1996-2002 Toyota 4Runner: Highlights

On sale in March 1996, 4Runner shared powertrains and some chassis elements with the Tacoma pickup, but styling, wheelbase, rear suspension, and interior design differed. Dual airbags were standard, along with 4-wheel antilock brakes and side-impact door beams. Wheelbase was two inches longer, door width grew by 1.5 inches, rear leg room was up three inches, and the floor was lowered by 2.4 inches. A new one-piece rear liftgate replaced the former 2-piece tailgate, with a standard power window. The 4-door wagon came with 2- or 4-wheel drive in base, sportier SR5, and luxury 4WD Limited trim. Base engine was a 2.7-liter 4-cylinder. Standard in the Limited and optional in others was a 183-horsepower, 3.4-liter V6. A 5-speed manual gearbox was standard, 4-speed automatic optional (standard on Limited). All 4x4s except the Limited used a part-time 4WDemand system. Only Limiteds got Toyota's electronic One-Touch Hi-4 system, with a handy button on the transfer-case lever to shift between 2WD and 4WD High range.

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1999 Toyota 4Runner: Toyota added full-time 4WD on the Limited (Multimode System). Other models made do with part-time 4WD systems. Across-the-board changes included a mild facelift, standard auto-off headlamps, and a new center console. SR5 models gained an optional Sport Package that added fender flares, fog lamps, hood scoop, and color-keyed bumpers. Limiteds also received a tailgate-window down feature on the keyless remote, plus auto climate control.

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2001 Toyota 4Runner: 4Runner lost its base 4-cylinder models and manual transmission for 2001, but all models now had full-time 4-wheel-drive and an antiskid/traction-control system. All models also got a revised grille and taillamps, and the Limited added standard heated front seats, Homelink remote door opener, and an optional in-dash CD changer.

The Toyota Hilux Surf is in my opinion one of the best hi spec 4x4s available today. These vehicles are built to last with reliability to match. The 3rd Gen (1996-1999)will turn heads wherever it goes as it is one of the finest looking 4x4s you are likely to see. The 3Ltr Td engine oozes power and has plenty of low end torque and pulls like you wouldn't believe,great performer off-road too with diff lock an option for when you get into sticky situations.There is also 4wd at the touch of a button which is handy when driving on slippy roads(no transmission wind up due to the centre diff). All in all a fantastic vehicle only available on import from Japan,but worth importing.

i'll go back to what i always say when this question comes up: if the conditions are such that you need AWD (or 4WD) then you should be driving slow enough that you'd never hit any mechanical limits. if you can drive 120 km/hr, then the conditions are such that you don't need AWD.