Hey everyone,


I began my 4 runner search last week and was surprised to see a

1996 Sr5 5speed elocker with 100,000miles on it for $7500 CDN.


I called, but the guy said it sold in less than 24hours.



So this brings me to my question. Obviously this great comvo (5speed + elocker) is super rare and I will be lucky if another one pops up so I have lowered my standards.


Which is a better setup to turn 33's.


Auto+elocker (4.30's).

or


5speed (doubtful on elocker) so 4.10's.



I do not need an elocker, but it is nice to have. The main reason I would choose the auto+elocker combo is to get the 4.30 gears.

I would like to run OME 3" + 285/75's if possible but I do NOT want to run 33's on an auto 4.10 truck.

I had that setup in my Taco and it was GUTLESS.

If the resounding statement is "even with 4.30's or a 5 speed, a T4R with 33's is still ultra slow" I will consider just getting 32's.

If it matters my personal preference for driving is 5speed.




These are the trucks for sale locally with the 2 setups listed.


99 SR5 5 speed 130,000 Miles no elocker - $8500 CDN
98 LTD elocker 130,000 miles w/ elocker - $8500 CDN
00 LTD elocker 120,000 miles w/elocker - $10000 CDN
96 LTD elocker 110,000 miles w/elocker - $8000 CDN
97 LTD elocker 130,000 miles w/elocker - $9000 CDN

 

Regear for 33's

 

I will not be regearing.


I have spent way to much $$ in vehicles in my life. I need to save for a house of my own.

3" lift and rims+tires will be my only mods. Maybe a deck and speakers.

 

Then why are you getting a 3rd gen 4runner?

You could pick up a trail ready 2nd gen runner for like 4500.

 

I do not want a 2nd gen runner.

I want a 3rd gen, small lift new tires and decent power.


I searched, found those were the best combo's for power but no responses directly comparing the 2.

I haven't driven a 4.30 geared V6 auto, nor have I tested a 5speed v6 so I thought I would ask.

 

Well in that case i would go for the 5 speed. Its easier to swap in a e locker in the future than it is to do a 5spd swap.

And if you are trying to save money, dont go 33s, not only are they more expensive, but your mpgs will hurt more with stock gearing too.

 

Thanks for the input.


5 speeds are so damn hard to find. Only 1 locally as I mentioned above.

As for MPG, i have a gas card from work so Im not to worried about that now.

And as I look at more and more t4r pics, i really like the small bumper style of the 96-98's. I know everyone says 99+ are the better years, but I dislike those fatlip bumpers.

 

i like how you said "oh i'll only do lift, rims, tires, maybe stereo...." lol. heres a tip, leave it alone or you will never stop. as for 33's.... i have an AT 2000 w/ the 3.4 (that is what we're talking about here right??) and running 285/55r16 LC 8" wide rims and have NOT noticed any issues. ran 265/75's before and no issues either and some other wider tire, i think like a 270/70 or something and no issues either. i hear people run 285/75 w/o issues too.

 

ya mines got a e locker and a 5spd which means it has 4:30 gears power loss with 285s was hardly noticeable

 

Mines auto, has 4:30 gears, no factory elocker, and 33's. my 4:30's came stock from the factory in mine. Its pretty rare to find one, but I dont imagine as rare as a 5speed w/ elocker. with the deckplate and ISR mod, which is super easy to do, it feels like a damn sports car.

 

So your willing to spend 600+ for 3 inch lift. but you cannot spend less than 300 bucks to regear?

Gears are cheap man, and they go along way.

~Michael

 

From what I've noticed, most auto's with elocker have 4.30 gears. I run 35's on stock gears (4.30) and its fine. If I was doing crawling every weekend, I'd regear. But the crawling I do can be accomplished with 4lo.

I felt that 33's and 4.30's were pretty much perfect for the truck.

 

This is not my first vehicle.

I have spent oodles on the cars in my signature. So much so that I could have easily afforded my downpayment. My last Tacoma had $7000 into it. My current Civic is around 5k.

I cannot stand driving a stock vehicle, and I do occationally enjoy a wheel or camping trip. I have budgeted my lift+tires to $2000 or less. After that is done all the money goes into my downpayment.



$300 for gears, a lot more for install. I have never done gears, and do not want to try.


Thanks for the responses everyone, very helpful.

 

Ahhh, Gears are pretty simple. Just have to shim it correctly. Its a pretty simple process.

I've done a couple of diffs, only takes about 15-20 minutes per Diff.

 

Its kind of funny how money flys out the door. I have a 240SX as my daily driver. I probably have spent close to 30k on it all in all.

Its pretty nasty.