The worst part of a 3rd gen?
- Thread starter tystaco
- Start date
DK327
Member
That's very true.. The parts mentioned like rear axle seals, valve cover gaskets, lower ball joints, steering rack and even the pink milkshake tend to happen well after 100K miles, and sometimes never. When I swapped out my long list of parts right after I got my vehicle for peace of mind, they were ALL originals from 17 years ago, still going strong at 230K miles! That's legendary!
DK327
Member
Did it damage the trans? Also, don't know much about Fords but when I was considering a new vehicle, I had narrowed it down to 3rd gen 4Runner and Ford Expedition as that model seemed to be one of the most reliable and longest lasting with least amount of complains on carcomplaints.com.
What actually made me decide to go with the 4Runner was this forum and the knowledge and expertise of others I've witnessed on here. I now know I've DEFINITELY made the right decision.
the walrus
New member
Totally worth it though. Seriously it is so nice to have. Gotta do it man!
the walrus
New member
I'd have to say my only real complaint is the Paparazzi, constant whistling from the ladies, guys like Leno and Clarkson calling me all the time to do a video about my truck. I thought I would get used to it after a while but it's relentless.
And then there's every time [MENTION=115590]StreetCreeper[/MENTION] sits on my truck and makes the back sag down. Seriously can't that man-hooted fatso go sit on somebody else's truck?
:fro:
And then there's every time [MENTION=115590]StreetCreeper[/MENTION] sits on my truck and makes the back sag down. Seriously can't that man-hooted fatso go sit on somebody else's truck?
:fro:
1985taylor1925
Senior Member
Am I the only one that has the jitters? It's easily my biggest complaint. Every time I hit a bump it feels like the entire truck is coming apart. When I drive on a mildly rough off road it's terrible.
I hate driving my off road truck off road. Last week driving down a trail two teeth shook right out of my head. I crushed 5 vertebrae. The shaking of my brain gave me a concussion and a brain aneurism. My eyes were temporarily dislodged from their sockets, but fortunately my husky floor liner caught them and I re installed them quickly. I lost control of my bowels multiple times. And my hemorrhoid exploded.
Other than that, not much complaints here
Edit: there's also a mouse that keeps trying to make a home in my air box since I have the hole in the air box mod. I always find poop and bits of fur and bones in there
I hate driving my off road truck off road. Last week driving down a trail two teeth shook right out of my head. I crushed 5 vertebrae. The shaking of my brain gave me a concussion and a brain aneurism. My eyes were temporarily dislodged from their sockets, but fortunately my husky floor liner caught them and I re installed them quickly. I lost control of my bowels multiple times. And my hemorrhoid exploded.
Other than that, not much complaints here
Edit: there's also a mouse that keeps trying to make a home in my air box since I have the hole in the air box mod. I always find poop and bits of fur and bones in there
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StreetCreeper
New member
BamaDrewski
New member
I gotta throw in my two cents. For me, some of the worst things are:
1. The crappy ORIGINAL front brakes and rotor – always warping. (Do the Tundra Upgrade!)
2. The gasket and location of the oil cooler (PITA to swap the gasket out and remount it)
3. The thin gasket around the license plate bezel. It’s not designed to stay in place and also a PITA to re-install on the bezel.
4. The crappy design of the valve covers and gaskets. Always having to check and make sure they’re tight and not leaking. When they have to be changed, it is a PITA!
5. Horrible plastic wiring harness covers running across the top of the engine and under the plenum. They heat dries them out and they are fragile as eggshells (Wrap them in RESCUE TAPE when you do your valve cover gasket change!)
6. Design of driver’s seat. When you slide out, it wears the damn foam and leather/cloth out! (Use the running boards to get out if you have them!)
7. Lack of an interior release for the rear hatch (at least on my 2000 model T4R)
8. Pitifully weak “factory jack”
9. Always having to lube the “propeller shaft”.
10. Pink “milkshake prone” design (Put on an aftermarket transmission cooler and bypass the radiator – problem solved)
11. “Sagging rear end” due to weak springs (Put in new coils and some AirLfits!)
I can complain all day about these kinds of things but I love to turn wrenches and solve problems so they are not that big of a deal. Still LOVE this truck and like many, people are always offering to “take it off my hands…”
1. The crappy ORIGINAL front brakes and rotor – always warping. (Do the Tundra Upgrade!)
2. The gasket and location of the oil cooler (PITA to swap the gasket out and remount it)
3. The thin gasket around the license plate bezel. It’s not designed to stay in place and also a PITA to re-install on the bezel.
4. The crappy design of the valve covers and gaskets. Always having to check and make sure they’re tight and not leaking. When they have to be changed, it is a PITA!
5. Horrible plastic wiring harness covers running across the top of the engine and under the plenum. They heat dries them out and they are fragile as eggshells (Wrap them in RESCUE TAPE when you do your valve cover gasket change!)
6. Design of driver’s seat. When you slide out, it wears the damn foam and leather/cloth out! (Use the running boards to get out if you have them!)
7. Lack of an interior release for the rear hatch (at least on my 2000 model T4R)
8. Pitifully weak “factory jack”
9. Always having to lube the “propeller shaft”.
10. Pink “milkshake prone” design (Put on an aftermarket transmission cooler and bypass the radiator – problem solved)
11. “Sagging rear end” due to weak springs (Put in new coils and some AirLfits!)
I can complain all day about these kinds of things but I love to turn wrenches and solve problems so they are not that big of a deal. Still LOVE this truck and like many, people are always offering to “take it off my hands…”
oo, fun thread. I'll play.
axle seals, rear pinion seal, radiator/milkshake, lbjs, torn leather seats, valve cover gaskets (half-moon+cam plug+etc), rusted out chrome bumpers, and starter contacts comes to mind.
wait, why do we love these things so much? oh that's right, I know why -- because of the 5VZ-FE reliability post-200k+ miles and timeless design.
ignoring all the mentioned issues, you can't find very many vehicles that chug along after the 250k mark on OG engine with no HG failure or other major failures (A lot of members here have had to replace tranny or I woulda mentioned tranny).
also, could be worse -- imagine your AC compressor or heater core going out at like 100k like on some vehicles; or worse, a Jeep whos tranny goes like every 20-30k miles, lol.
axle seals, rear pinion seal, radiator/milkshake, lbjs, torn leather seats, valve cover gaskets (half-moon+cam plug+etc), rusted out chrome bumpers, and starter contacts comes to mind.
wait, why do we love these things so much? oh that's right, I know why -- because of the 5VZ-FE reliability post-200k+ miles and timeless design.
ignoring all the mentioned issues, you can't find very many vehicles that chug along after the 250k mark on OG engine with no HG failure or other major failures (A lot of members here have had to replace tranny or I woulda mentioned tranny).
also, could be worse -- imagine your AC compressor or heater core going out at like 100k like on some vehicles; or worse, a Jeep whos tranny goes like every 20-30k miles, lol.
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Hepar
New member
The only real complaint I have is the design of the rooflines that funnel any water straight into the cab if you are at an downward angle and your window is open. Makes it necessary to have the wind guards on and I'm not the biggest fan of how they look.
Amen. I still have no clue what I'd do if something happened to mine and I was forced to find something else. I may just buy a beater while I search. It just took so long the first time...
Amen. I still have no clue what I'd do if something happened to mine and I was forced to find something else. I may just buy a beater while I search. It just took so long the first time...
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Agreed. Or you think everything is cool and you open the windows... only to get a surprise when you stop!
ZionXIX
New member
Really? I have been rather impressed by the factory jack. I use it for a lot maintenance with jack stands of course.
TRD 4RNR
Member
Bet that smells nice :hunter:
1985taylor1925
Senior Member
Hey now — I sit on other people's trucks too...
I lol'd
wake_rider
New member
I'd say the most frustrating part of being a 3rd gen owner is all the trim that throws itself at the foot of my tires. Like, I get it. This thing's a sex machine, but I am both married and late for work. So move out the way.
sdwaltz
New member
So THAT is why my truck won't shift until I leave my neighborhood...thanks for the tip!
AZPartsGuy
New member
Getting passed by these freakin' guys on the way up to Payson or Flagstaff.
