cnielsen4130

im looking to buy my first 4runner, but not first 4x4. i have been looking at them alot, i have some questions also. i want a 3rd gen. im going to set it up for the trails, camping, kind of an adventure vehicle. im curious on what years to look for, and what to avoid. the newer the better tho. what changed in those years, any one give me a brief run down? somewhere to look, i did serch i promise, just results are vague, plus i wanted you guys to also post picks of your runners in the year that are also set up for the trails. i have so many ideas, please help

msw0085

...

http://www.top4runners.com/ja/runhist.html

JGM

Its up to you, but I would not say a newer 3rd gen is necessarily better. There are significant differences as you can find out.

Do you like the rear locker? Go older. Do you prefer a stick over an auto? Go older. If you EVER think that you may want to put a solid axle on it, you have to go older if you want your gauges to work (you may shoot to get a 2.7 vs 3.4).

As you get it, wheel it, and do more with it, fully expect that you will want to mod it more and more (maybe not, but I would bet otherwise). Older 3rd gens are simpler, cheaper, and easier to mod.

I would shoot for a 96 through 99 personally.

Okay, okay, let the dissenting opinions begin....

Ironmike4x4

I recommend a '99 or later with the cupholders, e-locker, and a manual.

JGM

Oh, you can also do a search on camping setups, sleeping platform or something like that. There are folks here that have done some pretty cool camping-specific mods to their 4Rs.

Elton

i have a 98 3.4 5speed e-locker and it has 128k on it and runs great... how much you looking to spend also where do you live

4RunnerFever

This one would be a good choice
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f180/1998-supercharged-4runner-sale-boone-nc-83458/

ecchamberlin

Considering all that has already been done to it I think it is a great price. You should really consider this one.

Again though it all depends on what you want to do with it. I have an 01 with out the locker even being an option and extremely difficult to Solid axle swap. However, I have pushed it pretty hard and stuck with lots of guys with lockers because of the TRAC system. So if you are not going to take it to extremes an 01 or 02 is okay also.

That being said I am adding a locker to mine and in retrospect should have held out for a 99 and older for the factory locker option but I am really really starting to push it lately.