vermontoyota

Long story short: Its time to take my 94' p/u off the road as a DD and give it the attention that it deserves. Because 70% of the 5th gen trucks around here were bought back, their value is inflated. So a 4runner is the top choice for my new DD - plus why have 2 trucks?

The issue: I'm somewhat partial to the 4cyl - 5spd combo, but these seam super rare. 80% of what I see is V6 auto - is that true of all SR5's?

The question: Please post

Year:
Engine:
Transmission:
Trim: (ie base, sr5 etc)
Mods:
MPGs:

I've checked out most of your rigs in the stickied pic-post - they're all sweet! I love the 3rd gens, just trying to figure out how realistic it is to get the engine tranny combo I want based on the ratio of existing vehicles out there.

thanks

swerks

I believe 97 or 98 was the last year for stick shift in 4runners

warpigg

i have a 97 with a 3rz and a 5 speed its base trim and i get between 20 and 24 mpg's even with 32's. and my mom drives a stock 99 with a 3rz and a 5 speed and its sr5 trim and she gets about the same gas milage. most of the 4runners in vermont that ive seen are 5 speed, only the newer ones after 2000 have automatics around here.

vermontoyota

Then I guess I'm in luck! Sounds like great mileage. I'm keeping my eyes peeled for the V6 5spd combo. Good to hear that those are not as rare as I had thought.

Thanks

warpigg

no v6 5 speed is still pretty rare around here ive never seen one in person. all i ever see is an automatic if its a v6.

CTRJ

1997, V6, 5 speed, 210k miles. I have Old Man Emu suspension and 265/75R16 Falken High Country ATs. They are pretty hard to find. Mine is the only one I've seen in person. You get the feeling they are easier to find on a forum like this but then realize that maybe 10-20 people say that they have one and that's 10-20 out of how many 96-00 4Runners that were made?

Good luck with your search!

Red3.slow

Year:2000
Engine: 3.4 152,xxx Miles
Transmission: Auto
Trim: SR5 4WD with Locker
Mods: OME lift upfront, LC coils in the back, Shrockworks, Baja rack, ISR, Trans cooler.
MPGs: 16-18 normally

TheDurk

I can tell you that 5speeds were difficult to find new in May 1999 when I bought my 4Runner. I had to wait a few weeks before the dealer got one in. I was actually in there complaining when the carrier drove in. We (the salesmen and I) walked out to see what was on it. I bought my rig before the wheels hit the ground. It was the color I wanted, too.

travolous

iTrader: (-1)

Year: 1998
Engine: 3.4
Transmission: A340 Auto
Trim: sr5
Mods: All of the power upgrades
MPGs: 17/18.5

Nelsonmd

Year:2000
Engine:3.4
Transmission:Auto
Trim: SR5
Mods: Yes
MPGs: 18-19

Why are you partial to the 4cyl? The fuel economy is barely better (if at all) and it has significantly less power and torque. Plus the 5VZ is bulletproof.

vermontoyota

My perception was that fuel economy was significantly better, which I was trying to pin down with this thread.

Other than that it's an issue of familiarity. I've spend lots of time around toyota 4cyl's and no time around toyota 6cyls.

The 22re is the handsdown winner over the 3.0 IMO. Not knowing as much about the 5VZ, I extrapolated and assumed the 2.7 was a better total package, even with significantly less power.

If I can get 20 mpg hwy out of a 5VZ I'd get one in a snap.

sportrunner2001

year:2001
engine:3.4
transmission:auto
trim: SR5 Sport
mods: only significant one for this is the loadwarrior
MPG: still ~17 with the heavy foot

after 00 there were no more 5 spds or 4cyls

warpigg

the 3rz gets alot better gas milage then the 5vz. and the 3rz has plenty of power. it could also be considered more reliable because it has less moving parts the a 6cyl.

Idol4life

I currently have a 1997 2.7 5speed. I average around 20-21 with mostly highway between 70-75mph.

This is my 2nd 1997 2.7 5speed. I prefer this setup to the V6. I had a 2000 SR5 V6 5speed which was nice because it was fully loaded. The best i got in that was 22mpg and that was with non-ethanol. After ethanol free gas left us i averaged around 18mpg mostly highway.

I like my 3rz because it has 4.56 gears so its still has plenty of get up. It has no top end speed, but thats not what i bought it for.

I bought all of these around the Burlington area throughout the years. Keep your eyes open and you will find one.

Nelsonmd

It certainly is not a "better" package. Both are very reliable, just a slightly different place in the spectrum.

It is not alot better, the spec is 3mpg better. The "plenty of power" statement is very subjective. I have found that most people find the 3.4 a bit underpowered, but sufficient. And I don't think you can fairly say either is more reliable, they both are extremely reliable. Just because it has fewer moving parts doesn't necessarily mean that it is more reliable. That's often the case, but it doesn't seem to be here.

Roadtripr

Year:1999
Engine: V6
Transmission: Manual
Trim: SR5 4wd
Mods: Tokico trekmasters, Revos A/T
MPGs: 17 in town, 20 on hwy

odo is now at 152K with relatively few issues over the years (starter, antenna, MAF and TPS replaced).
It took awhile to track down a used one in 2002. Milage is poor in stop and go. Decent on hwy if below 80. Best mpg I ever got was 24 mpg cruising at 55 around the olympic peninsula. It has taken me on some great trips

Ironmike4x4

Don't we already have a thread on this? Not talking about the sticky either

Here's mine anyways:

1998
3.4L
Automatic
SR5
265/70/15 General Grabber AT tires, back up lamps, surco roof rack, PIAA fog lamps, 2 KC hilites, 4 cheapo walmart lights all on top of basket, PCV catch can mod, diff breather mod, deck plate mod, and removed running boards.
15 MPG city 17 highway

Nuthuts96

iTrader: (1)

wanna see a v6 5speed, drop me a line

Year:1996
Engine: V6
Transmission: Manual
Trim: SR5 4wd
MPGs: 16 city (80%), 18 hwy

Moon Bear

Year: 97
Engine: 2.7
Tran: 5 Speed
Trim: Base
Mods: URD simulator, spare tire delete, roof rack delete
Mpg: 22-24

290,000 miles!!!
I've had the 3.0, 22RE, and 3.4 and like the 2.7 4cyl the best. Good power for all around driving. Nice power of the highway and for towing my small trailer. (towed over 1,000 lbs to the dump the other day).

smokey0066

Year: 2000
Engine: 3.4
Transmission: auto
Trim: sr5 4wd
Mods: Stock
MPGs: 19mpg combined DD, 21mpg on highway during road trips.

owned since new, now 165k with few issues. replaced water pump under warranty early on. on my 3rd set of tires as of jan '11, 1 timing belt at 100k + acc belts, 1 brake job, doing shocks, radiator and brake job this weekend, clean MAF once in awhile. Its been the best vehicle in my garage with the least amount of issues. The only downside is the AC is somewhat weak which sounds common.