I really like it.

Here's what I've got.

'95 limited, 5-speed, 3.0
165k miles
leather, a/c

PP rear springs
Bilsteins.
Rockstomper sliders
Rockstomper skidplate and frame brace
Stout Equipment rear bumper
4 brand new BFG TA k/o

The body is bad. Central NY rust. Both rear quarters, along the rockers. A couple of tight corners sculpted each front fender.

I bought it in '97. For the last three years, I've mostly driven my 2000 Golf TDi (40+ mpg and it hauls both kayaks and almost as much gear as the truck.) The last year I've used the truck for snowy commutes and weekend hauling and the truck on our 140 acre outdoor education center (everything from a portable gear closet for our ropes course to clearing trees off the horse trails.) Oh yeah, the Golf has hauled my last cord of firewood, it took a few more trips because I'd have used 4x8 utility trailer behind the 'Runner.

The clutch is shot.

The fuel sender (I'll take some help diagnosing and assessing this one.) needs to be replaced. It leaks fuel whenever the tank is under pressure.

The tailgate window does not operated. The whole window mechanism is rusted. I repaired, until I can no more.

Mechanically, except of a leaky PS pump and a bad 1st gear synchro...well is a truck with 165 thousand miles...

It's been parked for the last 3 months.

The Golf is not in great shape either (I eBayed it in 2004 for $7,500) so if I don't 'upgrade' the 4Runner, I may the V-dub.

So: fix the truck or sell the truck and buy a used, newer Taco?

Thanks for taking a rambling question on this Easter night.

A few "car-payments" in repair costs, or a new car payment. I may upgrade the Golf if I keep the truck (it needs some intake work and a door control module). This is tough too, because the Golf has an aluminum rally skid plate, Bilstein's and a Marty Bergel 1.5" lift kit.

If I sell them both I could get a Jetta Wagon and get a new skidplate and suspension.

 

Well, I've decided to ditch the 4Runner and the Golf and go for a Tacoma. I'm thinking '04 or newer, 4wd, Xtracab, 5-speed.

Was the TRD Off-Road package available with the 4-banger?

What is the mileage difference between the 2.7 4-cyl and the V6?

I know I'm going to take a huge hit going from the 40+mpg Golf, but will the couple of mpg saved by the 4-cylinder outweigh the lower hp and torque?

Input please.

 

Well, it's official
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=200105190641