Wanted to ask a few questions.
I am looking to getting into a 96-99 runner.
I have owned 1st and 2nd generation and 97 FJ80.

3.4 any head gasket issues?
Timing belt intervals?
Is there a mpg difference between 5 sp or auto on highway? (I have read about 22mpg highway not sure if that was 5spd or Auto)
How rare is the rear locker?

Thanks

 

I don't know about hg issues w/ the 3.4 or have not read about any.
90k for timing belt intervals.

 

I am looking to getting into a 96-99 runner.
>>> good choice most on the forum would say that the 99 w/ the e-locker and 5 speed is the most desireable. of note, the 99s and the 00s suffer from the infamous gas gauge problem. please search "TSB EL-010", read it, understand the fix and negotiate the fix into your future purchase

I have owned 1st and 2nd generation and 97 FJ80.
>>> talk about brand loyalty!

3.4 any head gasket issues?
>> none whatsoever. you might be thinking about the 3.0L (2nd gen)

Timing belt intervals?
>> 90k as previously stated.

Is there a mpg difference between 5 sp or auto on highway? (I have read about 22mpg highway not sure if that was 5spd or Auto)
>> no significant difference. i've owned two 3rd gens (currently a 98) and there was no significant difference in mileage

How rare is the rear locker?
>>not very rare. finding a 5speed w/ a rear locker is rare, but can be found if patient

 

I thought the timing belt intervals were 60K? Just asking because I just bought a 97 SR5 4WD with 82,000 miles on it and I'm not sure if the timing belt has been replaced yet.

By the way I'm new and this is my first post, I'll set up a newbie thread once I take pics of my truck. Hello to all.

 

Thanks for the input, I knew the 3.0 had HG issues, just wanted to check and see if the issue was fixed with the new 3.4 motor. I loved my FJ but the 12mpg was killing me.
Any other trouble areas I should look for on these years?
Are the timing belts hard to repalce? I have done timing chains on 22re but not any toyota belts. I have replaced timing belts on Honda's and Subarus.

What about towing? What is the max trailer and is this different from 5sp to Auto?

 

60k for the 4-cylinder models. I believe the last 4-cylinder 4runners came out in '98.

 

2000.

 

Really. I guess I couldn't tell b/c the 96-98 four-cylinders have the dark bumpers (not chrome) and the non-color matched door handles. How can you tell if the 99 and 00 models are 4-bangers from their appearances?

 

black rearview mirrors and door handles (non color matched) and no SR5 emblem on the hatch, and those ugly 15" steel wheels. i'm not sure if the 'big tire option' was available for 4 cylinders or not.

http://sonoransteel.com/1998.html

 

Sweet, I at least have a few thousand more miles before I have to change it. Gives me some time to save for it.