DCS

I bought my 1st Toyota ever, about a year ago.

I have brothers and sisters who are Toyota fanatics, and have always promoted them as bullet-proof etc. They drive mainly cars and minivans.

I live in the sticks, so I need 4WD.

So I bought a 1990 4runner, 3.0. The body and frame and accessories and suspension are fairly impressive, but the motor, exhaust, and transmission are garbage.

I have to say, after a year, I am completely surprised at my experience with this vehicle. My wife laughs about it. "I thought Toyotas were supposed to be reliable, maintenance-free, etc"

This thing is a piece of crap. The engine is underpowered and choked with a ridiculous array of emissions garbage. You have to un-time the motor just to change a water pump. The fan assembly is a time bomb waiting to destroy the radiator and battery. The intake airway is a joke. The exhaust is a joke with its huge crossover and impossible access. The coolant pathway allows crap to accumulate in the rear of the motor where the temperature sensor is hidden thereby fooling the ECM into thinking the engine is running too cool and thereby preventing the vehicle from shifting into overdrive. The head gasket fails. The transmission solenoids fail. The EGR's fail. Etc.

I wanted a used but reliable get-around-the-neighborhood vehicle. Not a competition wheeler. A trail and highway vehicle. One that requires occasional oil change and lube job, and not much else.

Can I achieve the Toyota experience if I upgrade to a 96 or later 4runner that's in good condition?

Or do they have their own set of money-pit problems requiring constant attention?

Thx.

MTL_4runner

The short answer to your questions are Yes and No, respectively. I came within a hair of buying a 2nd gen back in 1998 but decided to pony up the extra cash and as it turns out that was an excellent move. I wouldn't say 2nd gens are complete garbage by any means but they certainly aren't in the same caliber as a 3rd gen (any more than a 3rd gen is in the same caliber as a 4th gen with a V8). They had some issues early on but they have been largely resolved (they did have HG issues on the early 3.4L motors, which don't have an EGR by the way, but if they were going to blow, they would have already done so.....there was a dealer fix that came out to remedy the problem). Don't expect to get away from basic maintenance completely but a 96-02 should provide you with alot more driving enjoyment. Test drive one and you'll see what I mean. If you're still in need of more passing power, a supercharger is also an option for the 3.4L, but don't expect that little mod to be cheap.

AuburnRunner

Wow DCS... you pretty much summed up everthing that I hate about my 2nd gen.

1uzfe swap it!

etan

I would say that the 3rd gens are better than the 2nd gens. performance wise as far as the engine, but i have a 3rd gen so i have a bias.

keithguts

I have a 2nd gen (1995 4runner 4X4 3.0 Auto), and I love it. I just had the compleat top end re-done, and she runs like a dream. My only problem is with the shifting of the auto trans. I do not like the way it shifts at all, and not even sure if it is normal. Seems to take a long time, to shift out of 3rd gear at times, unless the rig is really warmed up. then there is no problem. I just hate pushing it in 3rd gear all the time. As far as power with the 3.0, I didn't buy the rig for power, and I'm happy with the power it has.

UKMyers

The 3.4 engine is leaps and bounds better than the 3.slow.. there were a few issues with the 3rd gens like leaky rear axle seals but for the most part they are good rigs. I love my 2nd Gen body style but your right the 3.0 has alot to be desired and the auto's are alot worse as far as being a pig goes. As much trash as I talk on my 3.0 I have put 90K on it with no issues besides routine maintenance....knock on wood.. it better hold up a while longer since I dumped a huge pile of cash making it a rock crawler.

bigredj87

I have a first gen, and absolutely love the thing. other than a few rust battles with the 20 year old exhaust, and a bad starter solenoid I have had nothing major. I guess first gens are just in a different caliber than the 2nd gens.

k_southman

I have owned 1st seconf and third gen 4Runners. I must say that I did not notice much difference between my 86 and 90, but a big difference between the 90 to 2000. Much more power, better brakes, nicer interior. Overall a much better truck.

pat161

I would have to say that if you are looking for something extremely reliable and you go out and buy something nearly 20 years old that you have done yourself no favors. I think the 2nd gens were a nice vehicle in their day, but time and the fact that technology has improved kind of left them behind. If you go and buy a 1996 Runner you are still looking at an 11 year old truck, it is not going to be bullet proof, things will wear out over time. When do things become routine maintenance, if my truck is 2 years old and needs a tranny I might say the tranny was weak. If it is 10-20 years old and needs work I would be inclined to say it was bound to go sooner or later.

00FourBanger

Here what I think... The 2nd gen is pretty much a cross between the 1st and 3rd gens. Having driven the 2nd gen a couple of times, it's a little rough around the edges. Let's put it this way, Arabs accually like the 3rd gen enought to have purchased armor plated ones for upwards of $80k.

69goatfarmer

I started with an '85 4x4 XtraCab pickup with a 4 banger, went from a 1st Gen 89 4Runner that was 2nd gen motor (3.0 L V6) in a 1st gen body to the 3rd gen '96 Runner. Major improvement in going to the 3rd gen '96. Better power, body is much less prone to rust (both 85 and 89 had rust probs, '96 w/270,000 miles has very little rust mostly surface underbody). I've had no major mechanical problems with any Toyota I've ever owned and I'm on my 4th (also had an 82 Celica GT). Go with the 3rd gen 4x4 4Runner and I don't think you'll be dissapointed. I've always gotten vehicles with all the options - power windows, door locks, adjustable seats, sunroof, etc. and haven't even had problems with the options. Toyota builds great stuff.

itsmeagain5789

i think its like a gamble. if you get a good 3.0, they will last a while, if u get a bad one, they will give u problems forever. luckily, i got a good one, and have had nothing but normal mainetenance done to it for the past 16,000 miles i've owned it. she's got 161,000 miles and still running really good. i'll drive her anywhere without any doubts. my friend on the other hand, has a bad one, and absolutely hates it. it has 180,000 miles on it, but he used to tow way more than 3500Ib with it. so thats probably why...

Maj

The 2nd Generations are indeed dogs in the power department. Like others have said, a huge difference in power for the 3rd Gens. The only things I miss about my 2nd Gen is the tailgate (I like that better than a liftgate) and the full gauge set. Take one for a spin.

While the 2nd Generations may not be a picture of reliability, there are tons of other SUVS that are way worse. Poke around on some of the other SUV boards and get an eyefull of problems the rest of the competition has.