The worst part of a 3rd gen?

[tystaco]

Getting passed by these freakin' guys on the way up to Payson or Flagstaff.

No way, man. You are out for a cruise in your beautifully understated, timeless rig. Not in a hurry, knowing we all end up in the same place in the end. Those guys....those guys kid themselves they are ahead.

 

[Hepar]

Getting passed by these freakin' guys on the way up to Payson or Flagstaff.

They made an easy fix for that. :naughty:

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/54400273@N03/35883370736/in/dateposted-public/" title="_5839200"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4327/35883370736_61fd308911_z.jpg" width="630" height="474" alt="_5839200"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[AntleredRuin]

My vote is the transmission dip stick. I literally take more time to pull, clean, replace, and pull again to check fluid level than I do to drain and fill the transmission. Having a transmission tube snake in multiple planes using a flat metal ribbon is a poor design.

Haha literally? Refilling the tranny requires removing the dipstick...
In all honesty, if the stick doesn't want to fully insert, just rotate 180 and try again. It only goes in one way.

 

[tystaco]

Haha literally? Refilling the tranny requires removing the dipstick...
In all honesty, if the stick doesn't want to fully insert, just rotate 180 and try again. It only goes in one way.

Removing it = 0 issues. I am batting 1000 at removing it. Putting it in...I fumble like a 16 year old on prom night, even armed with the spit trick.

 

[ZionXIX]

Removing it = 0 issues. I am batting 1000 at removing it. Putting it in...I fumble like a 16 year old on prom night, even armed with the spit trick.

Seriously...would it have killed them to engineer a straight tube.

 

[Renegade_Medic]

I'm going to go with Rear Axle Seals, Oil Filter location, and definitely fuel tank size. 18.5 gallons is pathetic. 25 would have been more appropriate. I haven't really had any issues with the transmission dipstick. At least it can be reached. I have to get a step stool or chair to check the trans fluid in my F250.

 

[69project]

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.

I am going to say it depends on what year of Expedition. I am not sure about the late model stuff but the first generation of expeditions(97-2002 or so) like to eat the passenger side head gaskets, suffer from vacuum leaks, and develop leaks in a cooling pipe under the intake. The interiors are suspect too, particularly the gauge cluster. They are also a huge PIA to work on the engine. I changed out a friends head gasket on his 2000 and it was a miserable experience. If you want a domestic, you are better off with a Tahoe of that era from my experience.

 

[djr01974]

The worst part for me is that my orig alternator only lasted 275k. I though toyotas didn't break

 

[Benski]

Lack of power and my clear coat peeling.

My truck is a 3.4l v6 manual. I tow a boat, trailer and motorcycle fairly regularly. The motor is really weak if I am towing something through the mountains. I've been across the states twice and I can't believe the truck is still going. I take good care of it but I sure have put that motor through some heavy use. My clear coat has totally peeled off of the hood and top of the fenders. Ah, no big deal. For a 1996 vehicle it still looks pretty good, runs well and is about as reliable as they come. Long live Toyota!

 

[league4]

By far my biggest complaint is the 4 speed auto trans, it's rarely in the right gear and mileage suffers because of it... New RAV4's with less power feel faster and get damn near twice the fuel economy, it's insane but hey thats 20 years of engineering. If they made a turbodiesel inline 4 version with a 6 speed manual trans and a 20-25gal tank I'd be SET.

 

[Tyler James Inc]

Agreed. Or you think everything is cool and you open the windows... only to get a surprise when you stop!

So bad! Gosh, that happened all the time on my '97('01 already had in-channels when I got it [emoji1362]).
"Oh shit! I wonder how many times these window switches can handle getting a bucket of water dumped on them![emoji23]"

 

[liquidnails]

Worst part is driving position/headroom, rollover potential, and the fact that rear end damage is very difficult to fix.

 

[Atoyot Rennur4]

It takes 250,000 miles for them to start breaking in.

 

[Hepar]

By far my biggest complaint is the 4 speed auto trans, it's rarely in the right gear and mileage suffers because of it... New RAV4's with less power feel faster and get damn near twice the fuel economy, it's insane but hey thats 20 years of engineering. If they made a turbodiesel inline 4 version with a 6 speed manual trans and a 20-25gal tank I'd be SET.

They made an easy fix for that. :naughty:

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/54400273@N03/35883370736/in/dateposted-public/" title="_5839200"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4327/35883370736_61fd308911_z.jpg" width="630" height="474" alt="_5839200"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[JZiggy]

My complaint is about my 3RZ with 230k on the clock. It's torque band is STILL flat between about 1200-5000rpm and it STILL doesn't burn any oil. Never having to add oil between changes is just so boring.

 

[repo]

Not being able to ever get SR5 front mudguards.

 

[I_bRAD]

I wonder how many times these window switches can handle getting a bucket of water dumped on them![emoji23]"

Quite a few in my experience!

 

[JayRolla]

My complaint is about my 3RZ with 230k on the clock. It's torque band is STILL flat between about 1200-5000rpm and it STILL doesn't burn any oil. Never having to add oil between changes is just so boring.

I agree. This is 1st vehicle in my entire life I never have added a drop of oil between changes. 280k miles and still going strong. Ohh and my 3.4l is flat from 0-redline.

 

[02ShrockRunner]

Good point's for sure.

My LBJ's were original with 205k miles and they honestly looked perfectly fine.

The radiator did shit the bed though at 200k miles and I got a pink milk shake. Think about it though, most cars won't even make it to 200k miles, especially Fords....LOL

Luckily for me the LBJ have not failed yet , Original with 240k on the ODO.
2wd though I had a co worker with 4wd 3rd gen his LBJ failed him on way to work one morning. gruesome sight fender, LCA, CV , wheel and tire all screwed.

 

[John7M7]

The size of the gas tank, paired with a 4-speed tranny. Soon I'll have a bunk bed at my local gas station.

The f*cking dip stick to control the tranny fluid. When we broke down in KS around midnight during our cross country trip, putting it back drove me crazy. Literally.

Otherwise, love that truck. Just cleaned it this evening, dog hair go everywhere