opinion on 1997 VS 1999 T4R

[scotty04]

Im planning on buying either a 1997 4runner sr5 4wd with 179k mileage or 1999 4runner sr5 with 171k both has clean history and selling for almost the same price, all stock though but planning a small lift and tires with it.. which would be more reliable and better?
need opinions. Thanks!

 

[Stockwell45]

It just depends on their maintenance history. Both could be great and last another 500k if maintained properly or both could be on the verge of dying if not maintained at all

 

[PitbullRescuer]

Mechanically they're pretty much identical. Just a matter of which trim package you like better. Most people seem to like the '99 up interior better. There's quite a debate about the front bumpers though.

 

[Runner4twitch]

definitely go for the 99. 99 came out with all the mid-gen upgrades. clear glass headlights that wont turn yellow or foggy. better cup holders. bigger rear storage compartment...so on. and im pretty sure 99's sit the highest from the factory.

i had a 96. i now have a 99. wouldnt ever go back

but thats all just my $0.02

 

[JohnsD90]

Whichever truck you like better is the one you should buy, i would try to get the 97 for a little cheaper. Coming from someone with almost all the 99+ stuff on his truck, it really doesn't matter much, i did the center and roof console swaps, 99+ headlights, 01 tails, and guess what, i still use my dash cupholders because i just leave my phone and wallet in the regular console cupholders, and i haven't used the sunglasses case in the roof console in months, the 01 tails on the other hand are sweet, but that 99 won't have them anyway.

Everyone will be like OMG 99 the best year and the HOLY GRAIL of the 4runner, but its really no different then the rest of the years, yes they had taller springs when the left the factory (on some models), but its been nearly 14 years since they were new, those springs have got to be shot by now and sagging to the same height as the rest of the 4runners.

 

[oly4runner]

I completely agree with everyone here that maintenance records is key to the truck's lasting reliability, that's a no brainer!

As far as which is better, I'd be looking for rust *bad* (it's essentially cancer on our trucks) and if it came equipped with a factory e-locker *good* (but make sure the actuator still works lol) that would help cement my decision.

 

[white_n_slow]

All things being equal, I'd go for real cup holders

 

[Shibby!]

I think the in dash holders are fantastic. Yea, they aren't the best for the US Gigantic pop sizes, but for normal drinks they work just fine. I love how they tuck away and therefore aren't useless space.

The downside is climate controls are difficult to access. Not impossible, but difficult. Here you have to adjust a lot since it can be heat in the morning, then cold in the afternoon, and back to heat at night, a lot.

I'll admit, I am only using one drink in it at a time too.


The 98- bumpers are WAY better looking in my opinion.

I do like the newer lights, but I also appreciate the classic looking one. I'm not totally sold on the new headlights, but the taillights aren't as extreme. By that I mean not really fitting the look of the truck I guess.

In the end i would consider them equal and just see which will be cheaper and have better service records.

 

[theizzardking]

like said above go for the 99 if they are equal, age does matter as well, you got 3 years on the other, that's gotta count for something somewhere...maybe not all that much...but it does mean something...

 

[jspagna1]

I would think you would be fine with which ever one you picked. i've had my 97 since new and it now has 168,000 miles and it still runs like a tank. Nothing can stop these trucks. It will probably outlast the 2011 I just bought this past February.

 

[Shibby!]

I would think you would be fine with which ever one you picked. i've had my 97 since new and it now has 168,000 miles and it still runs like a tank. Nothing can stop these trucks. It will probably outlast the 2011 I just bought this past February.

Or until the repair bills become too high on the 11'.

I like simple. These trucks are pretty simple. Simple comes with drawbacks (bad mileage, creature comforts, etc), but I'll take them. I can do my own work with relative ease. These new vehicles, although plush and fancy, won't be so kind in 15 years when sensors start giving up. It'll be a nightmare.

 

[Yoter]

Im planning on buying either a 1997 4runner sr5 4wd with 179k mileage or 1999 4runner sr5 with 171k

Is the 1999 4WD? If not get the 1997, you will want 4wd otherwise get a mini van. :lol:

 

[Mellow77]

I sought out a 99 because I like the mid-gen upgrades offered. Those aside, I totally agree the maintenance, rust and factory e-locker are the biggest differentiators to be considered.

You really can't go wrong with either choice. :driving:

 

[fotorunner]

Service records:
•Are they both current on the timing belt, water pump and idlers?
•What’s the status of the wires and plugs on each?
•Service wise do they both have complete service records? (for me a vehicle with a dealer service record is worth more than one I have no idea how often the oil was changed)
•Does either have a new radiator or an transmission cooler already installed?
•Get down under the vehicle (and as someone already said) LOOK FOR RUST. (I found a great looking 98 a few years back, the interior was amazing, the paint was great, but when you crawled underneath the frame and everything else was covered with rust. CarFax said it came out of Canada) Point being…….. be sure you look under the truck.

What are they asking for each?

 

[scotty04]

the 1999 is for $6600 out the door but not 4wd but comes with carfax and brand new timing belt, new Windshield because it had a crack, ect. the 97 is asking for $6900 but it has 4wd thats the only plus never got a chance to look at it yet..

But I found a 1999 limited 4runner 4wd with carfax at ford dealer with 150k mileage but never saw it yet because its still in shop... asking for $8961
dont know what to do... lol

 

[masphx]

the 1999 is for $6600 out the door but not 4wd but comes with carfax and brand new timing belt, new Windshield because it had a crack, ect. the 97 is asking for $6900 but it has 4wd thats the only plus never got a chance to look at it yet..

But I found a 1999 limited 4runner 4wd with carfax at ford dealer with 150k mileage but never saw it yet because its still in shop... asking for $8961
dont know what to do... lol

You made it easy for us, get the 97 for the 4x4 if everything checks out

Are these dealer prices? I would recommend buying from a owner on these older Rigs. You will save yourself $1000-3000 also buying via owner.

 

[Yoter]

Where are you located? Those prices are not bad, but they also are not once in a life time deals.

 

[jspagna1]

You made it easy for us, get the 97 for the 4x4 if everything checks out

Are these dealer prices? I would recommend buying from a owner on these older Rigs. You will save yourself $1000-3000 also buying via owner.

^^^ Agree. The only 4Runner I would buy is a 4x4 period.

 

[ichambers]

I did not want to buy a 4runner without 4 wheel drive it was a deal breaker for me. The 1999 had many great improvements but the cool thing is almost everything from the 99 bolts directly into or can be modded to fit the 97. I have a 98 limited with the 4 wheel drive and locking rear diff. I love it. There are a few things about the interior, like the cup holders that really annoy me but hey, they are just cup holders. The prices sound fair on both models as long as they are mechanically sound, but like many others have said choose the one you like best.

 

[Harleydoc]

I pick my 96 from an old guy that owned is from day one and he gave me a book of papers everything that had ever been done to it he even had a new long block motor installed my the deal 3 years ago because it dropped a cylinder at 215k the rig has 230k on it now it was a 2nd rig for him and did not drive it anymore I I picked it up for 2k the best money I had ever spent in a long time