97' 4runner limited vs. 99' limited

zberch · 12-22-2006, 07:36 PM

I'm looking at buying a 97' or 99' limited 4runner both silver both with just over 100k the 97' is $9000 the 99' is $12000. I like the looks of the 99' and newer 4runners better because of the bumpers and none 2 tone paint but is it worth the $3000 more to get the newer one? What do u guys think? Thanks

PS: Im going to be adding a 2-3" lift and some light wheeling. I had a 99' lifted tacoma a few years back and looking forward to many more posts.

Elton · 12-22-2006, 07:45 PM

welcome to yotatech and merry x-mas.... i like the 96-98s better my self but thats just me i would save the 3k for the lift and etc

ErikJeanna · 12-22-2006, 10:49 PM

I second that...

YotaFun · 12-22-2006, 10:51 PM

I love my 97'
Granted there is some features I wish it had over an 00'
But still none the less I love it.
I would go for the 97' and use the extra money to buy the lift and such just like Elton said...

Welcome to YT!!

DiverseCC · 12-22-2006, 10:54 PM

i agree, i live my 97, and after looking at it some, and really after i put brushguards on it i like the older bumpers better too, mine are chrome though so i don tknow if this one is or not

montypower · 12-22-2006, 11:06 PM

I'd pay the extra $$$... I love my AWD mode (awesome in snow). Cup holders are nice. Updated headlights. There are other updates, but I don't remember them.

Either way these are great trucks!

JETSI · 12-23-2006, 01:58 AM

I have a 97 & a 99. i like them both. I would buy the 97 and use the extra money for the lift.

JC_ez · 12-23-2006, 02:03 AM

Either way you get an awesome truck. I have a 1997 Limited and I've added the 02 headlights, corner lights, tail lights, and hella FF fog lights. Now I think it looks better (in my opinion) than an 99-02 because I love the older style bumpers. The 1999s have a nice climate control system and a better cup holder design. The 4WD system on the 96-98 4Runners cannot be used on dry pavement (but why would you use it on dry pavement anyways?). The AWD system in the newer ones (99+) allow you to use it whenever you want (dry or not) so I guess it is more of a convenience. Keep in mind that you can upgrade the looks of a 96-98 4Runner to the newer style ones for much less than $3000 with left over $$ for more mods!

d0ubledown · 12-23-2006, 02:41 AM

^^ what jc said. if youre picky about trim, fat lipped bumpers & fancy cup holders..get the 99. otherwise..get the 97. part time 4wd is all you really need..unless youre gonna see alot of conditions where all wheel drive would be worth it. im not a fan of colour keyed bumpers either. rather have chrome ...wtf did i say that?

btw jc, whered you get your lighting upgrades from? did you score a perfect set from the wrecker or something? nobody around here in the lower mainland seems to have wrecked 01-02's to pick n choose from...

MTL_4runner · 12-23-2006, 06:08 AM

I like the look of the 99-02's better but it isn't worth $3k to upgrade. I'd just get the 97 and save the money or put it towards your lift and other upgrades. If you want you can even make the 97 look like a 99 after a few mods (headlights, tail lights, front bumper, console mod, etc). It will be alot less than $3k to do that. As for AWD, might be nice to have, but 4WD has never let me down in the ice/snow either.....and we see ALOT of it up here. You'll find out quickly that the type of tires you run in winter make alot more difference than AWD vs 4WD.

Jeff_M · 12-27-2006, 08:30 AM

I had to make the same decision as you. Ultimately, I got a great deal on a 98' Limited. The anthracite 2 tone is very subtle, and appears monochromatic in certain conditions. I was also able to get true 4wd as opposed to AWD along with the rear locker (neither of which were available on the 2000+). Of course I negated these savings by upgrading to color matched 2002 front and rear bumpers, multireflective headlamps, and 2002 jeweled tails!

tom_mag · 12-27-2006, 09:42 PM

The 99-02 have better crash test ratings. Toyota made some kind of safety improvement when they added the bigger bumpers. Check it out www.crashtest.com

Bob_98SR5 · 12-27-2006, 11:05 PM

ive taken off both the 96-98 as well as a 99 bumper off and i cannot fathom why the 99 and newer bumpers would increase its crash testing worthiness. both are flimsy POS's

calrockx · 12-27-2006, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob_98SR5

ive taken off both the 96-98 as well as a 99 bumper off and i cannot fathom why the 99 and newer bumpers would increase its crash testing worthiness. both are flimsy POS's

bob tells it like it is.

try to haggle the 99 price down.

Donovan · 01-01-2007, 11:12 PM

I use the AWD 4X4 on my 2002 all the time in the rain. It makes the truck feel much more stable and helps keep me from breaking traction on the paint on the street. (stop signs etc.) I've got a supercharger too so the rear tires sometimes get a bit loose in the rain.

Elton · 01-01-2007, 11:13 PM

did you decide on one ?

12-22-2006, 07:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
zberch Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Bellingham/Seattle Posts: 110	97' 4runner limited vs. 99' limited I'm looking at buying a 97' or 99' limited 4runner both silver both with just over 100k the 97' is $9000 the 99' is $12000. I like the looks of the 99' and newer 4runners better because of the bumpers and none 2 tone paint but is it worth the $3000 more to get the newer one? What do u guys think? Thanks PS: Im going to be adding a 2-3" lift and some light wheeling. I had a 99' lifted tacoma a few years back and looking forward to many more posts.

12-22-2006, 07:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
Elton Contributing Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toledo,Oregon Posts: 9,125	welcome to yotatech and merry x-mas.... i like the 96-98s better my self but thats just me i would save the 3k for the lift and etc __________________ My Truck 98 4runner SR5 3.4L 5spd 4x4 E-Locker Mods Mom 07 Tundra d-cab limited 5.7L 4x4 auto mom 92 pickup SR5 X-cab 3.0L 5spd 4x4 Papa 89 Pickup SR5 X-cab 4x4 3.0L 5spd/98 4runner SR5 4x4 auto 3.4L R.I.P 91 4runner SR5 4x4 3.0L 5spd Totaled 5/13/06 My Wreck

12-22-2006, 10:49 PM	#3 (permalink)
ErikJeanna Contributing Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Newbury Park, CA Posts: 706	I second that... __________________ DON'T SHOOT! I'm an involuntary traitor to the Toyota world. This WAS my Toyota... a loaded 1998 4Runner SR5 2wd Check out my Sound Domain web page to see it in all it's glory!

12-22-2006, 11:06 PM	#6 (permalink)
montypower Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 285	I'd pay the extra $$$... I love my AWD mode (awesome in snow). Cup holders are nice. Updated headlights. There are other updates, but I don't remember them. Either way these are great trucks! __________________ www.gitout.com 1986 4runner - Auto - 35s - Fun! - Peter

12-23-2006, 02:41 AM	#9 (permalink)
d0ubledown Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: vansterdam BC. Posts: 1,436	^^ what jc said. if youre picky about trim, fat lipped bumpers & fancy cup holders..get the 99. otherwise..get the 97. part time 4wd is all you really need..unless youre gonna see alot of conditions where all wheel drive would be worth it. im not a fan of colour keyed bumpers either. rather have chrome ...wtf did i say that? btw jc, whered you get your lighting upgrades from? did you score a perfect set from the wrecker or something? nobody around here in the lower mainland seems to have wrecked 01-02's to pick n choose from... __________________ sonny ------- 1998 4Runner LTD. Fabtech CO fronts, OME/Pro Comp rears, SS rear links, Revtek diff drop, oem elocker, ARB RD90, 4.88's, 315/75/16 MT/R's on FZJ-80's, Trail Gear sliders, ARB Prado Bar, 1.5" 4Crawler BL, Tundra Brakes, wabfab disco's, IPF's...satoshi'd deckplated & ISR'd. SOLD!!! new ride: 1997 FZJ80. ome/arb/bfg/etc. when clinton lied..nobody died

12-22-2006, 10:54 PM	#5 (permalink)
DiverseCC Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 14	i agree, i live my 97, and after looking at it some, and really after i put brushguards on it i like the older bumpers better too, mine are chrome though so i don tknow if this one is or not

12-23-2006, 01:58 AM	#7 (permalink)
JETSI Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Va Posts: 116	I have a 97 & a 99. i like them both. I would buy the 97 and use the extra money for the lift.

12-23-2006, 02:03 AM	#8 (permalink)
JC_ez Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada Posts: 97	Either way you get an awesome truck. I have a 1997 Limited and I've added the 02 headlights, corner lights, tail lights, and hella FF fog lights. Now I think it looks better (in my opinion) than an 99-02 because I love the older style bumpers. The 1999s have a nice climate control system and a better cup holder design. The 4WD system on the 96-98 4Runners cannot be used on dry pavement (but why would you use it on dry pavement anyways?). The AWD system in the newer ones (99+) allow you to use it whenever you want (dry or not) so I guess it is more of a convenience. Keep in mind that you can upgrade the looks of a 96-98 4Runner to the newer style ones for much less than $3000 with left over $$ for more mods!

12-23-2006, 06:08 AM	#10 (permalink)
MTL_4runner Contributing Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Montreal, QC Canada Posts: 8,808	I like the look of the 99-02's better but it isn't worth $3k to upgrade. I'd just get the 97 and save the money or put it towards your lift and other upgrades. If you want you can even make the 97 look like a 99 after a few mods (headlights, tail lights, front bumper, console mod, etc). It will be alot less than $3k to do that. As for AWD, might be nice to have, but 4WD has never let me down in the ice/snow either.....and we see ALOT of it up here. You'll find out quickly that the type of tires you run in winter make alot more difference than AWD vs 4WD. __________________ - Jamie 1996 4Runner SR5 4X4 Auto Deckplate Mod, Hayden Tranny Cooler, Amsoil Air Filter, OME 881/906 N86C/N91SC Lift Best OBD II scan tool I have used!. .....and I am AMERICAN!

12-27-2006, 08:30 AM	#11 (permalink)
Jeff_M Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 203	I had to make the same decision as you. Ultimately, I got a great deal on a 98' Limited. The anthracite 2 tone is very subtle, and appears monochromatic in certain conditions. I was also able to get true 4wd as opposed to AWD along with the rear locker (neither of which were available on the 2000+). Of course I negated these savings by upgrading to color matched 2002 front and rear bumpers, multireflective headlamps, and 2002 jeweled tails! __________________ 1998 4runner LTD 4X4. Anthracite. 110,000 miles and counting... (9/1/2007)

12-27-2006, 09:42 PM	#12 (permalink)
tom_mag Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 79	The 99-02 have better crash test ratings. Toyota made some kind of safety improvement when they added the bigger bumpers. Check it out www.crashtest.com __________________ Tom 1971 Buick Riviera w/7.5L V8 The quintessential American car. 2000 4runner w/2.7 I4 The fuel efficient parts chaser.

12-27-2006, 11:05 PM	#13 (permalink)
Bob_98SR5 Contributing Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 10,115	ive taken off both the 96-98 as well as a 99 bumper off and i cannot fathom why the 99 and newer bumpers would increase its crash testing worthiness. both are flimsy POS's

01-01-2007, 11:12 PM	#15 (permalink)
Donovan Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Merced, CA Posts: 175	I use the AWD 4X4 on my 2002 all the time in the rain. It makes the truck feel much more stable and helps keep me from breaking traction on the paint on the street. (stop signs etc.) I've got a supercharger too so the rear tires sometimes get a bit loose in the rain.

01-01-2007, 11:13 PM	#16 (permalink)
Elton Contributing Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toledo,Oregon Posts: 9,125	did you decide on one ? __________________ My Truck 98 4runner SR5 3.4L 5spd 4x4 E-Locker Mods Mom 07 Tundra d-cab limited 5.7L 4x4 auto mom 92 pickup SR5 X-cab 3.0L 5spd 4x4 Papa 89 Pickup SR5 X-cab 4x4 3.0L 5spd/98 4runner SR5 4x4 auto 3.4L R.I.P 91 4runner SR5 4x4 3.0L 5spd Totaled 5/13/06 My Wreck

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