Reasons NOT to purchase 3rd Gen

the iron pig, lol.....

yeah i would buy one of those instead of a 4runner if i was rich , it gets the same if not worse gas milage as my old 5.9L jeep ...they are great trucks dont get me wrong but i dont need anything that big and the gas milage makes our trucks look like a prius...........
 
theizzardking said:
the iron pig, lol.....

yeah i would buy one of those instead of a 4runner if i was rich , it gets the same if not worse gas milage as my old 5.9L jeep ...they are great trucks dont get me wrong but i dont need anything that big and the gas milage makes our trucks look like a prius...........
Click to expand...

That was what I thought when I looked at it. We just had a lil girl so this will be the "family" vehicle and MY personal toy. I'm looking for some old pics of my original t4r because I ALMOST want to try and find the same vehicle. I love the look THAT much. :lookout:
 
Re: MPG:

Since my DD (Mazda Protege) is not running well, I've been using my 4runner as my DD for the last week or so. I run an Ultra-Gauge so I have a constant MPG display.

Overall, if I take it easy on the pedal (having the gauge helps a lot with this) I am averaging 18mpg or better. For a 5,000lb SUV with an automatic transmission and 265/75/16 tires that's darn good. Ask the guys with Grand Cherokees or Xterras what they're getting, most are doing worse.

On the highway, fully loaded, I have gotten 22mpg. Not a fluke, either, I've done it more than once. It does take a light foot on the pedal, though.

To me, the MPG is only an issue because the gas tank is too small. My 1990 Mitsubishi Montero rarely broke 17mpg, but it also had a 24 gallon tank, so a 400 mile range was the norm.

I have a feeling very few people would complain about the MPG of the 3rd gen if it had a 21 or even better, a 25 gallon tank. IIRC the 4th gen has a 23 or 24 gallon tank. I think the 2nd gen Xterra has at least a 21 gallon tank. 18.5 is pitiful and is the main reason for the 200 mile range that some folks here complain about.

As for the 3.4, it's definitely not a powerful engine, but then again neither was the 22RE. Both are more known for their longevity and reliability than their raw power.
 
An 80's series land cruiser is an amazing vehicle, however it also has its downsides. #1 being gas mileage, it's rated at 12 - 16 MPG. There are also some common mechanical failures, but most can be solved with routine maintenance. That being said, there are few vehicles that can match it's comfort and off road capabilities.

The 80 series (1991 - 1997) was the last of the north american solid front axle land cruisers. They are almost identical to the lexus LX450 (1996, 1997). They are available with front and rear differential lockers from the factory as an option.

If you are considering a land cruiser take a look at ih8mud, it's a landcruiser forum and probably has more land cruiser information than any other site on the internet.

IH8MUD Forum

80 series specific

80-Series Tech

classifieds

Vehicles/Trailers For Sale & Wanted
 
my only negatives:

you will have to deal with (jeep) people talking smack cause your ride is luxurious and it wheels with the best of them.

BRAKES while towing and breaking rear windows when wheeling are my only complaint otherwise.
 
Even the items listed such as not great gas mileage, lack of power and room for passengers still make a 4runner worth buying. How many factory/stock "SUV's" can access the remote areas a 4runner can? I've taken my factory/stock 4runner just as far as guys running full lockers and 44" tires on beadlocks aired down to 3psi in 3' of snow. Out of the box the 4runner has extremely good capabilities as long as you know how to drive in the conditions at hand.

Also if your looking for something great on gas and with plenty of room and power it doesn't exist in the form of an SUV that does what the 4runner can do.
 
The 99 would have to be something awfully special, asking way too much for the mileage and it being a salt-belt truck possibly w/15" rims. Seems it's been on c-list for awhile, too.

The 02, better though I still think a bit high, guess that's what bargaining is for. Watch for rusty frame, etc. Milkshake shouldn't (?) be a problem yet, has the t-belt (90,000 miles)/water pump been done and when? You've studied the 3rd gen guide for good bargaining chip ideas?
 
habanero said:
The 99 would have to be something awfully special, asking way too much for the mileage and it being a salt-belt truck possibly w/15" rims. Seems it's been on c-list for awhile, too.

The 02, better though I still think a bit high, guess that's what bargaining is for. Watch for rusty frame, etc. Milkshake shouldn't (?) be a problem yet, has the t-belt (90,000 miles)/water pump been done and when? You've studied the 3rd gen guide for good bargaining chip ideas?
Click to expand...

I'm thinking 3500 for the 99 (at most) but I may be a hard butt.

On my way to look at the 02 now. Been back and forth with the sales person (they don't know about timing belt/water pump) so we have a bargaining chip on my side. I JUST got out of the 3rd gen guide so wish me luck!!
 
I'm on my second 3rd Gen

I owned a 2nd gen in 97, then bought a new 2000 3rd Gen 4WD SR5 and kept it five years... If it had been a loaded limited... I might have kept it. In Feb 2011, I bought my 3rd 4Runner. A 2002 Limited with 78,000 miles. I sold my 2009 Tacoma Double Cab TRD Off Road to get it.... I love the 3rd gen that much.

I think the fuel mileage is acceptable. I get a solid 18 around town and almost 21 on the interstate. Thats actually a little better around town than my wife's 08 Pilot 4WD and about the same on the interstate. But the Pilot is huge inside compared to the 4Runner.

What I like. Looks better than almost any SUV out there. Drives smaller and sportier than it is. Cruises the interstate like a big sedan. Rock solid drivetrain and 4WD system. Generally very low maintenance. Sound system in Limited isn't bad, has plenty of power and responds well to speaker upgrade

What I don't like. Snow state trucks by the age 3rd gens are, can be trouble. Rear diffs can literally rust through and leak their gear lube. Frames can turn to dust. Mine had only minor surface rust on the undercarriage and significant rust on the fuel skid plate. Springs had cracked powder coating and corrosion had started setting in and caused overall sagging. 3rd gens are definitely narrow inside, but I kind of like that. Head room is tight if you get a sunroof. Ditto for the rear seat. Acceleration is not bad, but on the slow side compared to most stuff out there today. But I don't mind, especially when I know the truck will last virtually forever.

And the only thing I hate... The over-protective, not defeatable VSC and TRAC. Even a slightly aggressive getaway on a damp road triggers a power reduction, kinda like getting caught with your pants down. My 2000 didn't have these nannies and I didn't realize what a nuisence they were. I know with mods they can be defeated... but I haven't been in the mood to tackle it.

Would I buy it again? Oh heck YES! This rig is in my family forever.
 
habanero said:
Good Luck!!
Click to expand...

I'm back from my test drive of the 02 and I LOVED it. There was nothing wrong with the vehicle at all other than minor cosmetic things (tabs covering the bolts for the in/out strap on drivers side were missing, all the numbers on the radio were rubbed off, blah blah blah). The BIG concern is the fact that there is NO history on the car. :-(

They have a 01 t4r at the same lot with 115k on the clock BUT the timing belt has been changed (verified but not sure about the water pump). Their starting point for this one is $9400 but they are WILLING to negotiate. Just looking at this rig (call me a picky SOB), I don't like that fact that is it riddled with dents on the bumpers (front and back) and passenger doors. lol

NOW the 99 with 197k on the clock has been verified to have both timing belt and water pump replaced with NO rust. Just a look at the pictures (did not get to see this in person) it looks BETTER than either the 01 or 02. I sales person called me and we talked about having it gone over with a fine tooth comb and they are willing to allow me to do the same (at my expense of course) but with cash in hand, I may be able to get this one for 4k or less. What do you guys think?

:party::party:
 
If you hate the dents in the sides now you aren't gonna like them any better later. As for the bumpers, it's more rare to have a 3rd gen without dented tin foil than with.

Did the 99 have 16's? Really no rust? Anywhere? Isn't it from IL? Don't be surprised if you find stuff underneath, salespeople don't get under the vehicles. Here's a couple of pics of 'rust free' trucks, the 96 and the 99. One spent half its life in CA and has been here for 7 years now, the other AZ, TX and a couple of years in WI then a couple of years here...
IMG_0022.jpg~original

IMG_0025.jpg~original

That first pic is actually my 96 with 233,000 miles. The nasty pic is the 99!
So anyway, watch that rust. :D

What's been replaced?
Ball joints?
Sway bar links?
Sway bar bushings?
Steering rack bushings?
Inner and outer tie rod ends?
Lower a-arm bushings?
Does it sag? Are the shocks shot?
Is the power steering rack leaking?
Any evidence of rear axle seals leaking?
What do the front seat mounts look like (cracking?)
Do the rear light/defrost/wiper work?
Does the antenna work?
Does the a/c work?
What do all the fluids look/smell like?
Pink milkshake??? Has an oil cooler been installed/rad replaced?
When was the t-belt replaced? At 90,000? At 180,000? ie; when next due?
What do the cv boots look like?
Has the engine been treated well? I've seen some nasty sludge under the valve covers threads from non-maintained 3.4s.
How are the seats?
Plugs? Wires? How's it run?
Are the rotors warped?

Well, that's a start at any rate. 'Course, the 6 grand difference in price could net you a really nice truck but you may have to do a bit of work to get rid of some bumps, clunks, and so on. Mine's got 233,000 and other than an engine tick I haven't gotten 'round to locating it feels solid to drive and it runs well. The above list is some of the maintenance I've done to it the past couple of years- other than the auto tranny stuff 'cause mine's manual. I did replace the clutch though.
It's actually been a fairly easy and fun truck to work on 'cept for the tranny/transfer case 'cause it's HEAVY and getting the crank bolt loose....217 ft lbs, oy...
 
Last edited:
habanero said:
If you hate the dents in the sides now you aren't gonna like them any better later. As for the bumpers, it's more rare to have a 3rd gen without dented tin foil than with.

Did the 99 have 16's? Really no rust? Anywhere? Isn't it from IL?
What's been replaced?
Ball joints?
Sway bar links?
Sway bar bushings?
Steering rack bushings?
Inner and outer tie rod ends?
Lower a-arm bushings?
Does it sag? Are the shocks shot?
Is the power steering rack leaking?
Any evidence of rear axle seals leaking?
What do the front seat mounts look like (cracking?)
Do the rear light/defrost/wiper work?
Does the antenna work?
Does the a/c work?
What do all the fluids look/smell like?
Pink milkshake??? Has an oil cooler been installed/rad replaced?
When was the t-belt replaced? At 90,000? At 180,000? ie; when next due?
What do the cv boots look like?
Has the engine been treated well? I've seen some nasty sludge under the valve covers threads from non-maintained 3.4s.
How are the seats?
Plugs? Wires? How's it run?
Are the rotors warped?

Well, that's a start at any rate. 'Course, the 6 grand difference in price could net you a really nice truck but you may have to do a bit of work to get rid of some bumps, clunks, and so on. Mine's got 233,000 and other than an engine tick I haven't gotten 'round to locating it feels solid to drive and it runs well. The above list is some of the maintenance I've done to it the past couple of years- other than the auto tranny stuff 'cause mine's manual. I did replace the clutch though.
It's actually been a fairly easy and fun truck to work on 'cept for the tranny/transfer case 'cause it's HEAVY and getting the crank bolt loose....217 ft lbs, oy...
Click to expand...

Not sure where the 99 spent most of its life but it DID start off in Ill.
Imports Limited Directions | Used Cars Dealership St Louis

It was dark so I did not get to crawl under it but will do so tomorrow if I can get off work early enough. I know pics can be doctored up but this thing is REALLY cleaning "looking" so that is my initial draw. I take to HEART your list of things to check and will have it run thru an inspection by my mechanic but i'm thinking if I can get if for 4k, I can justify A LOT of fun stuff to the wife for that rig.
 
Added a couple pics for the heck of it.
Like the color. Needs gas! Antenna's either broken and/or the key was on when they took the pics. One pic looks like there's a big dent in the tailgate and I can't see one in another pic of the same area so could just be illusion. The clock appears to be not working. There's a great thread on that in this forum. If you like messing with fixing stuff both antenna and clock are pretty easy to deal with. There aren't fog lights, but there are spots for them. Tape deck! :D
 
Last edited:
habanero said:
Added a couple pics for the heck of it.
Like the color. Needs gas! Antenna's either broken and/or the key was on when they took the pics. One pic looks like there's a big dent in the tailgate and I can't see one in another pic of the same area so could just be illusion. The clock appears to be not working. There's a great thread on that in this forum. If you like messing with fixing stuff both antenna and clock are pretty easy to deal with. There aren't fog lights, but there are spots for them. Tape deck! :D
Click to expand...

THIS is why I post on this forum. I'll check all that out and more. I'll be wearing "get dirty" clothes so crawling underneath will be in order. THANKS for ALL of the info and insight!!:driving:
 
Reasons not to buy?
Everybody in your area thinks they are made of gold and charging a fortune for them. You have to drive 300 miles one way to get a good deal.
 
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