Hey guy and gals i need some help deciding what year 4runner i sould get for a roadtrip me and one of my buddies are taking to mexico from seattle, washington for a month. We are both are yota owners i have owned a 93' pickup, 99' tacoma, and now a 97' 4runner. He has owned a 92' pickup now owns a 89' pickup.
We are looking at spend no more then $2,000 on a rig. We where think on a late 80's 4runner with a 22re, this would be better then a pickup so we can lock are stuff inside. We think a solid axle would not be the best since we will be driving alot and it might be less rough on the road. He is a good mechanic if anything goes wrong with the truck.
I would like to know what people think would be the best year or years to look for and what other things we should take into consideration.

Thanks, Zach

 

For comfort i would think the 97 4runner....

you are going to buy an entire rig just for a trip to Mexico?

 

yeah we are buying if 4 the trip but we will have fun with it on the trails before and after the trip.

97' limited = $1000 more on gas and wear and tear

 

Hands down a 1st gen with the top off If you need to lock things up just get a cheap army foot locker and bolt it to the bed.

 

^^^ wut he said

 

22re are great mine got 25mpg and on the freeway with 235s tires at 80mph it would be screaming not sure if its good for it after all mine 98 gets 21mpg and has more power

 

I don't think I could handle a 2500 mile trip in any 1st gen truck and the 3rd gen by far for a road trip with solid off road capablities is a clear choice for me.

 

I have traveled cross country (Houston to New England) three times in both an '88 4Runner and twice in my old '99. The '99 by far was the most comfortable. It had much more power, was quiter, and the heat and AC worked. Not to mention it had a TV in it, too. But there is just something about the 1st gen's simplicity that is very appealing ESPECIALLY for a long road trip. Sure it's loud, a little more cramped, and way down on power, but those things seem to make it just more of an adventure. I'm not sure what you are looking for (a posh suite or a tent outback), but I would travel in a 1st gen any day of the week. And while you're at it, leave the top at home and make a simple bikini, you'll thank us in the end.
Good luck!

 

Ask the girlfriend or wife what she'd spend 8 hours on the open highway in.

 

Yea..I don't think I could handle 8 hours with the top off. I know for sure my wife couldn't!

 

Top off is cool. With the runner, you still got some shade. I used to leave the top off the Scout for months at a time. I just kept two large trash bags to pull over the seats when it rained.

 

Well considering that ours is the wife?s rig in the first place I don?t think she'd mind at all.

You are taking a road trip to Mexico from Washington State so the weather is more likely than not going to be SUNNY. Your budget is only 2K and your friend\mechanic has owned a 92 and now an 89 so a 1st gen is even more appropriate.

Get a 1st gen and loose the top and enjoy the sun...