The worst part of a 3rd gen?

[amalik]

This thread ended up pretty damn popular.

 

[tystaco]

This thread ended up pretty damn popular.

For real, I really just planned to gripe about the tranny dipstick and have people tell me to get over it and then for this thing to fade into oblivion.

 

[Baja4Runr]

Fuel capacity is too low and I always kind of feel like I just drive a poor mans Land Cruiser... because I guess.... that's the truth.

 

[tystaco]

I am reviving this because I have a theory on my original gripe about the dipstick and want to know if anyone can confirm.

My transmission dipsticks are flat ribbons. At the junk yard a couple weeks ago, I pulled a dipstick out of an '01 and it had a TWIST in the flat ribbon...and holy $hit did that thing slip right back into its home.

So my theory is there are two types of dipsticks out there, and the newer ones work a lot better. If so, I seriously will pull the trigger on a couple from camelback.

 

[Acorn22]

I am reviving this because I have a theory on my original gripe about the dipstick and want to know if anyone can confirm.

My transmission dipsticks are flat ribbons. At the junk yard a couple weeks ago, I pulled a dipstick out of an '01 and it had a TWIST in the flat ribbon...and holy $hit did that thing slip right back into its home.

So my theory is there are two types of dipsticks out there, and the newer ones work a lot better. If so, I seriously will pull the trigger on a couple from camelback.

Mine has a twist in it but still doesn't go in very easy! I have a 98 btw

 

[Renegade_Medic]

I am reviving this because I have a theory on my original gripe about the dipstick and want to know if anyone can confirm.

My transmission dipsticks are flat ribbons. At the junk yard a couple weeks ago, I pulled a dipstick out of an '01 and it had a TWIST in the flat ribbon...and holy $hit did that thing slip right back into its home.

So my theory is there are two types of dipsticks out there, and the newer ones work a lot better. If so, I seriously will pull the trigger on a couple from camelback.

You should try the trans dipstick in a 90s Ford with an E4OD trans... I have to get a stool or chair to reach it, and it's about 19 feet long....

But yeah, my 99 has a twist in it, never had an issue with it...

 

[Rallysport]

I am reviving this because I have a theory on my original gripe about the dipstick and want to know if anyone can confirm.

My transmission dipsticks are flat ribbons. At the junk yard a couple weeks ago, I pulled a dipstick out of an '01 and it had a TWIST in the flat ribbon...and holy $hit did that thing slip right back into its home.

So my theory is there are two types of dipsticks out there, and the newer ones work a lot better. If so, I seriously will pull the trigger on a couple from camelback.

I just got mine so I'm both curious and trying to not read too carefully at the same time.

 

[whyzee125]

Coming from literally the perfect car IMO (e90), there are quite a few things I don't like about the 4runner but not many cars I'd be willing to give up my e90s for. My biggest complaint with the 4runners is probably the lack of power or the issues with tire balancing, etc.

 

[Ron Burgandy]

I just replaced the original japanese battery in my key fob from 1999. I doubt the POS chinese energizer battery i replaced it with will even make it through the winter.

 

[jbrentd]

This thread will make a great supplement to the buyers guide sticky as I search for my first 4Runner. Glad to hear most issues aren't enough to outweigh the positives and push owners away from the platform.

 

[Solidape]

Yep, when I 1st noticed this was right after I got my vehicle last year in February. It was cold out and I waited until the temp gauge started to move up so I started to drive but it stayed in 2nd gear... At 1st I thought damn, there goes the trans but 30 seconds later it shifted! After I got my Scangauge I confirmed it shifts out of 2nd at 130F every time, even in the summer.

Not a thing across the board. I can hop in my 2002 SR5 Sport and take off down the road and it will go into 3rd in a matter of seconds. It's definitely not 130F yet either.

 

[Solidape]

No power, rough ride, small inside, no power, they all rust if you are anywhere near a place that has snow or ice, uncomfortable seats, lack of storage areas, and no power.

 

[99problems]

I always kind of feel like I just drive a poor mans Land Cruiser... because I guess.... that's the truth.

I feel like this is why the '99 refresh coincidentally takes so many cues from the 96-98 Land Cruiser. My theory is that after the FZJ80 was discontinued the engineers were essentially free to move the 4Runner slightly upscale (to keep it relevant, but mostly) since the replacement Land Cruiser went substantially upmarket as well.

 

[3bears]

No power, rough ride, small inside, no power, they all rust if you are anywhere near a place that has snow or ice, uncomfortable seats, lack of storage areas, and no power.

not all places with snow and ice have cars that rust. Here in Oregon they don't use salt on the snow and ice, that's what makes them rust I believe is the salt.
where I live they use cinders. when I lived in a city, they used sand.
I live where I have snow on the roads for 4-5 months a year, last year it started snowing on oct 16th and did not stop till April, I have no rust

 

[Cree]

You guys that get upset about the starter are pulling it wrong. R/R is an hour job, tops.

 

[Scramble]

No power, rough ride, small inside, no power, they all rust if you are anywhere near a place that has snow or ice, uncomfortable seats, lack of storage areas, and no power.

Salt makes them rust, not snow & ice LOL

 

[vwtech]

Sector shaft play in the steering wheel

One of those most obnoxious things while wheeling is having your steering wheel constantly clunking.... and even just driving around town actually.

 

[M_stafford]

Firewall Hole

Can't Stand the location of the firewall hole from engine into the cabin. The location makes it impossible to get a couple hands in there to work on it for wiring!

:frusty:

 

[Scramble]

Can't Stand the location of the firewall hole from engine into the cabin. The location makes it impossible to get a couple hands in there to work on it for wiring!

:frusty:

I'm no mechanic & found it to be pretty easy. I used duct tape & a wire hanger & the wires poke right through.

 

[M_stafford]

I will use the wire hanger and see if that helps. For the life of me it wouldn't budge and therefore i took the whole piece out and bypassed it.