What is the most offroad capable 4runner ever produced?
#21
I personaly own an 85 (not stock though!) and I love every inch of her and definitely wouldnt trade it for anything. BUt i will admit the 3rd generation with the 3.4 and the 5 speed coupled with the Elocker is the most badass 4runner produced out of the factory. I was going to buy one of those when I was in the market for a toyota, but I ended up discovering my beauty of an 85 and bought it the next day. My next toyota will be a highlander 4runner though I imagine...that is what I origionaly set out to buy anyhow heh.
#23
Originally Posted by vegaskurt
What was so special about the highlander 3rd gen?
#24
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84-85.
No contest, best ground clearance, best suspension, strongest, lightest, smallest. And clearly best looking...
No contest, best ground clearance, best suspension, strongest, lightest, smallest. And clearly best looking...
Last edited by Flamedx4; 11-27-2005 at 11:31 AM.
#25
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Elocked 3 Gens's hands down. The locker easily compensated for the '85's bit of extra flex (if it's there). The frame on a 3gen is good, and they won't rust through after 10-15 years. The rust protection on newer vehicles is much better.
For mud and sand the extra power and low end torque make for a much better performer.
For mud and sand the extra power and low end torque make for a much better performer.
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I have to agree with the others. The 3rd gen with locker is more capible out of the box. I have owend nearly all models starting with a stock 81 pickup, 89 pickup, 88 4runner, 85 4runner and now two 3rd gens. Stock with locker, they perform better offroad. The coilspings make a huge difference in the rear over leaf springs. The IFS is not all that good for flex in factory form.
#27
Originally Posted by gapguy
Originally Posted by vegaskurt
What was so special about the highlander 3rd gen?
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I still don't understand the advantage of the Highlander vs. any of the other E-Locked 3rd Gens. How does it have higher ground clearance? I know this is a "search, n00b!" question, but it would be nice to have the info in this thread.
#32
99-00 highlander.
it was a special version of the SR5 that you could get w/ a 5 speed and without running boards - something you couldn't get on a limited.
the thing that made the highlander special is that it also came stock w/ 4.30 gears and a rear e-locker. some regular SR5's came that way, but they are also like finding a needle in a haystack while the highlander came that way standard...
it was a special version of the SR5 that you could get w/ a 5 speed and without running boards - something you couldn't get on a limited.
the thing that made the highlander special is that it also came stock w/ 4.30 gears and a rear e-locker. some regular SR5's came that way, but they are also like finding a needle in a haystack while the highlander came that way standard...
#33
i think all 99's... but i'm with beau, i'm not really sure of the advantage of a 99 highlander versus any other 99 with a factory locker.
edit: n/m after andy's post above.
so its the gearing that made the difference between highlander and base/sr5/limited with e-locker?
edit: n/m after andy's post above.
so its the gearing that made the difference between highlander and base/sr5/limited with e-locker?
Last edited by garrett1478; 11-27-2005 at 04:06 PM.
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Originally Posted by bamachem
that would be a 99-00 4Runner Highlander.
Rear e-locker, 4.30 gears, option of no running boards and a 5-speed.
Rear e-locker, 4.30 gears, option of no running boards and a 5-speed.
#36
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I think that non-Highlander e-locked Runners could have the 4.30s, also. I believe Christian (<96Runner>) found a 4Runner with them.
I think it sounds like the most capable stock 4Runner is any '99 with the E-Locker and 4.30s.
I think it sounds like the most capable stock 4Runner is any '99 with the E-Locker and 4.30s.