Any 3rd gen 4Runner fans?

[bfrank1972]

Have a new addition to the family, 1997 4Runner with 95k miles. So far I'm loving this thing - just the right size, built like a tank, window sills are good height for my arm to rest, visibility when backing up is really excellent, fun to drive, and it made me dig out all my old tapes and CDs. I don't need no bluetooth. I like living in the past.


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[WolfpackS2k]

Hell yeah, nice purchase!

I've been seriously considering one of those myself. Especially every time a 5sp pops up.

[bfrank1972]

Oh yeah - I was looking for a 5spd myself, but this one popped up. Was too nice to pass up for the price. The 5spd models are rarer and command a premium, but would be really cool to have one. Now to find some trails....

[NoHaveMSG]

3.4 or 2.7?

[DarkPira7e]

I love this age Toyota. If I recall, they have a propensity to have fuel line leaks near the tank though so give it a good once-over!

[bfrank1972]

Originally Posted by NoHaveMSG

3.4 or 2.7?

3.4, no rear locker though. If I get serious about wheeling it I might add an aftermarket rear locker later on.

[bfrank1972]

Originally Posted by DarkPira7e

I love this age Toyota. If I recall, they have a propensity to have fuel line leaks near the tank though so give it a good once-over!

Yeah I had it looked over by a couple different mechanics and everything seems to be in good order - you never know with a 22 year old truck though. I even have classic car plates on it lol.

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by bfrank1972

3.4, no rear locker though. If I get serious about wheeling it I might add an aftermarket rear locker later on.

Rock solid motor. Just watch for valve cover leaks. They are a PITA to fix as the upper and lower plenum have to come off to get to the driver side.

[bfrank1972]

Originally Posted by NoHaveMSG

Rock solid motor. Just watch for valve cover leaks. They are a PITA to fix as the upper and lower plenum have to come off to get to the driver side.

Yeah I have a little valve cover seepage now, but nothing terrible. Plan to watch that, also need timing belt/wp, and probably swap the radiator out at that point. Everything else, ball joints etc. looks pretty darn good, previous owners did a good job caring for it.

[gravitylover]

I had a 91SR5 5 speed for a while until the strut mounts rotted almost all the way through and I pretty much threw it away. My mechanic at the time gave me $300 and drove it for a few months until the front end collapsed driving down the road. That thing was a beast, a very slow one but a beast nonetheless. It was happiest when the weather was really rotten and there was nobody else around. I drove up the Gulf on Rt 100 in VT in over the bumper deep snow once and it just chugged away at about 30 the whole way up to the top of Sherburne Pass on Rt 4 just west of Killington where the oil light came on. I had the whole family with me so just put it in neutral because there's nothing up there and it was 15* so couldn't turn the heat off and coasted down the hill all the way into Rutland (about 10 miles) and pulled into the first place to get oil. I popped the hood and the dipstick was bone dry! Put oil in until it was right, started it up and all was well then drove it for another 20k miles. That thing was bombproof until it wasn't. The only problem I had with it was that 3.slow was a pig so you had to flog it to keep up with traffic.

[bfrank1972]

Originally Posted by gravitylover

I had a 91SR5 5 speed for a while until the strut mounts rotted almost all the way through and I pretty much threw it away. My mechanic at the time gave me $300 and drove it for a few months until the front end collapsed driving down the road. That thing was a beast, a very slow one but a beast nonetheless. It was happiest when the weather was really rotten and there was nobody else around. I drove up the Gulf on Rt 100 in VT in over the bumper deep snow once and it just chugged away at about 30 the whole way up to the top of Sherburne Pass on Rt 4 just west of Killington where the oil light came on. I had the whole family with me so just put it in neutral because there's nothing up there and it was 15* so couldn't turn the heat off and coasted down the hill all the way into Rutland (about 10 miles) and pulled into the first place to get oil. I popped the hood and the dipstick was bone dry! Put oil in until it was right, started it up and all was well then drove it for another 20k miles. That thing was bombproof until it wasn't. The only problem I had with it was that 3.slow was a pig so you had to flog it to keep up with traffic.

Yep rust is the kryptonite. Especially for 1st and 2nd gens. 3rd and 4th gens are susceptible too. This one seems to have been spared, but won't be any longer up here in CT winters. Going to fluid film the underside to help preserve it. It's no rocket by any means but it gets along ok, the 3.4 helps a little. Not a big deal tho, I'm in a different mindset than when I drive the FR-S, just taking my time...

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[Lantanafrs2]

Nice stance on that frs. I used to live in New Haven and worked in Norwalk before moving to Florida.

[bfrank1972]

Thank you - RCE Tarmac 2's, -2.8 camber front, -2.2 rear (natural), xxr 527s. The plan is to sell this and purchase a 240z once I got the 4runner, but I'm having a hard time letting this car go...

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[mn_ca]

I love the 3rd gen 4runner's! My mom still has 2002 Sport and it's approaching 400k. Started to leak a bit of everything @ 300k but it still going!