thinking about getting a 4runner

D

dbcox

New member
Hello,
New to this site,I am thinking about getting a 4runner,im thinking between 92 and 95.It will be a all around vehicle,hunting trails ,daily driver but not primary,.
Are these good years?
Is the aftermarket full of upgrades, lifts, exhaust ETC..
I want the V6 im back and forth on auto or 5 speed.
I heard 95 was the last year the back window rolls down I really want that option.
Any feedback on these years , or what may be better would be greatly appreciated.
I have to sell one of my trucks first ,i just wanted to start getting info on the 4runners.:driving:
 
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Actually the rear window in every year 4Runner goes down. 1995 was the last year of the 2nd gen 4Runner. While the 2nd gens are nice vehicles, if it were me, I'd try to spring the extra cash to get a '96 which was the 1st year of the 3rd gen - a vastly improved vehcile IMO in terms of the V6 and overall driving dynamics. Take a 2nd gen for a test drive and then go drive a 3rd gen and the difference is like night and day. The 3.4 V6 in the 3rd gen is much improved over the 2nd gen's 3.0 (aka 3.slow).

That said, there's something about a well kept 2nd gen that gets my juices flowing - they're great looking vehicles.
 
Thanks, I did find a 97 i really like it has 188k. It is really clean w leather fully loaded. The rear window does go down? I would like more power from the start also. What about lifts and its offroad capabilities.I want to lift it enough to run 33 inch tires.Or whatever looks good.
 
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that 97 still has 100k+ left to go on it! :D

as far as offroad capabilities, a little bit of modding and you're good, but if you can, get a 4x4!!!

you wont need MUCH of a lift to run 33's, but you MAY have to trim a little bit of the plastic and the 33's will definitely LOOK great...I would definitely go with the 3rd gen, which is 96+ its a MUCH better vehicle...
 
definatley it will be a 4x4. I have a 99 Z71 that has never been offroad and a 1974 VW baja bug i drive daily. The 4runner will replace a blazer,a jeep and a 1983 3/4 ton 4x4 I have to sell hte 83 first. I think a 4runner would bethe best all around vehicle to replace all of those in some way. Im trying to find as much info on them as i can.
 
well you're in the right place to get a TON of info...

as far as the engine goes, if you replace the timing assembly on schedule, a toyota engine will last you hundreds of thousands of miles, if not up to a million!

I was originally going to get a truck, then I realized I needed seats enough for friends, so I was going to get a car...COULD NOT Get myself to buy a car...

looked at SUV's and 4runner was it, and i LOVE IT! I shoulda got a 4x4
 
1995 was the last year of the 2nd generation and the tailgate. You have to roll down the rear window to open the tailgate. 1996 still has the roll down rear window and it's a hatch, so you don't have to stand there for a minute waiting to roll the window down or back up.
 
I see alot of 92 thru 95 for sale is there a big difference between the 3.0 and the 3.4? some of the 96and 97 i see for sell have higher milage. Which is better a 3.o low miles(130- 160k) or a 3.4 with 160k plus?
 
dbcox said:
I see alot of 92 thru 95 for sale is there a big difference between the 3.0 and the 3.4? some of the 96and 97 i see for sell have higher milage. Which is better a 3.o low miles(130- 160k) or a 3.4 with 160k plus?
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If it were me I'd rather get a '96 with 160k miles then a '95 with 130k miles.

As far as the off-roading abilities of the 3rd gen, check out the poll results here: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?threadid=11086

FWIW the 3rd gen is currently in 1st place followed very closely by the 1st gen. 2nd gen is in last place. Considering that the majority of the folks on this forum have 4th gen, that's pretty impressive result for the 3rd gen. 3rd gen is very trong frame, great ground clearance and approach departure angles, and is skinny to squeeze down tight trails.

And like Ron said if you can find a 3rd gen with the optional rear diff-lock (look for the switch on the dash just to the left of the steering wheel) that's about as good as it gets off-roading wise for 4Runners IMO. Some argue ATRAC on newer 4Runners is superior to a 3rd gen with rear locker but I personally disagree.

As far as lifts on 3rd gens do a search in the 3rd gen or offroading subforum here and you will find tons of info Yotatech forum also has tons of info.
 
I saw that poll, I was thinking the same thing. Thanks for the switch location info ill know where to look. The 97 i mentioned earlier is a Limited,it should have the locker right? 96 or 97 will be a little harder to find im trying to stay under 6k.Thinking about that locker i might bump up my price range a little,I know what lockers cost and having to put them in,that would save about 8 or 9 hundred bucks in future projects. Have the factory lockers been pretty durable? Thanks for the info if there is any other tips im listening.
 
I upped my price range to 7k. Ifound 8 within 200 miles of me. That would cover the extra cost of the locker i would put in if it has it. Was that an option or did most come with the locker in those years.
 
The rear locker was only an option, and I'm guessing only about 1 out of every 3 4WD 4Runners got it. Seems like it was a more popular option up north and out west. Combined with the fact that most 4Runners in the south are only 2WD and it makes finding a 4WD with the rear locker in the south fairly rare.

This site will tell you all you need to know about the various options on 4Runners over the years:

http://www.top4runners.com/ja/runhist31996.html
 
I've driven several 2nd gens and vs a 3rd gen there is no comparison to daily driving duties with the added power and newer suspension handles rough road a bit better.

The power is the big one for me since I feel a 3rd gen is underpowered but the 3.0 makes the 3.4 feel sporty.
 
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