Newbie looking for advice

[hove102]

Hey all,

I'm a new member to the forum, from Southern California (though currently studying abroad in Oz), and I am looking to buy my own 4WD when I get back. I had my Dad (who is a longtime Toyota guy, though he has a TJ now) sell my Volvo 940 while I was gone...I couldn't stand having truck envy anymore! I loved that car but there was a lot it couldn't do.

Anyway, I've been perusing Craigslist while I've been here and have narrowed it down to a J**p ZJ or a 2nd Gen 4Runner. I've always had a soft spot for the Gen 2's and they're square within my price point. However, all the ones in SoCal have the 3.0 from what I can find, so I want to know if I'm making a mistake by even considering one! Also, what are everyone's thoughts on the Auto vs. Manual debate? Am I buying a turd by going for an Auto? Manuals are hard to find in SoCal, and though that's what I'd ultimately like, I'm willing to settle for a slushbox if it's all I can find. Will the Auto be a complete dog with 31s and/or a mild lift?

Is there anything specific I should look for when doing walk-arounds of Gen 2's I'm considering? I know J**ps, especially ZJs, have a crapload of gremlins, so the simplicity of the 4Runner is appealing compared to that, but I'm sure there are things I should look for. If there's a link to a buyers' guide, or if you guys have personal experience, it'd be much appreciated!

I look forward to exploring this forum more as my search continues, and I (not so) secretly hope I end up on this forum instead of the other one! :laugh: Thanks all!

 

[91'4bee]

Your right on wanting a 2nd gen. Its why I like mine cause its got the ruggedness of the 1st gen but with a more heavy modern look :rockon:

I have the 3.0 and as long as you find one that has been taken care of, your good. Yes I am aware of its infamous problem but its what I got and in my opinion can be thwarted as long as your not racing it, put on a set of headers and religious maintenance. Remember these trucks and engines are older now so they will all have/or develop issues.

I dont have an auto trans so I am not much help here but with the right gearing it will make up for it.

When doing a walk around do the basics. Check for rust, leaks, abnormal engine noise, and drive-ability on the highway.

Good luck

 

[hove102]

Your right on wanting a 2nd gen. Its why I like mine cause its got the ruggedness of the 1st gen but with a more heavy modern look :rockon:

I have the 3.0 and as long as you find one that has been taken care of, your good. Yes I am aware of its infamous problem but its what I got and in my opinion can be thwarted as long as your not racing it, put on a set of headers and religious maintenance. Remember these trucks and engines are older now so they will all have/or develop issues.

I dont have an auto trans so I am not much help here but with the right gearing it will make up for it.

When doing a walk around do the basics. Check for rust, leaks, abnormal engine noise, and drive-ability on the highway.

Good luck

Thanks for the help! I'm assuming the headers you're talking about are the Thorley headers? Are those a huge pain to install?

 

[91'4bee]

Thanks for the help! I'm assuming the headers you're talking about are the Thorley headers? Are those a huge pain to install?

Yes those are the ones I installed. Put em on over a year ago and surprisingly have only put roughly 4k miles since(considering its my DD its hilarious). There are modifications you will have to do but they are all do-able. PM me for all the details.

 

[KidVermicious]

The 3.0 will do ya, just don't overheat it. Stay away from the automatic.

 

[hove102]

The 3.0 will do ya, just don't overheat it. Stay away from the automatic.

Solid advice, thanks! Is it really that bad of a pairing? :yuck:

 

[KidVermicious]

The A340 series transmissions are very reliable but would make any motor feel like a gutless dog. I have a '99 4Runner with a ~180hp 5VZE and automatic, and I have an '85 that had a ~120hp 22RE and five speed. The '99 is only slightly heavier, but would regularly get it's ass kicked from a stop or a rolling start. The '85 beats it to 60mph every time, and by a decent margin. I consider these automatic transmissions suitable for teenage drivers and grandmothers and trail trucks, and that's about it. If you're going to be doing a whole bunch of crawling, they're worth considering. If the truck will see mostly street and you want a truck that can get out of it's own way, don't even think about the auto.

 

[crash813]

If you find the right one, don't let the auto stop you. Pretty simple to find a manual donor for next to nothing later down the road and swap if you want.

As far as opinions, 2nd gens are the least desirable of all the models. If it works for you, get it. But 3rd gens have a much better drivetrain all around. 1st gens are for either more dedicated crawlers or for the nostalgia.

Although, being in Aus right now, I would look at bringing one of the awesome vehicles we were never allowed and shipping it back over with you. Diesels everywhere, fj70's, patrols, pajeros........:hail:

 

[RAD4Runner]

...though currently studying abroad in Oz...

Oz as in down under?. What are you doing shopping ni So Cal? Buy a real diesel Hi-lux there and bring it home

Aesthetically speaking, I like the clean lines of the 2nd Gen. I do not like he "swoosh" lines on the 3rd gen.

However, 3.4 more powerful and more reliable than 3.0. You can hope to find a well taken care of 3.0 but who will guaranty it? Definitely not the person who's trying to get rid of it. LOL!
Stick shift better and less trouble than auto.

You want rugged looks? Get 2nd gen.
You want reliability, power, and affordability? Get 3rd gen
You want reliability and sexy? Get first gen

 

[hove102]

...I consider these automatic transmissions suitable for teenage drivers and grandmothers and trail trucks, and that's about it. If you're going to be doing a whole bunch of crawling, they're worth considering. If the truck will see mostly street and you want a truck that can get out of it's own way, don't even think about the auto.

This is probably the best advice I've gotten so far. My Volvo barely got out of it's own way so I'd like something that'll actually move.

...Although, being in Aus right now, I would look at bringing one of the awesome vehicles we were never allowed and shipping it back over with you. Diesels everywhere, fj70's, patrols, pajeros........:hail:

I wish I could bring home something cool from down here. Being a student means working on an incredibly limited budget. Every time I see a 70-Series LC, or a 100-series with a SFA, or an 80-Series diesel, I die a little bit knowing I can never have one. My family friend down here has TWO 70-series LCs...one has the twin-turbo diesel V8. :hail:

Oz as in down under?. What are you doing shopping ni So Cal? Buy a real diesel Hi-lux there and bring it home

Aesthetically speaking, I like the clean lines of the 2nd Gen. I do not like he "swoosh" lines on the 3rd gen.

You want rugged looks? Get 2nd gen.
You want reliability, power, and affordability? Get 3rd gen
You want reliability and sexy? Get first gen

I wish I could find a 3rd gen in my price range! Believe me, I've heard tales of 3.4 and how much better of an engine it is. I don't like the way the 3rd Gen's look though, and the fact that most of the ones I find in SoCal are 2WD makes me sick! I wish I could find a 1st Gen, believe me. That's the ultimate goal, but those are too pricey too, or they need a LOT of work. And I'm shopping in SoCal because I have to go home at some point! That's where all the good desert trails are...oh, and my family too I guess.

 

[Kean]

I have an ’86 4Runner with the 22RE and auto trans. ….I’m from So. CA as well (live/work in Riv/OC counties). I would have to agree with some of the comments regarding the autos in these trucks. Even though my truck is in relatively great condition and running order, it’s still a gutless turd. Granted, this is in part due to the larger than stock 31 x 10.5s but even with the OEM tires these things are quite slow. My advice would be to make sure you are comfortable with an auto if you are considering one (with a thorough test drive).

Having said that, my T4R is not a daily driver for me. In fact, I mostly use it for local runs to the home improvement store, etc. every other weekend or so. If anything, this truck will only see trails when going off road (if I ever swap out the saggy rear springs). Honestly, I don’t think I could live with using it as a daily driver regardless of the type of trans but that’s just me. I get a lot of inquiries about it though so they must be pretty hard to find out here like you said.

 

[RAD4Runner]

I have an ’86 4Runner with the 22RE and auto trans.…

Clean runner...

....if I ever swap out the saggy rear springs

Zuk it $70 worth of brand-new Black Magic springs.

 

[KidVermicious]

I

Sell me this. Right now.

 

[Kean]

Clean runner...

Thanks. The inside is quite clean as well (no cracks in dash, some fading but overall good condition). I want to repaint the shell but try to keep the OEM satin-like finish. Been in the family since new. I acquired it a couple of years ago.

Zuk it $70 worth of brand-new Black Magic springs.

Nah... I'm going to replace the spring packs. There is a spring manufacturer not far from me who can custom create the packs for around $300. ....and a 4 wheel shop that can do the measurements, install, etc. The truck is essentially stock and I plan to keep it that way. The wheels were an option from the dealer.

Sell me this. Right now.

:biggrin1: Actually, it might be on the market at some point. I already have two vehicles I have to care for and a 3rd that's a future project ('69 Charger...my first car from 30+ years ago). I honestly don't drive the 4Runner much so it sits most of the time on the side of my house. ....only has about 90k original miles. The problem is that I just don't have the time right now. The only reason I took the truck and held onto it this long is more sentimental than anything I suppose.


Thanks for the compliments guys. Sorry for the hijack OP.

 

[Scalded_Dawg]

^^^THAT is a sweet 1st Gen!!

:focus:

To the OP:
Honestly, from a 2nd gen owner... You should just wait, save some more cash and hold out for a good deal on a 3rd gen. A 99-00 Limited 4x4 specifically, stronger engine, added stock features like rear diff lock, center diff lock and a rear hatch versus a tail gate (I find the tail gate handy when camping but not at all for daily activities).
IF you just must buy a 2nd gen, get the 5spd. Mine is an auto, its a dog for DD and I've put considerable time into my engine. Like KidV said, mine does great on the trail because it's really easy to crawl/control with some left foot braking but as a DD I have to allow an extra 10 min to travel time and look really cool getting there

Which ever way you go, you're in the right place here. I've had nothing but helpful responses to many random questions. Best of luck in your search!

 

[hove102]

Kean, that thing is GORGEOUS!!! If you put it on the market, I won't even want to know how much you're asking for it...it'd probably make me sad! But thanks for the advice. That just confirms what I've heard from pretty much everyone on every forum I've been to, including this one.

^^^THAT is a sweet 1st Gen!!

:focus:

To the OP:
Honestly, from a 2nd gen owner... You should just wait, save some more cash and hold out for a good deal on a 3rd gen. A 99-00 Limited 4x4 specifically, stronger engine, added stock features like rear diff lock, center diff lock and a rear hatch versus a tail gate (I find the tail gate handy when camping but not at all for daily activities).
IF you just must buy a 2nd gen, get the 5spd. Mine is an auto, its a dog for DD and I've put considerable time into my engine. Like KidV said, mine does great on the trail because it's really easy to crawl/control with some left foot braking but as a DD I have to allow an extra 10 min to travel time and look really cool getting there

Which ever way you go, you're in the right place here. I've had nothing but helpful responses to many random questions. Best of luck in your search!

Thanks Scalded_Dawg! I do appreciate that advice. There are a couple 3rd Gens out there, but the problem with waiting for a good one and saving up is that I can't afford to be without a car for that long. I was looking for an opinion from a 2nd Gen owner who has an auto, so thanks for that! You definitely answered my question. I guess it just kinda depends on what's out there when I get back and what's within my price range.

And on the subject of sweet 4Runners, I read through your build thread when I first got on this forum and your rig is awesome! I'm definitely lusting after something similar. The blacked out Tacoma wheels look pretty awesome, and after reading through your thread I appreciate how much work you've put into that beaut! :jaw:

 

[Scalded_Dawg]

^^^ Thanks for the kind words... it's a work in progress/money pit - but aren't they all. :rockon:

 

[mikekfr]

[/QUOTE]


Man that is one gorgeous 4runner