Trying to decide which 4x4

[MatthewakaMatt]

I've finally come to the conclusion that having your only vehicle be a lowered Miata is not especially practical, especially in Colorado. So I am doing a bit of research and probably will buy a 4 door SUV in the next few months. I am wanting a small to medium sized SUV so that I can haul people and loads, have an easier time getting through deep snow, perhaps be able to trailer the 2k pound Miata to and from race days, and do a bit of moderate off roading (i.e. not a tube frame rock crawler, but plan on doing the basic mods and then seeing what it and I are capable of).

When doing some research on what has a good overall reputation, I think I am mostly cross shopping between the late 90s 4Runner, FJ60 Landcruiser (FJ55 looks cool too, but they are old enough that finding a really good one may be hard), and 90s Nissan Pathfinder. Anybody mind giving some input on what the relative strengths and weaknesses of these are? Since this is a 4Runner board, overall are you happy with your trucks? When shopping are there any specific problem areas that I should check on 4Runners of that era?

thanks,
Matt

 

[alaskaman]

1. made in Japan

2. long term quality.

3. tough

4. outstanding 4WD capability


5. satisfactory mileage

6. good finish of interior

7. easy to maintain

8. safety ratings good to high

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I've finally come to the conclusion that having your only vehicle be a lowered Miata is not especially practical, especially in Colorado. So I am doing a bit of research and probably will buy a 4 door SUV in the next few months. I am wanting a small to medium sized SUV so that I can haul people and loads, have an easier time getting through deep snow, perhaps be able to trailer the 2k pound Miata to and from race days, and do a bit of moderate off roading (i.e. not a tube frame rock crawler, but plan on doing the basic mods and then seeing what it and I are capable of).

When doing some research on what has a good overall reputation, I think I am mostly cross shopping between the late 90s 4Runner, FJ60 Landcruiser (FJ55 looks cool too, but they are old enough that finding a really good one may be hard), and 90s Nissan Pathfinder. Anybody mind giving some input on what the relative strengths and weaknesses of these are? Since this is a 4Runner board, overall are you happy with your trucks? When shopping are there any specific problem areas that I should check on 4Runners of that era?

thanks,
Matt

I'm partial to the 4Runner, go figure. The 3rd gen seems great and depending on how much Miata towing you're going to do the 4th gen might be perfect. If you follow this link and study the generations of 4Runner you'll learn a lot about which features came in and in what year.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4297

From what I've read the 3rd gen V6 is great. I love my 4th gen V6. All the V8 owners love them. The 3rd gen and the V8's do have timing belts to change. The 4th gen V6 is powerful, smooth, easy to maintain and pretty good on gas. Many 4th gen V6 owners tow at elevation and they seem to be pleased with the performance.

I vote for a new enough one to have the Torsen center differential, it's awesome! Good Luck :cheers:

 

[peter78]

In 96 the Pathfinder came with no frame and a under powered engine. In 2001 it got a bigger engine. The 96 4Runner is a big improvement for towing and safety equipment over the 2nd generation 4Runner, (90 to 95). The 3rd generation model ran from 96 to 2002. The 4Runner and Pathfinder both have 5,000 pound limits, but the 4Runner with a frame would be better for towing. Still with the 4Runner, it won't be a walk in the park towing a small car. I would think with trailer and other equipment, it should run around 3,500 pounds.

 

[MatthewakaMatt]

I will definitely do a bit more research comparing the 2nd and 3rd generation 4Runners. To be honest it at least appears that the 4th generation ones are a bit bigger and more expensive then I had in mind (want to make sure that whatever I get is cheap enough that I fell comfortable risking it offroad).

 

[808BMW]

After driving my slammed BMW for 6 years, I was in the same boat as you. I ended up with a 4th gen V6 sport edition. Enjoyable to drive, can comfortably fit my friends and I with loads of stuff for the beach, decent gas mileage, and able to trailer my car with tires, tools, and spare parts.

If a 4th gen is too pricey, a 3rd gen might do it, but it will definately be a bit harder on the car. I've flat towed a friend using his 99 v6 4runner and it definately felt more sluggish than mine. Still capable, just gotta go about it right.

I wouldn't trust a 2nd gen with that kind of load though, the 3.slow v6 in those isn't the greatest. As far as mods go though, a 2nd gen is the easiest candidate for a solid axle swap.

 

[boston_kevin]

I will definitely do a bit more research comparing the 2nd and 3rd generation 4Runners. To be honest it at least appears that the 4th generation ones are a bit bigger and more expensive then I had in mind (want to make sure that whatever I get is cheap enough that I fell comfortable risking it offroad).

If you are thinking about offroading, avoid the Pathfinder. Not only are they underpowered (until 2001), but they are unibody based. They were good on the road and had a nice ride on dirt roads, but not so great off-road. 4Runner and FJ should be good. FJ55's are indestructible!

 

[MatthewakaMatt]

Yeah, did a bunch of research last night on the off road capabilities and aftermarket for the Pathfinders, and it didn't seem to be as good as with either the 4Runner or Landcruiser.

So at this point it really sounds like I should start looking for a really good condition 3rd gen 4Runner or old Landcruiser. (The FJ55 and FJ60 are such beasts I don't think I would really care about how slow and gas guzzling they are.)

 

[Jaebster]

I would stay away from the 2nd gens V6. They are notorious for faulty head gaskets. Of course Toyota has a lifetime warranty on problems associated with the head gasket but I wouldn't want to get stuck in the middle of nowhere when it blows and then have my car towed and in the shop for days. I had a 92 and that is exactly what happened to me. My cousin had a 94 and his head gasket also blew. A customer of my parents business also blew his. Also, the 2nd Gen was way too underpowered. 0-60 was like 15 seconds and even tackling an uphill grade on the freeway was a huge task for the 2nd gen V6.

 

[AmbideXtrous]

I know you've said that the 4th gen is more than you want to pay but getting the V8 would really serve you well for everything that you're wanting to do.

 

[BTLFED]

I was thinking of the same choices as you when it was time for me to get another SUV (I had an Isuzu Rodeo before, which was a great vehicle, just old). Since I sell parts at an Infiniti dealership I was first looking at 01-03 QX4s (or fancy Pathfinder lol) because I didn't think I was going to find a 4Runner for what I wanted to spend on an SUV. While the QX4 had some balls, there are so many more problems with them compared to the 4Runner of the same year. The engines love to sludge up if you don't keep the oil changed VERY regularly, the rear suspension links upper and lower go bad regularly, VTC Sensors and Solenoids, etc.

Then we took in an 02 4Runner SR5 V6 2WD on a trade in. I looked at it, drove it, loved it. I bought it, and they put in an air filter, new tires, and an antenna mast. It never made it to the lot. Since then I have towed all kinds of stuff, from an arcade game to street bikes to a 93 Civic hatch on a heavy ass U-Haul double axle trailer. Granted, towing the Civic was pretty slow going (mostly because I am paranoid because I don't have a tranny cooler yet) it still towed it without an issue. I love my 4Runner and will keep it for a long time. :biggrin2:

The 4th Gens will tow a car better, but other than that a 3rd gen V6 should do you fine if that is all you can afford.

 

[Jaebster]

I would stay away from the 2nd gens V6. They are notorious for faulty head gaskets. Of course Toyota has a lifetime warranty on problems associated with the head gasket but I wouldn't want to get stuck in the middle of nowhere when it blows and then have my car towed and in the shop for days. I had a 92 and that is exactly what happened to me. My cousin had a 94 and his head gasket also blew. A customer of my parents business also blew his. Also, the 2nd Gen was way too underpowered. 0-60 was like 15 seconds and even tackling an uphill grade on the freeway was a huge task for the 2nd gen V6.