What is the best year

[1moreToy4me]

Hello.
I have owned 3 4runners in the past. A while back.
Have a Taco now looking to go back to a older model 4.

Currently looking at a 95 loaded in mint condition 200k mi.

What are the best years of the early models?

Any thoughts on the '95

I am going to trick it out and make a off road adventure vehicle.

Thanks.

Here is my current TACO

 

[NoLight]

No idea but welcome!!

 

[1moreToy4me]

Thank you kindly.

 

[Quatre Coureur]

Welcome to T4R! To answer your ? Anything without the 3.0 .

 

[PoshSnoop]

...

What are the best years of the early models?

...

look hard at the 3rd gens. they seem to be the sweet spot in the functionality+value+longevity+simplicity+cost equation.

of course, idk jack about it, being just some noisy moron on the interwebs.

 

[revox92]

Never heard of any reviews that one year is better than other, maybe look for the neatest you can see. Welcome

 

[1moreToy4me]

Welcome to T4R! To answer your ? Anything without the 3.0 .

Tell me about the 3.0!?

I need the edumacation!
thanks for the guidance.

 

[1moreToy4me]

Thanks for the welcome.
I look forward to the creation I have set out to do.

 

[Quatre Coureur]

The 3.0 is notorious for blown head gaskets. It's caused by the routing of the exhaust pipe behind the cylinder heads. It crosses over and connects to the other side. This in turn causes the rear of the cylinder head gaskets to cook and eventually blow. The problem can be alleviated by installing headers. It also frees up a few ponies. Win win, however they're not cheap.

 

[TOY2G]

Tell me about the 3.0!?

I need the edumacation!
thanks for the guidance.

3.0 are trouble prone. Head gasket, knock sensor, and cooling issues. The most common is the head gasket. Not to mention (but I will because you asked) they are VERY under powered.

As far as the best year. Well that's a can of worms. I have had every single year (model) and there are things about every Gen I like and dislike. If you want a removable top 1st gen is your cup of tea...if you want a factory V8 4th gen is the direction you should go. If you want smaller and tough then the 3rd gen with the 3.4 is a great choice. But at the end of the day, the 2nd gen (the 95 you are looking at) are the most unreliable, least parts (mod) available, and historically problem prone.

There are guys here that have made some great 2nd gens (like strap22), but they worked pretty hard at it in most cases.

Like I said before, there are pros and cons of every gen, and little things that change year to year during a generation that make one year perhaps more desirable than another.

Good luck with the hunt, and PM me so I can give you an address to ship that Taco.

 

[1moreToy4me]

3.0 are trouble prone. Head gasket, knock sensor, and cooling issues. The most common is the head gasket. Not to mention (but I will because you asked) they are VERY under powered.

As far as the best year. Well that's a can of worms. I have had every single year (model) and there are things about every Gen I like and dislike. If you want a removable top 1st gen is your cup of tea...if you want a factory V8 4th gen is the direction you should go. If you want smaller and tough then the 3rd gen with the 3.4 is a great choice. But at the end of the day, the 2nd gen (the 95 you are looking at) are the most unreliable, least parts (mod) available, and historically problem prone.

There are guys here that have made some great 2nd gens (like strap22), but they worked pretty hard at it in most cases.

Like I said before, there are pros and cons of every gen, and little things that change year to year during a generation that make one year perhaps more desirable than another.

Good luck with the hunt, and PM me so I can give you an address to ship that Taco.

Found this beauty 1999 fully loaded