dust

you mean... you don't off road YET!