Value of a 2.7L vs. 3.4L and other options

[mymalade]

This is what a fully loaded stock 3RZ base model looks like. Since it's a '99 4x4 I got the factory Highlander tall springs. The only things in this pic that aren't stock are the sports hood & 275/70/16 instead of the factory 265/70/16 tires.

Another thing I love about base models are the black door handles & rear view mirrors. I hate the color match on Desert Dune/Silver etc, the contrast with the black is awesome.

Great looking T4R. Can you tell me more about the taller springs? Do those come on all the 4x4s or is it only available with certain packages? Would I be able to swap them onto a base model?

 

[mymalade]

We currently own three 4Runners: a '99 3RZ, a 2000 3RZ, and a 2000 SR5. All with 5 speeds. I owned a 5-speed '97 SR5 that I bought in 2013, refurbished, put 20,000 miles on, and sold to my brother. I thus have many thousands of miles of driving both engines.

The 4-cylinder models have 15" wheels; the 6-cylinders have 16" wheels.

I prefer the 4-cylinder models in both town and highway driving. The weigh difference (engine, drivetrain, and wheels) and lower stance combine to make a notable difference. It's, how shall I put this, lighter on its feet. Furthermore, the 4-cylinder's W59 gearbox is a little smoother and easier than the 6-cylinder's R150.

Would you rather tango with Keira Knightley or Melissa McCarthy?

Maintenance, barring the fuel filter, is easier on the 4 cylinder, and fuel mileage a little better. Your spark plug bills will be a whopping 50% less.

I don't believe any 4-cylinder models had ABS. Many on this forum would consider the absence of that feature to be an advantage. Likewise, 4-cylinder models probably don't have a moonroof. That's a good thing, too.

Lots of good information in this post, and I'm pretty jealous that you have three manual 4runners.
But also, it looks like the 16-in wheels were an option with the four-cylinder which apparently gets bigger suspension too?

 

[rglsr]

There was a package available on 3RZ 4wd 4Runners with 16" wheels, larger front calipers, lower rear diff ratio, etc. Not very common though.

 

[Romeo1]

I kinda feel like we may have hit peak 3rd gen pricing. They’re finally coming back to reality in the $4-9k range in the inter mountain west.

I’m a free-est of free kinda market guy, but 5 digit pricing on anything but a super pristine low mile unit for 3rd gens is a bit outrageous to me. Pricing on FJ80s is coming down too.

There’s going to be a bit of a hangover in the car market (well, everything really) once everyone realizes you cannot break the fundamentals of velocity of money and the dumping of cash ceases. It seems like the policy makers missed the first day of Econ 101.

 

[Scramble]

Great looking T4R. Can you tell me more about the taller springs? Do those come on all the 4x4s or is it only available with certain packages? Would I be able to swap them onto a base model?

Thanks. All 1999 4WD models (Base, SR5 & Limited) should have come with the 1" taller springs & will fit into any year 3rd gen 4Runner. You can fit 275 70 R16's in there with no rubbing. Just dont buy the cheap aftermarket springs like Dorman, they dont last long. Get genuine Toyota.

 

[Back4More]

I kinda feel like we may have hit peak 3rd gen pricing. They’re finally coming back to reality in the $4-9k range in the inter mountain west.


There’s going to be a bit of a hangover in the car market (well, everything really) once everyone realizes you cannot break the fundamentals of velocity of money and the dumping of cash ceases. It seems like the policy makers missed the first day of Econ 101.

:iagree: ...but refuse to count out good ol' fashioned fools and their money.

 

[jruffinb]

But where can I find a Transmission Stiffner

THere is a transmission stiffner bracket on each sid eof the bellhousing that connects the block to the transmission. I wheel my 4runner and I cant find this part and I am worried that the bellhousing will crack.

I can fabricate one but I need to get the dimensions to copy it. SO infuriating.

I have a 2.7L 1996 Base with a 5speed. Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[TucsonAZ]

Anything that old is always going to come down to condition, records, deferred maintenance and so on.

When it comes to the 6 versus the 4 I had the 6 in a truck of mine and strongly disliked it and have avoided anything with it ever since. Even doing my front end was so much harder versus the 4 banger.