Im pretty sure that Ive decided that I want a 4runner. 3rd generation, sr5, 4x4, blah blah blah

Thats about all I know of these vehicles.

Can someone give me a run down of which years to avoid (obviously im wanting the newest possible within the 3rd gen models), common problems with this models in this series? Also, what about the manual trannys in these vehicles...yay/nay?

Also, I thought that I'd heard people say that the jap versions are more desirable....?

Thx twwers!

9/29/2008 2:56:44 PM

You know, if you bump up to the 4th gen you get more space, more power, and better gas milage.

I'd look into those (actually I'm getting an 03 4runner next week) unless you wanted a hardcore offroad rig.
Even then, the 4th gens aren't supposed to be far behind the 3rd gen.
Plus, there's no rear end slump...

Good luck finding a manual. I've seen only one 3rd gen with manual and supposedly less than 1% of them had manuals.

9/29/2008 3:58:24 PM

Quote :

"and better gas milage."

According to fueleconomy.gov the V-6 gets the same city gas mileage when comparing the 2002 (3rd Gen) and 2003 (4th gen) models. The highway mileage is up 1 MPG. Not a big enough difference to matter. The V8 in the 4th gen loses a little MPG over either year's V6 (obviously.)

The 4th gen with the V8 does have more power you can feel. I think they added another gear to the auto transmission which probably helps. It's still sluggish as hell, but it is much improved. It does feel a little more car-like in a good way IMO. It's tighter feeling.

[Edited on September 29, 2008 at 4:10 PM. Reason : l]

9/29/2008 4:08:52 PM

Guys I know who have 3rd gen 4Runners with the V6 say they get 12/17mpg.
That's what I get out of my V8 Tundra.

I know one guy with a v6 4th gen, 4wd, and he said he gets around 20mpg, all of his driving is on country roads.
When se7entythree had her 4th gen v8 4wd we'd calculate anywhere from 16-22mpg for in raleigh/highway.

That's not a big increase, but you do get quite a bit more power.

Here's a good site.
Seems like the 3rd gen had very few problems...as would be expected from a japanese toyota
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?threadid=1301

[Edited on September 29, 2008 at 4:39 PM. Reason : ]

9/29/2008 4:18:21 PM

It seems like 99 or newer models are the ones to buy for a 3rd Gen. They changed/fixed a lot that year.

9/29/2008 5:05:16 PM

Its a toyota, I have owned several, the 2nd gen got 12/19mpg, like someone else said, 99 and up, better styling, and some improvements. Also not sure but 01-04 tacomas had a balljoint failure recall something you may want look into.

9/29/2008 5:46:55 PM

http://www.yotatech.com

9/29/2008 10:00:00 PM

Third gens. are very solid. Sure the 3.4 V6 isn't going to have as much power as the 4th gen. 4.3L? but it should easily meet your daily needs. Even the 96-98 had a lot of improvements over the early 90's models. I'd go for one of them if you can find one with low miles. I know 5 spds. are more common in those.

9/29/2008 11:18:00 PM

I bought a 2000 4Runner about two weeks ago from packguy2. I haven't commented too much on this particular vehicle because I have only driven the thing 200 miles, but so far I like it. It seems to have all the options including the factory locker in the rear axle. From what I read the locker will only engage in 4 Low though. I bet there is something I can do to make it engage in 4 Hi, but I haven't looked into it yet.

In any case, this thing is 8 years old and has 135,000 miles. The only thing I have found wrong with it is that the power locks are flakey. They will unlock the doors, but they won't lock them. That's not bad IMO considering all the options and electronics on these things. Seems to be a common problem although I haven't found an easy fix.

One of my friends has a 2003 SR5 with about 110k that I borrowed all the time until I bought mine. It still runs 95% as well as a new truck IMO and I never saw a single issue with it. He did have to replace one of the AC controls iirc, but it has been almost completely trouble free for the 60k miles he put on it.

[Edited on September 29, 2008 at 11:33 PM. Reason : l]

9/29/2008 11:27:44 PM

That's good to know.
The 4th gen I'm getting has 75k miles. I hope to drive it an additional 125k.

Did yall see they're offering an offroad package for the 2009? It's supposed to have a rear locking diff.
Cost is supposed to be $5k though
You could buy a lot of aftermarket shit for 5k...hell you could probably buy a 3rd gen with rear lock for that much.

BTW, I'm not hating on the 3rd gen. I think they're great and wouldn't mind having one.
But, for me the extra room inside is a big plus.
Oh yeah, I think the rear end sag was completely fixed in the 99+ models.

9/29/2008 11:36:52 PM

That 4th Gen that I have put a lot of miles on has some sort of full time AWD or 4WD system that can't be turned off. Makes it impossible to have fun kicking the back end out in the rain, but it gave a lot of confidence driving up and down a snowy mountain road.

9/29/2008 11:43:42 PM

All of the V8 models have full time 4wd.

9/30/2008 12:09:47 AM

Id love a 4th gen, but $ is a factor here. Plus, I like the look of the 3rd gen better. Also, Im gonna feel alot better about thrashing a slightly older one, between the bikes and the dog.

Ive found a few in my area that seem like good candidates. All of them are 2001+ and all have less than 75k on them, with the larger 3.4L.

Now...anyone got suggestions for a (beat) '97 Benz C220?

9/30/2008 8:21:59 AM

I suggest you sell it to me

9/30/2008 12:12:54 PM

^deal!

$3k?

(pickup only, or ill deliver to a transport agency for you....im in WA state)

9/30/2008 1:47:47 PM

Quote :

"I know one guy with a v6 4th gen, 4wd, and he said he gets around 20mpg, all of his driving is on country roads."

yeah, i get about 20mpg commuting around rtp, and 23-24 with exclusive highway driving.

9/30/2008 3:08:53 PM

I thought you sold yours back before I sold mine?

9/30/2008 10:52:00 PM

1st gen

<3

9/30/2008 11:19:07 PM

^^ I totalled one a couple years back...I cant remember when you had yours, but that may have been it.

10/1/2008 8:55:11 AM

that was directed at bobbydigital

10/1/2008 11:04:14 AM

http://www.thewolfweb.com/message_topic.aspx?topic=451441

10/1/2008 11:06:02 AM

that was a good truck

10/1/2008 1:57:03 PM

Quote :

"I thought you sold yours back before I sold mine?"

10/1/2008 2:05:48 PM

HA he thinks everything is "his"

10/1/2008 2:42:17 PM

whats mine is mine, and whats yours is mine.

10/1/2008 7:30:20 PM

Quote :

"I thought you sold yours back before I sold mine?"

nah, you might be confusing me with someone else. I never tried to sell the 4runner. I did post my G35 on TWW back when i was selling it.

i dunno.

10/6/2008 2:50:10 PM

I averaged 17.2 MPG on my first tank of gas in the 3rd gen. The actual mileage is probably a little better than that because the tires are slightly larger than stock which would set the odometer reading off just a little. 50% highway, 50% city, and about a gallon wasted towing a 3500 lb boat to the gas station and back.

10/6/2008 3:59:45 PM