jokerswild

Hi all, I am looking at getting a used 4Runner and would like to know a few things. If it already has over 60k can I expect to get another 100k out of it if I take good care of it, but still having good dirty off road fun with it? Also, will adding modifications for off road use take away from it's life, will it not last as long if I beef it up...bigger tires, life kit..ect... I'd like it to last a long time, but I want to have fun with it as well. I am new to owning a 4x4 and just need some good solid advise to get a good truck and keep it running a long time...thanks in advance.

oly884

Welcome to yotatech!

As for the milage, yeah, you can get another 100K. What year and engine? It might make a difference, but 160K for a toyota is just breaking in on any engine.

Lifting it, bigger tires, etc will decrease the life of certain parts, not the entire truck. I had to deal with this on my old truck witch was a 90 pickup with a 4 inch lift and 33's. Steering and drive train (axles, driveshafts, transmission) will all wear quicker, but if you keep things maintained, you won't have a problem. If you are looking at getting a 100K more, then I really don't see any issues you'll run into. Toyotas are pretty solid and my truck proved it self many times.

gwhayduke

With that amount of miles, I assume you're looking at a 3rd gen with the 3.4L V6. Good vehicle choice...go for it. Just remember, when you wheel, slow and easy is the way to go. Wheel fast and you'll break more stuff...including some you won't find out about until much later. Stock, your Toy will do quite a bit, if you learn a little from someone more experienced. Another 100K should be easy if you maintain it well. Keep in mind that, if it's a daily driver, lifts and other mods may affect how it handles and you'll probably still spend most of your time on asphalt dodging mall moms talking on cell phones.

jokerswild

Thanks for the informative imput from you both. I hope to find one tht has much less than 100k as my $$$ situation will only allow so much. And the mod's I hope to do won't be anything extreme. BUt I will keep in mind that I can get something with high miles and not be nervous about it as you would be with most other vehicles. thanks again.

jokerswild

Oh, one other thing, is the same reliability extended to the tacoma's?

kyle_22r

60k? i bought my truck at 300,000

Tacoma Dude

As long as it's a Toyota...

Be sure to do your homework though. Check out some threads on the 3.0 V6. Seems that there are some headgasket issues you need to worry about there.
When I was looking for my '86 1st gen I was seeing a lot of V6s around here but eventually went for the 4 cyl because everyone raved about it's bulletproof durability, ease of rebuild, and abundance of extra parts.
I do have to say though... I wish it had the power of my 3.4L V6 Tacoma

jokerswild

I just found one that I will look at this weekend...here are the specs
$7,988
Mileage 109,957 Engine 3.0L I6
Body Style SUV Transmission AUTO
Wheelbase 103" Drive Train 4X4
Doors 4
Exterior Color Gray VIN JT3VN39W9P0129496
It looks nice in the pic, i'm a litle leary about the mileage....thoughts anybody??

gwhayduke

Kyle...Ya know I've always liked the looks of those first 4x4 Toy pickups like yours. You gonna shorten the bed or put a flat bed on it?

toy283

Didn't mention the year but I would guess it is a 2nd gen by the engine size. 4Runners didn't come with an I6 though so it's either a typo (most likely) or someone swapped in a Supra engine (possible but not likely).

User 051420

I'd have no problems looking at that mileage. Heck, I'd save a bit more money on get something with HIGHER miles, then use that as mod money! Mine will roll over 177k today for sure. Keeps on rollin!

kyle_22r

when i actually get around to working on it(when i get a job ) i'm going to tear it down to the frame and rebuild just about everything(planning on a bigger engine and R151F tranny though!) i'm going to look for a new bed and bob it. i like the long wheelbase but i wish i had a shorter bed

PoBoy

Figure in your mod budget...I havent looked at prices for 3rd gen mods in a while, but they were a LOT higher than 2nd gens when I had my '96. You also have a lot more options for 1st and 2nd gen mods.

Definitely do a little research on that 2nd gen 3.0L...they are good for the first 100k it seems, but it's hit or miss for the second 100k. A lot of blown head gaskets out there...

Im with Tacoma Dude...if you can find a 4cyl and be satisified with it's power, get it!

gwhayduke

Joker...I still look for 2nd gen 4Runners in the want ads...but ONLY 1995's. Toyota seemed to get the headgasket problem solved in that year and there is no recall for at least part of that year...Mine isn't in on the recall.

Kyle...I may know where there are a couple of the same vintage...One (4x4) is up on blocks and the other is a 2wd with a topper that has been sitting for more than 2 years. Let me know when you're ready and maybe one of them is in pretty good condition...

If I don't get'em and fix 'em up first.

kyle_22r

beds are usually not too hard to find in this area. that, and 2wd beds for 1st gen trucks were exactly the same as the 4x4 version, except they didn't have the big rubber/plastic/vinyl fender flares bolted on

wouldn't mind giving it a different paint job at the same time, as much as i love my yellow:

i love that one, it's a rare factory color that was only available in 1981. there's also a version that replaces the red with blue. somebody down the road from me has a truck like that, looks pretty sharp

jokerswild

I really apprecieate all the advise. About the head gasket issues, any more on that, as well as how can I find out if it's in danger of going? I know the signs of one on it's way out and failed as I just replaced one on my piece of %$#&% ford escort, but is there a way to inspect for that without taking the engine apart? So I am correct in thinking that 109k is not yet in the red zone and should be a safe purchase as you all seem to agree upon?

jokerswild

One other thing...what's with the rear sag on 4runners? What causes it and how do you fix it...cheaply

jokerswild

oh, and the engine on the 93' 4runner is a v6 EFI not 3.0L I6 if that means anything to any of you....not very well educated on engines as of yet but i'm learning..thanks again for all the help.

gwhayduke

Re: Headgasket...There is no way to tell whether the HG is going or not. You'll be driving along and see a white cloud following you. You can take the 4Runner to a mechanic and have them put a hydrocarbon "sniffer" on the radiator to detect if any HC's are getting into the coolant...something I've never done. But, unless you're willing to do it on a weekly basis, you may never catch the leak.

Re: Rear end sag...New springs from Downey, OME (Old Man Emu), Performance Products, or similar. Most of them lift the back end 1.5 to 2 inches, unless you want more lift. Then you have to crank the torsion bars in front to level it out. The springs are about $150. Downey and OME seem to be the most popular.

Re: 3.0 V6...I drove a new Taco 3.4V6 extended cab yesterday, with a stick like mine. The clutch engaged pretty early, so I accidently spun the tires getting it out of the dealership. I'm not sure I've ever spun the tires on my '95 with the 3.0. And you probably won't either. I've always felt it was adquately powered, but now I'm not sure. The Taco even had 3.91 gears versus my 4.55's. The 3.0 has served several of us well, but the mods are very limited and rebuilt replacement engines have many of the same HG and rod problems of the originals. Mine has 211K and I dread the day it dies while I'm watching quite a few 3.0's on this board die various deaths...HG, loose bearings, rods, holes in pistons. Yet, I don't hear any of those reports coming from 3.4 V6's.

If you buy this 4Runner, and at some point it dies, you'll spend $1200 to $8000 rebuilding and modifying the engine. Money you could have spent on a '96+ model with the very reliable 3.4.