95yoda

Hi guys, Im looking to buy a new toyota suv, im thinking a 3rd gen runner, probably a 98-00 or so. How does the 3rd gen perform off road compared to other suv's? i would think very well. I was also thinking maybe a land cruiser? pluses and minuses would be great for that vs a 4runner. How will i know if the runner has a locking diff, just look on the dash i assume? And lastly, what is the biggest tire i can run on a stock 3rd gen? one more question, How would a 3rd gen do compared to my current truck, 95 reg cab, 22re, 4x4, 31x10.5 at's......just so i have something to go off of. Sorry so many questions, any help would be great. thanks in advance guys.

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Elton

most if not all of those have already been answered...

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My Truck 98 4runner SR5 3.4L 5spd 4x4 E-Locker Mods
Mom 07 Tundra d-cab limited 5.7L 4x4 auto
sister 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

95yoda

It would be great if you could help me out and tell me, or give some links.
I was using the search function but did not find anything, except that there is a button for the rear locker.

Help please, thanks guys

seanz0rz

ok quickly, because i know the search doesnt work that well

the 3rd gen is awesome offroad. basically anything toyota makes is awesome offroad, besides the highlander and smaller, and the newer LC's is questionable as they are so big. but yes, 3rd is awesome offroad.

look for the rr diff lock button on the dash, but you might also wanna get under the truck and find if its actually installed and not just a switch. just FYI on that one.

265/75r16 is the largest tire on stock suspension/body.

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1998 Toyota 4Runner SR5 V6 4x4 in Evergreen Pearl Metallic, Sonoran Steel #1, 285/75R16 BFG A/T, Elocker retrofit, Tundra calipers, brembo blanks, hawk lts pads, CarPC in custom center console with molded Indash touchscreen, KC daylighters mounted on Surco Safari rack, Custom sound system, 4xinnovation sliders, sleeping platform, Shrockworks front bumper, 1" 4crawler body lift, etc.
Pictures
Photobucket is being updated, if a picture i posted no longer works, please PM me.

95yoda

Thank you sean.

How would a 3rd gen do agianst a pre 98 land cruiser? from what ive read, the lc is a beast! sold axles and 3 locking diffs?

Would a taco around yr 2000 be equel to the runner?

Thanks guys.

seanz0rz

3rd gen and 1st gen taco are basically the same.

im not a land cruiser aficionado, but i feel they are generally too big to be a serious offroad vehicle. (i know im going to get yelled at for that...)

landcruisers for me are much more of a safari type vehicle. something you would take out offroading in a barren wasteland and thats your home base. if you just plan to run trails, a 4runner or taco is going to be much better.

as for the difference between the 3rd gen 4runner and others: the pathfinder, jeep cherokee and other similar trucks are all unibody by the late 90's. wonderful for a car, as far as im concerned useless for a serious offroad vehicle.


find yourself a nice runner or taco with the elocker (if you can, else put in an arb or the like), good mechanical shape, etc. stock they can do alot, with the appropriate modifications, they are awesome. with an SAS, unstoppable.

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1998 Toyota 4Runner SR5 V6 4x4 in Evergreen Pearl Metallic, Sonoran Steel #1, 285/75R16 BFG A/T, Elocker retrofit, Tundra calipers, brembo blanks, hawk lts pads, CarPC in custom center console with molded Indash touchscreen, KC daylighters mounted on Surco Safari rack, Custom sound system, 4xinnovation sliders, sleeping platform, Shrockworks front bumper, 1" 4crawler body lift, etc.
Pictures
Photobucket is being updated, if a picture i posted no longer works, please PM me.

GREEN4SKIN'R

A Landcruiser and a 4Runner are vastly different and have different positive and negative attributes.

4Runner: nimble,quick, great offroad to a degree,smoother running and a more drivable DD, more room in back seat than Landcruiser, whats the most important mod to make it more capable off road? Emulate a Landcruiser and add a solid axle. Overall a much better vehicle on the road than a Landcruiser (unless you get hit by another car)

Landcruiser: terrible gas milage, underpowered once bigger tires are added, vastly superior to 4Runner off road when both are mildly modded, more cargo room as well as 3rd row seating, Assuming the trail isn't too narrow or short or you don't want to drive too fast a 4Runner has no advantage off road

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Steve '96 4Runner

< aw look, he wants his belly scratched

95yoda

So the LC is superior off road, but bulky and bad mpg? but more safe? ok got it.
I read an artical saying the ifs lc did better off road then the soild axle lc? i would think the soild axle lc would do better?

seanz0rz

depends on what offroad. ifs does better in the sand, at high speeds. solid axles, given the room to articulate (lifted) are better than ifs.

__________________
1998 Toyota 4Runner SR5 V6 4x4 in Evergreen Pearl Metallic, Sonoran Steel #1, 285/75R16 BFG A/T, Elocker retrofit, Tundra calipers, brembo blanks, hawk lts pads, CarPC in custom center console with molded Indash touchscreen, KC daylighters mounted on Surco Safari rack, Custom sound system, 4xinnovation sliders, sleeping platform, Shrockworks front bumper, 1" 4crawler body lift, etc.
Pictures
Photobucket is being updated, if a picture i posted no longer works, please PM me.

95yoda

Thanks for the info Sean.