Rarest 3rd gen of them all?

[97t4r81]

I have a 98 sr5 5spd 3.4 w/ leather and sunroof and I had exact setup (same desert dune paint) on my 97. I know not unicorn rare, but exclusive enough for me. "Someone"(could be bs) told me he has a 96t4r w/3.4, 5sp, locker and "factory Manuel hubs". That should get y'all jawing.:third::second::first:

 

[T4R2014]

[MENTION=71030]T4R2014[/MENTION] I think we need to start a dialogue about your issues with sport hoods its obvi you have a microagression against them.

I think they look pretty cool, but I would worry about people asking me if it works. I dig the 2000 Sport in Millenium Silver. The scoop was originally available in 1996 in Japan on the intercooler variants of the diesel model because it provided function. I'm an oddball here in saying that although I think the scoop looks cool, I prefer the look without it if I have to choose. FWIW, I flipped a 99' Highlander to some dude with the hood scoop fetish. I didn't care enough for the scoop to keep it. It didn't even have a locker that everyone claims is standard, which it isn't.

 

[Scramble]

The supercharger and headers never came from the factory. Ever. That person is full of shit. The Highlander isn't rare.

I'm going to say that a 3RZ with a manual transmission and rear locker is the rarest. Throw in the manual windows with that mix. I saw one that was close, but it didn't have the locker.

Agreed, but I think the 99 Highlander had the lowest production run of the "sport" editions. I saw a pic recently of a 3rd gen with roll-up windows. I assume it was a base model from 96-98?

How many Highlanders came with a manual & a locker? That might be my unicorn.

 

[Scramble]

Nope. The 3rz 5spd 4wd w elocker and tow package including the mystical 4.56 gears.

I have a 4wd 5spd locker 3rz....but that 4.56 gearing though.

I have a 3rz 5 speed & 4.56's but no locker. Would you sell me you truck when your done with it? :lookout:

 

[T4R2014]

Agreed, but I think the 99 Highlander had the lowest production run of the "sport" editions. I saw a pic recently of a 3rd gen with roll-up windows. I assume it was a base model from 96-98?

How many Highlanders came with a manual & a locker? That might be my unicorn.

I wish Toyota was more open with the number of models they sold. The manual windows were available up to 2000, the last year of the base model. I'd say a manual and locked Highlander is about as rare as any manual and locked SR5 from 96-00. Still nowhere near as rare as the 3RZ combo I mentioned earlier.

 

[Scramble]

My buddies 04 taco has manual locks and windows with a 3rz. Never seen that in a 4Runner though.
I feel my Stellar Blue is pretty rare but there's definitely more of those than Autumn Blaze's on here. I've never seen one of the Glacier Metallics however (I think that's what it's called). For Stellar Blue being one of four colors produced the whole generation, I think there's far less ratio wise.

There's a couple of guys with Glacier Metallic on here, and I mean like 2. I like it and the Autumn Blaze. If I ever repaint my truck it will be a rare Toyota color or something different all together like that Metallic Blue one that was for sale in the classifieds recently. I think it was an old Supra color.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...r-glacier-metallics-light-blue-out-there.html

 

[Scramble]

:guitar2:

 

[slomatt]

I'm not sure if it's the "rarest", but it took me 2 years to find mine.

- 2000 (I wanted the 99+ interior updates)
- Sport package (larger front brakes + non-functional hood scoop)
- 5 spd
- 4x4
- Moonroof
- Grey interior (really hard to find on a sport)
- E-locker (I had to add this)

It was really difficult to find a 99/00 Sport with the 5speed and 4x4.

 

[St Runner]

I would think the rarest would be a 3.4 4x4 locked with 4.56 gears. I think the 4.56 gearing is relatively common with the 3RZ but I have never heard about it on a 3.4

 

[Kryptoroxx]

I would think the rarest would be a 3.4 4x4 locked with 4.56 gears. I think the 4.56 gearing is relatively common with the 3RZ but I have never heard about it on a 3.4

I don't believe that was an option with the 5vz ? It would make sense for the 4 banger but I don't think the 3.4 would have a use for it. The tow package is what denoted the deeper gears and that was a 4.30 gear set.

 

[T4R2014]

I don't believe that was an option with the 5vz ? It would make sense for the 4 banger but I don't think the 3.4 would have a use for it. The tow package is what denoted the deeper gears and that was a 4.30 gear set.

That's correct. Not in the 5VZ. However, it's the locker that gets you the different gears. The tow package was installed after assembly and has no determination.

 

[poleclimber63]

Any with manual windows would be up there in rarity. You also have the one year only not very popular paint colors like Autumn Blaze and Glacier that when combined with other options would make a rare truck, the factory elocker 3rz 5 speed would be pretty rare as well.

I guess I must own the most common as dirt 4Runner ever built---- Desert Dune Metallic SR5 3.4L, auto, no locker with power windows!

I spent a considerable amount of time looking for my Runner, I wanted a 3.4L 5spd with manual windows( I only came across 2, both with the 3rz) and I wasn't fussy about the colour, however, I do like the Stellar Blue... In the end, after traveling considerable distances in my search, I decided the most important thing was to find a 4Runner in the best condition possible. I saw a few which I really liked but would have been a lot more work, or were rusty, or were WAY overpriced.... luckily, there are lots of these trucks around but finding that perfect fit, I believe, is a combination of patience and definitely luck!!

My bud loves his 3rz 5 spd 4X4 as he says it goes everywhere and uses a reasonable amount of fuel. He says its no harder on gas than his old AWD Subaru was. His was a totally bare model, manual windows, bare gray interior. I would have jumped at this one, if it wasn't for the 3rz---- I tow a boat, so the 4cyl would have been woefully under-powered, not that the 3.4L is that much better!

 

[JohnMc]

Mine is a 99 Highlander 5 spd with the factory locker. Also never had running boards, so it has those front mudflaps that seem to be fairly rare.

Aside from that, it's a green (errrr... Imperial Jade Mica) 3rd gen, so it's certainly not a rare color.

I think I've only ever seen 2 Autumn Blaze runners out in the wild/on the road. I'veseen maybe 10 Azure Blue Pearls (including my wife's). I don't think I've ever seen a Glacier Blue, though.

 

[Kryptoroxx]

I have a 3rz 5 speed & 4.56's but no locker. Would you sell me you truck when your done with it? :lookout:

Lol! I love the ol girl. She's been good to me. Maybe in another 10 years but right now it's the best around town road trip vehicle for me.

 

[Kryptoroxx]

I guess I must own the most common as dirt 4Runner ever built---- Desert Dune Metallic SR5 3.4L, auto, no locker with power windows!

I spent a considerable amount of time looking for my Runner, I wanted a 3.4L 5spd with manual windows( I only came across 2, both with the 3rz) and I wasn't fussy about the colour, however, I do like the Stellar Blue... In the end, after traveling considerable distances in my search, I decided the most important thing was to find a 4Runner in the best condition possible. I saw a few which I really liked but would have been a lot more work, or were rusty, or were WAY overpriced.... luckily, there are lots of these trucks around but finding that perfect fit, I believe, is a combination of patience and definitely luck!!

My bud loves his 3rz 5 spd 4X4 as he says it goes everywhere and uses a reasonable amount of fuel. He says its no harder on gas than his old AWD Subaru was. His was a totally bare model, manual windows, bare gray interior. I would have jumped at this one, if it wasn't for the 3rz---- I tow a boat, so the 4cyl would have been woefully under-powered, not that the 3.4L is that much better!

I was going to say that the 3rz is just a tiny bit of modification away from matching the 5vz for torque and hp. Just cams, upgraded intake, headers, and exhaust. That's it. Gas consumption would be reduced when towing but as long as you weren't digging into the skinny pedal you can get great gas mileage. Before I regeared I was getting 22 or so in town and around 25ish on the interstate depending in terrain. I need to go back to skinny pizza cutters though. I got 15 coming across the country this time due to the ring and pinion being lower.

 

[T4R2014]

I guess I must own the most common as dirt 4Runner ever built---- Desert Dune Metallic SR5 3.4L, auto, no locker with power windows!

I spent a considerable amount of time looking for my Runner, I wanted a 3.4L 5spd with manual windows( I only came across 2, both with the 3rz) and I wasn't fussy about the colour, however, I do like the Stellar Blue... In the end, after traveling considerable distances in my search, I decided the most important thing was to find a 4Runner in the best condition possible. I saw a few which I really liked but would have been a lot more work, or were rusty, or were WAY overpriced.... luckily, there are lots of these trucks around but finding that perfect fit, I believe, is a combination of patience and definitely luck!!

My bud loves his 3rz 5 spd 4X4 as he says it goes everywhere and uses a reasonable amount of fuel. He says its no harder on gas than his old AWD Subaru was. His was a totally bare model, manual windows, bare gray interior. I would have jumped at this one, if it wasn't for the 3rz---- I tow a boat, so the 4cyl would have been woefully under-powered, not that the 3.4L is that much better!

A Desert Dune SR5 4WD with an auto and no locker with that chrome fender trim has got to be the most "stereotypical" 3rd gen, if you get me. I lost count of how many I see.

All V6 4Runners are SR5 or Limited. Power windows appear to be standard on SR5. I heard there was a 3RZ SR5 for Canada. The basic SR5 came with the same crappy seats as the base, although it seems most were ordered with the "Cloth Sport Seat" package. The rarest optional seat package for the SR5 would be the "Leather Sport Seat" package, which was essentially just manually adjustable Oak leather seats from the Limited. No gray leather Sport Seat variant unless it was dealer installed.

 

[poleclimber63]

A Desert Dune SR5 4WD with an auto and no locker with that chrome fender trim has got to be the most "stereotypical" 3rd gen, if you get me. I lost count of how many I see.

All V6 4Runners are SR5 or Limited. Power windows appear to be standard on SR5. I heard there was a 3RZ SR5 for Canada. The basic SR5 came with the same crappy seats as the base, although it seems most were ordered with the "Cloth Sport Seat" package. The rarest optional seat package for the SR5 would be the "Leather Sport Seat" package, which was essentially just manually adjustable Oak leather seats from the Limited. No gray leather Sport Seat variant unless it was dealer installed.

Yes, I've seen a few SR5 3rz locally. I've got the tan cloth seats (which goes with the Desert Dune) and yes, they are kind of crappy! I have pads over the base of the front seats with tight fitting seat covers, which make the seats, if not comfortable, but tolerable on long drives. I've seen members on here re-pad and re-cover the seat bases which I'm considering as a future project. I've tried a couple of things to make it look a little different from the "stereotypical" 3rd gen, 00 headlights, grille mod, TBU, 17" rims and if I can scrape the money and time together I want to do the suspension and eventually bumpers..

 

[Falonious]

How rare is the 3rd seat option? I've never seen another, but I try not to peek into other folks' vehicles.

Found one in another thread for sale in a rare color. Paint code 768 glacier metallic only for the year 2001.

Search car listing

 

[T4R2014]

Yes, I've seen a few SR5 3rz locally. I've got the tan cloth seats (which goes with the Desert Dune) and yes, they are kind of crappy! I have pads over the base of the front seats with tight fitting seat covers, which make the seats, if not comfortable, but tolerable on long drives. I've seen members on here re-pad and re-cover the seat bases which I'm considering as a future project. I've tried a couple of things to make it look a little different from the "stereotypical" 3rd gen, 00 headlights, grille mod, TBU, 17" rims and if I can scrape the money and time together I want to do the suspension and eventually bumpers..

Pics of your seats? If they are tan cloth with tan vinyl on the sides, they are the base seats. If not, then you have the sport seat package with the thicker foam and extra bolstering. They are nice when new, but twenty years will mash the foam of any seat. I almost bought a 1998 in the stereotypical combination, but it ended up on a freighter to Haiti.

 

[poleclimber63]

Pics of your seats? If they are tan cloth with tan vinyl on the sides, they are the base seats. If not, then you have the sport seat package with the thicker foam and extra bolstering. They are nice when new, but twenty years will mash the foam of any seat. I almost bought a 1998 in the stereotypical combination, but it ended up on a freighter to Haiti.

Interior when I bought it:

You said the basic seats had vinyl sides? Mine are cloth. The covers are in good shape but the seat pads are compressed...

With reference to your almost purchase: on a "... freighter to Haiti." that sounds like a story! Interesting...

Thanks for the detail!