Im looking at buying a later model used 4Runner for city/country driving. Is there any particular years to stay away from

 

Anything that has a 3.slow.

 

Come on now. It's still a 'yota.

I have one w/ about 300,000 on it and still kickin'.

 

unless all your driving is downhill, then stay away from the 3.0. it gets horriable gas mileage and has fricken noooooo power, but its great off road

 

If power is a great concern, don't bother looking at any 4runner older then a 96 with the 3.4L v6.

As long as the vehicle has and is maintained properly, any year will do you good. If you do however buy a pre 96 4runner, do yourself a favor, and stay away from the automatics.

 

If you want something on the newer side I'd get a 3rd gen (96-02 I believe). Stay away from the new generation with the V8, gas mileage is... well V8ish!

 

Thaks everyone... I guess Im looking in the 1994 - 200? years..lot depends what I can afford.

 

Jeez guys, way to scare the crap out of the guy.

C'mon the 3.slow isn't a bad engine, yeah it's a little under powered to be in the 4Runners, but it's not like having a 4cyl in there, mine isn't too bad, it will move out if I get on it, and it is a tough motor that will last a hell of a long time. I've had 3 and haven't killed any of them.

It's true the gas mielage isn't great, but I get 15, what does the 3.4 get on average, 17,18? If you're looking to buy a 4WD truck, are you really concerned about 2 or 3 mpg?? If you're commuting get a Corolla, not a 4Runner.

OK, the 3.4 is a better engine, but I think what he was asking about was any bad mechanical defects to stay away from, like how Jeep Cherokee's had bad exhaust manifolds in the late 90's. Or the 2nd gen Pathfinders had a engineering flaw in the oil flow system and engines would burn up

But the 3.0 will do you fine if you find a truck you like that has it, just ask the owner if the HG recall was ever done.

Jay351.....I don't disagree that 5spd is better than Automatic, but honestly good luck trying to find a 5spd 4Runner that is in decent enough shape to buy, that doesn't have other things wrong with it. The chances of finding a 5spd Runner that has the mileage you want, body in good shape, doesn't need a whole lot of work.....might be impossible.

I'd say 95% of them on the road are Automatic, and that Auto is tough as hell too.

Anyway that's my input.

 

you're gonna want a 96-98. the 99-02 gets more pricey. you could get either 4cyl or 6cyl (2.7L and 3.4L). They're both good. I've had both engines and both vehicles were 4runners that almost same year. I would have to say the 2.7L 4 cyl is great on gas, but not that much greater as to what you sacrifice. I had to struggle with the 4 cyl a lot more on these colorado mountain pass as lack of power. trying to go up I70 struggling to hold 60mph. the 3.4l is a very good engine.

 

95.5+

 

This is exactly why I'm currently collecting parts to put a Lexus 1UZFE V8 in my 86 4runner. The 22RE is a great motor around town and off-road. But it quickly meets its match on some of our steep passes here in Colorado. And I worry that the 3rz still isn't quite enough for the extra bulk of a 4runner around these parts...

 

This could be the topic of a great debate, but your 86 it is alot lighter then the 2nd and 3rd gens.
But a 1uz swap would be hella wicked.
Good luck.

Sorry to stray off topic

 

15? Thats not that great. My truck gets over 20mpg on a good day of mostly hwy driving.

The 3.4L usually gets around 20-22mpg or so.

Yes, I do agree that a 5sp is pretty rare in the 4runners. Most of them were loaded autoslows. But, thankfully these trucks are pretty easy to do a 5sp swap on. In anycase, finding a 5sp is not THAT hard, they are out there Worth waiting for IMO.

 

I myself am still looking for that right one. I've been weeding through so many ads where the majority are 2WD and automatic versions.

 

Well I do a combination of hwy and around town and average 15 usually, which is pretty normal for the 3.0 in a Runner, I have never heard of it getting 20 in the Runner, pickup maybe, my old 88 with the 3.slow and 5spd got about 18.

Well I guess finding a 5spd depends on where you live, in NY it's almost impossible and if you do find one you better jump on it, because in a blink of an eye a cab driver will snatch it up and have it sent back to wherever he comes from. They love the 5spds, because they don't want to deal with the Auto in those countries, they buy all of them up, 5spd Pathfinders too.

 

I appreciate eveyones input on this... How is the the 94 - 200? for space inside. I seen a 4Runner (probable around 94 - 98) that was about the same size as my 85...

 

it still amazes me that some of you folks are hatin on the 3L...
I have had my 88 for 10 years and got about 7 speeding tickets in it ....
"no power"???... 80 in a 55.... 91 in a 65... ( ok that was down hill )
78 in a 50....

they are ALOT cheaper to buy... run really well.. and run FOREVER!...