The worst part of a 3rd gen?

[T4R2014]

Worst part? I'd call them perfect imperfections.

Oil filter, rear shocks, early cup holders all suck but I don't really care. There aren't many vehicles I'm so enthusiastic about to drive daily. I have three sitting in the driveway. Ironically enough, my commute is now by bus so these runners are sitting.

I expect these in 20 or so years to be in Tommy Hilfiger catalogs with models posing next to them. These and some other mid 90's relics like the ZJ or a Montero. The 90's were the pinnacle era for SUVs.

 

[I_bRAD]

It is an anti-crush feature. Keeps those hands and necks safe. Almost all sunroofs do it unless they have force sensors to detect objects in the way. (my old '88 Camry did it, my '08 Outback does it, etc.)

-Charlie

Seems an odd feature. Not like a kid could stand on the button or something with the design of the 4runner. I've owned 8 cars with sunroofs, and the 4runner is the only one that does it! (3 of those likely had force sensors though.)

 

[sportscarfan]

Pulling the intake manifold is kind of annoying to change the valve cover gaskets. Having it off made me wish I had a supercharger standing by to install.
Oil filter location does suck as does the HP.

Like the dipstick/milkshake/130° thing, the starter complaint must be an automatic thing? I pulled mine to change the solenoid contacts and had the whole job done in under an hour.

 

[SpidermanGeek]

Only dudes are interested in my 3rd gen.

OMG, yes, this. lol. My wife hates my 4Runner. She still doesn't know why I even bought it. She tells me "I thought you wanted a truck?". I'm like.. "B!tch, this IS a truck!", lol.

She kind of gets it now that she knows a bit more about 4Runners, but she still flat out refuses to drive it and she'll typically groan if I suggest that we take the 4Runner to go places.

It's the one thing that irks me because I wanted to get a second vehicle that we would both drive since sometimes it does make more sense for me to take the car somewhere while my wife could just take the truck to go to work or run some errands. But no, she'll take the car for her 5 mile trip to work and leave me with the 4Runner to go to appointment that's 20 miles away and back. Not that I mind taking the 4Runner, it's just that it would actually make more sense for me to just take the car (and I enjoy driving my Matrix XRS just as much as my 4Runner).

With that being said and after reading the other comments here, the things that I agree on the most is:
-Exhaust fumes invading the cabin with windows open (more of an issue until the vehicle hits Normal Operating Temp.).
-Front end issues (vibrations, wobbles, ghost knock, sensitivity to improper wheel balancing, etc.)

 

[IBallEngineer]

OMG, yes, this. lol. My wife hates my 4Runner. She still doesn't know why I even bought it. She tells me "I thought you wanted a truck?". I'm like.. "B!tch, this IS a truck!", lol.

She kind of gets it now that she knows a bit more about 4Runners, but she still flat out refuses to drive it and she'll typically groan if I suggest that we take the 4Runner to go places.

It's the one thing that irks me because I wanted to get a second vehicle that we would both drive since sometimes it does make more sense for me to take the car somewhere while my wife could just take the truck to go to work or run some errands. But no, she'll take the car for her 5 mile trip to work and leave me with the 4Runner to go to appointment that's 20 miles away and back. Not that I mind taking the 4Runner, it's just that it would actually make more sense for me to just take the car (and I enjoy driving my Matrix XRS just as much as my 4Runner).

With that being said and after reading the other comments here, the things that I agree on the most is:
-Exhaust fumes invading the cabin with windows open (more of an issue until the vehicle hits Normal Operating Temp.).
-Front end issues (vibrations, wobbles, ghost knock, sensitivity to improper wheel balancing, etc.)

No such problem here. My wife loved my 4 runner so much, I had to get a 4wd one so she could have my 2wd one. I think when we were on our way to a party and I stopped to buy some wheels and tires from a guy off CL, I folded down the rear seats and loaded 4 tire assemblies, then went to the party. She was sold right there. Could have been the Miramoto projectors too, or the back up camera, or the shiny Imperial Jade, or just that she never ever has a problem with it. Of course I fix it so it isn't a problem, but generally, she loves it.

 

[Hardizzy]

I'd say the rust, my 95 ZJ wasn't as rusted as my 97 4R, both WI vehicles.

Things that have annoyed me so far:

Starter
Oil changes
Not enough power
Wish it was like 6" wider for us fat ass's
Removing license plate bezel (what a freaking nightmare)
Rear upper strut mount (engineer should be slapped)
Pink milkshake (horrible design)
Pathetic excuse for cup holders (97)

Still deeply in love with 3G's though. Easily my favorite "beater" I've owned by a landslide....

The seats 6" wider or the entire truck? I like that our trucks are narrow. Don't like how wide new 4Runners are. I can reach both hands out of the windows if I sit in the middle. The narrow width helps loads on narrow trails too.

 

[thegipper]

The seat width is ok but I meant the entire vehicle. It is nice being narrow on tight trails but my ZJ had a little more room inside (or at least it felt that way) and handled the same trails fine.

 

[Tyler James Inc]

That it looks so good and is such a great rig, everyone I know sees it and buys one.

 

[wslytoy]

I'd have to go w/ starter removal, LBJ's, cam covers leaking, gas mileage, & cam bolt removal process.

 

[97t4r81]

That in the last few years the demand is causing an increase in price and lack of awesome deals for those who love these rigs. Everything else is just the trade off for the most beastly/refined yota to roll out a factory. Nothing does what these do. Most of what I see wrong with my truck is stuff to be fixed, I get annoyed that I can't find time and money and ambition to remidy them. Fun thread

 

[HammerTime]

+1 to the trans dipstick...i broke one and had to pay the stupid tax at the dealer ($30 If you were wondering).

Leaky valve cover gaskets are a major annoyance too. Weak head gaskets on 96 and early 97 models was also a low point.

Regardless, I love my 3rd Gens. The 5vzfe is a really good engine. Plenty of power for me.

 

[aontkos]

The only thing I don't like about mine is that it's not getting any newer.

 

[Xntrik7]

That they discontinued the rear locker in 01 and 02. I can't believe that it was a ~$400 option. I seriously lust after one but just too dang spendy and I lack the tools and expertise.

 

[96BladeRunner]

For my 96 I get ticked off about the location of the cup holders and how it blocks the AC vents and the clock, and probably how there is no place to store my head rests when I fold the rear seats down. Maybe gas mileage too lol

 

[electroCrunch]

It would be nice if the gas tank was bigger for greater range.

 

[atalarico]

Only dudes are interested in my 3rd gen.

You need to meet the right kind of girls then! I know of three very attractive ladies in my life who have all commented on how much they like my "truck" at one point or another. It helps that we all climb and do a bunch of outdoor adventures together, so I think that's just the type of lady that really appreciates our trucks. I mean, they even called it a "truck" too. This girl I'm just starting to date did the same thing...and she really likes hanging out in the back of my "big black truck" with the seats down. Dreams can come true my friends!

Annnyyyyway, I think my main gripes are:

- The squirrelly steering despite me replacing literally every front end suspension and steering related component possible. I just sort of live with it now, and it's less squirrelly than it used to be.

- The ol burning oil smell. I replaced the VC gaskets (twice), and I had my trusted Yota shop check into the smell, and they're fairly convinced it's just old residue from when the VCs were leaking years ago. Again, I just live with it by switching to recirculate if I'm in traffic.

- Owning a fast car now (tuned '16 Golf R) has made me wish our generation had just a bit more umph to it. The poor thing revs to damn near redline if I'm taking a car full of people and gear up some of the highway passes out here in Colorado. Again, I just live with it and do my best to be OK put-putting along at 55 and then haul ass once gravity gives me the assist on the way down.

This has been a great truck to hone my wrenching skills on though. It's forgiving as hell if you screw up, and it'll probably run anyway. I'm definitely keeping this truck for as long as it'll let me.

 

[RunnerLimited]

Gas Mileage and or Tank Size. Only if I can last 420-50km per tank I wouldnt have bought a new DD

 

[d0nkeyxpunch]

This girl I'm just starting to date did the same thing...and she really likes hanging out in the back of my "big black truck" with the seats down.

BBT ehh? :zoom:

 

[Jason B]

For my 96 I get ticked off about the location of the cup holders and how it blocks the AC vents and the clock

I like it for when I gets water and it keeps it cold. It actually works. Then coffee in winter will stay warm

 

[Difflock]

OMG, yes, this. lol. My wife hates my 4Runner. She still doesn't know why I even bought it. She tells me "I thought you wanted a truck?". I'm like.. "B!tch, this IS a truck!", lol.



She kind of gets it now that she knows a bit more about 4Runners, but she still flat out refuses to drive it and she'll typically groan if I suggest that we take the 4Runner to go places.



It's the one thing that irks me because I wanted to get a second vehicle that we would both drive since sometimes it does make more sense for me to take the car somewhere while my wife could just take the truck to go to work or run some errands. But no, she'll take the car for her 5 mile trip to work and leave me with the 4Runner to go to appointment that's 20 miles away and back. Not that I mind taking the 4Runner, it's just that it would actually make more sense for me to just take the car (and I enjoy driving my Matrix XRS just as much as my 4Runner).



With that being said and after reading the other comments here, the things that I agree on the most is:

-Exhaust fumes invading the cabin with windows open (more of an issue until the vehicle hits Normal Operating Temp.).

-Front end issues (vibrations, wobbles, ghost knock, sensitivity to improper wheel balancing, etc.)

Man my old lady is the exact same, it really makes me sad


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk