What website is the best place to get the most affordable but decent parts for your 3rd gen 4Runner? Like RockAuto or whatever places. And what AR or should I say are there many parts mechanical parts that are interchangeable with a 2000 4Runner limited like if there is a 98 4Runner limited is most of its mechanical parts are interchangeable with a 2000?
What site to go to
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brillo_76
Elite Member
1] website to get most affordable parts
would depend if you want OEM parts or Aftermarkets.
2] what parts are mechanical parts are interchangeable?
That one is slighty harder. The chassis are all the same in the 3rd gens. Naturally the engines 4 or 6 cylinder and manual vs auto are different.. as well as 2wd vs 4wd slightly different.
The engines themselves in the same family are the same.
However for interchangeably. Think of them as 2 sub classes if you would.
Years 1996 to 1998 very similar with very similar electrical wiring systems.
1999 to 2002 years very similar with 1999 2000 being the crossover years to a lot more electronics. 2001 and 2002 extremely similar..
So your electrical systems can very if that makes sense.
For examples: a 1996 Tailgate will bolt on to a 2002 rig. However, you better take the harness out of your 2002 and put it in the 1996 tailgate if you want things to function properly.
Limited trim has slots in the doors. Rockers and side panels that the basic and sr5 do not.
They only made one collision manual for the entire generation though. So you know the chassis is really close.
Headlights changed in later years of the gen and the front bumper went fat lipped too.
Airbag systems changed along with the electronics.
Abs system 1996 to 1999 ish similar. Changed majorly in 2001 and 2002
So I look at the 3rd gens in 3 groups.
Early years 1996 to 1998
Transition years 1999 to 2000
Later models 2001 to 2002.
Hope this helps.
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UnderFire
New member
Yes for the most part everything drive train and suspension wise from a 96-2000 limited would be interchangeable. Lots of changes happened over the years on cosmetics and interior.
Rockauto is my go-to, you've got to know what you're buying though, avoid cheap no-name brands. Stick to centric, moog, denso, beck/arnley, Victor reinz etc.
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Rockauto is my go-to, you've got to know what you're buying though, avoid cheap no-name brands. Stick to centric, moog, denso, beck/arnley, Victor reinz etc.
Sent from my JSN-L23 using Tapatalk
Kanoe
New member
and of course being in the USA you have any number of choices for online OEM Toyota parts. I have used Camelback Toyota out of Phoenix and Toyota of Dallas. Guys on here have mentioned other more local options as well but I don't know of them.
Rock Auto is great for us Canadians. The shipping is fast and reasonable.
Rock Auto is great for us Canadians. The shipping is fast and reasonable.
beklemmung
New member
1]
However for interchangeably. Think of them as 2 sub classes if you would.
Years 1996 to 1998 very similar with very similar electrical wiring systems.
1999 to 2002 years very similar with 1999 2000 being the crossover years to a lot more electronics. 2001 and 2002 extremely similar..
So your electrical systems can very if that makes sense.
So I look at the 3rd gens in 3 groups.
Early years 1996 to 1998
Transition years 1999 to 2000
Later models 2001 to 2002.
Hope this helps.
I have a question about the electrical differences, specifically the headlights. I want to replace the original headlights in my 97. I'm not interested in spending too much so was looking to get the TYCs from Rockauto. The models for a 99 truck are considerably cheaper than the models for my 97 ($68 for a pair vs nearly $200 for a pair). Could I use the ones that come up for the 99 model year?
brillo_76
Elite Member
Headlights did change 99 to 02 and they bolt on. Actually that's a very common mod as the 99 to 02 headlights are much brighter then the glass ones of 96 through 98..
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beklemmung
New member
Headlights did change 99 to 02 and they bolt on. Actually that's a very common mod as the 99 to 02 headlights are much brighter then the glass ones of 96 through 98..
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By "bolt on" you mean it should be simple and straightforward to install the models indicated for 99-02 trucks and not the models indicated for the 96-98 trucks, correct?
phattyduck
Elite Member
They are 100% compatible. Bolt in the same place, fit the same, same electrical plug/bulb, etc.
edit: the only differences (in quality, etc.) will be due to OEM vs. aftermarket.
-Charlie
beklemmung
New member
Thanks Charlie. I read the older multi-page headlight threads, and it seems that people who don't want to shell out big $ have been reasonably happy with the TYC replacements for 20+ year old OEM assemblies. I do wonder by there's such a big price difference between the TYC model intended for 96-98 trucks and the TYC model intended for 99-02 trucks, but glad to hear I can go with the cheaper one.
4Runner4Leon
Senior Member
I've had extensive chats with the god of automotive headlights, Daniel Stern, about the 3rd Gen 4Runner headlights. He said that by FAR the best improvement is a set of new OEM Toyota headlights. He said that after 20 years, the reflectivity of the original headlights is reduced about 80-90% (see a photo of my old and new headlights below).
He also emphasized OEM instead of aftermarket - he said the pattern is much better. OEM headlights are not cheap (about $300 for the set), but they are a huge improvement.
Old:
New (check out the reflection in the faceted portions):
beklemmung
New member
I saw your posts in the headlight thread earlier this year and I believe you/Stern that OEM is best. If this was a DD that I often used at night, I'd consider it. But I can't justify their cost for my use. It seems that [MENTION=148218]JZiggy[/MENTION] and [MENTION=115347]gamefreakgc[/MENTION] were happy with the cheap TYC upgrade/refresh, so I'm going to give it a shot.
4Runner4Leon
Senior Member
Yup, can't blame you
. Mine were a birthday present to me from my lovely wife (how did she know??), so who was I to complain 
.
brillo_76
Elite Member
Great job Charlie thanks for the assist to the user question..
As to the tip of OEM vs Aftermarket. 
gamefreakgc
Elite Member
Yup, love them still and no regrets. I did have one break but another $40 light solved that.
I also recommend looking at Rockauto's brighter headlight bulbs since they have them for super cheap. No wiring upgrades needed for these since they are only a 10W increase over stock low beams:
More Information for GE / TUNGSRAM 9003NHP
More Information for PHILIPS 9003XV
beklemmung
New member
Thanks Jerod - basically just pick either of those two options for a noticeable upgrade over what will come stock in the TYC assemblies?
phattyduck
Elite Member
80-90% has got to be an overstatement... but point taken. And so tempting - the chrome on the lower surface of the bowl on my headlights is basically gone at this point. And the little spider on the passenger side is quite sun bleached at this point too.
A quick price-out looks like it would be more like $350 for a pair, and that is just the main body, without the frame (the complete lights are NLA).-Charlie
4Runner4Leon
Senior Member
80-90% has got to be an overstatement... but point taken. And so tempting - the chrome on the lower surface of the bowl on my headlights is basically gone at this point. And the little spider on the passenger side is quite sun bleached at this point too.
-Charlie
Yeah, the $300 is before tax and shipping. This was the best deal I could find, right in your backyard Charlie:
1999-2002 Toyota 4Runner Lens & Housing 81170-35300 | OEM Parts To You
1999-2002 Toyota 4Runner Lens & Housing 81130-35320 | OEM Parts To You
gamefreakgc
Elite Member
Yes, they will come with bulbs but they are 50W/55W bulbs. 60W/55W will give you 10W more power for the low beams on top of having brighter reflectors. There's also some Hella's that are 60W/55W for $2 for a set of two but they tend to burn out. If you go with the Hella's buy two sets, heck that's still only $4!
I am far from a light expert.
So if originally the bulb is 50/55 watt and that is listing low/high beam....low beam #'s first.......
and the new ones are 60/55 giving low beam 10 watts more
then does that make the low beam brighter than the high beams ?
just wanting to learn and have brighter lights too
