Noob Question

[Lettusbee67]

Hello,
I've just joined this forum, in hopes of getting more information about 4runners in general. Way back when, I had an '85 bone stock, and wish I never sold it.

Now, I am in the market for a 1st or 2nd gen, mainly for a secondary vehicle.

I have found an 88 with the 3.0 v6, but it has an auto tranny. I know the autos get a bad rap, but I'm would like to know why. All my life, I have been a diehard manual trans fan, no matter what vehicle. I just like having total control. Now, I am getting older, and my left knee hurts with every shift. My daily driver is a 6-speed dodge diesel, which is used for my construction business.

I want the 4-runner for a little get around town truck, and occasional camping. The big ass diesel is a pain to drive, and is usually hooked up to a trailer. So a little 4x4 with an auto sounds great. However, what are the downsides of the auto in the early 4-runners. Longevity? fuel economy? Power sucker?

Thanks

 

[Hyde802]

They rob alot of power from the engine.

Take the truck for a test drive. If it doesnt feel to slow then get it!

 

[4Running90]

I love my auto tranny and I prefer autos for offroading. Shifts so smoothe, not alot of up and down shifting.:biggrin2:

 

[thatoneguy]

If you can afford a truck new enough to have a 3.4, there'll be nooo power issues. The 3.0 V6 autos are not too bad except on steep highway hills. 22re (4 cylinder) autos are terrible everywhere.

 

[Lettusbee67]

I could afford a higher mileage 3.4, but am leaning towards the first gen with a removable top. There is one nearby with a swapped in 3.0. I was just leery of the auto.

 

[KidVermicious]

I could afford a higher mileage 3.4, but am leaning towards the first gen with a removable top. There is one nearby with a swapped in 3.0. I was just leery of the auto.

Yes, the auto will suck up some power compared to the manual, but anybody dogging on the power of these engines doesn't know the difference between a utility truck and a sports car.

My 22re with auto pushes my first gen around town great, and that's with tires a couple sizes larger than I'm geared for. It struggles a touch on hills, but won't once my gearing is correct. A 3.0 would be fine in a 1st gen, it's near half again as much horsepower. Just keep your engine heat down, that's the 3.0's weak spot. You'll love the removable top.

 

[Gerdo]

Being in Colorado, the 2nd gen with a 3.slow will be slow driving in the mountains. A 2st gen is lighter so you will have more power available so the 3.0 may not be too bad. Test drive it into the mountains.

The 3.0 is known for head gasket issues, mainly due to overheating. Check the oil for water (brown frothy foam), and the radiator for oil. Get the compression checked out if you get that serious.

 

[thatoneguy]

Yes, the auto will suck up some power compared to the manual, but anybody dogging on the power of these engines doesn't know the difference between a utility truck and a sports car.

My 22re with auto pushes my first gen around town great, and that's with tires a couple sizes larger than I'm geared for. It struggles a touch on hills, but won't once my gearing is correct. A 3.0 would be fine in a 1st gen, it's near half again as much horsepower. Just keep your engine heat down, that's the 3.0's weak spot. You'll love the removable top.

What are you geared to, with what tires? My 22re manual has fantastic power.... on 29's stock haha

 

[Lettusbee67]

I Figured it wasn't going to be ideal for highway driving in the mountains. But I have to make my compromises somewhere. Go for comfort and power in a later version, or have a little more fun with the older version?

Still not a hunnert percent decided, but I am leaning to the 1stgen, simply for the removeable top, and in general, the lower entry fee.

I have a $5000 limit, but would rather keep it down around $3k.

What's the hot setup for getting more power out of the 1st gens? Can you supercharge the 3.0?

Is it practical to swap in a 3.4 and supercharge that?

 

[KidVermicious]

What are you geared to, with what tires? My 22re manual has fantastic power.... on 29's stock haha

30.5 or thereabouts, with 4.3's.

I Figured it wasn't going to be ideal for highway driving in the mountains. But I have to make my compromises somewhere. Go for comfort and power in a later version, or have a little more fun with the older version?

Still not a hunnert percent decided, but I am leaning to the 1stgen, simply for the removeable top, and in general, the lower entry fee.

I have a $5000 limit, but would rather keep it down around $3k.

What's the hot setup for getting more power out of the 1st gens? Can you supercharge the 3.0?

Is it practical to swap in a 3.4 and supercharge that?

You'll love the removable top, and the 3.4 swap is well documented on Yotatech. I'd certainly look out for one with the factory supercharger, if you were going to go that route. A sc'd 4.3 would be a monster powerplant in that tiny little truck.

 

[4runnertank]

If you want to wait a little longer, I strongly suggest getting a runner with a solid front axle. I wish I would have gotten one worse than you can even imagine. Way easier to build up and way better offroad. Lifting it is way easier and cheaper than the ifs, and you cun run way larger tires without breaking stuff. Just a suggestion

 

[Lettusbee67]

I am aware of the solid axle preference for the rock crawler guys. I'm not planning to spend a whole lot of time in 4-lo. So wasn't too concerned with that. I've been keeping my eyes open for the past month, and all of the solid axle trucks I've come across are beat n rusty. In order to get my wife's support in this endeavor, the truck has to be very clean in the looks department.

Mixed up priorities I know, but gotta keep her happy

 

[KidVermicious]

I think you're right on with that. You're going to pay a premium for a solid axle 4Runner, and if you don't need it, you don't need it. Every now and again I get into a situation where I think to myself, "Self, it sure would be nice to have a solid front axle right about now", but in the end the IFS hasn't let down yet.

Unless you're crawling boulders and really need the articulation/strength of a straight axle, stick with the IFS. Much better road manners anyway.

 

[fl3xforc3r3d]

If your worried about power, slap an exhaust system on there. You will get a lot more mid range power.

The automatic trans isn't too bad, it'll get you around town. mine's lasted almost 250K and still shifts beautifully. Good luck on finding one man! If you can find one that has been well maintained and not tinkered with too much, then that'll be one to jump on.

 

[Gerdo]

I'm not planning to spend a whole lot of time in 4-lo.

Do your self a favor, your tranny too, and when wheeling use 4Lo. Running low RPMs in Hi will create tranny heat which will kill an auto tranny.

 

[thatoneguy]

I think you're right on with that. You're going to pay a premium for a solid axle 4Runner, and if you don't need it, you don't need it. Every now and again I get into a situation where I think to myself, "Self, it sure would be nice to have a solid front axle right about now", but in the end the IFS hasn't let down yet.

Unless you're crawling boulders and really need the articulation/strength of a straight axle, stick with the IFS. Much better road manners anyway.

Ding ding ding! I've got IFS, and have absolutely no plans for a SAS. I like how IFS behaves on the road, as well as on washed-out offroads. I doubt im going to lift at all, as im only putting 31's on. Also gonna have a LockRight in the rear.

That's not built by anyone's standards. But it'll do what i need it do.

 

[polarbear512]

Hello,
I've just joined this forum, in hopes of getting more information about 4runners in general. Way back when, I had an '85 bone stock, and wish I never sold it.

Now, I am in the market for a 1st or 2nd gen, mainly for a secondary vehicle.

I have found an 88 with the 3.0 v6, but it has an auto tranny. I know the autos get a bad rap, but I'm would like to know why. All my life, I have been a diehard manual trans fan, no matter what vehicle. I just like having total control. Now, I am getting older, and my left knee hurts with every shift. My daily driver is a 6-speed dodge diesel, which is used for my construction business.

I want the 4-runner for a little get around town truck, and occasional camping. The big ass diesel is a pain to drive, and is usually hooked up to a trailer. So a little 4x4 with an auto sounds great. However, what are the downsides of the auto in the early 4-runners. Longevity? fuel economy? Power sucker?

Thanks

I have an 88 SR5 V6 auto and have had no problems with it.

I've only had it for about 6 months.

Back in 88 I had Toyota pick-up V6 manual and really liked it. I wanted to replace it but with a 4runner. At first I did not want a auto but have been very happy with it.

I have drove it in the Cascade Mountains on paved roads and the Warner Mountains on trails and other minor off roading and have had no regrets.

It cruises just fine up and down the I-5 freeway at 70.

The fuel milage driving around town has been between 14 and 16, on long drives I've gotten 18 to 20.

Hope this helps and not just the rambling of a happy 4runner owner.

 

[Lettusbee67]

I want to thank everybody for the responses. This seems to be a good forum where the members get along, and people are willing to help.

I've been keeping my eyes open, but so far haven't found the perfect 4runner for me. Part of my problem is I am insisting on a sunroof. I am not too picky on 4 vs 6 cyl, manual vs auto. I am just looking for a clean one. There is one nearby, that is almost perfect, but has a little rust around the fenderwells. See pic.

Where I live, it's possible to find vehicles from the 80s with no rust, that's why this is enough to bug me.

Whaddyall think, am i being too picky. My impatience is getting the best of me. But I also feel that if I wait, the right one will appear.

 

[YotaMan4]

I want to thank everybody for the responses. This seems to be a good forum where the members get along, and people are willing to help.

I've been keeping my eyes open, but so far haven't found the perfect 4runner for me. Part of my problem is I am insisting on a sunroof. I am not too picky on 4 vs 6 cyl, manual vs auto. I am just looking for a clean one. There is one nearby, that is almost perfect, but has a little rust around the fenderwells. See pic.

Where I live, it's possible to find vehicles from the 80s with no rust, that's why this is enough to bug me.

Whaddyall think, am i being too picky. My impatience is getting the best of me. But I also feel that if I wait, the right one will appear.

youd be extremely lucky to even find a 90s model t4r with no rust around the fenderwells, my 94 has it, nothing to be to concerned with, but like i said, expect even a 90s model to have a little rust around there.

 

[T?@\7]

dont settle

States

The states are quite vast.
The rust is something to take with a grain or two of salt, most trucks have SOME, SOMEWHERE. Where and how deep is up to jehosephat. If its just body cancer, fiberglass panels are a great solution...