stangman39

Hi all,
New here.
Looking to p/u my 1st 4Runner. I'm looking into a '96 Limited 4x4 model. I'll need my 4Runner to be able to pull my 2 SeaDoos on the double trailer. Can I easily install a hitch on this model? Someone mentioned to make sure the model I buy has a trans cooler?

Any thoughts/comments would be great,
Thanks,
Mike

Rick F.

Is the '96 the 3.0 liter or 3.4 liter? If it's the 3.0, then I'd have a transmission cooler installed if it doesn't have one especially if you're in hilly terrain. I pulled boats and campers with my 3.0 w/o a cooler and never had a problem (other than being in people's way...), but in hindsight, wish I had.

You probably won't have a problem w/o a cooler since you're not towing a lot of weight, but better safe than sorry.

stangman39

Thanks Rick,

Appreciate the info.

I was also wondering is there gonna be any issue actually getting a hitch installed and hooking it to the lights? I assume the hitch fits around the spare?

Update...well, the one I was looking at was on Ebay and someone just did the BIN for $7600! I thought it was a good deal...should have just pulled the trigger! Oh well, at least I know for others I look at!

Mike

norflaballer

hey bro..

i got a 98 SR5 4x4 w/ a trailor hitch and i accually have towed my buddys 2 jet ski's to the ocean once when we went out and tore it up..

I live in North east florida, so there is no hills except for bridges.

since it's a 96. i believe u will have the same 3.4L V-6 that i have. If so, you shouldn't have anmy problems towing. IT was a little slower getting up to speed and i did use more gas b/c i was towing, but i had no other problems w/ over heating or any of that.

stangman39

Cool! Thanks.
Now I just need to find one in my price range w/o a gazillion miles on it!!

norflaballer

i bought my 98 like 3 months ago or so, and it had 120k on it... but still runs like a champ. so i don't care.

MTL_4runner

4runners in 1996 only had the 3.4L as an option for a V6, 1995 was the last year for the 3.0L motor. I had 4 jetskis on 2 double trailers that I used to tow with my 4runner every weekend and it handled them with no problem. The truck was a little more sluggish than usual, but the truck had no issues because the weight was really not that much compared to something like a boat. Use the ECT button on the console, it actually does help when towing. You definately should get a tranny cooler which helps keep tranny temps down and at the very least change the fluid in the tranny pan 3-4 times say every 1k miles (tranny flush would be better to replace all the fluid at once). The deckplate mod will also help give you more passing power at WOT or going up hills if you need it. Finally the brakes are the weak part of the 4runner IMHO, so if you end up warping a set of rotors (like I did while towing a boat and braking downhill.....towed my jetskis many times with no warping issue) then you should do the Tundra brake swap for the front.