Which older model for towing boat

[SteelyTim23]

I have a 1999 3rd Gen 4Runner, its great for towing my 19ft Bayliner. I towed it from Washington to Southern California and back a few months ago with no problem at all. Now Im looking at selling and getting an older model (financial reasons). Which would be best? Ive heard that the V6 s are not too reliable and not too good for towing. Is this true?
Any help would be appreciated.
Tim

 

[techno]

I say sell the boat

 

[SteelyTim23]

No friggin way, I have too much fun with it. Anyway I would only get about 2k for it.

 

[TheBlueWave]

If you get something older than a 3rd gen, you will choose between the 3.0 v6 (3.slow) and the 22-RE 2.4 L I4. The 3.slow isn't very strong and gets poor mileage from what I've heard. I used to drive an '89 with a 22-RE 5sp. powertrain and I towed my friend's Alumacraft Lunker 16 footer, not a very big boat. That truck towed it, but you could definately feel it there.
So I would say if you want to tow a 19 ft bayliner, you better not get an older 4runner. I would guess they tow 3000 lbs max with either powertrain, but I could be wrong.
Just get an old domestic rig or something, or sell the boat if you're in real trouble...:bash:

 

[004Gunner]

No way I would go to any older runner for towing. The V6 had to work hard moving itself up a hill and I can't imagine throwing a boat behind it. I hauled jet skis (stand up) and that's it on my '90

 

[G.I.G.]

Yeah, the older 4Runners are goats, sorry to say. My step dad used to have a '96 4Runner that could hardly make it up I-70 here in the Colorado foot hills, and that wasn't towing anything!

IMO, Japanese SUV's were consistently behind their American counterparts in the power department until the last 5-8 years. The late 90's 4Runners, Pathfinders, Xterras, etc. all seemed to have relatively low HP V6s and no V8 option. That's the main reason I was a Jeep guy until my '07 4R.

I would stay away from the 2.4L 4-cylinder though. I had that motor (or at least a version of it) in my first car, an '82 Celica. It was pretty reliable, but could hardly get my Celica moving on the highway. Couldn't imagine that motor in a 4R towing a boat....

 

[SteelyTim23]

Thanks for the replies.
I think I'm going to have to do something I don't want to do, and buy a Ford Explorer. When finances allow I will definitely get another 4runner.

Tim

 

[004Gunner]

If you do go with an explorer make sure you account for the drop in fuel economy. I don't know about the older gens but the newer explorers are considerably worse on fuel compared to your current runner.

 

[SteelyTim23]

Fuel economy is a factor for me. I get 25 with the 4runner. So maybe the Explorer is too much of a guzzler. My pal has a Jeep Cherokee 4.0, he says he gets average around 20, this would be my lower limit.

 

[004Gunner]

That's a high average for the 4.0 and I don't believe it based on my experience with them. My girlfriend just got rid of hers and my brother still has one. Figure 16-18 for an average at best on that 4.0. There was a difference in ignition systems on those depending on year and the newer ignition (coil packs) tended to get better fuel economy.