toyotaisblood

So I'm new to yotatec. I'm having a hard time trying to pick what year t4r I want! I'm looking for a good ride and I want sas one day. Needs to be 4x4 and five speed. I have a one year old baby girl and she needs to be safe until we get a newer Camry so that's a factor I like the 90-95 and I love the 96-2001 because of there easyer to lift. What's yalls opinions. I live in the front range of Colorado so I'll be doing some rock crawling and camping all so. I want to lift 3" and put some 33" tires on and bumpers So please any help!!! Thanks

Current rides are
94 corolla dx. Wife's car
92 Celica daily driver
91 Celica auto cross car.

Sold 91Celica 2jz swap 800hp drag car aka monster yo

90runnerkid

What is your price range? The 3rd gens are really nice, especially if you can find a 5spd with the factory e-locker. That combination is very rare though, and they are quite a bit more expensive than 2nd gens. I personally like the 2nd gens because they are cheap, and its easy to find one with a manual transmission.

Check out my old rig (link in signature) - it was setup pretty close to what it sounds like you want to do, and it did great out on the trails.

PS - Welcome to yotatech!

toyotaisblood

I'm looking in the $5000 range. I need something that's going to be reliable for the most part I like the 2gen but I've heard there is a lot of problems with the motor and I can't afford to do a motor swap and I want a v6 and I'll v8 swap it when I do sas but that's down the road. Ps I'm new to rock crawling. I'm used to swamps back east!!! Suburban on 44s

NextR

Late 90's 4runner with the 3.4 sounds like a good option for you.

Welcome to YOTAtech!

toyotaisblood

Thanks for the feed back. I guess i need to search more. Its not reallly a rush. Will a 2nd gen with bj spacers clear 33" with norubing becuase it be nice if i could spend 2500 and then ill have 2500 for new parts bumpers winches sliders tires

90runnerkid

Yes, depending on the backspacing of your rims. If you have rims with say 3.5 inch backspacing like I did, then some trimming / pounding on the pinch weld will be necessary. Rims with greater (closer to stock) backspacing will require less work on the pinch weld to clear 33s without rubbing.

toyotaisblood

I talked to Scott with addicted off road and he really opened my eyes to a first gen 4runner easy to work on I don't have a long commute so I think that's what I'm going to go with thanks for all your feedback

highonpottery

iTrader: (1)

3rd gen would be my choice since family will also ride in it and sounds like might be a dd for a little while. In 2009 was ready to buy a 2002 4Runner with trd package since we knew we would be having kids in the next few years...then ended up with toyotas flagship vehicle for not much more - the 100-series land cruiser. It was a better choice for me.

First gen is a great vehicle, but for me I needed a nice dd and know that eventually I'll just buy a cheaper old rig to turn into a raisin.

toyotaisblood

So I'm going and looking at a 99 t4r with 190,000 miles Wednesday for 4500 and was wondering what to look for as far as major problems it's a five speed 4x4 limited with locking rear dif. Guy said it's never been off road but I'm New to Colorado so any help would be nice thanks

Ps I'm so happy I found this deal I'm ready to order a toy Tec 3in ome and I picked up some 33"12.50/16 for 200 tires and rims 3/4 tred

90runnerkid

That's great, I think a 3rd gen with a 3in lift will be perfect for what you want. Check out this thread, especially post #2 for some great info on things to look for:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-ge...ers-guide.html

toyotaisblood

90runner that link was perfect ill try to figure out how to post pics when i get it

highonpottery

iTrader: (1)

Wow that's a deal if it turns out to be a good rig. Can't get a deal like that in ca unless it's wrecked or from family member, lol. Good luck!

RJR

Yeah, that's usually an $8000 dollar vehicle in Colorado, unless it's been wrecked or doesn't run.

toyotaisblood

So i checked it out its perfect. Clean as all get out. So im pay for it friday it belongs to my bosses wife it been garage keep hes going to let me drive it all week to make sure its what i want. He's going to though in a roof rack and a 3in toytec lift but he doesnt have the shocks for it and its hunter green no dents or scratches

RJR

Sounds like you got a cream puff! The 3rd gens are hard to beat for a good combination of power, highway manners, and comfort along with good trail performance, esp. with the e-locker.

toyotaisblood

It rode so great on the way home I'm in love the tires are near brand New its great all the power is right there.a lot more power than my Celica

toyotaisblood

So im driving to denver last night and im on highway 85 and a guy in a big work truck tboned the runner totaling it i got some cuts and bruises. But i got it towed to my house thank god for full covage. Im so very sad 😢

RJR

That is seriously sad! I am so sorry, because you were excited to have what seemed like a really great vehicle. I'm glad you weren't hurt seriously, and I hope you'll be able to find a similar replacement.

donomite49

i'd keep it for an engine swap on a 1st gen runner, best of both worlds...

highonpottery

iTrader: (1)

wowzers that sucks! glad to hear you're ok.
sounds almost as sad as what happened to Project X2 (from ih8mud - 80-series chassis/susp + 100-series drivetrain + 60-series body...well over $100k rig that was totaled on the test drive)