Ned

Hello. I am looking to get a 4Runner in the near future and had a couple questions as I am relatively new to them. A little history on me. I have been driving a 1994 GMC Z71 ¾ ton with a 6” sus lift for 9 years. I sold it last fall due to its 8 MPG. I have always been a sideline fan of the 4Runners, but never got into them. Well now it is almost time to. I am in the Army currently in Iraq and when I get home I am buying myself a 4Runner. I have looked at the history of them on many sites and have decided I want a 1996/1997 with the V6, manual tranny and if possible the locking rear diff. My intensions are to get it to 31” tires at most with a 2” sus lift. I do minor off road playing and tow dirt bikes/ atv’s/ small aluminum fishing boat etc…

Is this setup at all common and obtainable? (96, V6, manual, rear locker)

How many miles are these trucks good for? Most 96’s I find are around 150K-180K+. Seems like a lot of miles for the price they are asking.

I have lots of questions and I am reading a lot of posts here, so I'll start with those 2 questions. Any tips/ suggestions you may have are welcome.

Thanks...

Psalm 112

Let me be the first one to say Thank You for serving our Country!

907Toyota

Darnit, you beat me to it! Again, thank you for serving our country, I appreciate your sacrifice!

As for the 4Runner, they will hit 300K+ miles if treated right, so 150K-180K is maybe half way through the life. and Toyotas keep a good resale value even at 150K-180K miles. You should be able to run 31's stock without the lift, but 2 inchs is adequit.

I think my friend has you beat with the 8mpg though..hes got a 97 ford f-150 with a 460, 4 inch lift and 35s. he gets about 5-7 mpg on the highway, but he also drives 70-80mph ( speed limit is 65)

cackalak han

Stock 265/70/16's are already 31's (30.6", technically). I would get an OME lift and 265/75/16 tires. With that set up, you should see around 18MPG on the highway. Stock, they get 20-22MPG if it's running properly.

Also, if you're going to be towing, I'd suggest getting an aftermarket transmission cooler (Hayden makes good ones), and fresh heavy-duty gear oil. The combo, V6, 5sp, and rear locker, is rare, but if you're willing to travel, you should find quite a few around the country. Good luck with that and have a safe trip back.

EDIT: Here is what you're probably looking for:

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/o...-setup-145510/

kmcaprice14

Don't limit yourself to 96/97.... they are basically the same 96 and up. I have a 98 V6 with a manual tranny that I bought last year for under $7000 with just a touch over 100k miles on it. It doesn't have a rear locker, but thats not too bad to add. There aren't too many manuals, but if you look, you can find them. I have since lifted the 4Runner around 2-2.5" with OME springs and tokico struts, and it rides great. I get upwards of 24 mpg on the highway, just around 20 around town, and have NO complaints about this truck. You can't go wrong.

By the way, congrats on getting back from Iraq. Too bad you are in the army, I guess no one is perfect.

<--------------NAVY

4x4

The combination you are looking for were available from '96 to '00.

I have a '98 V6 manual with an elocker - 88,000miles. Just to give you an idea on prices, I paid 7500 about 2 months ago.. it needed tires new tires though.

I put 32" tires on it and the last three tanks of gas I've gotten from 20.5 to 22mpg.. I putt around pretty slow though.

The 3.4 V6 is an incredible engine - I wouldn't be too concerned with high mileage.

4x4

Another thing I forgot to mention - Get ready to fight if you really want this truck.

The combination of 3.4 V6/ 5 speed/ elocker is probably THE most offroad capable and reliable of ALL 4runners ever built. Combine that with the fact that they are extremely rare. 4-7% of 95-00 4runners were availabe with 5 speeds , OF THOSE TRUCKS - only about 10% have the elocker. So less than a 1/2 of 1 percent have this combination. A LOT of these trucks are already in the hands of 4x4 enthusiasts - and they're not selling 'em. Needless to say - when someone puts out an ad for one of these trucks, IT's GONE FAST!

I spent 4 full months looking for my truck. I quickly learned that I needed to check autotrader and craigslist several times a day. Several times I called people less than 12 hours after their 4runners were placed in an ad, and they were already sold. The day I bought my 5speed/elocker 4runner I only got it because the first person to see the truck only had a personal check. He couldnt get to his money until the banks opened the next day. I had cash available, so I snatched it right from under the first guy that came to see it. All of this happened on the same day the seller placed his ad. - probably within 6 hours.

But it was worth it. What a great truck!

Psalm 112

My '98 Limited is still running strong, with about 193k miles on it. I also get about 220-230 miles per tank, that's with a 3" lift, 1" BL, roof rack, on 33's.

Get a 3rd gen with the 3.4 and you'll be glad you did...

Ned

Hey guys, thanks for the responces... I can't wait to get home and start "shopping". I'm not really limiting it to a 96/97. I just want a 96 and up. The limiting factor is $$. I just figure the older, the cheaper. I'm trying to get out of debt, not dig the hole deeper. This truck buying go around I'm not going over 10G's as I have done in the past. It's not worth it. I have a ton of Q's, like what would be the best way to go about lifting it 1"-3" (not body lift) or what are some known issues with the 3rd gen 4runners etc... But I'm going to wait till I get something first. I just love to think about it and figure out what I want to do.

thanks again... If you think of anything else, feel free to let me know...

mkgarrison5

thank you for your service bubba.. you deserve a runner buddy. where you live in the US?

Jay204

I work with a lot of written off vehicles...I see A LOT of 4Runner's coming in with 700k + and some where the odometer has clicked over 1million and is back at 80k. I think as long as you mantain the vehicle, yoda's will go forever. YouTube search ---> how to kill a toyota and watch what they do to that Hilux. Sure its diesel.....but it shows the quality of Toyota's.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lrk6vsb77xk

mkgarrison5

i have a funny feeling the newer ones including tacos arent built as good.. just a hunch.. esp the tranny

Jay204

Agree with you on that one....I think the 3rd gen in general whether it be taco's or 4runner's are the last of an era I don't think we'll see again.

Ned

I did think of another Q. When I do start "shopping" what should I be looking for on these as far as things like hidden rust in known area's, worn out ___, has ___ been done to it yet etc... What Q's should I ask the owner/dealer that might be specific to these Runners? Basicly, is there anything to watch out for?

Thanks...

BTW, your welcome... I am happy to serve... Oh, and for running around our base here we have a Toyota Hilux... I am in love with that thing... Just thought I'd share that with ya...

mkgarrison5

wow, ask lots of questions! mainly these

1. do you have a written maint. history
2. ever wrecked?
3. any major work done?
4. run a car fax (though they are almost worthless but you never know)
5. city driving or highway driving or both??
6. timing belt, water pump and thermostat ever replaced? (should be done at around 90-110k miles)


things i would do if you buy it AND the tbelt, waterpump and thermostat has been replaced

1. change all fluids- ATF for autos, gear oil for manual trannies, gear oil for diffies and Tcase
2. run gm top end cleaner for the top end cleaning (remember to change the oil and spark plugs after done)
3. before step #2, run some BG's44K if you can find it through the gas tank
4. thoughly inspect all boots
5. grease drive shaft
6. do a rear gear box breather mod
7. flush the power steering unit
8. replace the pcv valve
9. check the belts
that should be a good start. lol

Texas_Ace

Just want to add another thank you for serving the great US of A!

And as has been said, don't limit your search to 96/97. to get the combo you want is going to be amazing find. You need to look over all years and finding it for below 10k is not going ot be easy reguadless of the year. Only chance is from someone that doesn't know the trucks value. So keep an open mind.

Jay204

That's a pretty good list of things to CHECK & DO!! That cover's all the important stuff.

mkgarrison5

forgot to mention that he SHOULD check for leaks and look for marks of previous leaks like inbetween the tranny and motor(rear main seal) and head gasket leaks.. this brings up something else.. ASK IF ITS EVERY BEEN OVERHEATED , bc that is toyota's and honda' weakness.. every thing is cool but when it overheats a lot of issues may arise..

Ned

Great suggestions!!! I should have mentioned I was a mechanic the first time I was in the Army for several years in the 90's and then a Volvo/Mazda mechanic for a while untill I decided I disliked fixing other peoples problems (I am not in the fixin business anymore). I was asking what kind of issues the 3rd gen 4Runners might have and that I should watch out for. Although you did hit a few area's I didn't think about before. I never have claimed to be the best mechanic. Sorry if I confused you.

Thanks again guys!!!



<--never seen that one before.. I think it's hallarious.. But let me tell you, that issue is not a factor over here. LOL

foot0069

Well not Ned, come home with all your parts ok!! Give em hell. The best part of that place is leaving it, but you already know that hunh. Take care and thanks!!
Jim (ex Dyna dink)