Thinking about picking up a 3rd Gen 4Runner. Got a few questions.

[Road Bull]

Hey all, first post here.

I have a 1994 Toyota manual 4x4 Pickup. It just rolled over to 180K and I love it. However, I have been looking to pick up a 4Runner. I would like the extra seating option, as well as being able to have more secure cargo space. I play drums and I don't really want to buy a canopy as that really only solves half my needs.

So, after doing some research, I have to say, I have come to like the 1996-2002 4Runners the best. I hate all the extra plastic that they have added over the years. And while I still like, let say, a 1994-1995, They have the smaller 3.0 V6 that I have in my truck. I hate the body style of the 2003 adopted. It looks too much like a Rav4 or something.

I have noticed these gems are few and far between. Manuals are hard to find. Leather is everywhere, (not too much a fan). Desert Dune seems to be the dominant color around.

So my questions for you guys/gals:

What made you want the 3rd Gen 4Runner?

Do you have a favorite year 3rd Gen?

Anything especially to look out for when shopping?

Do some colors hold up better over time than others?


I have done a fair amount of research here and elsewhere, yotatech.com on some things to look out for. Pink milkshake trans fluid, rusty frames, ball joints, etc.

I also just got done test driving someone's 1998 4Runner Limited Ed. auto trans. Fells a lot different than my truck. My truck is fairly stock and sits on 31s. This, although stock sat a good bit higher. It had leather/electric controlled seats (part of which was INOP) and green paint with a dark black plastic lower portion that ran along the lower doors and fender flares,(not a fan). But, overall, I liked the feeling of the larger engine. The steering wheel doesn't roll back to center like my pickup. The paint was starting to go south on the hood and roof. It seems like I notice more green 4Runners that have this issue.

Anyway, thanks if you made it this far. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

-Ryder

 

[Road Bull]

Also, I am playing with the value to mileage ratios when looking. I have found the http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/45350-how-much-did-you-pay-your-3rd-gen.html thread helpful.

I am wanting to spend less than $10K ideally. The lower, the better obviously. I know Toyotas are strong and can easily go 300K miles, but, would you still consider buying a 200+mile rig as you main daily driver?

 

[gamefreakgc]

Hey all, first post here.

I have a 1994 Toyota manual 4x4 Pickup. It just rolled over to 180K and I love it. However, I have been looking to pick up a 4Runner. I would like the extra seating option, as well as being able to have more secure cargo space. I play drums and I don't really want to buy a canopy as that really only solves half my needs.

So, after doing some research, I have to say, I have come to like the 1996-2002 4Runners the best. I hate all the extra plastic that they have added over the years. And while I still like, let say, a 1994-1995, They have the smaller 3.0 V6 that I have in my truck. I hate the body style of the 2003 adopted. It looks too much like a Rav4 or something.

I have noticed these gems are few and far between. Manuals are hard to find. Leather is everywhere, (not too much a fan). Desert Dune seems to be the dominant color around.

So my questions for you guys/gals:

What made you want the 3rd Gen 4Runner?

Do you have a favorite year 3rd Gen?

Anything especially to look out for when shopping?

Do some colors hold up better over time than others?


I have done a fair amount of research here and elsewhere, yotatech.com on some things to look out for. Pink milkshake trans fluid, rusty frames, ball joints, etc.

I also just got done test driving someone's 1998 4Runner Limited Ed. auto trans. Fells a lot different than my truck. My truck is fairly stock and sits on 31s. This, although stock sat a good bit higher. It had leather/electric controlled seats (part of which was INOP) and green paint with a dark black plastic lower portion that ran along the lower doors and fender flares,(not a fan). But, overall, I liked the feeling of the larger engine. The steering wheel doesn't roll back to center like my pickup. The paint was starting to go south on the hood and roof. It seems like I notice more green 4Runners that have this issue.

Anyway, thanks if you made it this far. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

-Ryder

Dude, for a second there I thought I was reading the same post I put up about 4 months ago! You and I have the same search criteria. I was also coming from a manual 4x4 Pickup ('91).

I'll try and answer as much as I can!

1. Manuals are ridiculously hard to find. Unlike our trucks, the 4Runners are about 90% autos, and 10% manuals. Most people don't sell the manuals since they drive nicer (the auto transmissions on these 4Runners isn't all that great).

2. Same reason as you! Needed more seats and wanted a beefier engine. By the way... a supercharged 5VZ-FE is awesome!

3. 98+, the newer the better. 96 and 97's have some parts that are a bit sub par (and don't like the supercharger as much). 99-00 have the multimode (see the buyer's guide we have on the website). Basically, the newer the better.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/82033-3rd-gen-4runner-buyers-guide.html

4. See the buyer's guide again. Really good info on there.

5. For whatever reason, green doesn't. I like desert dune because it hides dirt well. I think my favorite is black, but color wasn't the deciding factor for me.

6. Leather sucks IMO and doesn't hold up well. Most will have cracks/tears.

You should be able to find one for about 175k-200k miles for 5-6k in decent shape. Mine's got 192k and runs like a top, it's also my daily driver.

 

[GVL]

I would say the most important thing to closely examine is the undercarriage for rust issues. If you want to do much off-roading then the electronic rear e-locker available thru 2000 is a big plus.

Read the 3rd Gen Buyers Guide in the sticky section for a ton of other info you will be interested in.

Good luck and post a pic when you find the right one.

 

[sterbenlicht]

10k is a huge budget for these, so you'll find pretty much whatever you need for less than that.

Test drive a few, even rough ones. Get a feel for what one is like that hasn't been cared for or had a tough life. Considering all the things to look for in the buyer's guide along with just being able to tell it was well cared for would alleviate my fear of a higher mileage one.

That's why I bought mine for 3600 with 208,000 miles, it was loved.

My answers are all the same as gamefreak's.

Don't hesitate to post links to some you're thinking about buying if they're online, many of us like to help check out ads when people are considering buying them. Good luck man

 

[Road Bull]

Dude, for a second there I thought I was reading the same post I put up about 4 months ago! You and I have the same search criteria. I was also coming from a manual 4x4 Pickup ('91).

I'll try and answer as much as I can!

1. Manuals are ridiculously hard to find. Unlike our trucks, the 4Runners are about 90% autos, and 10% manuals. Most people don't sell the manuals since they drive nicer (the auto transmissions on these 4Runners isn't all that great).

2. Same reason as you! Needed more seats and wanted a beefier engine. By the way... a supercharged 5VZ-FE is awesome!

3. 98+, the newer the better. 96 and 97's have some parts that are a bit sub par (and don't like the supercharger as much). 99-00 have the multimode (see the buyer's guide we have on the website). Basically, the newer the better.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/82033-3rd-gen-4runner-buyers-guide.html

4. See the buyer's guide again. Really good info on there.

5. For whatever reason, green doesn't. I like desert dune because it hides dirt well. I think my favorite is black, but color wasn't the deciding factor for me.

6. Leather sucks IMO and doesn't hold up well. Most will have cracks/tears.

LOL, Thanks for the post. I had read part of that buyers guide before. Great info! And my hats off to authors like that that put the time in to pull all that information together.

Did you find one? I will have to look into the supercharged 5VZ-FE. That sounds awesome!

I think at this point I am looking for a 1998-02, manual if possible, cloth seats a must, and as low millage as my budget will afford me. I am not digging the overly large stock/plasticy looking bumpers that seem to be common. I might just have to budget in an ARB or fabbed style bumper as an option. I love how there are tons of things you can do to 4Runner platform. It seems to be endless amount of aftermarket options available.

I have mixed feelings about selling/trading my 1994 4x4 as I don't think the little extra money I get for it will be worth it. I might just hold on to it as a second vehicle to drive until the wheels come off.

 

[Road Bull]

Thanks GVL and sterbenlicht.

I took a good flashlight with me when I check out trucks. That way I can get underneath and check the condition, and look for dripping fluids and other fluids that are leaking down from the engine/transfer case and whatnot. I am no mechanic, but I do my best with obvious care and observation.

I don't really want to spend $10K at all. But that would be the maximum I would even consider. It would have to be pretty friggin awesome with super low miles to consider throwing that kind of change around. I would rather save extra money to reinvest back into the vehicle.

I am not a big believer of car payments and the less I can spend, the better. So, say, I found a great deal on a slightly higher millage 4Runner, I would be tempted, condition dependent.

 

[Road Bull]

So far, these are on my short list.

2001 SR5>> Price Reduced 2001 toyota 4 runner

2000 SR5(?)>> 2000 Toyota 4runner

 

[benjamin247]

5. For whatever reason, green doesn't. I like desert dune because it hides dirt well. I think my favorite is black, but color wasn't the deciding factor for me.

Yep, I bought a 97 Limited in Evergreen Pearl and the hood and roof clear coat has deteriorated. I decided to have it repainted.

 

[3rzrunner]

The 96-98s have the sleeker metal front bumper over the newer plastic ones, I don't think you should rule out the older ones, because most things that the newer ones have can be swapped into an older one.
If you like the simple 4wd system you will need to get a 96-98.
Also don't overlook the 3rz 4cyl IF it is mated to a 5speed. keep in mind the 3rz will make the same amount of power as the 2nd gen v6

Elockers are also awesome and semi rare so be sure to keep your eye open for one
good luck!

 

[SilverRidgeRunner1]

Hey now don't be haten on Desert dune:biggrin2: .... ha ha hope u find what you're looking for. I would just get one and u will fall in love either way. ha ha

 

[gamefreakgc]

LOL, Thanks for the post. I had read part of that buyers guide before. Great info! And my hats off to authors like that that put the time in to pull all that information together.

Did you find one? I will have to look into the supercharged 5VZ-FE. That sounds awesome!

I think at this point I am looking for a 1998-02, manual if possible, cloth seats a must, and as low millage as my budget will afford me. I am not digging the overly large stock/plasticy looking bumpers that seem to be common. I might just have to budget in an ARB or fabbed style bumper as an option. I love how there are tons of things you can do to 4Runner platform. It seems to be endless amount of aftermarket options available.

I have mixed feelings about selling/trading my 1994 4x4 as I don't think the little extra money I get for it will be worth it. I might just hold on to it as a second vehicle to drive until the wheels come off.

Yeah, I have a S/C one right now and I LOVE it! Got pretty much what I wanted, though it's not a manual. Unlike most of America, I enjoy the feel of a manual transmission.

For what you are looking for, you can expect to pay around 6k or less for a stockish 4Runner with sub 200k miles. The best advice is not to settle. Soon enough the perfect one for you will show up. Took me three months but I got it! Just check fluids: coolant, oil, trans fluid. If any look dark/burnt there's a sign of neglect and a possible issue down the road. And honestly, read the seller if you're good at those sorts of things. If you talk to someone long enough you'll figure out if they are trying to pull a fast one on you!

Your Pickup will probably fetch a good amount of money if you sell it yourself. Between 3-4k because it's fairly low mileage for its age. I still have mine until I finish rebuilding the suspension on the 4Runner then it's off to a family member. Mine's toast though, I don't think I could get more than 2k anyway.

 

[Road Bull]

I found this one last night. The price seems a bit high though. : (

1999 5-speed 130K miles.>> 99 4Runner 5-Speed 130K miles

Otherwise. It looks sweet.

 

[Joelev]

West Coast/PNW trucks command a premium. Just the way it goes. Looks like a nice truck, though. I think you could probably find one with an e-locker and/or a SC at that price, albeit not without a lot of patience.

 

[gamefreakgc]

I found this one last night. The price seems a bit high though. : (

1999 5-speed 130K miles.>> 99 4Runner 5-Speed 130K miles

Otherwise. It looks sweet.

Wow, that is pretty nice as far as mileage. The price is high though, unless it really is a gem.

 

[Road Bull]

Wow, that is pretty nice as far as mileage. The price is high though, unless it really is a gem.

Yeah. That is really the upper limit of what I am willing to pay. If it were solid , and no surprises, it might be worth it seeing as how the clutch and timing belt have already been done. Typically, those seem to be a deciding factor for people wanting to unload their maintenance onto the next buyer. Just less to worry about. However, it is a bit over what I would like to pay.

In a perfect world, I could buy cheap enough to put new tires, and maybe a lift on it. That would lean me more towards something like this.
2000 Toyota 4runner a 2000 (SR5?) for $7000. Especially if they come down a bit in price.

 

[96LTDrus]

I'd say don't shy away from the automatics unless you're a really dyed in the wool "stick shift or die" kind of person. The Aisin is a very solid unit, its only weakness is no fault of its own, the internal transmission cooler inside the radiator that can result in the dreaded 'pink milkshake.' Switch to an external cooler (my next mod) and you're golden. As you've probably seen getting an auto will not only widen your search about 10 fold, the asking prices are at least $2000 lower on average. You're also more apt to find a e-locker truck within this widened field.

 

[Road Bull]

I'd say don't shy away from the automatics unless you're a really dyed in the wool "stick shift or die" kind of person. The Aisin is a very solid unit, its only weakness is no fault of its own, the internal transmission cooler inside the radiator that can result in the dreaded 'pink milkshake.' Switch to an external cooler (my next mod) and you're golden. As you've probably seen getting an auto will not only widen your search about 10 fold, the asking prices are at least $2000 lower on average. You're also more apt to find a e-locker truck within this widened field.

Thanks for your reply. Although I have driven stick since 1997, I have nothing against autos. Some of the better looking specimen in my price range are automatics. I will have to look into that external cooler mod. That sounds like a solid mod.

 

[foskco87]

From a fellow drummer, the 4runner is awesome for packing around drums and keeping them warm and dry. The carpet is nice to have as opposed to bed liner as it is softer and grippier. You can pretty much get any 3rd gen you want with 10K, the hard part will be finding it. There are lots out there, but not many for sale, and basically NO manuals. I'd say less than 10% were given a manual and thats only 96-00, after that its all autos. It took me about 2 years of searching to get a manual and it was basically luck that made me find one. Honestly, after having a 2nd gen, the 3rd gen is just better in every way. They basically just took the 2nd gen and made everything better without changing it too much. The engine is 10 times better, steering is waaay tighter, way more low end torque, way easier to work on, less noise inside, and just as reliable as the 2nd gen if not more. The 4runner truly hit its prime in the 3rd gen model. I have had mine for 3 months now and every time I drive it I am still giddy about how nice it feels, to step on the gas and feel immediate acceleration is a feeling I am not used to. Mind you I have a manual, not an auto, so I am not sure how similar they feel. I also feel that the 3rd gen is one of the best looking vehicles toyota has ever made. And one of my favourite facts about the 3rd gen is that it is still small. It isnt all bulky and plasticy like the following generations and is still a truck you can take up trails without high centering or scratching the crap out of the sides like all these huge boats they seem to think people want these days (not me!). You get a truck that feels way more modern and bigger inside but looks like a yota and is small on the outside, exactly what made Toyota's popular. I still like the newer toyota's better than whats out there, but I find myself looking at them and saying "what the hell happened?" Get a 3rd gen 4runner, you will not be dissapointed!

 

[foskco87]

I found this one last night. The price seems a bit high though. : (

1999 5-speed 130K miles.>> 99 4Runner 5-Speed 130K miles

Otherwise. It looks sweet.

Looks decent, but the price is pretty high, and I am always unimpressed when people dont even try in their ads. If they cant be bothered to wash and clean out the vehicle to sell it, and post some decent pics, then they obviously couldnt be bothered to do it regularly during its day to day life. I got mine for $7800 canadian, and it has every option but the e-locker with 127K miles and it looked fully cleaned and detailed when I went and looked at it (just to give you some reference). They were asking $9000. Keep in mind most typical toyota owners know they can ask a lot and will typically start pretty high with a price. You could probably talk them down quite a bit.