I too am looking to purchase a 4wd 4Runner and I see that the 99 and 00 are the best years for the price range I'm considering. I am new to 4Runners so I have a couple of questions:
- I really like the SR5 body style and not so keen on the flared wheel wells of the Ltd. Aside from the bells and whistles (power everything and leather seats) of the Ltd am I giving up performance w the SR5? I'm not a savy truck enthusiast but will be driving in snow and I got a little confused with the AWD offered only on the ltd but not the SR5? Also, I'm confused about conversations regarding the elocker, what does it do, does it not come of the SR? Sorry for such laymen questions but I have a feeling this is important stuff and you all seem to quite knowledgeable on the subject.

Also, here are links to a few vehicles I'm considering. I like the first one the best without the running boards and wheel well flares, but for reasons unknown to me it may not be the best buy:

http://autos.yahoo.com/used-cars/toy...-cars383509674
http://autos.yahoo.com/used-cars/toy...-cars384399354
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv...219548295.html
or
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...TAFSRCHUSDTEXT

thanks

 

1985

1999

2011

 

cosmetically I like the 96-98 4Runners...I don't like how the front bumpers hang out on the 99+'s

 

i like the second one (hoodscoopage ) and the last one. you can pull the fugly running boards off of either one easliy

 

the second generation 4runners 87-95 i think the years are are gutless and up to 1994 the head gaskets blew all the time, the fixed it in 95 (the last year of the 2nd gen). The 3rd gen 4runner is nice and has the bigger V6 3.4L and nice styling to boot.

The limited with the elocker is nice if you like leather and the trim (gag) but the elocker is not for regular driving on pavement, it would only be used when driving on deep snow, mud or loose sand (like the desert) and is sometimes difficult and tricky to engage. I'd go with the regular SR5 4x4 becuase 4wd is best for winter/snow driving where as the limited with the diff locker is only good in rainy weather (not snow becuase the computer will control the gas and brake every time it feels the tires slip). Just my $.02