thinking about trading our TJ for a 3rd gen...

[onesojourner]

We have been tossing around the idea of selling our 97 jeep (on 32s) and getting a 4runner. are any of you guys exjeep guys or do any of you have both. we used to wheel a lot with the local jeep club but most of our friends have sold their toys. We would still like to be able to go out a few times a year but mostly just driving on old fire roads and that kind of thing. We tow our skis to the lake during the summer and we are getting a tired of being wind blown and not having much space.

We are going to test drive and over priced 3rd gen sometime in the next few days to see what we think. We have always had to shift our vehicles so I was pretty excited to learn that you could still get the 3rd gen with a manual tranny. I have always found standard transmissions more reliable and longer lasting than most autos any ways. do the autos have any issues? I have read several posts about the 99+ having better cup holders but nothing major. I would like to find one with a locker but its not a big deal. I know this has been asked but is there anything I should be on the lookout for?

 

[Mr. Dabadina]

I believe the 99s are an inch taller than other year models. I also wish I woulda got the hood scoop. THere is a link on the site that has the break down of all the differences of the year models that someone might be able to post for ya.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

'99s had a lot of nice ergonomic upgrades including those cup holders that aren't hanging off the dash anymore.

Other upgrades

Diamond cut clear headlamps
auto up/down front windows w/ jam protection (auto down on the drivers was it before)
Multi power outlets (3 up front,1 in the hatch area)
Digital odometer w/2 trip meters
Multi mode auto tranny w/part time 4wd Limited only (similar to an AWD mode)
Treated water repellant glass

Headrest holders built into the rear seats when folded so you have the headrests properly stored.

One touch moon roof operation w/ new sunglass/garage opener holder. (was this not on earlier models?)

Larger storage compartment in the hatch area.

Some (not all) '99s had the taller coils but all the Highlander/Sport models had these coils.

New cubby space integrated into the lid of the center console.

Definetly plenty more than just cupholders.

I traded my '97 for my '99 and haven't looked back.

Oh yeah,here's the link. JA is amember here with a new 4th gen to compliment his '99 Highlander.

http://www.top4runners.com/ja/runhist31996.html

 

[azacher]

My wife and I own both a 4Runner ('99 Limited) and a TJ (first a '98 and just recently traded it in for an '04) and I gotta say one is definately not a replacement for the other. The Jeep definately has better off-road prowess and is just fun to drive, especially in the summer with the top and doors off. However the Runner sees plenty of trips to the Lake as well, it's nice being able to take the whole family, the dog, and all of our stuff with room to spare! Not too mention I believe the towing capacity of the Runner is the same or better. If you absolutely HAVE to choose between one or the other, I would say go for the 4Runner, it's great for mild off-roading but also has excellent on-road comfort and ride with room for all of your stuff, friends, etc. Not too mention you can put a waaay better stereo system in the Runner, and you can get one with a sunroof which will still give you a little taste of the convertible life!

 

[onesojourner]

thanks for the info guys. I assume all the headlights and tail lights are interchangeable from 1996-02? Mostly I am looking for a good solid SUV so the minor differences are no big deal to me. The jeep right now is a fun only vehicle and the 4 runner will be the same unless we decide to sell my wifes car along with the jeep and let her use the 4runner as the daily driver.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

The first time a cup flies out of the cupholder on the dash let me know how minor that is. : Plus the heater vents are right behind the cups;worst design ever.

I off road alot and those cupholders are worthless to me but probably tolerable on a street truck but potholes will be your nemesis.

I also will point out that the Highlander sport seats are an improvement over the older SR5s cloth seats. The Limited's leather version is still the most comfortable.
The Limiteds also got the digital climate control which is nice but not a must-have.

The '99s also have the fog lamps (standard on the Limited and Sport models) integrated into the lower valance.


Headlights are a direct swap with the '96-'98.

I'd look around at what your budget will allow and if you find a '99+ in that range vs an earlier year for maybe a bit less consider the improvements vs the cost.


On the off road prowess of a stock Runner - I have the taller coils,no running boards,taller tires (not stock but easily fits) and a rear locker and I do quite a bit of trails that other stock SUVs struggle with and I do things that push the limit of the stock capabilities but that limit has some distance.

 

[onesojourner]

I really never use cup holders. If we have a drink in the jeep its in a nalgene on the floor. so no big deal there.

I think we can get a solid 7,000 for our jeep we would like to find something in pretty close to that. we may decide to sell a honda and I think we can get another solid 2 out of that. 4runners around here are few. there is actually a 98 with 98,xxx on it, 5spd, v6, sr5 for 9,200.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

This one's hard to beat if it was in your area.

'99 Sport model with a few simple mods;128k but for under $9k and your getting alot of truck and a desired model with locker and the upgrades.
Almost identical to mine and I've got 131k and zero leaks,compression was consistent across the board and still within 2psi of OEM specs and uses only about 1/4 quart every 9000 mile oil change with synthetic of course.

With a well cared for Runner a little mileage isn't too big a deal but lower is the best.

http://www.yotatech.com/f108/feeler-post-99-4runner-121265/

Try autotrader since I think you can find a '99 for the same $9k or evena little less or even a '98 a bit cheaper. Overall 3rd gens prices have dropped abit in the last year.


Here's even a 2000 w/lower miles and is a fellow member here.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=29733

 

[onesojourner]

didn't the transfer case go from a shifter to a push button in the later years?

 

[RonMAIDEN]

All 3rd gens have a real shifter for 4wd but the center diff on the Limited's and '01+ SR5s was a push button to lock.

I think the 4th gens lost the shifter.

 

[onesojourner]

alright My wife and I went and test drove a stock 2001 sr5 auto with 166,xxx miles. I loved it. I am pretty sure we are going to do this. we just test drove it a dealership just to see if we liked it. The dealship wanted over 10 grand for the truck and it was in rough shape - rock chips all over the front of the hood and grill. intenna making an awful noise ect.. they also wanted to rape us on the jeep. not really looking to buy from a dealership any ways. the only thing I was not thrilled with was the brakes seemed a little grabby is that normal for the 1996+?

 

[azacher]

166k on the odo is a lot for a 2001. That thing was definately driven, I would be careful...the national average is between 12 and 15k a year, multiply that by 6 years and that car should have no more than 90k on it. I bought my 99 Limited 6 months ago for just over 10k with 127k on the odo from a dealer.

 

[onesojourner]

We had no intention of buying that truck. The dealer was a joke. We just did it for the test drive to see if a 4runner is what we want. I have another one found. its a 98 limited with 100,xxx and I think we could get it for about 9. I think we are going to focus on selling the jeep before we really start looking.

 

[pius222]

Have you tried Ebay motor? Autotrader? or Craiglist?

I found my 99 SR5 4WD on Autotrader.

 

[onesojourner]

yep actually I get email updates for anything from 1996-2002 with in 100 miles of me.

 

[p nut]

I had a ZJ for a while. I actually liked it a lot. It was the 5.9L and had plenty of grunt. They are pretty easy to work on and the parts are cheap. However, I was so glad to get rid of that thing and get into a Toyota. The ZJ just felt cheap. Even my friend's WJ feels really cheap, even though it's a limited model. Plus, they suck gas like no tomorrow. If you're on Jeepsunlimited.com, go into the off-topic forum and ask the guys there which they prefer. 99% of them would take a Toyota 4Runner/LC over a Jeep without blinking an eye.

You will definately like the Toyota. I would definately try to get a 99+. I had a '98, and I wished that I had opted for a '99. But I have an 02 SE now, so I'm happy.

 

[onesojourner]

yep I am on there. its going to be in the for sale section on there this week... I just have to give it a bath and get some pictures.

 

[p nut]

yep I am on there. its going to be in the for sale section on there this week... I just have to give it a bath and get some pictures.

Good luck with the sale. I will say that the TJ's are definately fun vehicles. But you will definately have just as much fun, if not more, in the Toyota. The only way I'll ever sell my 4Runner is if I have 4 kids and need a bigger vehicle. In which case, I'll build a sweet FJ80 (if Toyota hasn't come out with another tough rig like the 80 by that time...).