Hi all I know I want to buy a 4runner but I don't know what year is best to get(I know a lot of you guys are going to be partial to your make/model). I know toyotas are known for their reliabiliy and I really like the way the 4runners look, that being said I'm not really into off roading(I know you guys probably consider this a sin) but I'm looking for something that I can haul with and still get decent gas milage. I also know that the 3.0v6 is known to have problems so i'm thinking of getting one with the 22re motor, however would I be able to safely pull a car trailer with a 4 cylinder? anyway what I'm looking for is the pros and cons of each year and what you guys think would be best, with emphasis on reliability and fuel economy, I looked at a 87 4 runner the other day that had auto trans, 4wd, SE5 package, 22re motor, with 189,000 the truck looked very clean but did have some dings and the paint was faded some they wanted $2500 for it which is about my limit as far as price do you guys think its worth it? thanks in advance for you comments

 

how much weight are you planning on towing? the 22re is a very good motor. but the 3.0 is solid and reliable too.


and welcome to the forum

 

well it would be a car trailer with a mid size or so car, I had heard that the 3.0 was prone to headgasket problems and that they don't get as good of gas mileage is this correct?

 

Go for a first gen with a straight axle! (just in case you find the light)
Stay away from autos. I have two toys one with an auto, the other with a 5 speed . The auto drives like a dog, i already have the 5 speed bought to replace it.

I have pulled some heavy trailers with my 83 (22r), it has the mojo to do it, on flat land (forget any type of hill running). But motor is not everything, got to think of brakes and gearing too.

jm2 pennies

 

if your pulling that much weight i would look at something bigger.. like a tundra or T100 or at least a 3rd gen with the 3.4. i towed home a small pickup ona tow dolly with my 3.0 and it was not very happy with me. i was in 2nd a couple times coming over the pass. (and its a fairly small pass at onl 4000 feet)

 

welcome to YT ......the 3.0 is a good motor but i like the 3.4 alot better .. how much you looking to spend

 

I think he said around 2500.

 

where i live you have to spend around $3,500-9,000 for 2nd gens and $5,000-24,000 for 3rd gens.... ya there not cheap here in oregon

 

3.0 does have more power than the 22R, but has bad gas mileage and has a history of head gasket issues. I would not make the engine as much a factor as the transmission. The automatics are particularly poorly matched to these engines - the overdrive is too tall, resulting in VERY poor response on the highway and hills. Toyota manual transmissions are very nice.

$2500 budget is going to be tough to get something nice. Location makes a bg difference, but when i was looking for mine, I saw '86 trucks for more than that! I got my 4Runner for $3000 with no radio, a couple very minor mechanical issues (CV, brake caliper, shocks, was due for a timing belt), but little body rust and a pristine interior.

Trucks seem to hold their value better than 4Runners for some reason...

 

actually $2500 is kinda on the high side for where I live for a 1st gen I am partial to a 5 speed anyway all the vehicles I have owned have been 5 speed looks like I will be doing some more looking the higher milage is also a concern of mine. I would like to have a 3rd gen 3.4l but my budget isn't going to allow for that if anyone has a 4runner in the south east let me know I don't mind catching a bus or something to come pick up one if its in good shape and a good deal

 

I would nt sweat the milage thing to bad. If the truck has been maintained it will run forever, if it continues to be properly maintained. It's a Toyota million miles is nothing right?

Good luck on your search,

just do it right go thru it with the fine tooth comb, and come back and ask if in doubt. All the reading i do here there is with out a doubt some one here who will have the answer, and everyone is pretty good about it and helpful.

the search is half the battle...

and who knows next year you can tackle the 3.4 swap...

 

3.4l swap......hehe I don't dbout that I could do it, it would really come down to money I've heard of guys spending $5000+ on that swap you are right about mileage though I've got a Mazda B2200 that has nearly 300,000 miles and still runs great. sounds like a lot of you think I should stay away from an auto? also someone said something about a solid front axle? I remember seeing someone saying that they were only on certain years what years were they, also I will sound dumb but what is the advantage of the solid axle over the torsions, or coil springs or whatever is on the other years?

 

also I see a lot of places where you guys are using the term SAS, what does this stand for?

 

SAS=Solid Axle Swap(meaning it had IFS and they swapped in a SFA), SFA= Solid Front Axle. The Solid front axles for the trucks were from '79-85 and for the 4Runner just in 85.

 

"also I will sound dumb but what is the advantage of the solid axle over the torsions, or coil springs or whatever is on the other years?"

kind of preference,

but a soild front axle is cheaper to set up, usually get better articualtion out of it, stronger in most cases.

But you will find pros and cons for both of them.

A good determined person can make either set up a force to be reconed with its just a matter of money and determination really.

Its a Toyota, no matter what you are on the right track!

Oh ya its not dumb unless you dont ask, i really doubt anyone here has not ever in their lives ever uttered a dumb question. so ask away it only help you learn and grow.